Why did you decide to become a Czech language teacher, and how did you end up on that career path?
I was inspired by working with foreigners who wanted to find out about the Czech Republic and the Czech language, and to learn to communicate in it. Teaching English just came naturally.
Do you have any experience of living abroad?
A six-month Erasmus exchange in wonderful Slovenia – a semester-long stay in Ljubljana, where you can study Czech Studies at both bachelor’s and master’s level – led me to start teaching Czech to foreigners. I was thrilled by the academic and personal aspects of the Erasmus programme, and I’m planning to go again during my master’s degree. A two-month work placement in Iceland was the ideal way to explore more expensive destinations without breaking the bank, whilst also enjoying a way of life that was a far cry from the hectic pace of city life.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I read quite a lot, swim a bit and really enjoy hiking. My biggest trip so far was probably the 360 km along the Camino de Santiago, but I’m also happy to go for a walk in the woods outside Brno.
What do you enjoy most about being a teacher?
Interaction with students. It’s very important to me that a lesson isn’t just a monologue on my part. I enjoy the fact that language teaching certainly doesn’t have to be all about grammar; instead, we can have a chat, do demonstrations, have discussions, work on projects, play games and explore cultural influences. It’s a bit different with every group, depending on the people who come together.
How has knowing foreign languages influenced your life? How many languages do you speak?
A lot. I realise that without a good knowledge of English, my cultural life would be much poorer. At least a basic knowledge of Slovenian helped me to build friendly relationships with the locals during my Erasmus year. At the moment, I’m brushing up on the German I learnt at secondary school, which I definitely want to develop further – I’m keen to learn a language spoken in two of our neighbouring countries. I’d also like to get back to French and Spanish sometime soon, as I’m still a perpetual beginner in both.
What’s your most memorable travel experience?
Whale watching in Húsavík. Seeing such majestic creatures as 15-metre humpback whales up close in the wild was an incredible experience.