This year, two of our students, Glen and Minna, were recognised in the Cambridge Learner Awards for their exceptional achievements: Top in the World – English as a Second Language (Glen) and Top in the World – Foreign Language Mandarin Chinese (Minna). 

Glen：Thinking in English, Living Between Languages 

For Glen, language is more than a subject — it's a part of everyday life. Having lived in multilingual environments, he speaks English with friends, reads it, writes it, and thinks in it. 

“Being surrounded by English every day helped me the most,” he said. "At YCIS Shanghai, the focus isn't just on accuracy but on communication — on expressing your ideas clearly and naturally."

He credits his English teacher, Ms Anna, for guiding him through the nuances of the IGCSE exam format.

 "The challenge wasn't the language itself, but learning to adapt my responses to fit the mark scheme,” he explained. "Planning my oral answers and managing time on the spot taught me a lot about structure and confidence."

Before joining YCIS, Glen studied in Singapore, where language learning placed heavier emphasis on grammar drills. "Here, I learned that language is also about interaction — about how we use it to connect with others."

That shift changed not just how he studied English, but how he viewed communication itself. "Being surrounded by people from different cultures makes you realise how language shapes the way we think and express emotions. It's made me more open-minded and flexible."

His advice for other learners is simple but thoughtful: "Just stay consistent in your study — read, talk, and write a bit every day. Confidence grows naturally when you use the language regularly."

Minna：Finding Her Voice in Mandarin

When Minna first arrived at YCIS Shanghai from Finland in Year 7, she was placed in the Chinese beginner’s  class. 

"I didn’t really speak Mandarin in Finland," she recalled, "only Shanghainese. So speaking came more easily, but reading and writing were really hard."

Her teachers, she said, were endlessly patient and creative — using films, TV shows and games to make Chinese learning enjoyable. 

Over time, the classroom became a place she genuinely looked forward to. "It went from 'needing to go to Chinese class'  to 'wanting to go'," she said with a smile. 

Minna attributes much of her progress to YCIS's personalised learning approach. After every writing test, she received detailed feedback — not just about what went wrong, but how to improve further, even when she achieved full marks. "It shows how the teachers encourage continuous growth," she said. 

Her perspective on identity has also evolved. "Before coming to Shanghai, Finnish was my strongest language. Now,

English and Chinese are my strongest. It's proof that identity and language are never fixed." 

For other second-language learners, her advice is refreshingly down-to-earth: 

"Find fun ways to learn — watch dramas, surround yourself with the language, and never hesitate to ask for help. The Chinese department has supported me so much throughout my journey." 

Beyond Language

Both Glen and Minna have achieved global recognition, but what truly stands out is their mindset — their openness to learning and their appreciation of how language connects people and cultures.