Meet Belle Lao Shi: Founding Chinese Teacher at Hanqing Bilingual Pathway
Hanqing Bilingual Pathway Our Spotlight SHC Article SHC Story SHC TeacherWe are delighted to welcome Belle Lao Shi (Ms Belle Yu) to our Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus community as the founding Chinese teacher for the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway (HQP). With over a decade of international teaching experience and a deep passion for bilingual education, Belle Lao Shi brings both warmth and expertise to her classroom.
Expertise in Linguistics and Language Acquisition
Originally from mainland China, Belle Lao Shi earned her bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature before moving to Hong Kong, where she completed her master’s in Linguistics and Language Acquisition at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her academic journey gave her a deep appreciation for the role of bilingual education in fostering cultural understanding and global awareness.
“My studies really opened my eyes to the value of bilingual education and the richness of multicultural environments. That’s why I chose to pursue a career in education. I’ve spent over ten years teaching in international schools, most recently with the English Schools Foundation (ESF) in Hong Kong. When I learned about the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway—an integrated Mandarin-English programme within the British Curriculum at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus—I was immediately drawn to the vision. It’s exactly where I want to be.”
Building Bilingual Foundations
Belle Lao Shi’s classroom philosophy is grounded in the belief that early childhood is a vital period for holistic development. She carefully designs her learning environment to support natural language acquisition in both Mandarin and English, while also nurturing each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
“Throughout my career, I have remained passionate about creating immersive, language-rich environments where children naturally acquire languages. I believe that early childhood is a critical time for holistic development—not just linguistically, but also socially, emotionally, and cognitively. My classroom is a nurturing space where curiosity is encouraged, and every child feels confident to explore, express themselves, and build essential skills.”
Strategies Inspired by Bilingual Experience
At home, Belle Lao Shi is raising a bilingual child—an experience that has enriched her understanding of how young learners develop multiple languages and navigate diverse cultural identities. This personal connection to bilingualism brings empathy, insight, and practical strategies into her classroom.
“As a member of a multilingual family and a parent raising a bilingual child who speaks both English and Mandarin, I have firsthand experience with the challenges and rewards of nurturing bilingualism from an early age. This personal journey has deepened my understanding of how children acquire multiple languages and highlighted the importance of creating an environment that supports both linguistic and cultural development.”
Fueling Teaching with Personal Passions
Beyond her professional life, Belle Lao Shi enjoys exploring new cultures through travel, reading, and trying new experiences. These passions energise her teaching and help her connect with children in creative and meaningful ways.
“Outside the classroom, I love traveling and exploring new cultures. I also enjoy curling up with a good book, experimenting with new recipes, and playing badminton with friends. These passions inspire me to bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm into my teaching every day.”
Founding Chinese Teacher at Hanqing Bilingual Pathway
As Belle Lao Shi steps into her new role at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus as the founding teacher for HQP, her goal is to nurture a love of language and learning that empowers children to thrive in an interconnected, multilingual world.
“I look forward to supporting each child’s journey to becoming confident, curious, and compassionate bilingual learners, fully equipped to thrive in a multilingual world. The Hanqing Bilingual Pathway is thoughtfully designed to nurture bilingualism from the very beginning, and I am wholeheartedly committed to giving my very best to every child’s learning journey.”
Hanqing Bilingual Pathway at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus