From adventure to teaching

The call to teach came early

Luna’s path to teaching began long before she entered university. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to teach,” she recalls, remembering how she would force her brother to play school with her as children. Throughout primary school and gymnasium, she naturally gravitated towards helping teachers, particularly with German classes, serving as an informal assistant whenever possible.

This early passion led her to language gymnasium and eventually to her current master’s programme combining German studies and sociology at the University of Zadar. The choice wasn’t random – Luna recognised her deep interest in languages and human behaviour, subjects that would later prove essential in her teaching approach. Her academic journey has taken her from her birthplace in Slavonski Brod to Zadar, where she’s lived for five years, with occasional visits to her parents near Rijeka.

Adventures beyond the classroom

When Luna isn’t teaching or studying, she’s likely planning her next outdoor adventure. Her enthusiasm for new experiences has led her to complete diving courses, attend sailing school, and participate in environmental activities like beach cleanups. These aren’t just hobbies – they’re extensions of her naturally curious personality that seeks meaningful connections with the world around her.

Her most memorable recent adventure was a spontaneous solo trip to Bulgaria, an unplanned four-day weekend getaway that perfectly captures her adventurous spirit. But it’s the Croatian coast that truly holds her heart. She regularly explores Croatian islands, particularly drawn to quieter spots like Dugi otok and Brač, where she can find beautiful locations without overwhelming crowds. These experiences provide rich material for her teaching, offering authentic cultural insights that textbooks simply cannot match.

Camping tales and learning lessons

Luna’s love for camping began as family trips in a motorhome, but she’s since adapted to solo tent adventures whenever she has a free weekend. Her recent four-day camping trip to Dugi otok with a friend produced one of her favourite travel stories – and a valuable lesson about preparation.

“We thought we didn’t need sleeping mats, that sleeping bags would be enough,” Luna laughs, recalling their uncomfortable nights. “That wasn’t enough at all. We definitely need to buy proper mats next time.” Despite the lack of comfort, the trip was filled with kayaking adventures, including paddling through blue caves. The experience left her with mixed feelings about the bats living in the caves, but the overall memory remains positive.

These camping adventures reflect Luna’s broader philosophy about learning through experience. Just as she doesn’t let discomfort ruin a good adventure, she approaches teaching challenges with the same resilient, positive attitude. Her willingness to step outside her comfort zone – whether sleeping on hard ground or navigating bat-filled caves – translates into her ability to help students feel comfortable taking risks with language learning.

Creating connections through laughter

Luna’s teaching style centres on creating a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere where humour plays a crucial role. She believes that when students can laugh and have fun during lessons, learning becomes significantly more effective. Rather than traditional rote learning, she focuses on creating memorable moments through jokes, helpful mnemonics, and engaging activities.

This approach has proven successful, with students regularly providing feedback about how enjoyable and engaging her classes are. Luna particularly remembers moments when students tackle challenging concepts, like the complex Croatian vocabulary for extended family members. These lessons require extra effort, but the payoff comes when students report using their new knowledge successfully in real-life situations.

One particularly memorable success involved a student who surprised a Croatian family with his knowledge of family relationship terms. The family had assumed he was just a beginner, but when they tested him by pointing to family members and asking “Do you know who this is?”, he confidently responded with “ujak” (maternal uncle) and “stric” (paternal uncle). Luna’s pride in that moment reflects her deep investment in her students’ success and her understanding that language learning is ultimately about making real human connections.

The motivation that makes the difference

Luna found Let’s Learn Croatian while seeking practical teaching experience during her university studies, wanting to understand how classroom theory translates to real-world instruction. What she discovered was something entirely different from traditional school environments – students who arrive already motivated by personal connections to Croatia, whether through love, family, friendships, or simply appreciation for the country itself.

This intrinsic motivation from adult learners creates a dynamic that Luna finds particularly rewarding. Unlike traditional school settings where teachers must work to generate interest, her students come with their own reasons for learning. The diverse backgrounds, ages, and nationalities in her classes create rich learning environments where everyone contributes stories, jokes, and memory aids that benefit the entire group. Each lesson becomes a cultural exchange as much as a language lesson.