About Us
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Who We Are
At the Positive Learner, we believe language learning and professional growth should never feel stiff or stressful. Instead, we create a space where learners and teachers alike can stretch, grow, and shine — all while keeping their cool.
Whether you’re mastering English for university, work, travel, or just for the joy of it, or you're a teacher looking to level up your skills, we’re here to guide you with warmth, wisdom, and a wink of fun. From interactive language classes to self-paced teacher training and one-on-one advisory chats, we offer everything you need to succeed on your journey — without losing your chill.
Our Mission
We empower international educators and learners to grow professionally, personally, and spiritually—honoring both their vocations and their values. Through accessible, practical educational resources rooted in authentic teacher interviews and real-world life experiences, we support educators in excelling in their careers, navigating life abroad, and deepening their understanding of teaching as sacred work. We champion the importance of honoring commitments to all beings who depend on us, recognizing that every classroom interaction is part of a larger soul journey.
We believe in:
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Learning that honors the whole journey - Professional development that's affordable, flexible, and grounded in the lived experiences of teachers who've walked this path. We draw from real classroom stories and spiritual insights that acknowledge teaching as both craft and calling.
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Growth with grace - Approaching challenges with the calm, grounded presence of our mascot 'Chama,' recognizing that transformation happens through patience, reflection, and self-compassion on both professional and soul levels.
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Sacred commitments - Whether to students, colleagues, beloved pets, or our own inner guidance, we honor our promises as spiritual practice. Integrity in relationship is the foundation of meaningful education.
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Global soul community - Supporting educators as they navigate international careers with authenticity, heart, and awareness that we are all teachers and students for one another across cultures, species, and stages of the journey.
Our Vision
In an educational landscape where standardized measures often overshadow the sacred work of soul development, we envision learning environments where growth transcends test scores and touches the eternal. Here, education becomes a lifelong pilgrimage—one where authentic connections endure beyond classroom walls, promises are honored as sacred commitments, and every encounter serves the soul's evolution.
Whether we arrive as teachers guiding young spirits, as students opening to wisdom, or even as beloved animal companions offering lessons in unconditional presence, we are all both teachers and learners on this shared journey. Each relationship becomes a mirror for self-discovery, each challenge an invitation to awaken, and each moment an opportunity to recognize the divine spark within ourselves and others.
This is education as spiritual practice: where curriculum serves consciousness, where assessment honors the whole being, and where the classroom becomes a sanctuary for souls learning to remember who they truly are—together.
We envision a global community of international educators who approach both professional growth and pet ownership with the same dedication, responsibility, and "cool cat" confidence.
Just like Chama's journey across four countries proves—with planning, commitment, and care, we can honour both our professional aspirations and our promises to those who depend on us. Read more on Chama's story below.
Hey There!
The Heart Behind This Website: Meet Chama
Just as I've dedicated my career to nurturing growth and never giving up on students, there's a furry companion who taught me an even deeper lesson about commitment and responsibility. My work in education has taken me around the world, and through this journey, I've witnessed something that breaks my heart: too many international teachers and expat professionals abandoning their pets when it's time to move countries. The costs and paperwork seem daunting, but I believe that when we choose to welcome an animal into our lives, we're making a promise—one that shouldn't be broken when life gets complicated.
This website exists because of Millie, affectionately nicknamed in the Japanese way, ‘Chama’, and her story is a testament to what responsible pet ownership looks like in the life of an international educator.
Millie: Chama
Hi, I’m Chama—a feline explorer with a story as wild as the Borneo jungle I was born in. I came into this world deep in the rainforests of Brunei, where I was abandoned by my family. To survive, I learned to hunt, climb, and live free under the forest canopy, often venturing into the nearby residential areas for a handout. Life was full of adventure and independence, but difficult. The monkeys would catch me if they could and I was always careful to avoid the monsoon drains and snakes waiting with their warm, deathly embrace. The cobras and pythons were numerous, often hunting unsuspecting prey. Goodness knows what happened to my siblings!
