Emma Wyatt: It is never too late to learn anything

On the occasion of our Teachers’ Day 2025, we asked Emma Wyatt, one of the speakers, a few questions. Read her answers below.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and your expertise?

I’ve been teaching for nearly 12 years and have taught so many students of different ages, levels, and from different backgrounds with different goals for their English. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching in several countries, including multi-lingual classes in the UK. I’ve been in Central Europe for nearly 9 years now so I’d say I have a pretty good idea of the difficulties which affect Slavic speakers from the crossover with their first language.

Since completing the Coaching Practitioner Course at The Bridge, and the experience I’ve gained from being a language coach, I’ve also gotten better at helping students identify the small and manageable steps needed in order to continue to improve and get where they ultimately want to go. At the same time, aiding students in finding and maintaining their motivation to learn as they see the progress they’re making and recognise that they can achieve what they want no matter how challenging it might seem to begin with.

What are you going to talk about at the conference? How do you think the audience will benefit from your insights?

My session is on extensive reading, the benefits of it, some of the barriers, too, and hopefully we are going to troubleshoot some of the problems to enable your students to engage with extensive reading more.

Do you recall any particular experience or aha-moment that you have had recently in terms of teaching or learning?

It’s hard to think of one defining moment in my teaching career so far. I think what’s made my job so fulfilling for me isn’t the big moments, but the small ones; seeing a student suddenly understand something they struggled with previously, when they use a new word/phrase/grammar structure correctly for the first time and seeing their facial expression change from uncertainty as they try it, to happiness as they realise they got it right, and recognising my own improvement in my abilities as a teacher.

What are you working on/learning at the moment?

I think my own openness and willingness to try new things, start new hobbies, meet new people, etc. have helped me support students in doing the same with their English. It’s never too late to learn anything and I try to live that myself, not always perfectly of course, but I want to keep moving forward in my own life and I hope that comes across in my teaching.

If you were supposed to give only a single piece of advice to fresh graduates who start their teaching path, what would it be?

Identify your core values, and what motivates you and keeps you getting up in the morning. Make sure those core values continue to be a part of your day-to-day work so as to help you enjoy what you do.

Thank you.

You can meet Emma Wyatt at our Teachers’ Day 2025.