Languages; The Doors to New Worlds

 Hola, how is life???

There’s something deeply beautiful about languages—something poetic, powerful, and incredibly human. Many of us grew up hearing the phrase, “Knowledge is the one thing no one can ever take away from you.” I couldn’t agree more. But if I had to choose one kind of knowledge that truly opens doors—not just literal ones, but emotional, cultural, and even spiritual—it would be languages.

Languages are not just tools for communication. They are living, breathing systems of thought. They shape the way we see the world, how we relate to others, and how we express who we are.

For me, Serbian is home—my native language. But beyond that, I speak Russian and English, and I’ve studied the basics of Greek and Arabic. Over time, I’ve discovered I can understand around 30% of nearly any Slavic language, just by recognizing patterns and shared roots. It often feels like having secret keys to doors I never even knew existed.

And I’m not stopping there. I currently have “just” eight different languages on my to-learn list—my goal is to reach them all before I turn 30. 

Through this journey, I’ve realized something that more people need to hear: most of us aren’t “bad” at languages. We’ve just never found our language—or our method. And that makes all the difference.

You're Not Bad at Languages – You're Just Learning the Wrong One

There’s a common misconception that only a certain “type” of person can learn languages—someone born with a special ear, or a perfect memory. But in reality, research suggests that most people are capable of learning languages. It’s just that some language families “click” better with certain brains.

Maybe you find Latin languages (like Spanish or Italian) easy to grasp, while others struggle with them. Or maybe Slavic languages feel natural to you, while Asian languages seem impossible—and vice versa. This isn’t about talent. It’s about compatibility. 

So if you’ve ever struggled with one language, that doesn’t mean you’re not “a language person.” It just means that particular language didn’t suit you. The key is finding the one that feels natural, fun, and intuitive—because when you like the language you’re learning, everything gets easier.

My Learning Style: A Personal Twist on Suggestopedia

Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of methods—but the one that resonated with me most is Suggestopedia, originally developed by Bulgarian psychologist Georgi Lozanov. It focuses on learning in a relaxed, emotionally positive environment. Instead of drilling grammar rules, it uses storytelling, music, and gentle repetition to help vocabulary and structure “sink in” naturally. 

Since I don’t have a ton of free time, I’ve customized the method to fit my lifestyle. I build lessons around 100 new words (you think it's too much? Lozanov sometimes teached students 1000 new words in just one day), then write 5 short texts that use those words in context. I aim to do no more than 3 lessons per week—just enough to keep moving forward without burning out.

This way, I’m not just memorizing isolated words—I’m seeing them alive in stories and sentences, making them stick in a much more natural and enjoyable way.

Podcasts, Music, and Passive Learning

Outside of structured study, I also immerse myself in the languages I’m learning through music and podcasts. Even when I don’t understand everything, just listening helps my brain absorb rhythms, intonation, and pronunciation patterns.

Podcasts, especially those designed for learners, are great for building comprehension and vocabulary. And music? It sticks in your head without effort. Sometimes I’ll find myself singing a chorus in another language and realize I’ve picked up 10 new words without even trying.Language immersion doesn’t have to mean living abroad. It can start with filling your day with sounds from another world.

Personality Shift: A Hidden Gift of Multilingualism

Here’s something strange but fascinating: I’ve noticed that I’m an introvert in my native language, but when I speak a foreign language, I become more extroverted. More talkative. Bolder. It’s like a little personality shift.

"A different language is a different vision of life."

– Federico Fellini

Turns out, this isn’t just in my imagination. Psycholinguistic studies have found that multilingual people often feel and behave differently depending on which language they’re speaking. It makes sense—each language carries its own cultural norms, emotional tones, and ways of thinking.When we learn a new language, we’re not just memorizing words. We’re learning a new way of being. And that’s incredibly powerful.

We often talk about wanting to speak a language—but we don’t talk enough about learning to love the process. Language learning can be slow, frustrating, and humbling. But it can also be joyful, eye-opening, and deeply satisfying.

The key is consistency over intensity. You don’t need to spend hours every day. Even 20 minutes a few times a week can take you far—especially if you’re enjoying it.

Celebrate the small wins. Recognize when you understand a sentence in a movie, or order something at a restaurant in the local language, or laugh at a joke in a podcast. These are the moments that make the journey worth it.

And for all the book lovers out there—there’s something truly magical about reading a well-known novel, or a work by your favorite author, in the language they originally wrote it in. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe. The words hit differently. The rhythm, the nuances, the emotion—it all becomes more intimate, more authentic. It’s like hearing the author speak directly to you, without anything getting lost in translation. That’s one of the most beautiful rewards language learning has to offer.

The more languages I learn, the more I learn about myself. Each one gives me access to different emotions, different ways of expressing thoughts, different ways of connecting with people. It’s like I have different “versions” of myself—one for each language.

"You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once."
– Czech Proverb

And honestly, that’s one of the most beautiful parts of the journey. Learning languages is not just about understanding others—it’s also about rediscovering yourself through different cultural lenses.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: no one is born fluent. No one gets it perfect on the first try. And no one should be afraid to sound “silly” or make mistakes. That’s part of it. That’s how you grow.

So if you're on a language journey—or thinking of starting one—know that it doesn’t have to look like anyone else's. Set your own pace. Find your rhythm. Choose the languages that excite your heart.

As for me? I’ve got eight beautiful languages on my list—and a few more years before 30 to bring them into my world.

"One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way."
– Frank Smith

Nena