Somerset West
Having completed her studies in B.Ed Foundation Phase, she went on to complete honours in learning support at the University of Stellenbosch. She is passionate about creating a classroom and environment in which her students are engaged and supported according to their individual needs.
She previously taught Grade 1 students in South Africa for 5 years, where she was first introduced to Jolly Phonics and saw the benefit and success thereof. “Having transitioned from a different approach at the time, it was clear within a very short space of time how this child centred programme is hugely beneficial in supporting learners in becoming confident readers and writers from a young age. My Grade 1 students were able to decode words within the first few weeks of Grade 1 which instilled within the learners a sense of pride and confidence. Furthermore, my students looked forward to lessons as they were engaging and fun. I was pleasantly surprised at the pace at which my students were acquiring new skills on a daily basis.”
She has since taught abroad in Muscat, Oman, gaining great results with EAL students, before returning to South Africa and continuing to see progression in her students’ reading and writing skills.