The linguistic detective
Anna speaks three languages professionally, working as a translator, interpreter and teacher of English, Swedish and Polish. But it was a German friend studying Slavic languages who unwittingly launched her teaching career.
“We organised a language tandem that’s now lasted five years,” Anna explains. “Every week we’d meet – a bit of German, a bit of Polish. I found myself having to explain Polish grammar in German, which was its own challenge.”
“Even in high school, I wondered what exactly makes the Polish language difficult.”
That weekly struggle to articulate the logic behind cases and declensions sparked something unexpected. “I started wondering what it would be like to teach Polish professionally. The opportunity seemed distant until I spotted a job posting from Let’s Learn Polish.”
The position that began as an experiment has become a passion. “It turns out I absolutely love teaching Polish as a foreign language,” she says, genuine surprise still evident in her voice.
Making the impossible possible
“I watch my students go from convinced that Polish grammar is terrifying to speaking in complete sentences,” Anna says. “The biggest reward is seeing their fear gradually melt away.”
Her approach is refreshingly practical: she insists on full sentences from day one and creates an atmosphere where mistakes are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. As lessons progress, she quietly extends the time spent speaking exclusively in Polish, then delights in revealing this achievement to her surprised students.
“I love watching my students go from nervous first phrases to confidently chatting in Polish – it’s like seeing them unlock an entirely new side of themselves.”
“After a month or two, depending on the group, I can teach half the lesson entirely in Polish. Then I tell them, ‘Did you notice we just spent 15 minutes speaking only Polish? Isn’t that amazing?’ Their faces light up when they realise what they’ve accomplished.”
The mafia body parts game
Anna’s creativity emerges most vividly when lessons don’t go as planned. Her proudest teaching moment came from an improvised solution during a time crunch.
“The textbook had sections on money and body parts back-to-back. With ten unexpected minutes to fill, I invented a game where students played as mafia members buying and selling body parts from each other.”
What could have been awkward became electric. Students enthusiastically haggled, offering “a million złoty and a Lamborghini” for legs, or throwing in “Chanel perfume and a beautiful house” to sweeten deals for ears. The classroom erupted in laughter as they unconsciously mastered both vocabulary sets and the instrumental case.
“They were forming complete sentences, negotiating prices – all while having so much fun they forgot they were actually learning grammar,” Anna recalls. “Sometimes the best teaching happens when you’re least prepared.”
Finding connection through language
The human element of language teaching sustains Anna’s enthusiasm. Many of her students have Polish partners or family members, and she witnesses firsthand how language bridges emotional gaps.
“I’m not just teaching grammar rules; I’m helping people connect with loved ones in a deeper way,” she reflects. “That’s what truly motivates me – seeing relationships transform through language.”
“Nothing beats watching someone realise Polish grammar isn’t as scary as they thought.”
She also continues discovering new facets of her native tongue. “I’m constantly learning alongside my students. They ask questions I’ve never considered about my own language, which sends me researching linguistic history to understand why we say things certain ways.”
Beyond the classroom
When not teaching, Anna’s linguistic curiosity extends to her hobbies. She watches Disney animations in different languages, comparing how voice actors interpret the same characters across cultures. “It’s fascinating to hear what changes and what remains consistent,” she explains.
She’s also an accomplished crocheter who crafted a plush axolotl following online tutorials – “They’re real creatures from Mexico that became popular on social media,” she notes – and finds physical release at Warsaw’s trampoline parks.
For quieter moments, she retreats to her favourite basement teahouse in Warsaw’s Old Town. “They have so many varieties that you could visit twenty times and still not taste everything on the menu,” she says. “The atmosphere in that cellar is truly magical.”
Through teaching, Anna has discovered that sharing her language isn’t just about explaining grammar rules – it’s about opening doors to a culture, connecting families, and watching confidence bloom in unexpected ways. What began as curiosity has become a calling that enriches both her students’ lives and her own.
Teacher stories
Discover inspiring language journeys and see how our teachers are teaching Polish:
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Maja | School manager
Blending stagecraft and empathy, Maja creates classrooms where students safely explore language – and parts of themselves.
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Tomasz | Teacher
From imaginary students to real breakthroughs, Tomasz brings playful energy and deep care to every Polish lesson he teaches.
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Sara | Learning coordinator
Once struggling herself with German, Sara now guides others with patience and passion, proving it’s never too late to succeed.
