2025 Newsletters

Hello, and welcome again to our second English2Success newsletter!

In this month’s newsletter, to celebrate women’s history month 🎓💐👑📢, we’ll be presenting to you a feature article written by Lois about Rethinking Female Empowerment in Education, Nikolina’s introduction to three female pioneers in science (her favorite world as you can probably tell by now), Lenia’s take on Antigone, a classic exploring gender dynamics in a patriarchal society, and a fun little word puzzle put together by Balqis for your procrastination session as you fight against IB in this exam season (you got this don’t worry 🤍).

Take a break from your study grind, and enjoy the following reads 🌬️💞

Rethinking Female Empowerment in Education

Lois Leung
UWC Mostar 24' (Hong Kong)
‍
At the education company I’m interning at, I attended a Women’s Day People’s Talk. Dozens of educators, HR, marketing, and sales employees gathered in front of the screen, nodding and sharing about their journey working at one of Forbes World's Top Companies for Women.
‍
That one and a half hour was interesting, and necessary… for a corporate setting. Yet, as I listened to the women (and men) finish off each other’s sentences about how more than half of the company’s senior management are women and how they’re not ashamed of admitting they have children, I couldn’t help but notice the very limited national and income backgrounds these people come from.
‍
Obviously, these statistics should be greatly celebrated. Granted, most companies in the world don’t even bother trying to pursue them. Still, this makes me wonder, behind the glamor of throwing these slogans around fancy suits, what can female empowerment in education also mean?
I’ve been in English2Success for over a year now, first with tutoring, and now as one of the Directors. 99% of the people I’ve worked with are students, and 90% of them are girls. That’s a pretty intriguing number, given that the organization wasn’t built to be exclusively for females, and we never filtered out students based on anything other than their income level. It just so happens that most students seeking/in need of English education, at least from us, are girls.

This tells us two things.
‍
First, in the wake of our current alarming political climate, girls are more vulnerable to having education opportunities stripped away. I believe this requires no further explanations, as many of you have likely heard from your own students—especially for those of you tutoring Afghan girls (who make up over 80% of our student population).  
‍
Second, girls are ambitious and perfectly capable of making our own decisions. Unlike other large government or private schools, we’re not an accredited institution (yet), only a student-led platform offering extremely flexible tutoring services. Yet, despite the absence of a well-funded outreach team flying to every corner of the world recruiting prospective students, we’ve already received hundreds of applications — mostly from girls, some of them as young as 8. They all have different reasons for applying, and every conversation I’ve had with them has always been immensely inspiring. Some are preparing to take the IELTS/TOEFL test, some are hoping to connect and learn with foreigners, some are seizing every opportunity they can find to hopefully one day be able to provide for their family, and take them out of Afghanistan. Ultimately, these girls are the ones actively looking for opportunities, not only for themselves, but to improve the lives of everyone they love. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and kindness often put me to shame or push me to work harder (it’s a constantly fluctuating and uneven spectrum that I’m still trying to figure out).
But what does this really mean?
‍
We’ve stepped into the 21st century, in which female empowerment has been raised as one of the top 17 goals to reach for the global community. This is incredible. The acknowledgement alone signals progression and a start for greater action. However, once we implement this as a quantitative metric, we have formed a loophole where girls are once again vulnerable to being exploited by organizations to acquire funds, build brand image, or do whatever they come up with. There have also been many reports of Western development professionals using “empowerment” as a buzzword and claiming to have “empowered” non-Western women through handing out chickens and sewing machines.
‍
This reveals a blatant irony and ignorance of what girls truly need: A safe environment, and genuine understanding and support for our dreams and aspirations. The moment we fail to realize or remember this, and resort to chasing numbers for LinkedIn, we’re at risk of objectifying girls for our own personal motives, again.
‍
This brings us back to the topic of education. Education is a means to unlock opportunities in life, and create a better future for ourselves and people we care about. Essentially, it’s a tool for empowerment, which is why it’s always one of the first and most significant things underprivileged communities seek for. However, to truly empower, it’s crucial to recognize that the student, instead of the educator, should be treated as the active party, not the passive one, and that it is the students’ needs that should be prioritized.
‍
Girls are beautiful, intelligent, and very talented. We’re all full of wonderful ideas and willingness to bring them to life. What we need is people telling us that they believe in and support us, and the correct resources and paths to thrive independently. Numbers are important. I’m in no way discrediting all the hard work thousands of organizations, big or small, have been putting into creating the changes that we’ve seen today. I’m simply encouraging everyone to take some time to really get to know the girls in your life, be it your current English2Success students, your co-years, or anyone else.
‍
We spend so much time calculating and reading through sets of data to fulfill KPIs, yet at the end of the day, we’re all human beings, and everyone—every girl—has a story to tell, a dream to reach. And perhaps, sometimes, it’s better to help some people a lot than to help a lot of people a little.

