International Tutors' Magazine February 2019 | Page 5

Gabriel Franchi do Carmo, International Tutor
Nationality: Brazilian
Languages: Portuguese, English, basic Spanish
Q: What is one reflective experience that you have
had in your life?
When I was in Brazil, I oversaw a project within
an NGO that taught English to young artists who
came from poor, disadvantaged communities. For
these artists, knowing just a few English words made
them feel special and unique. This experience helped
me understand the real meaning of privilege and
opportunity. I learned that we only cherish something
when we realise not everyone is as lucky as us.
Q: You studied psychology in university. What do
you think are the benefits of being reflective?
Overall, reflection relates to self-
awareness. I believe it’s essential to
constantly reflect upon our own
actions and experiences in order
to find new meaning in things
that happen to us and learn about
and improve ourselves, even if
these events are hard to face at first.
Left: Urban exploring. Right: Friends in Hong Kong.
Q: How can reflection help us as future teachers?
For teachers, being reflective is a constant journey
of self-improvement. Once we find ways to teach
that we like, we often neglect to evolve and improve.
But without self-reflection, we cannot make our
interactions with students as best as they can be.
Students mostly remember very brief and specific
events, such as their best or worst interactions with
their teachers. To reflect is to try and do better as a
teacher who is trying to make a positive impact in
students’ lives.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Natalie Lau Ka Yi, Executive
Assistant at the ASLLC
Nationality: HK Chinese
Languages: Cantonese, English,
Mandarin
Q: Does working closely with
the ITs make you reflect on
yourself as a person?
Working with the ITs reminds me of myself during
my first days at EdUHK. I watch them learn about
the difficulties of integrating into a new culture
and how a centre like the ASLLC is run. I've also
realised through my work that being an “executive
assistant” is not the tedious job many might think
it is, as it covers a wide range of duties – not only
administrative work, but also taking care of the ITs'
needs, managing activities and resources, and so on.
Q: What were your biggest takeaways while
working here?
I have changed my perspective a lot on how to see a
new problem or challenge. So many tasks come up
in the center, and I need to answer many questions
from ITs, lecturers, and students during the day.
Looking back, I see that I have become much calmer;
BY RACHEL LAI
I now recognize it is hard to foresee and prevent all
issues, and it is more important to do our best to
enhance the services provided to students.
Q: How else has your experience changed you?
Working here has made me more willing to step out
from my comfort zone. Exchanging experiences and
thoughts with the ITs opens my mind, especially
about our local Hong Kong culture that we often take
for granted. Working here has also helped me discover
the importance of self-learning; that is why I am
currently taking a part-time master’s course, even if I
have to sacrifice some free time to study!
Left: With last year's ITs. Right: Celebrating in style.