Moving on and new students

I had the pleasure recently of teaching a very dedicated and enthusiastic student who in a very short time scale, managed to pass IELTS at a grade higher than she needed. It's such a good feeling to have worked with someone who put so much into her studies, to get where she needed to be. She is now on to pastures new (leaving a present situation for a new one) and I wish her all the best. I am now teaching a new student, who is at the beginning of his journey which will culminate (end) with him taking his English exams in the future. It can seem like a long way, to get to where he wants to be. He asked me recently, "do you think it's possible that I will pass this test?". Part of my job as a teacher is to encourage my students, and help steer them and push them to achieve their goals. So what I said to my student is that with enough preparation, looking at past papers and practice, yes, it is not only possible but likely that he will pass the test. This advice goes for all of us, whatever we decide to do. I think it's useful as a teacher to have been in a place of learning too, so we can have an element of empathy with our students. Yes, it will take time and effort, but it is worth it.