As the Director of a Language Academy, I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of students over the years. And every one of them comes to us with a different reason for learning a new language.
Some need it urgently — they’re moving countries and have to adapt fast. Others are preparing for exams, whether for nationality, visas, or higher education. Some are professionals aiming to boost their careers, and then there are those who learn for themselves — for their personal development, their curiosity, their sense of adventure. For them, learning a language is a lifestyle choice. It’s something they do to grow as individuals.
And this got me thinking about my own story.
I grew up in the east of France, near the German border. French was my first language, of course — but German was introduced at school as a compulsory foreign language, because of the proximity. I didn’t love it. In fact, I never really had a choice, and I never connected with it emotionally.
But I do remember being around 11 or 12 years old and saying something very specific: “I want to learn Italian.”
I don’t know where that came from — no one in my family spoke Italian, we didn’t travel to Italy, and yet… it was the language that appealed to me. Something about it stirred a curiosity and joy in me, even then.
Fast forward 30+ years.
Recently, I decided to learn a new language again — Spanish. My son had started learning it at school, and I wanted to support him. I don’t go to Spain very often, but I do have this long-standing dream: when I retire, I want to spend real time in Latin America.
So Spanish made sense.
And as a language coach, I was also eager to test out the new learning programmes we’d designed at the academy — to step into the learner’s shoes again and experience what our students go through.
I enjoyed it — I reached the point where I could get by: order a meal, ask for directions, exchange pleasantries.
But beyond that? I stalled. I told myself I was too busy. The motivation just wasn’t there. Something was missing.
And then came the turning point.
At VICI, we’ve been running immersive language experiences for years now — in various regions of France, through weekend retreats, and more recently in Spain – and we are back there next month – Galicia, here we come! These aren’t typical classroom experiences. They’re designed to create a real emotional and cultural connection with the language — the kind of environment where learners stop being students and become explorers.
And now, for the first time, we’re planning one of these experiences in Florence.
As we started organising it, I realised: I can’t go to Italy with my students without speaking the language — not if I want to truly walk beside them. I want to be with them in the moment. I want to experience what they experience. I want to challenge myself, too.
And suddenly, everything changed.
The woman who had dragged her feet with Spanish suddenly found space in her diary to start learning Italian — joyfully, willingly. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. Because something had clicked.
And then, as I was telling this to a friend, she said something that stopped me in my tracks: “Italian is your heart language.”
She was right. I’ve been thinking about Italian since I was a child. I’ve dreamed about it for over three decades. And now — finally — I’m ready to learn it.
So, if you’ve ever thought about learning a language — but you’re hesitating because it’s not “useful enough,” or it’s not the “most spoken” one, or it doesn’t serve some logical purpose — I encourage you to let all of that go
Learn the one that calls to you. Learn the one that excites you. Learn your heart language.
Because sometimes, that’s the one that changes everything.
P.S. If you’re thinking of learning a language too — especially Italian — give me a call, I’d love to help you get started- and we can share stories and support each other along the way. And if you’re an Italian language coach based locally to West Berkshire, where our Academy is based in Newbury… we’re recruiting! Get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.