“I use Mandarin because most of my students are Chinese, so I try to bond with them. If I speak their language, they’ll feel much closer to me,” the 36-year-old told FMT Lifestyle.
This connection is something Jaslene values: she hopes they will feel safe enough to open up to her. Given the many challenges students face today – from academic pressure to bullying – she wants to help guide them through difficult situations.
Beyond connection, Jaslene said switching to Mandarin when needed also helps her students have a better grasp on certain terms, making lessons easier to follow.
Jaslene teaches primary-school pupils Malay and English. Additionally, she conducts Malay, English and Geography lessons for secondary students.
Recalling a success story, she shared: “I once had a student who couldn’t speak Bahasa Malaysia, and his English was also not very good. So, the only way I could communicate with him was in Mandarin.
“That really helped me to teach him, and he could ask questions whenever he didn’t understand. Finally, in his UPSR, he scored an A in Bahasa.”
So, how did she become fluent in Mandarin? Jaslene, who grew up in Johor, revealed that she studied in a Chinese-medium primary school – a decision her father made simply because it was the closest to their home.
Her schooling experiences now prove invaluable: she is able to help her non-Chinese students navigate the challenges of studying in Chinese-medium schools.
Indeed, she recalls one Malay student who struggled to cope after entering Standard One.
“His mother came to talk to me. She was literally in tears because she was so stressed about getting frequent calls from teachers. Sometimes, it really hits you: ‘Why can’t my son do it?’
“As an Indian who went to a Chinese school, I assured her, ‘It’s just a phase. Give him some time. Be confident and encourage him. Slowly, he’ll be OK.'”
Today, Jaslene shared proudly, this student has made remarkable progress and speaks Mandarin well.
Jaslene also revealed that she was inspired to become an educator by several of her schoolteachers. “In primary school, Teacher Hau devoted extra time after school to teach me when I couldn’t do my homework or catch up,” she recalled.
Then there were Teacher Salwa and Teacher Betty from secondary school, whose commitment to her academic success, co-curricular pursuits, and personal development left a lasting impression.
Jaslene now wishes to make a difference in the next generation, just as her own teachers had helped her. “I really hope they’ll find their passion in learning – not only now, but in the future: that no matter what they choose to do, they do it with passion,” she said.
This hope has carried her through 15 years of teaching. It’s a journey she still finds rewarding, “especially when I see them do well and grow up to be great individuals”.
And this connection lasts well beyond her students’ schooling years. “They will come back to see me during their semester breaks in college or university. They chit-chat with me, and sometimes we even go out for a meal together.
“Those bonds I have with them are very rewarding,” Jaslene concluded.
Follow Jaslene on TikTok, and learn more about Ace Education Centre Klang on Facebook.
Ace Education Centre Klang
30 A, Tingkat 1, Persatuan Kim Mooi Klang,
Jalan Bukit Kuda, 41300
Klang, Selangor
Contact: 014-382 8483 / 010-760 3034