How did Hungarian teaching first come to your mind?

I used to work as a teacher in kindergartens, primary schools, and universities. For ten years I was the leading teacher of a language, literature, and communication program, after which I ended up in the language teaching field. I was looking for a second job when one of my students missed the deadline of a home assignment. I told him that I would be in my office the next morning, so he could hand it in then. I was waiting for him when I saw a note on the bulletin board about a job vacancy in a language school that was looking for young English speakers to teach Hungarian. Although I didn’t meet the conditions, the job stuck in my head so I applied. I didn’t get the job but I was allowed to visit some Hungarian language classes. Six months later I was asked to teach Hungarian for a small group of foreigners, because the demand for Hungarian language classes was so overwhelming in the 1990s that the school needed me.

What do you teach first for Hungarian language learners?

Many believe that it is impossible to learn how to speak Hungarian, so first I try to get my students like the language and have a good time during the classes. This way they’ll have motivation to keep studying.

In the beginning I shed light on the practical benefits of learning Hungarian: I teach them the most basic expressions related to saying hi, introduction, shopping, ordering food and paying the bill in a restaurant, and asking for information, as well as the days of the week and the most used verbs. When they know these, they realize that they can express themselves and they’re understood, so they feel like proceeding. The rest of the course is up to the level students want to achieve. I find great pleasure in these language courses, probably more so than my students.

You have worked in language schools for several years, and now you’re a teacher in Converzum. What do you think is the most difficult part of Hungarian language acquisition foreigners struggle with?

For them it is hard to understand that the Hungarian language can’t be compared to any other as its system, structure, and pronunciation are unique. For instance the English usually don’t speak foreign languages and they struggle with learning the conjugated verbs. I need to prove them that Hungarian language teaching is logically structured, which is quite a challenge, but I created a 60-hour course plan that helps me do so. On the other hand, students with Arabic origins can easily pronounce the Hungarian /ö/, /ő/, /ü/, and /ű/ sounds, but they need to learn the Latin alphabet too. The Polish have problem with differentiating /e/ and /é/, while Russians with contrasting /o/ and /a/.

There are so many orthographic rules that even native Hungarian speakers break them sometimes. What is it like for foreigners?

Accented characters are always a problem. Most of my students use an English keyboard that doesn’t include the accented characters, so they simply neglect using them. During the first classes I tell the learners examples to demonstrate that accents can change the meaning of a word. It does make a difference if you write kérek (I ask something), kerek (round) or kerék (wheel).

Do you use a vehicular language during the classes?

It depends. I have to instruct in English when I give a private lesson, because the students expect me to do so. During the group lessons I try to speak only in Hungarian. Once I told a group of learners that I don’t speak any other languages, save Hungarian, so they couldn’t switch to another language if they felt challenged. Surprisingly, we could understand each other from day one. It was the most successful course I’ve ever held.

Photo credit: Kriszti Németh – Egy jó kép rólad

… and you also have a degree or certificate in teaching, or you are currently doing a teacher training course, send CV and join the highly-motivated teaching staff of Converzum Language Community.

Converzum Language Community is a quality rated member of the Professional Association of Language Schools, and is accredited by the Adult Education Accreditation Panel. The highly qualified board of teachers holds classes in small groups, from beginning to advanced level, using the most recent textbooks and up-to-date methods. Students can also take those internationally recognized language tests which serve to prove their language ability within or beyond Hungary.

Students at Converzum enjoy each and every moment of learning.

With the help of a precise placement method students are to attend a group that is suitable for their pace. At Converzum, the teachers adopt the rhythm of the students, not the other way around.

If you don’t have a degree or certificate yet, but you like challenges, send your CV and join the part-time or full-time language teaching methodology course.

Via Lingua is one of the world’s largest TEFL certificate course providers. With 16 locations across 4 continents, Via Lingua offers TEFL certificate students the opportunity to choose a TEFL course location best suited to them.

All you can do while studying at Via Lingua Budapest:

• Study in a beautiful historical capital at a more competitive price than other European cities offer
• Earn an internationally recognized Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (CTEFL)
• Take part in a practical, 4-week, 120 hour intensive TEFL certificate course
• NEW! Get a 2- hour introduction to ICT in the classroom
• Have at least 10 hours of TEFL teaching practice
• Study in small groups (max. 8, average 6) throughout with internationally experienced TEFL trainers
• Have access to the global TEFL employment assistance

If you are determined to teach a language at a professional language school, do not hesitate to contact them. Send your application to: kazan.ivett@converzum.hu

The Converzum Language Community has been a thriving institution for over 25 years.  Join them and be part of their continuing growth and success.

More info HERE.