LIVE Journey with my Twins

Teaching English is not just about grammar rules and vocabulary lists; it’s about opening doors to new worlds, fostering connections, and sparking curiosity. As an English teacher, I’ve experienced firsthand the joys and challenges of guiding students through this journey.

My journey into teaching English took on a whole new dimension when my twins were born. From the start, my husband and I decided to raise them bilingually, immersing them in both English and our native language, Turkish. This decision was fueled by a desire to give them the cognitive and cultural advantages of being bilingual—and it’s been a rewarding, albeit challenging, endeavor.

In the early years, consistency was key. I spoke exclusively in English to the twins, while my husband communicated with them in our native language. Books, songs, and everyday conversations became our primary tools. There were moments of doubt, like when one twin preferred English while the other gravitated toward the native language. However, we persevered, fostering a balanced exposure to both languages.

Raising bilingual children while teaching English has been a symbiotic journey. The classroom has enriched my parenting, and parenting has deepened my understanding of language education. Today, my twins seamlessly switch between languages, often surprising us with their ability to adapt to different linguistic contexts, like Russian and German. Their journey is a testament to the power of consistent effort and a nurturing environment.

As I continue to teach English, I carry the lessons I’ve learned from my twins into every interaction. Language is not just a skill but a bridge—connecting people, ideas, and cultures. Whether in the classroom or at home, it’s a LIVE journey worth taking, one word at a time.