35 Years of Stories – Learning Languages, Changing Lives

Milena - A Family’s Language Learning Journey

The Beginning

My experience with Berlitz started in 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland. That was the moment I realized that if I wanted to live there long term, I needed to learn French. Later, our family’s plans changed, and we moved to another country for work. I don’t remember exactly how many years I studied French, but I clearly remember how positive the experience was.

I joined a small group of two or three students and worked with three different teachers – I can even recall one of their names. Madame Chevall left a particularly strong impression on me. We went to the cinema together, visited shops, went to the market, and our instructor encouraged us to use the language in real-life situations. It was difficult and sometimes even a little scary, but in the end, it was an incredibly valuable experience.

I truly enjoyed my time there – learning that way was both engaging and effective.

Learning Hungarian

In 2022, we moved to Budapest, as half of my family is Hungarian. This was when I decided to start learning the language.

I realized how important it was to be able to communicate with my children’s teachers and with other parents at school.

I started with private lessons, where I was the only student. My teachers were Éva néni and another very kind young teacher, Bea.

The most challenging part of learning Hungarian for me is how unique it is. At first, I tried to find similarities with other languages I know – familiar words or structures that could help me memorize things. My mother tongue is Kabardian, I am fluent in Russian, and I speak English and French – but this time, my strategy didn’t work. The logic and structure of Hungarian are completely different from any of these languages.

Eventually, however, everything started to come together. Now my favourite part is using the language and speaking Hungarian with native speakers.

Private vs. Group Classes

I have experience with both private and group lessons, but I have to say that I enjoyed group classes more. A bit of friendly competition motivates me and helps me progress faster – and I think many people can relate to that 😊

Using the Berlitz Method was not easy at the beginning, but that is always the case when learning a new language. You need time to adapt to a new teacher and a new way of learning. After a few lessons, however, everything becomes natural.

What I appreciate most about the method is how quickly it activates your comprehension skills. Sooner or later, you start thinking in the target language – and you realize that this is not confusion, but success. From that point on, using the language with others feels natural.

Learning as a Family

I also wanted my children to learn English. My six-year-old daughter and my nine-year-old son both joined group classes, and we are very satisfied with their progress 😊

I believe learning is often easier for children because they don’t have fixed ideas about how languages should work. They absorb everything like sponges. They trust their teacher – the “magical person” who has the knowledge they want to gain.

Their current instructor, Hikaru, is especially inspiring. The children truly look up to him and hold him in very high regard.

Balázs - When persistence builds confidence

The beginnings

My wife started attending Berlitz, and she had very positive experiences here. So, when I decided to pull myself together and take learning English seriously, I already had a sense of trust towards Berlitz. I had studied the language before, but without much success. I could manage written professional documentation without any problems, but I didn’t dare — and honestly, couldn’t — speak.

Then, because of my job, I found myself needing to raise my English to a higher level, especially my speaking skills — and that was a tough challenge. Partly because I’m an introvert; I generally find communication harder even in my native language.

I contacted the school, had a level assessment conversation, and based on that we started to map out my learning journey. That was 13 years ago.

Somehow, speaking became easier

My personality hasn’t fundamentally changed, but I’m much more relaxed now. I wouldn’t say all my inhibitions have disappeared, but I speak more easily - and what is surprising even for me: that I actually enjoy it.

When we speak a foreign language, the other person tends to be more understanding. We have somewhat different expectations when communicating outside our native language, and

the mere fact of having a conversation already feels like a success.

The context is different, and perhaps that also helps reduce stress for both sides.

I worked with each of my teachers for a long time, and that stability was important to me. It helped because we eventually became familiar with each other - they got to know me, and from the very beginning they adapted to me and to my interests. They know which topics engage me and what I enjoy talking about. Because of my introvert persona, it’s easier for me to speak week after week with people I already know.

From the classroom to the online space

At first it was quite difficult, but there was no other option - I wanted to continue the course during the pandemic as well. It’s easier to communicate face to face, because you can support what you say with gestures. You can do that through a camera too, but it’s still a limited channel.

I find it very hard to communicate on the phone - in that sense, video calls are perhaps easier, yet they’re still not the same as being there in person. I noticed that I felt much more tired after the lessons; they were far more exhausting and demanding. But week by week, it got better.

And in the meantime, I realized that this setup was actually beneficial, because at work you don’t always communicate face to face either - so it gave me time to get used to video calls. Now I don’t have that problem anymore; I’ve built up resilience.

A memorable moment

If I had to highlight something from the courses, it would be that communication happens only in the foreign language - even if at the beginning it’s with gestures and improvised explanations - and that everything is tailored to my personal interests, needs, and even my little quirks, if I may put it that way.

One episode that really stayed with me was when I couldn’t understand something at all, and Stuart, my teacher, tried to explain the story from several different angles. Then there was a moment when he suddenly threw himself onto the floor and acted out falling over - I still remember my shock, because it felt so surreal to see him “crash” to the ground, lying there and still explaining, refusing to give up - and of course, in the end, the penny finally dropped.

Where am I now?

Over these 13 years, many situations came up where I had to use my English skills. Now I actually feel happy when someone approaches me or when I can start a conversation. I’m no longer intimidated - which still surprises me. I never thought I would reach this level; I didn’t even dream of it, yet somehow it happened. I didn’t become a language genius, my pronunciation isn’t perfect, and I still struggle with certain expressions because I forget them easily, but that’s not a problem - I feel that I can communicate, and I no longer feel lost.

In the past, I preferred people to contact me by email just so I wouldn’t have to speak. Now I’m more like, “Let’s just talk it through quickly,” because it’s easier for everyone.

I’ve had several teachers over the years; all of them were enthusiastic, and with each of them we discussed different topics and exchanged opinions. I truly evolved as a person by meeting so many people and talking about so many subjects. I always had the feeling that I wasn’t coming to a language lesson, but rather to a friendly conversation - and because of that I never felt nervous.