This is ProLingua Global’s new interview series ‘Travelling without luggage’.

In these blog posts, German & Hungarian language coach Gabriella Ferenczi shares the experiences of her clients, who study languages with her. Expect inspiring stories, useful tips and advice, fun facts and a lot of motivation and encouragement.

Let’s delve into it!

The next person to answer our questions is journalist Carolyn Asome. Carolyn is a fashion and interiors writer, former fashion editor at the Times. Carolyn now writes for the Telegraph, Times and Vogue. 

Let’s discover what her language learning journey has been like so far.  

What is your language background?

I did a BA Hons at Manchester in French and Italian literature and had also studied German and Latin to GSCE level at school.

Why did you choose to learn German?

I always regretted not studying German to A-level or degree level. Unlike many English people, I love the sound of German and I find it really appealing. Indeed, Germany has such a rich cultural heritage (literature, music, arts), which so often gets overlooked by historical events as the Second World War, the DDR and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Tell us about your language learning journey so far.

I’ve been fortunate enough to use French and Italian for work (as a fashion editor)  and I regularly attended the Paris and Milan fashion weeks for 15 years. I just realised about 5 years ago, I didn’t feel that confident when interviewing someone. It also struck me that the vocabulary I learnt as a uni student wasn’t nearly sufficient for my work life now. Or that I didn’t always know the best sentence structure for asking questions, which obviously as a journalist is very important. I think I’m also more patient than I was 20 years ago. And perhaps it’s a sign of getting older but I enjoy the process, a lot more than I did when I was younger, even if sometimes it feels very S-L-O-W.

What challenges have you faced during your learning experience?

It’s a lack of time to practise and do homework that I find most challenging. Also knowing that I have to drill down on verbs and grammar and putting that off.

What are you most proud of in terms of your achievements so far?

Language-wise, that I still use French and Italian in my job as a journalist. I am keen to improve but I interviewed the French minister of Ecology, Brune Poirson and the Hermes perfume nose for the Telegraph and also Jean-Claude Jitrois, a very out-there fashion designer for the Times.

Misunderstandings are part of any language journey. Can you recall a memorable example

where you were misunderstood or did not understand something?

Indeed, they are two a penny when you are learning. Getting things muddled and coming out with a rude or swear word.

How do you stay on track between your German coaching sessions?

Trying to do some German little and often each evening. Or at least that is the intention. 

What works for you and what doesn’t when it comes to learning and memorising words and

phrases?

Writing things down and listening to podcasts helps. I also devoured Call my Agent over Christmas and in 2 weeks, my rusty French had got so much better.

Do you have any tips on how to approach working with Germans?

Sadly I have never worked with any Germans.

Do you have a favourite German expression?

The School of Life produced a  box of untranslatable German words and one of my favourite ones was Kummerspeck, which translated as ‘sorrow-fat’. The perfect word for a lockdown when there is simply nothing more consoling than to head for the kitchen. 

Carolyn’s example shows how knowing and speaking languages can help to connect with high profile people and secure opportunities that otherwise would not have come your way.

Any insights after reading this? Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you. 

If you enjoyed this interview and you wish to discover more about our client’s experiences, then tune in and listen to The ProLingua Global Podcast series or check What’s the secret to being fluent? Talking to Lesley McMillan and Why should English speakers learn a foreign language? Talking to James, finance professional, director and head of short-term interest rate products.