All it takes is a leap of faith
This week I did an interview with one of my lovely ex-students, Zara. As we were liaising about the interview preparation, I discovered an entertaining fun fact (though it made me feel a little old!) Zara is 24 - the age that I was when I first started teaching her....
10 life-changing benefits of language learning
We all know the obvious – and much publicised – advantages of being able to speak a second language, like the future employment opportunities it brings. But there are also more subtle and less commonly discussed benefits that parents might not consider when thinking...
Time flies when you’re having fun
2002... When it all began! 2020... 20 year anniversary!I arrived in the UK in September 2000 with a failed degree from a French law school, with just a suitcase and a little money in my pocket, but with big ambitions to make the most of my bilingualism. Two years...
My son told me something that stopped me in my tracks.
When we were in Spain recently, my parents were staying in one apartment and Max and I in another and we’d meet each night to enjoy dinner together. After one particularly lovely evening enjoying good food and chatting in French, as Max and I were strolling back to...
Having it all
Are you a busy professional? Are you always juggling your commitments? Do you feel like there's never any time left for your own priorities, even if it’s something you’d really love to do like learning a new language? Well, don't worry – The VICI is here to help. We...
Nathalie’s Spanish Journey
I’ve always had a love of languages, right the way back to my teenage years. English was the first foreign tongue I learned, and I took to it like a duck to water. It never felt like a chore and getting to know the language was a genuinely pleasurable experience for...
Wish you were here! How learning Spanish has transformed my week…
I'm lucky enough to be writing this blog post from sunny Fuerteventura, where I’m spending a working week.I love it here; unpretentious, sunny-but-not-too-hot, cocktails on tap and breathtaking walks by the volcanos... And yes! I will be doing a bit of work this week...
A language love story for linguaphiles
At the VICI Language Academy, we love LOVE - so here's a super romantic story we wanted to share with you! Friend of the VICI Eric is French, and his lovely wife Jo decided she wanted to learn his native tongue in order to be able to better communicate with his family...
Do you know the story of the Frog Prince?
Of course you do! We’re all so familiar with the fairytale of the Frog Prince that the phrase "You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince" has even slipped into the modern vernacular. It’s not something I’ve ever really thought about before, but today it...
Older Posts
When is a mistake not a mistake?
As the tender age of 11, Nathalie decided exactly what she was going to be when she grew up. With every fibre of her being, she knew she was going to be a Police Inspector. And this wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan idea – she really meant it!
In the land of the learner, flexibility is king
At the beginning of September, The VICI Language Academy held a fantastic language festival providing workshops, demonstrations and one-to-one consultation opportunities to both children and adults interested in the 11 languages we offer.
What you should be looking for in a French coach
If you’re looking for a French coach, you might not be sure exactly what you should be looking for.
What’s the difference between online and offline?
When we first launched our digital learning platform, i VICI, there was a mixed reaction.
It’s fair to say that some people were resistant to the idea of online learning and instead preferred to rely on the more familiar.
Everybody learns differently…
It’s important to remember nobody learns in the same way.
Everyone is unique. There’s no cure-all for learning because it just wouldn’t work.
Why ‘one and done’ is not the VICI way.
In the language industry – like in any other sector – different organisations utilise varying approaches to suit their specific model, product and target market. This is good.
The Multi-Lingual Mindset
One of the things that can be difficult for me to convey to prospective parents is how and why what VICI offers is materially different from other options.
The Commitment – Part 2
Following on from my last blog about commitment, I want to say a few more words on the subject.
The Commitment – Part 1
For example, passion. Most business owners get into what they do because they are passionate about it.
Academy Update
Following the announcement that all non-essential shops could open from yesterday, we’ve been busy over the last few weeks making preparations.