Everything changed when I was just a year old. I was rescued from a rough life, wandering alone and facing the harsh realities of homelessness. That moment was a turning point—thanks to some kind humans who saw my worth and gave me a second chance.
Now, I live with a loving, pet-friendly couple who believe that pets are family—no matter where life takes us. Because of their care, I’ve enjoyed life in Brunei, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, and now, I’m about to move to Japan. Every new place is a new adventure, full of new sights, smells, and friends. But through all the traveling and exploring, I’ve learned something even more important: pets aren’t just animals—they’re family. We deserve love, protection, and a forever home.
So, to anyone thinking about sharing their life with a furry friend—remember, we trust you with our hearts. We depend on your kindness, loyalty, and the promise that you’ll never abandon us. My journey is proof that with love and care, every pet can find hope and happiness. Let’s make sure every cat and dog out there knows they are loved and never forgotten. Because we’re more than pets—we’re family, and we deserve a place to call home.
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Steve West
I'm Steve, and I'm honored to share the unfolding story of my journey in education—a path that has taught me as much as I've ever taught others, and trust me, it's been quite the soul-expanding adventure!
I carry a deep passion for teaching and learning as spiritual practice, recognizing that every classroom encounter is an opportunity for mutual awakening. Over the years, I've had the privilege of serving in many roles—teacher, principal, trainer, mentor—but in each one, I've remained a humble student of life. I absolutely love collaborating with fellow educators, co-creating meaningful projects, and learning from the unique wisdom each person brings to our shared journey—all while keeping things relaxed, authentic, and fun.
Some of my proudest moments? Witnessing students step into their potential and discover capacities they didn't know they possessed—we achieved at least a 15% boost above global averages, and over three consecutive years, my English language students reached "TOP of the World" results in Cambridge A levels! But beyond the metrics, seeing souls awaken to their gifts, grow in confidence, and blossom into their truest selves—that's what makes this cool cat's heart purr with purpose.
I'm especially passionate about professional development as soul development. I believe teachers are not just delivering content; they're holding space for human transformation. I love training educators in innovative, collaborative, and project-based methods while also honoring the inner work that makes great teaching possible—organizing conferences where we connect not just as colleagues but as fellow travelers on this mysterious journey, sharing our stories, vulnerabilities, and insights while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and heart-centered.
My formal background includes a Certificate in School Leadership and Management from Harvard Business School, a Graduate Diploma in Education, and a B.A. in Applied Linguistics. But my real education has come from the students who've challenged me, the teachers who've inspired me, the cultures that have expanded my worldview, and even the animals who've taught me about presence, loyalty, and unconditional love.
Whether I'm working on curriculum development, leadership coaching, or teacher training, my goal is to foster excellence while honoring the sacred dimension of our work—creating spaces where everyone's soul can grow.
So, if you're ready to learn together, grow authentically, and remember that we're all teachers and students on this beautiful, messy journey—let's make it happen, relaxed and cool cat style!
Why Chama's Story Matters
As educators, we teach responsibility, commitment, and the integrity of keeping our promises. These values aren't just professional ethics—they're spiritual practices that shape our souls and ripple out to all beings in our care. Our commitments should extend with equal reverence to our four-legged family members, who often become our greatest teachers in presence, trust, and unconditional acceptance.
Chama's journey across four countries isn't just a travel story—it's a testament to living our values when it's inconvenient, honoring sacred commitments when it's complicated, and recognizing that the beings who depend on us are part of our soul curriculum. With planning, dedication, and the right support,
international professionals can honor their promises to their pets while pursuing their careers, demonstrating that spiritual integrity doesn't compartmentalize—it touches every relationship, every promise, every living being we encounter.
Through my educational consulting services and Chama's story, I hope to inspire fellow international educators to approach all relationships—whether with students, colleagues, or rescued animals—as opportunities for mutual learning and soul growth. In education as in life, we teach best what we most need to learn.
The relationships we build and the promises we keep shape not just our professional legacy but our soul's evolution. Because the classroom extends far beyond four walls, and every being who trusts us with their heart becomes a teacher on our shared journey home.
What Others Are Saying
Please note our Japanese courses can be 1 – 1 or small group.