From Unwillingness To Readiness for Challenges

Hello everyone, I'm Lin Zixuan Simon. Today, I’d like to share with you a story of growth written alongside Maple Leaf—a story about breaking through, warmth, and transformation, and also about how I encountered a braver version of myself here.

I still remember when I first stepped onto the Maple Leaf campus, I carried with me a sense of attachment to my previous learning environment and a bit of unease. Back then, I didn’t understand why my family placed such importance on the English education here—at my old school, my English grades were already quite strong. But Maple Leaf gave me a completely new understanding of the words “English” and even “education.”

Here, the blend of Eastern and Western educational approaches opened a window for me, quietly revealing a different world. It wasn’t about mechanically repeating knowledge but truly using language to connect cultures and classrooms to stimulate thinking. What I experienced was a broad, free, and deeply engaging learning atmosphere, entirely different from what I had known before.

Maple Leaf’s English intensive program adopts a leveled system consisting of nine tiers. Every two months, there’s an opportunity to take an advancement exam. I started at Level 4, which brought both pressure and a previously unseen drive to push forward. I was determined not only to catch up but also to exceed expectations. In the first semester, I successfully advanced to Level 5. However, the journey to Levels 6 and 7 was filled with challenges. Fortunately, the teachers at Maple Leaf were consistently patient and encouraging, and my classmates motivated each other, allowing me to persevere, refine myself, break through my limits, and ultimately succeed in moving up.

Now, I’ve officially entered high school, each step filled with effort and persistence.

What delights me even more is the qualitative leap in my listening and speaking skills during my time in the intensive program—from initially being too nervous to speak to now having the courage to express myself freely. At Maple Leaf, I found not only an inclusive environment but also professional guidance that helped me improve through practice.

Among all the courses, I always particularly looked forward to classes with foreign teacher Chris. His classroom was filled with laughter and joy, and in that relaxed atmosphere, he ignited our thirst for knowledge. Chris is not only humorous and witty but also meticulous in his teaching. He tailored personalized improvement plans based on each student’s actual level. In his class, learning was no longer a burden but an exciting exploration.

Looking back, I’ve transformed from a boy who was somewhat resistant to change into someone who now dares to embrace challenges and persists with effort. Maple Leaf’s PPPS classroom model, with its unique educational philosophy and teaching methods, opened a new world of English learning for me, enabling me to move forward courageously on my path of growth, filled with gains and confidence. What Maple Leaf has given me is not just academic achievement, but also abilities and self-assurance that I can carry into the future.