Michael McLean

Head Teacher

Education - Working experience

• Professional Master of Education candidate, Queen's University, Canada.
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Science and Psychology, University of Ottawa, Canada.
• Cambridge CELTA qualification and specialized certifications in Advanced Methodology and Phonology
• Over 15 years of international teaching experience across higher education and K–12 settings in Vietnam, South Korea, and Canada.
• Expertise in curriculum design, assessment development, educational technology, and student-centered learning approaches.

My educational philosophy

True language mastery isn't built on memorizing rigid grammar rules; it is absorbed naturally when students feel safe and supported. To make this happen, we must surround learners with language they can intuitively understand, while introducing concepts and terms just one step beyond their current ability. If the material is too simple, growth stalls. If it is too difficult, or if the classroom feels stressful, an invisible barrier goes up and learning shuts down.

We navigate this by teaching in the sweet spot—the liminal space between what a student can do independently and what they can accomplish with guidance. By providing temporary stepping stones, like visual cues or structured peer interactions, we help them reach higher levels of comprehension. As their confidence and ability grow, we gently move the goal posts to a higher phase.

Ultimately, acquiring a language is a natural process. It requires meaningful, engaging material delivered in a low-anxiety environment, with a guide who knows exactly when to offer a hand and when to step back so the student can walk on their own.