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“The English Life Academy Changed Everything”
- Cami
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Nazli’s English Journey
Hi there!
It’s time for another Student Spotlight as we haven’t done one in a while! And if you have no idea what I’m talking about: Student Spotlights are our way to celebrate real learners, people who have put time and energy into improving their English and who, therefore, deserve a moment to be celebrated. These stories often also serve as inspiration or motivation to anyone learning English, as they can be very relatable.
Every learner has a different story, and that’s what makes English learning so interesting! So, if you’ve ever felt like your English is good but you’re not confident, then you’ll definitely relate to Nazli’s story! 😌
Now, who is Nazli even? Well, she is part of our wonderful community of English learners at The English Life Academy. Nazli, originally from Türkiye, is living in Germany, where she is doing her PhD.
As you can imagine, living abroad has made English a big part of her life, as it is something she has to use almost every single day, but she felt like she needed more.
From Grammar to Confidence: Nazli’s English Journey
“I started learning English back in primary school, but at that time it was mostly grammar and memorization: it didn’t really help me feel confident using the language.”
Many of us start this way… we are able to pass tests, but still freeze in real conversations… This is the perfect example of how fluency is often not about knowing more, but about using what you already know with confidence, and this is exactly what happened to Nazli.
“Later on, when I was accepted into a PhD program in Germany, my English was good enough to move abroad and handle academic work — but I still didn’t feel entirely comfortable, especially in daily conversations.”
After working with hundreds, even thousands, of English learners, we have realised that many advanced learners experience the same gap of being technically good, but feeling uncomfortable when having to speak English spontaneously.
It’s one thing to write a research paper in English, and it’s another to actually chat comfortably with someone, in any type of situation. Nazli came to the same conclusion; her English was great for her studies, but she also needed to use it as a daily communication tool, and that’s where we came into play:
“Then I found The English Life Academy, and honestly, it changed everything. I’ve been part of the academy for over a year now, and it has helped me grow so much. The lessons are fun, full of real-life topics, and the atmosphere is incredibly supportive. I’ve learned so many useful expressions, and I feel ten times more comfortable when I speak.”
Sometimes, the missing piece isn’t a new grammar rule or a new textbook… It’s the people you practise with! What Nazli found was more than an English academy; she found small group classes, real-life topics, a supportive environment, and, most importantly, a community of people who are going through the same thing. Nazli was able to improve her skills while also enjoying the process again, and that is usually the best way to learn and stay consistent.
“Now I feel confident when I speak English, and that has made a big difference in my daily life. I’m not overthinking how to say things anymore, so I can focus on my work and enjoy communication without stress.”
Learning English can (and should) feel empowering and enjoyable. Nazli has been able to grow her confidence as well as her comfort. She is no longer overthinking her sentences and (finally) feeling relaxed and more authentic when speaking. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for? Kudos, Nazli!! 🤩
“In a way, The English Life Academy has become something like therapy for me. I look forward to every class — not just because I’m learning, but because it’s such a positive space with amazing people. It really feels like I’m hitting two birds with one stone: improving my English and enjoying the process at the same time. I’m so thankful to Benjamin and the whole team for creating this experience!”
One thing we like to talk a lot about is: mindset. And this mindset, of “improving your English while enjoying the process at the same time”, is the key to real progress. It’s not about perfection, but growth with enjoyment.
I wanted to share Nazli’s journey with you, first of all, to give her the shoutout that she deserves, but also because it shows what is possible when you keep showing up (especially once you’ve found the right environment).
If you have ever felt stuck at an advanced level, maybe what you need isn’t “more studying”, but a place where you can truly use your English and see how your confidence grows class by class.
That’s exactly what we do at The English Life Academy: daily group classes, real conversations, and a supportive community where English becomes part of your life.
And if you don’t believe me… Check out what some of our students have said:
I hope you enjoyed today’s email, and remember, confidence looks different for everyone. This is what it looked like for Nazli, and it could look completely different in other cases.
Want to read more student spotlights?
Student Spotlight: Alfredo’s English Journey 🇮🇹
Meet Alfredo: How English transformed his life. From making friends to career growth, how learning English opened doors for Alfredo.
Student Spotlight: Mika's English Journey 🇫🇮
From rusty to confident. How one student reignited his love for English after years away.
Student Spotlight: Wael's English Journey
From self-doubt to fluency. Here’s how Wael got his English back and gained much more.
Also, if you are a member of The English Life Academy and want to be featured next, let me know! 😌
Until next time!
Camila
