Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
About Me: Passionate Educator and Language Enthusiast 👋Greetings! I'm Sim Yang, the founder of Impact English, an innovative approach to English language education within the Chinese community. As a devoted advocate for impactful learning experiences, I also serve as the director of SIMYANGEDUCATION.COM and a series of related language education websites. At present, I am deeply immersed in conducting innovative academic research on language education. My quest for knowledge remains unwavering as I concurrently pursue a Ph.D. in the Department of Applied Linguistics at the University of Auckland, delving into the realm of language education. 📚 My multifaceted journey has brought me invaluable experiences as a director of a language training centre, ESOL teacher/tutor, Chinese language lecturer, secondary school ESOL and Chinese teacher, columnist, special contributor, and overseas consultant for Overseas English and English Salon magazines - two highly reputable English-learning publications in China. 📖 Hailing from the scenic Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, and now a proud permanent resident of New Zealand, I've spent nearly two decades immersed in multiple cultures. My educational path began with a pivotal decision in 2002 to venture abroad in pursuit of my English career aspirations. Since then, I've amassed an array of qualifications, including a Master of Teaching (Secondary), a Master of Arts in Language Teaching and Learning, and a Master of Professional Studies in Translation from the esteemed University of Auckland, as well as an ongoing doctoral research project from the same institution. 🎓My academic journey also encompasses a Bachelor of Management Studies with Double Majors from the University of Waikato, along with a Certificate in Language Teaching from UNITEC Institute of Technology. Further enhancing my expertise, I earned the prestigious CELTA Certificate from the University of Cambridge, and various certificates in Language Teaching Professional Development, Translation, and Membership with the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. 🌱 As a Ph.D. candidate focused on TBLT, I aim to inspire educators to adopt innovative language teaching methodologies. By exploring AI and joining the field of machine learning trainers, I strive to empower students in utilizing technology for learning while gaining insights into essential skills for future educators in our rapidly evolving world.
Originating in the mid-1980s, Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) has garnered considerable attention as an effective communicative approach to language instruction. Despite its potential advantages in promoting language acquisition and problem-solving skills, anecdotal evidence suggests a reluctance among Chinese language teachers in New Zealand to embrace TBLT. The present research aims to investigate the reasons behind this reluctance and propose a solution to enhance TBLT implementation in New Zealand Chinese classrooms via the application of Community of Practice (CoP). It is his hope that this research will stimulate enthusiastic discussion of the status quote of foreign language teaching and facilitate preparations for the use of TBLT in language classrooms.
Sim Yang, influenced and nurtured by language teacher parents from a young age, is an experienced educator with a rich background in language teaching and learning. In China, he contributed over a hundred articles to Overseas English and English Salon magazines and founded Impact English, a pioneering initiative dedicated to English acquisition in the Chinese community. With expertise in effective language pedagogy, he teaches Chinese and ESOL at various secondary and tertiary institutes. Sim holds three Master's degrees in secondary education, language teaching and learning, and translation/interpretation from the University of Auckland, along with a CELTA certificate from Cambridge University and translation certification from the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in applied linguistics at the University of Auckland, Sim continues to contribute to the development of language teaching practices through research and practical application.