Hi there, I’m Shaniah

I am passionate about culture, language and education.

I have spent most of my adult life in China and found my love for learning and teaching languages while there.

I know exactly what it means to be a second-language learner, my hope is that my tips and tricks help make your language learning journey enjoyable and fruitful.

Bio

Between August 2014 and early 2020, I was studying in China. As you will find below, my majors focus on Education and Psychology. While in China I spent a lot of time with children who were dealing with immense pressure from school, especially while studying English.

My psychology degree helped in identifying how to deal with over-worked, anxious students, but Chinese helped me connect with them in a way English couldn't. Languages break barriers, and my story has encouraged my students to see language as a tool- not just a subject.

After returning to Fiji in 2020, I continued with my masters online, became a substitute teacher in Chinese and realized the joy I have helping people on their language learning journey.

Early 2021, my husband and I registered our business “Acts 五二〇”. We love that the Fijian translation for the book of Acts is our surname "Cakacaka" and that numbers in Chinese have hidden meanings. 五二〇 (520) sounds similar to characters 我爱你 which means “I love you”, that's why May 20th is referred to as Chinese Valentines Day.

We love the thrill of discovering new meanings in language and how it brings understanding to culture. We hope the same thrill rubs off on you.

Education

Intensive Chinese

Nanjing Normal University

Sep 2014 - Jun 2015

I studied and gained my HSK 4 and HSK 5 certificates.

Bachelor's Degree in Applied Psychology

Zhejiang Normal University

Sep 2015- Jun 2019

Besides being trained to do one-on-one and group counselling, I have training in building curriculums to deliver classes on mental health for students of all ages

TESOL Certificate

World TESOL Academy

May 2021

I've learned to teach English as a Second language face to face and online.

Master's Degree in Comparative Education

Zhejiang Normal University

Sep 2019- Jun 2021

I received training on how to research and compare education in different countries; from curriculum to teacher training and delivery. On a broader scale, it helps evaluate a countries education system while on a smaller scale, helps me as a teacher to evaluate and improve myself.

Languages

Chinese
English