🇺🇸 From Piano to Proficiency: My Unconventional English Journey
How I accidentally became an Assistant Teacher—and why games were better than lessons.
Introduction
Every language learner has a story. Mine started when I abandoned my piano lessons for my brother's computer. This journey is a testament to the power of immersion and finding unexpected ways to learn.
1. Accidental Immersion (The Keyboard Shortcut)
When I was 6-7 y.o , my focus shifted from the piano keys to the computer keyboard. I quickly realized that the operating system and most computer games were in English. Since the Serbian language option didn't exist, I was forced into natural immersion simply by playing games and navigating the interface. I absorbed vocabulary like a sponge—even while watching films with Serbian subtitles.
2. The Unofficial Assistant (High School)
In high school, most of my classmates were absolute beginners. I quickly became the class's unofficial assistant. Once, when correcting my friends, they complained: "You are not our teacher!" My amazing teacher smiled and said, "Just keep correcting them. I might as well rest my brain for a while!" It was a precious moment that confirmed my aptitude.
Later, during an official inspection, I spoke so passionately and fluently about the language that the inspectors looked at me with a surprised, amused expression—the look that said: "Too much information, slow down girl!"
3. The Final Proof (University and Italki)
While in university, I continued to develop my English by reading articles, listening to interviews, and writing academic papers (translating from English to Serbian). My final professor was a queen! When I passed my exam with a perfect 10, she laughed and said: "I understand. You deserve a 10 and nothing less!"
The true peak of my fluency came when I started working on italki. Through continuous conversation and feedback from my students (mostly Americans), I gained nuance and confidence. Thank you ITALKI for everything.
