In today’s globalized world, almost all of us come into contact with foreign languages in one way or another. For some, these are occasional encounters — films, music, travel. For others, it is a conscious path that requires time, effort, and continuous self-development.

There is no single answer to the question, “What does it mean to learn a foreign language?” For some, it is a hobby; for others, a professional necessity; and for some, a true intellectual challenge. For linguistics students, it is above all a future profession, daily discovery, personal growth, and new opportunities.

At the same time, language learning is a deeply individual process. Everyone who takes it seriously develops their own strategies, habits, and techniques. It was precisely this personal experience that students of the “English Linguistics” program set out to share by organizing a panel discussion titled Real Stories of Learning English on April 30, 2026.

The event was initiated and organized by senior students Zeeri Argymbaeva, Davran Baratov, Mariam Zhumabaeva, Marina Moiseenko, and Liya Khomenko.

Participants included third-year students of the Humanities and Technical College majoring in Translation Studies, as well as first-year IUCA students studying English within the General English course.

The discussion began with short-answer questions and gradually moved into a deeper conversation. The speakers openly shared their challenges, setbacks, turning points, and the factors that truly helped them progress in learning English. The discussion unfolded as a dynamic dialogue: participants answered questions, responded to one another, agreed, and occasionally disagreed.

A particularly engaging part of the event was the interactive session devoted to common myths about language learning. Audience members actively participated by sharing their own experiences, answering questions, and asking their own — about fear of mistakes, the role of practice, motivation, and effective ways to improve language skills. This interactive segment was led by Davran Baratov, a graduate of the “English Linguistics” program at IUCA and the valedictorian of the Humanities and Technical College in 2024.

In the final part of the discussion, the speakers shared advice for those who are just beginning or continuing their journey in learning English. Despite differences in experience and approaches, all contributions reflected a shared idea: language learning is a long and personal process that requires consistency, awareness, and a willingness to make mistakes.

The panel discussion Real Stories of Learning English encouraged participants to reconsider their own language-learning paths and provided practical ideas for further development.