Student profile: Ying Yao Wang

Name: Ying Yao Wang
Nationality: Chinese
College: College of Progressive Education
Course: Certificate in Childcare (FETAC Level 5)

I come from China but have been living in Ireland for eight and a half years. I came to Ireland after seeing Riverdance. As a traditional Chinese folk dancer It impressed me so much, I wanted to experience the culture first hand while studying English. I approached an agency in China who organised an English college for me in Bray, Co Wicklow.

I have been studying English ever since and enjoying the Irish culture. For the past four years I’ve been teaching traditional folk dancing to children in Dublin. This helped me realise that I wanted a career working with children. I investigated several colleges that offered the FETAC Level 5 award in Childcare and finally settled for the College of Progressive Education based on quality and a reputation in this sector that they have built over 20 years. Also because I liked the structure of the course, which has work experience every second week. . This gives the learners the opportunity to learn in the classroom and to experience the industry first hand.

I enjoy the course, especially the child development. This helps me to understand the children in my dance class. It’s challenging and motivating. It’s a fun learning environment where we learn from each other, our tutors and our work experience.

The fulltime course coordinator is always there to assist us and ensure the smooth running of the course. She is also there as a support for us even when it’s a personal issue. In the future I want to return to China and open a state of the art childcare facility where children will be taught English and dance.