How it all began

How I Fell in Love with Learning English (And What It Taught Me About Learning Any Language)

If I had a brick for every time someone asked me, "So, how did you learn English?" I might be able to build a small wine cellar - or some other modest DIY project that uses 30–50 bricks. Any ideas?

I always ask back, "And do you want the short version or the long version?"

TL;DR It all started as your typical love story. I fell in love. Explored. Was endlessly curious. Bought a massive dictionary I studied in my free time. Immersed myself as much as I could. Traveled. Read. Never stopped.

But since you’re here, I’m going to assume you’re interested in the long version too.

The Offline Beginnings

I grew up in Usti nad Labem, an industrial city in the North Bohemia region of the Czech Republic (or Czechia, if we want to keep up with modern branding).

I started learning English in school at 13 as my second foreign language. My natural first choice had been German, all with being close to the border and having German relatives. I actually started learning it in kindergarten, yet somehow, I never got anywhere near the fluency or immersion I achieved in English—but more on that later.

For context, this was 1999. No internet. No smartphones. Just textbooks, dictionaries, teachers, and classes of 15.

But something about English was different. It wasn’t just a school subject or a challenge; it felt alive. I loved it. I had to learn more, constantly looking up new words. I had a knack for memorizing vocabulary, mastering grammar, and nailing pronunciation.

That’s when I started dreaming of traveling to an English-speaking country. I explored ways to make it happen without breaking the bank or adding years to my education. That’s how I landed on the idea of becoming an au pair in England during the summer break when I was 19.

The Real World

My first real-world encounter with an actual English speaker was an application call with the family I was about to live with. Let’s just say it was a baptism by fire. I was so nervous I barely understood a word. My brain froze, my heart raced, and sweat dripped down my back. But somehow, it worked out. I was going to England - all alone.

Spending three months in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, transformed my English skills. Taking care of a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl meant I could learn babbling English alongside them and watch their favourite TV shows. They taught me words like stuck (behind the sofa), clumsy, or cross (as in, "Why are you cross with me?" - which I wasn’t, for the record).

I watched a lot of TV doing household chores. And I turned the funny fact that they owned only two movies on VHS tapes (ask me why sometime) into a major advantage. I can tell you (and I did do the numbers) that I watched both Finding Nemo, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, 50 times. Yes, 50! I alternated the two movies each day. And interestingly enough, they are still among my favourite movies out there. You should watch them.

I also listened to my very first audiobook (The Hobbit) and read the book along because they had it at home. That’s also when I learned the meaning of the words abridged and unabridged the hard way.

By the time I returned home, something had clicked. It was my final year of high school, and I spoke English not perfectly but confidently, without overthinking or translating in my head. I had changed, and it was undeniable. And the thirst for travel and learning had only just begun.

I Want More

That summer in England planted a seed of wanderlust. Every college summer, I worked abroad - Germany, Ireland, and eventually a 5-month Work and Travel program in the USA. I even spent a semester in Germany on an exchange program studying English-Czech Translation (entirely in German, of course).

I also crammed my schedule with extracurriculars, like an Advanced English course at uni. And whenever there was an opportunity to start learning another language - be it French, Spanish, or Italian - I jumped on it with a resounding "hell, yeah!" To be frank I never got too far but I do know what it's like starting something new, or starting over.

And I wated to read. All my favourite books and authors, I just had to know what the originals said, what the characters meant, because the quality of translation was a hit or miss, to be frank. Boy, that was hard, and I struggled greatly to get into reading. I'll dive into more on these struggles in a future post.

Takeaways

Looking back, what stands out isn’t just the places I visited or the skills I gained. It’s the raw hunger I felt - the drive to explore, to learn, to connect with the world beyond my hometown.

That passion shaped everything. It taught me that language learning isn’t just about memorizing words or passing exams. It’s about opening doors to new cultures, new friendships, and new possibilities.

I also found out that some things come easy (if you love it there's nothing easier, I guess) and others do not. I never became fluent in German (it's actually quite rusty right now) or passed a decent threshold in French or Spanish, even though I kept starting over and over. I'm on a mission of using my own experience and finally breaking through there, too.

Your Turn to Explore

Language learning isn’t just a skill or challenge;  for me it’s an adventure. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your skills to the next level, I hope my stories inspires you to keep going, stay curious, and embrace the unknown. Your journey won't look exactly like mine, but trust me - it’ll be worth it.