Cultivating patience in the language garden

Rooted in a small town, branching into languages

“I’ve always felt connected to my hometown,” Laura says, her expression softening when speaking of Čakovec. Despite having travelled to Switzerland, Egypt, and across Croatia, she still names her birthplace as her favourite location. This deep connection to home seems to fuel her passion for sharing Croatian language and culture with others.

Laura discovered her path unusually early – Croatian was her favourite subject in primary school, and she never wavered from her desire to teach. “I simply love passing on knowledge,” she explains, the directness of her statement revealing how naturally teaching came to her. Unlike many who drift through various interests before finding their vocation, Laura’s clarity of purpose has been a constant companion.

Behind this certainty stands the shadow of an influential teacher – slightly strict but deeply encouraging. “She always believed everyone could succeed if they applied themselves,” Laura recalls. “That’s something I carry with me into every lesson.”

Finding freedom within structure

The transition from teaching in primary schools to language classes revealed interesting contrasts for Laura. “In primary schools, there’s a set curriculum, plus you’re responsible for children’s broader education,” she notes. “Language schools offer more flexibility to adapt to students’ needs and abilities.”

Yet Laura discovered a surprising similarity between the two environments: the diversity of learning levels. “In both settings, you’re constantly designing lessons that need to be engaging, dynamic, and structured so students can learn from each other,” she explains. This observation led her to develop a distinctive collaborative approach.

Rather than positioning herself as the sole authority, Laura creates environments where students teach each other. “I use collaborative learning techniques where students work in groups on challenges,” she says. “They feel more comfortable speaking, learn from each other’s mistakes, and progress faster this way.”

This method reflects Laura’s personality – she describes herself as “a good listener” who tailors lessons to individual interests. If a student loves travel, she’ll create scenarios around booking hotels or navigating foreign cities. For those interested in food, she might design activities around recipes or restaurant conversations.

The aha moments that fuel her passion

When asked about memorable teaching experiences, Laura doesn’t mention grand achievements or awards. Instead, her eyes light up describing what she calls “the aha effect” – those small breakthroughs that signal real progress.

“My favourite moments are when a student has been struggling with a difficult concept, and after several attempts, suddenly understands it and feels that rush of accomplishment,” she explains. “Or when someone tells me they ordered food in Croatian at a restaurant and the waiter understood everything.”

These seemingly minor victories – understanding a grammatical concept, successfully navigating a brief conversation with a native speaker – represent the true milestones of language learning. “When students take these small steps but feel immense pride in their achievement, that’s when I feel most fulfilled as a teacher,” Laura says.

Her approach at Let’s Learn Croatian stands out for its emphasis on quality materials and personalized attention. “We really try to adjust our teaching to the needs and abilities of each student,” she explains. “That’s the biggest difference from other language schools.”

Finding connection beyond language

Beyond grammar and vocabulary, Laura finds profound satisfaction in sharing her culture with those curious enough to explore it. “It’s beautiful to see someone interested in learning not just my mother tongue, but also about Croatian customs and traditions,” she reflects.

What surprises and touches her most are the students without any family connections to Croatia who still choose to learn the language. “They have no heritage or family reason to learn Croatian, yet they’re drawn to our country and culture,” she says with evident pride. “That’s truly special.”

This cultural exchange flows both ways. An enthusiastic traveler herself, Laura approaches new cultures with the same openness she hopes to inspire in her students. “I’m always eager to try traditional foods wherever I go, even if I’m a bit skeptical at first,” she laughs. “Food, culture, and observing how people behave – especially toward tourists – gives you insights you can’t get from books.”

When not teaching, Laura nurtures her romantic soul through psychology books and love stories. She cooks for family and friends, creating the same kind of communal experiences she values in her classroom – places where people come together to share something meaningful.

For Laura, language teaching isn’t just about transferring information; it’s about building bridges between worlds. Each classroom becomes a space where Croatian culture unfolds through words, where strangers become friends, and where everyone – just as her childhood teacher believed – can succeed with patience and effort.