Yu Zhao

Blogger, Brainstormer, Educator/Teacher, Life mentor

I am a senior high school English educator and Director of Academics for the International Department of the Foreign Language School Attached to Guangxi Normal University. I am an officially certified IELTS teacher and trainer, and I hold a master’s degree from City University of Hong Kong. With extensive experience in IELTS teaching, curriculum design, and teacher training, I have been actively exploring the integration of artificial intelligence into language education. I am a certified MagicSchoolAI trainer and have delivered keynote speeches and workshops at international education conferences, including in Indonesia, with a focus on AI-assisted assessment and innovative teaching practices. Beyond classroom teaching, I lead initiatives in academic branding, student-centered events such as TEDxYouth conferences, and international program development. My professional interests include educational leadership, assessment literacy, and the future of AI-enhanced learning.

I am passionate about helping young people find their voice in an AI-shaped world. As an educator, I work to create learning spaces where students are encouraged to think independently, speak with confidence, and engage with complex global issues. I am particularly committed to integrating technology, language education, and critical thinking, so that students do not merely consume information, but learn to interpret, challenge, and transform it into ideas of their own.

Education should not train students to compete with machines, but empower them to think beyond what machines can do. In an age where artificial intelligence can generate answers instantly, the true value of education lies not in speed or accuracy, but in judgment, curiosity, and ethical reasoning. Schools should focus on cultivating students’ ability to ask meaningful questions, evaluate information critically, and express ideas responsibly. When used thoughtfully, AI is not a shortcut that replaces learning, but a catalyst that deepens reflection and expands human potential.

This year, I serve as the curator and organizer of TEDxYouth@GXFLS. What began as an extracurricular event has become a powerful learning journey. Working closely with student speakers, I have witnessed how ideas evolve through hesitation, revision, and courage. Curating this event is not simply about selecting topics or managing logistics; it is about building a space where young voices are taken seriously, and where students learn that their thoughts—when carefully shaped and responsibly shared—can truly make an impact.

People don’t know I’m good at listening before leading. Much of my work happens behind the scenes—mentoring student speakers, refining ideas through multiple drafts, and helping young people turn uncertainty into clarity. I am particularly skilled at asking the right questions, identifying the core of an idea, and guiding others to express it with confidence and authenticity, rather than telling them what to say.