Yes, Marie Curie - but not just!

Nikolina Gvozdenović
UWC Adriatic 25' (Montenegro)
‍
I bet you’ve heard about Marie Curie or Ada Lovelace, two extraordinary women, but did you know that there are many more women who contributed to science that we often don’t learn about? In this article we will learn about three of them.
‍
Jeanne Villepreux-Power
‍
If you ever had fish, then I imagine you also had an aquarium. Have you ever wondered who invented it? Well, the modern aquarium was invented by a woman, Jeannette Villepreux-Power so she could study octopuses. She was born in Paris, but moved to Sicily after marrying, where she quickly learnt about geology, natural history and archeology and did most of her work on cephalopods (octopuses and squids). She wasn’t only scientifically talented - she was also commissioned to work on royal wedding dresses (Rafferty, n.d.)!
‍
Cecilia Helena Payne-Gaposchkin

‍A name that changed how we see the universe forever - Cecilia Payne initially wanted to study botany. However, a lecture from an astronomer teaching at Cambridge at the time changed her mind and she decided to dedicate herself to astronomy, changing her course to physics. This woman would be the first to earn a phD from Radcliffe College (now belongs to Harvard) and show that the sun consists largely of hydrogen and heliums, as well as that different stellar spectra (colours observed) come from differences in temperature (Kruczkiewicz, n.d.).
‍
Anna Wessels Williams

‍Born in New Jersey, Anna Wessels Williams initially pursued a career as a teacher. That would change when her sister almost died during childbirth - with Wessels Williams becoming a physician. Without her the development of an effective high-yield antitoxin (a good antidote/cure) for diphtheria (a highly contagious infectious disease that was spreading in the late 1800s) would not be possible. Her research on bacterial toxins was so groundbreaking we could not imagine living today without it (Gomez de Agüero, n.d.).
‍
Sadly for women to get the same recognition as their male counterparts they often need to be nobel-prize worthy (and not get that Nobel Prize stolen by a man - check out the story of Jocelyn Bell Burnell), which is why we often don’t hear about them. However, there were many women who left their mark on science and luckily there are even more of them today!
‍
References
‍Gomez de Agüero, M. (n.d., n.d. n.d.). “Gender equality in science will lead to a stronger scientific community”. MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://www.mpg.de/20064597/anna-wessels-williamsKruczkiewicz, F. (n.d., n.d. n.d.). "A great source of inspiration". MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://www.mpg.de/18188724/cecila-payne-gaposchkinRafferty, J. P. (n.d., n.d. n.d.). Jeanne Villepreux-Power. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jeanne-Villepreux-Power

On Antigone

Lemonia (Lenia) Ioannidou
LPCUWC 25' (Greece)
‍
Sophocles' "Antigone" is one of the oldest tragedies, written around 429 BC, which targets the exploration of gender dynamics in a patriarchal society, making it a significant text for feminist discourse. The play centers on Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, who defies King Creon’s prohibiting the burial of her brother Polyneices. Her unwavering commitment to familial duty and divine law underscores a powerful act of rebellion against male authority.
‍
Antigone, along with her sister Ismene, would be in line to claim their father’s throne if it weren't for the fact they were females. Since they were women, their uncle Creon made sure to claim Oedipus’ throne as fast as he could. The problem arises when Creon passes a new law that orders Antigone’s brother- Polyneices- not to be buried, because he disrespected Creon and Thebes, the land that he ruled. However this went against every personal belief and value that Antigone stood for and therefore she didn't hesitate to bury her brother even though she knew this “crime” would be punishable by death. Through her confrontations with Creon we realise her strong character and undefeated bravery as she never regrets standing up for her beliefs, not even minutes before they take her to her grave.

Antigone's character embodies resilience and moral conviction, positioning her as a proto-feminist figure. She boldly asserts her beliefs, declaring that her obligation to her brother supersedes the king's command, thereby challenging traditional gender roles that dictate women should be submissive.
‍
Moreover, the play raises questions about the limitations imposed on women, emphasizing Antigone's struggle for autonomy and moral righteousness. Her tragic fate prompts reflection on the societal constraints that women face, making "Antigone" a powerful narrative that resonates with contemporary feminist thought. As we commemorate Women’s History Month, the themes of resistance and agency woven into Antigone’s story inspire ongoing conversations about gender equality and the enduring fight for women's rights.

Hope you enjoyed reading the newsletter! If you’d like to contribute your work or share any of your ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out! See you next month 🫶

© 2025 English2Success

Word of welcome from our Directors!

Hello everyone, and belated Happy Valentine’s Day 💌! We’re thrilled to bring to you our first monthly English2Success newsletter issue, where we aim to keep you up to date about our news and events, and provide a platform to publish the beautiful works of our talented E2S members.
‍
E2S started out as an online teaching initiative for underprivileged kids around the world, and, over time, grew to become a huge community of more than 400 members spanning across over 70 countries and 11 schools. We have seen students improving their English, tutors gaining valuable teaching experience, and most importantly, friendships formed and personal growth through cultural exchange.

We hope these newsletters can be a space for you to learn more about the program and each other outside of the lessons and school gatherings, to share your journeys and any creative works that you’re proud of, be it short stories, book reviews, poems, or just anything you can think of!

This month’s theme, in celebration of Valentine’s Day, will be about 💕💭📖🎶🔬 ~ Our lovely newsletter team (Nikolina, Lenia, Balqis, and Lois) has written and put together book and song recommendations, as well as an intriguing explanation of the science behind love. You can also learn more about the experiences of some of our students and tutors through Tasneem and Charles’ testimonials.

Student Testimonial by Tasneem (تسنیم)

Greetings, I'm Tasneem and I'm a student from Afghanistan. Currently, I'm a student in the E2S program, and I'm always looking for ways to improve my skills.

First, I heard about E2S from one of my buddies, and out of curiosity, I decided to apply. When I got accepted into this program, I didn't know what to expect, but then when my tutor messaged me, I was excited and I thought, “Oh god that would be great!" That's how our journey started.

When I first met him, I was a little bit nervous, but over time, my tutor and I have shared great learning experiences together. We read books, watched movies and had insightful conversations about UWC and many other topics. During this journey I’ve learned many new and effective ways to improve my English.

Our discussions go beyond just learning. He has become more like a friend to me, and someone I can feel free to talk to. It has been one of the best learning experiences I’ve had.

Now I want to take the moment to thank the E2S founders, who have given us this opportunity. I also deeply appreciate my tutor's support and guidance, and it has made a huge difference in my learning journey.

Tutor Testimonial by Charles Li (China -- UWC Atlantic ‘24)

Hello! I’m Charles, a recent graduate from UWC Atlantic College. Education has always been a huge passion of mine, and I’ve always enjoyed the process of exchanging knowledge. In my spare time, I love sharing my hobbies, such as pottery and music production, with my friends. I always envisioned becoming a teacher in the future, even though I’m still unsure what I might teach. However, I knew that I wanted to gain experience. So when I heard about E2S from my bestie, I immediately knew that I wanted to be part of the program.
‍
I was extremely nervous when I had to “teach” my first “lesson,” and even now, I sometimes panic while preparing materials for the next session. However, I was extremely fortunate to be paired up with the most ambitious and patient tutee. I always get advice on what I should teach next, different book recommendations, and even different teaching methods I should try. In lessons, we would cover topics like popular phrases in American English, how we should spend our holidays, and next week, we are planning on watching a movie together. Honestly, it feels more like having a friend. Sometimes the meeting extends an extra thirty minutes as we chat and satisfy our curiosities about each other’s stories, cultures and passions. Education is a process of continuous exchange, and I am only at the beginning of my path.

"Love Chemicals are in the air!" by Nikolina Gvozdenović (Montenegro -- UWC Adriatic ‘25)

If love were to be reduced to hormones, mere chemical substances within human bodies that carry messages from one organ to the other, would it still be special?
‍
Adrenaline is produced in the adrenal glands. They look like small triangles, located at the top of each kidney. These glands also produce cortisol, commonly referred to as the stress hormone, and noradrenaline, which are often forgotten by the general audience (Cleveland Clinic, 2022a). These three hormones are responsible for nervousness and panic when it comes to love. This does not mean you should blame your kidneys if you are too afraid to invite your crush out. However, if you do manage to find courage for it, and end up having the best date in the history of dates, your hypothalamus might be the one to thank.

The hypothalamus is a region located deep within the brain. It is connected to the pea-sized pituitary gland. Although small, this gland is responsible for some of the most important bodily functions. It also stores and releases oxytocin, a hormone responsible for the feelings of love and connection, which has been released by the hypothalamus. Apart from producing oxytocin, the hypothalamus is also responsible for producing dopamine, a hormone associated with pleasure and motivation (Cleveland Clinic, 2022a).

Truth be told, these two hormones do not act alone in bringing you the gift of love. After all, love is far from simple, both psychologically and physiologically. The pituitary gland creates endorphins, hormones typically used by the human body to protect itself from stress and pain (no one said love is easy). Produced during exercise, eating, and massage, these hormones get mixed up with the others to bring happiness to those who have fallen in love (Cleveland Clinic, 2022b).

It is marvelous how this emotion is simply a cocktail of hormones produced by the brain. The real question though is why the brain is producing these chemicals - is there perhaps something in the air?

Some would say love, but it would be rather hard to disperse all of the previously mentioned hormones into the air. Even so, that does not mean there are none. Most often those who know about pheromones, know about them because of the bees who use these chemicals to communicate, making them an intrinsic part of a colony’s life. Humans produce them, presumably in skin glands, as well. They can be smelled by another human being, although it is highly unlikely anyone would be able to tell what the specific scent of pheromones is, and that is why they are a part of communication between individuals (Grammer et al., 2005).

Some researchers claim that because of this scent plays an important role in choosing not just partners, but friends as well. It is rather curious how a bunch of chemicals can influence someone’s social life without them even realising it. That is why the next time someone tells you, “Love is in the air” you should be kind enough to let them know that it is probably not love, but pheromones.Do not let this discourage you from love though. Just because you know how it works, does not mean that you cannot still enjoy it!

References
Cleveland Clinic. (2022a, February 23). Hormones: What They Are, Function & Types. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved February 15, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22464-hormonesCleveland Clinic. (2022b, May 19). Endorphins: What They Are and How to Boost Them. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved February 15, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23040-endorphinsGrammer, K., Fink, B., & Neave, N. (2005). Human pheromones and sexual attraction. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Volume 118 (Issue II), 135-142. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301211504004749

Book Recommendation: Looking For Alaska by Lemonia (Lenia) Ioannidou (Greece -- LPCUWC ‘25)

There is no better way to familiarise yourself with a language than immersing yourself in its literature! The purpose of this section is to introduce books that are written originally in English but nonetheless are easy to understand for someone who is not a native speaker. The focus of this newsletter will be the book “Looking for Alaska” by John Green.

In "Looking for Alaska," John Green tells the story of Miles Halter, a socially awkward teenager who seeks adventure and meaning before leaving for boarding school. There, he encounters a cast of vibrant characters, including the enigmatic Alaska Young, who captivates him with her wild spirit and intellect. As Miles navigates friendship, love, and loss, he grapples with the idea of "the Great Perhaps"—a quest for purpose and understanding in life. The novel beautifully captures the complexities of becoming an adult, highlighting themes of friendship, identity, and the impact of loss.

John Green is an excellent author for teenagers beginning to learn English due to his engaging storytelling and relatable characters. His language is accessible yet rich, making it easier for learners to grasp both vocabulary and sentence structure. Green’s use of dialogue reflects how teenagers speak, allowing readers to connect more intimately with the narrative. Additionally, his themes of identity, friendship, and self-discovery resonate with young people, providing both emotional depth and valuable life lessons. Through his friendly and thoughtful prose, Green invites readers into a world of exploration and understanding, making the experience of learning English enjoyable and meaningful.

Other enjoyable reads by John Green would be the best seller novel “The fault in our stars” and the book “Let it snow”. All of these books mentioned have also become movies that have gained lots of popularity!

Valentine’s Song Recommendations 💞💘 by Balqis Quraisyah (Singapore--UWC Pearson ‘26)

Link to Spotify playlist: E2S Valentine's Day Recs <3Click HereWhether it’s for yourself, a friend, or someone special, these songs are sure to melt even the coldest of hearts! Enjoy, and Happy Valentine’s! 😉
‍
English
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri (feat. Steve Kazee)
From This Moment On by Shania Twain and Bryan White
The Only Exception by Paramore
The Reason by Hoobastank
Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley

Malay
Adakah Engkau Menungguku by Naim Daniel
Bukan Cinta Biasa by Siti Nurhaliza
Rapuh by Nastia
Untuk Dia by Sleeq feat. Najwa Latif
RATU by Faizal Tahir

Indonesia
Surat Cinta Untuk Starla by Virgoun
Cinta Luar Biasa by Andmesh
Hanya Rindu by Andmesh
Melepas Lajang by Arvian Dwi
Seperti Kisah by Rizky Febian

Japanese
Love So Sweet by Arashi
Betelgeuse by Yuuri
Dear. by Hey! Say! JUMP
Candy Poppin by ENJIN
Dear My Lover by Hey! Say! JUMP
‍
Korean
Darari by TREASURE
Like We Just Met by NCT DREAM
Love Scenario by iKON
Really Really by WINNERLove
Maybe by BABYMONSTER

Hindi
Ishq Mubarak by Arijit Singh
Ajartumsaath Ho by Arijit Singh and Alka Yagnik
Jo Tum Mere Ho by Anuv JainKuch Kuch Hota Hai by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik
Ishq Hai by Anuraj Saikia

French
La Vie en Rose by Édith Piaf
Je t’aime… moi non plus by Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin
Sous le vent by Garou & Céline DionJe te promets by Johnny Hallyday
Si jamais j'oublie by Zaz

Arabic
La Habibi by Amr Diab
Kifak Inta by Fairuz
Zay El Hawa by Abdel Halim Hafez (38 min song?!)
El Bent El Shalabeya by Fairuz
La Teloum by Nancy Ajram

Persian
Bavaram Kon by Ebi
Delam Gireh by Majid Ali
pourJooni Joonom by Leila Forouhar
Behet Ghol Midam by Mohsen Yeganeh
Gohare Shab Cheragh by Shahram Shabpareh

Mandarin
Wuji by Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo
Zui Chang De Dian Ying by Jay Chou
Xin Wo by William So
Satisfied by Xiao Zhan
It’s You by Sun Yinghao

Hope you enjoyed reading the newsletter! If you’d like to contribute your work or share any of your ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out! See you next month 🫶

© 2025 English2Success