To remain competitive in the job market, it is necessary to study foreign languages. Maria Hlagoleva’s language center has earned a reputation for providing high-quality in-person and remote courses.
We spoke with the school’s founder, director, and English and German instructor, Maria Hlagoleva, to learn more about the language learning market, as well as about taking Cambridge Assessment English exams.
Maria, tell us how the idea of creating your own language school came about.
Becoming a teacher has been my childhood dream. I’ve always wanted to teach, to impart my knowledge to both children and adults. I aspired to open my own school, but this dream seemed unattainable. Somewhere around my third year, I was invited to teach at the language courses where I had previously studied. I worked there for four years, eventually becoming an assistant headteacher. I fulfilled various responsibilities related to the educational process. However, there were many disagreements with the course leadership. That’s when I first considered creating my own school, where I could teach according to my own rules and deliver material the way I envisioned.
As we know, dreams have a tendency to come true. So, since 2009, I started gradually working on this independently. In early 2009, three students came to me. I worked alone, and this led to the fact that practically my entire schedule was occupied, all my time was scheduled. It became simply unrealistic to accommodate all the willing learners.
In 2016, I founded my own center. My former students became the teachers. And now, this year marks our 7th anniversary.
Due to the war in Ukraine, many businessmen were forced to relocate their businesses abroad. Have you noticed a trend in the increasing demand for learning Business English?
Primarily, we focus on teaching children, schoolchildren, and students. That is, initially we had a small number of adults, and my school itself didn’t deal directly with businessmen. Mostly, adults studied English to travel comfortably, not for work purposes.
Due to the full-scale invasion, many people had to leave their homes and move abroad. Over the past two years, the demand for learning English has increased significantly, especially among adults. Mostly, they study to find employment. Currently, our students are located in more than 35 countries worldwide.
What are the most popular requests from your clients? Which courses have the highest demand?
English courses for schoolchildren of all ages, from primary to high school, as well as for college students, are very popular with us. English courses for adults are also currently in high demand.
Due to the situation, a large number of people have moved abroad. And, of course, for many, language has become the number one problem. Even people who had good jobs in Ukraine have to settle in a new place, and without at least basic knowledge of English, it’s almost impossible.
We’ve noticed that parents have been helped by their children. Being in extreme conditions, children were able to demonstrate their language abilities and become great helpers for their parents. Therefore, accordingly, parents, seeing them, also started to learn the language.
Currently, a large number of Ukrainians reside abroad. What does the Cambridge Assessment English certificate specifically provide?
Since 2016, we have been preparing our students for the Cambridge exams. The certificate allows them to apply to universities. That is, when our students apply to universities, a certificate confirming their English proficiency level is required. Additionally, our adult students who have obtained this certificate have the opportunity to secure better employment. Even with a high level of English proficiency, it is extremely difficult to secure a good job without this certificate.
What level of English proficiency do people usually approach you with to take the Cambridge Assessment English exam?
People approach us with a wide range of English proficiency levels. People can start taking these exams from the age of 7. Because language proficiency is one thing, and the ability to take internationally recognized exams is another. These are skills that need to be developed gradually, and one should confirm their knowledge upon completing each course. Therefore, a high school graduate has the opportunity to confidently take all 6 exams and receive high scores.
Currently, many Ukrainians need to pass the B2 level exam, and it is quite challenging because they have never done it before and lack experience.
People often justify their lack of time for learning English. How much time does one actually need to dedicate per week to pass the exam and obtain the certificate?
It’s all very individual. It depends on how much time they are willing to allocate to preparation. If someone has been learning the language since childhood, the process progresses gradually. However, for adults, time management becomes crucial. So, it all depends on how well the material is absorbed and how much time is devoted to studying.
In your opinion, is the niche of teaching English already saturated, or is there still room for newly established companies to thrive?
It’s quite challenging to draw conclusions or make assumptions at the moment. Due to the situation in the country, many have shifted to online teaching or individual lessons. A large number of offline schools have closed their doors, for various reasons. Some have left, while others found it economically unviable to rent premises.
In our case, initially, about 80% of our students went abroad and stopped attending classes, but most of them eventually returned. Despite the opportunity for remote learning, many people still prefer attending school and studying offline.
Certainly, the competition is quite significant. However, I can say that having the opportunity to work in one’s own country, in one’s own city or region, is already a great advantage. And students will always find the school that suits them best.
Will Asian languages become as popular as English?
Perhaps, someday these languages will become more popular. Currently, they are often studied as second or third languages. The learning process is not easy, and not many people find enjoyment in it. To learn an Asian language, one needs to be highly motivated.
English is often studied because it’s seen as necessary for life and work. With Asian languages, it’s more challenging because, for the most part, one can manage without them in life.
Do you plan to offer Korean and Japanese language courses?
I tried to launch such courses and invited instructors. Initially, there were quite a few teenagers interested in Korean culture and highly motivated. However, when learning the language becomes routine, the desire to speak Korean diminishes. Consequently, the number of students decreases.
It’s a complex issue. However, over time, I believe we’ll be able to devote more attention to it.
After all, any language is worth learning. As Voltaire said, “To know many languages is to have many keys to one lock.” Anyway, without knowing English nowadays, you won’t get far. And the more languages you can learn, the more paths will open up for you.
The interview was conducted by Michelle Armand.
