Meet Laura Hales: Founding English Teacher at Hanqing Bilingual Pathway
Hanqing Bilingual Pathway Our Spotlight SHC Article SHC Story SHC TeacherWe are delighted to welcome Ms Laura Hales as the Founding English Teacher for the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway (HQP) at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus. With over 20 years of international teaching experience, including teaching English as an Additional Language, Ms Laura brings a wealth of knowledge, cultural insight, and dedication to nurturing young learners.
Global Experience in Education and Language Learning
Ms Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in Education, specialising in English from the University of Reading, UK. Over the past 20 years, her teaching career has taken her from the UK to Egypt, China, and Thailand. She has spent more than six years at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus, teaching across year groups from Nursery to Year 6.
“Throughout my international teaching career, I’ve created inclusive, enriching learning environments that support language development and academic success. With a strong background in teaching English as an Additional Language myself, I’ve had the privilege of helping children from diverse cultural backgrounds thrive both in and beyond the classroom.”
Where Culture Meets Curriculum: Lessons from China
Ms Laura’s years living and teaching in Shenzhen and Shanghai offered her valuable insight into Chinese culture. This experience now shapes her approach to bilingual education, where language learning is not only about communication but also about cultural connection and identity.
“My time in China enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture in schools and their wider communities. Becoming part of the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway is an exciting opportunity to create a learning environment which is linguistically accessible and culturally affirming. As the ancient Chinese proverb tells us, ‘To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world.’”
Early Years Expertise with a Bilingual Vision
Ms Laura’s extensive experience in Early Years education has shaped her understanding that learning environments where children can explore and express their identities are key to fostering both academic achievement and personal growth. At Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus, this approach nurtures a lifelong love of learning, a thirst for knowledge, and the ability to see the world through different perspectives.
“The philosophy of our Early Years programme, where I’ve had the privilege to be part of the team, places the child at the centre of everything we do. Children are capable, curious, and full of potential. They are active participants in their learning, each possessing ‘a hundred languages’ – a metaphor for the many ways they express themselves. Bridging Early Years pedagogy with the carefully designed bilingual approach of our Hanqing Bilingual Pathway, I’m proud to be part of this journey, offering young learners access to such an inspiring and unique educational experience.”
A Passion for Kindness Through Community Engagement
In addition to her role in Early Years, Ms Laura also serves as the Community Engagement Lead at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus. In this role, she leads the school’s charitable initiatives, working closely with charity partners and bringing Shrewsbury’s values of kindness and compassion to life –setting a powerful example for students across the school.
“As Community Engagement Lead, I’ve built meaningful connections with children, families, and colleagues. Beyond the classroom, my family and I are passionate about giving back—volunteering to teach English and Swimming with our partner charity in Buriram province, Thailand. At Shrewsbury Bangkok City Campus, collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re a child, teacher, or parent, we believe in building a strong, supportive educational community.”
Founding English Teacher at Hanqing Bilingual Pathway
Ms Laura, our longtime QTS (UK’s Qualified Teacher Status) teacher, has stepped into her new role at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus as the founding English teacher for HQP. Her transition to HQP brings strong momentum and reinforces the unique commitment to quality bilingual teaching.
“As we are ‘One Campus, Two Pathways,’ collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus. We take pride in our warm welcome, nurturing staff, and the unique spirit that defines our school. As the Hanqing Bilingual Pathway continues to grow, I’m excited to be part of this journey and look forward to welcoming you into the Shrewsbury Bangkok City Campus family.”
Hanqing Bilingual Pathway at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus