Klára
I do not feel like a complete foreigner in the country where I live now. It is great to be fully independent of my husband, colleagues, and friends. It is crucial for me to be able to communicate so that I can do everyday activities without feeling like I cannot relate to others.
You might think it is silly but almost anyone who moves abroad or has a foreign partner will sooner or later feel it. Unless you have already mastered the language and know the culture.
I have studied languages my whole life – English, German and for a while Italian too. I never imagined I would be offered work in Budapest and move there. Let alone marry a Hungarian!
Almost 10 years ago I moved to Hungary. At the beginning, I used English to communicate everywhere. However, as soon as the enthusiasm of my colleagues to help began to vanish or I went to places with mainly locals, I realised that my life may get a bit complicated. When these situations piled up, the feelings of loneliness and being lost was slowly creeping into the picture.
These feelings were strengthened when my colleagues after a meeting would swap to Hungarian and I could not understand what they were saying.
I concluded that if I want to live in Hungary, I need to integrate into the society and understand the locals. I began to study Hungarian, one of the most difficult languages in the world! Dating my husband-to-be and meeting his family kept me motivated. You do not want to use an intermediary every time you communicate. Yes, learning a language is a long process but every little step counts. When you and others around you see progress, that feeling is invaluable!
When the children came to the scene, we chose to raise them trilingual. I strongly emphasise on the importance of understanding the principles of education and how the children perceive the language. My kids motivated me further, I wanted to understand their conversations when they speak with their dad or when they play with their Hungarian friends. I am very lucky that my husband was determined to learn Czech. Now we do not need to translate every time we communicate to each other. We keep the rule of talking in our mother tongue.
Having kids created more opportunities to practise the language, such as visits to the doctor, kindergarten, birthday parties and activities with friends… those are chances to practise the language!
Although I have lived abroad for many years, the Czech&Slovak community in Budapest and foreign friends still play an important role in my life. Living in foreign countries, I have seen people either integrating into the society or staying in their ‘bubble.’ It is evident that everyone adapts to changes in their lives differently. Therefore, I have decided to help those who want or need to learn, improve and become fluent in the Czech language.
For many years I worked for a big corporation, so I understand how difficult it is to find the motivation, energy, or drive to learn when you are working. Another challenge is during maternity leave and you have to force yourself to study when you are tired, and you only wish to have a nice cup of coffee, put your feet up and have some ‘me time’.
Due to my empathy, vast experience, and knowledge from courses that I have taken, I am able to create a friendly and safe space where you would feel comfortable to express yourself. You will be motivated to start talking and take more lessons. We will plan everything together – goal, topics and the length of the class. I am aware that everyone has different needs and it is very important to respect this when you want to see progress in learning.