MOONSHOT ACADEMY

MOONSHOT ACADEMY

Gwen He

English Teacher

Gwen earned her BM (Accounting) at Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Mykolo Romerio University. She also earned her MSc (Education Research) from the University of Bristol. Her teaching experience includes working as a Chinese teacher at the Confucius Institute in Detroit and teaching TOEFL and IELTS at New Oriental School. Before joining MSA, she also worked as a product manager at ByteDance and SKT.

Ms. He teaches Pre-Intermediate English (ENGL2001) and Upper-Intermediate English (ENGL4001). She is also the facilitator of the Dandelion School English Tutoring Club.

Her research and professional interests include informal learning, communities of practice, and supporting first-generation college students.

Curriculums2

ENGL2001: Pre-intermediate-level English

This Pre-intermediate-level English course consists of ESL and ELA learning and is designed to develop learners' English language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) through engaging and complex units of study. There will also be a focus on explaining and applying grammar and vocabulary related to the topics in each unit. This year's course is designed around the themes of "Personal Awareness and Intimacy". Learners will read a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, engage in classroom discussions and out-of-class research, and learn to effectively communicate ideas in writing, from personal, informal journaling to academic essays. Each unit integrates reading and writing with digital tools and multimedia. Learners will have multiple opportunities to deliver presentations and performances. This course will culminate with a major PBL performance and a portfolio of learner writings.

ENGL4001: Upper-intermediate-level English

Upper-intermediate-level English is an ELA course designed for learners who are working on their English language and textual analysis skills through the study of works of fiction and nonfiction. We will aim to improve learners' overall English proficiency, but limited time will be allocated to the useful vocabulary and grammar. This course delves into literature around the themes of "identity" and “decision” with various memoirs, prose, dramas and novels as well as cross-disciplinary materials written by authors of different backgrounds. We hope learners can better understand Western culture, think critically about their own Chinese identity and its stability, and dig deep into the relationship between justice and responsibility as well as choices and consequences. A close reading of texts, appreciation, and use of language arts, the inspiration for humanities, and the development of critical thinking will be key in elevating learners' language skills in this course.