Personal Note
Working at Language Testing International (LTI) has given me the incredible opportunity to connect with individuals who possess an extraordinary talent for and dedication to languages. Among these inspiring individuals, Agnieszka Ergun’s story stands out, partly because like me, she was born and grew up in Poland but mostly because her journey to multilingualism is a testament to the power of determination, love, and the unyielding pursuit of communication across borders.
How It All Began – Spanish
Agnieszka was born in Poland, and at the tender age of 13-14, her world took an unexpected turn when her father secured a position as the main engineer for a paper factory in Cardenas, Matanzas, Cuba. Back then, Spanish was not a language commonly taught in Poland, so Agnieszka had limited resources at her disposal to study prior to her six-week vacation in Cuba. Nonetheless, armed with a single book, she was determined and delved into the Spanish language.
Agnieszka’s motivation to learn Spanish went beyond mere curiosity. She had developed a mutual fondness for a young man. Since there was a language barrier that hindered their communication, she was determined to bridge the gap and devoted herself to studying eight hours a day. In just two weeks, she surprised herself and others by communicating freely, using present, and future tenses, with an impressive vocabulary. Agnieszka’s passion for the Spanish language had blossomed, and she nurtured it even after returning to Poland.
As Agnieszka enrolled in college in Wroclaw, Poland, she sought a part-time job as a tour director. To qualify for the position, she had to demonstrate proficiency in English and Spanish. Much to her surprise, her Spanish skills surpassed even her interviewer’s! It was a huge compliment to a young student. Agnieszka’s determination and hard work had paid off. She worked as a part-time tour director in Wroclaw, leading tours no only in Spanish, but also in Russian.
A Journey Continues – English
Growing up in Poland, Agnieszka pursued English studies throughout high school and college. Despite receiving good grades, she struggled to speak and comprehend the language fluently. It wasn’t until two years into her stay in the United States that she passed the TOEFL exam and gained admission to college. Agnieszka’s determination to master languages remained unwavering despite the challenges she faced.
Becoming a Teacher
Agnieszka’s love of travel led her to explore various countries, including England, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Poland, and Turkey. Each experience deepened her love for languages, and she realized she possessed a valuable gift to share with others. After taking a break from college to focus on raising her second child, the decision to become a language teacher was an easy one. Agnieszka knew that she could inspire and guide students on their own language-learning journeys. “Having lived in different countries, I loved learning languages, and I knew that I have valuable knowledge to share with students. Once I picked up college again, after my second child was born, the choice was easy,” shared Agnieszka when asked why she wanted to become a teacher.
The Italian Adventure
In between her stays in the United States, Agnieszka’s husband worked in Italy, holding a prominent position in direct sales. As part of their welcome package, they were offered a three-month Italian course for just the two of them, with four hours of daily lessons. Agnieszka’s dedication was unwavering yet again, as she studied Italian for seven hours a day, five days a week, for three months. Immersed in the vibrant Italian culture, she found ample opportunities to practice the language. Agnieszka and her husband ended up living in Italy for nearly three years, creating lifelong friendships and further honing her Italian skills. To this day, she continues to converse in Italian with her friends in Georgia, whom she met over 20 years ago.
The Fulfillment of Teaching
As a language teacher, Agnieszka finds great joy in witnessing her students’ progress. Seeing their growth and witnessing their perspectives shift is an incredibly rewarding experience. From introducing new teaching and learning methods to witnessing students confidently singing songs in Spanish, Agnieszka knows the impact she has on their language-learning journeys. “Being able to see the progress of students as well as being able to see that methods they were first not comfortable with now pay off and they look at it from a different perspective, like singing a song in Spanish, is the most fulfilling thing to me as a teacher,” she said.
Agnieszka encourages her students to approach language learning with a sense of fun and adventure. She emphasizes the importance of repetition, allowing oneself to make mistakes, and not relying solely on translation. “A new language is like a new dance—it has moves that you have not practiced yet and to do it well, you need to let yourself go,” she shared.
ACTFL Tests and Beyond
Recently Agnieszka took the ACTFL OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) and WPT (Writing Proficiency Test) in Italian when her school in Georgia decided to start a new Italian program. She was offered to teach Italian if she demonstrated sufficient proficiency. Her remarkable scores of advanced high in speaking and advanced mid in writing paved the way for her to start teaching Italian in the fall. Two classes she will teach in the upcoming semester are already fully enrolled, a testament to her impact and the demand for her expertise.
Agnieszka’s journey to multilingualism serves as a beacon of inspiration to all language learners. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge, fueled by her love for languages and unwavering dedication, exemplifies the transformative power of communication. Through her passion, she continues to inspire others to embrace the beauty of language and explore the rich tapestry of cultures that lie beyond linguistic borders.
