Success Story: Leo’s Journey Toward Global Classrooms
- Ryan Cardwell
- Aug 29
- 2 min read
When Leo first joined Vertex Scholars, he and his family were exploring different international education pathways. His parents were considering Canada as a long-term goal, but weren’t entirely sure what the best first step would be. At that time, an immediate opportunity in Australia seemed like the right place to begin — still a big transition for any teenager.
Step 1: Understanding the Challenge
In the early lessons, it became clear that Leo had strong potential but needed structure, cultural preparation, and confidence to succeed. He wasn’t always eager to complete extra assignments, so our strategy was to build motivation into the lessons themselves.
Step 2: Building a Custom Plan
We created a 4-week, 8-session curriculum tailored to Leo’s needs. Each 75-minute session combined academic skills with cultural readiness, covering:
Vocabulary, writing, and grammar for classroom success
Listening and speaking practice for real-life school situations
Cultural topics like “School Events & Special Days in Australia”
Social-emotional learning through themes like “What Makes a Good Classmate?”
This approach helped Leo strengthen not only his English but also his adaptability — essential for thriving in a new school system.
Step 3: Commitment and Progress
After completing the first four weeks of lessons, Leo and his family chose to increase the pace to two sessions per week, continuing this rhythm until the end of June. With this added consistency, he grew more comfortable speaking, became more aware of classroom expectations, and was better prepared for life in an international school.
By the end of June, Leo’s estimated English level had improved significantly — moving from the equivalent of an IELTS 4.0–4.5 (limited ability to communicate) to about IELTS 5.0–5.5, where he could express ideas more clearly, engage in conversations with confidence, and handle everyday academic language.
The Outcome
The difference was clear to his parents as well. As his father wrote:
“In the past four months, we can see Hu Jiaqi’s obvious progress. From his initial lack of confidence in conversation, where he could only speak a few simple words, to his ability to express himself with courage and confidence, and his willingness to communicate freely in English — all of which could not have been achieved without your help.”
He went on to share:
“He is starting a new journey and I believe this experience is crucial for him and will influence his future study and life. Whether he chooses to study in Canada or Australia in the future, this is a good start.”
Today, Leo is moving toward his dream with greater confidence and readiness. His journey shows what’s possible when students receive personalized instruction, cultural preparation, and consistent support.
At Vertex Scholars, we believe every student deserves this kind of growth. Leo’s story is just one example of how the right plan can turn hesitation into confidence — and open the door to global opportunities.
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