Susann is in her seventeenth year with Bilingual and is currently teaching Grade 4 and serving as Budakeszi Team Leader.

 

For over sixteen years I have worked with the Bilingual Program and I am proud to have played a role in building it up over the last decade and a half. I have seen a great number of students go through the program; they have started off with little or no English and have developed into self-confident young people with a marvelous command of English. It is an amazing feeling to know that I have been a part of their development and that I have given them something to take with them as they continue to grow into young adults.

Although working in the program requires a great deal of effort and motivation, the rewards are worth it. I feel motivated not only because I can somehow make a difference in children's lives, but also because I can be a part of helping our teachers find their way in this often new and challenging adventure that they have embarked upon. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with many very dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff. Further, the challenges of making the double-culture collaboration work and be beneficial to all have helped me develop tolerance and a great deal of respect!

At Bilingual, we do our best to make our teachers feel supported and well-equipped in their efforts to make a difference in our students' lives. Of course, as with most things in life, there will be ups and downs; for instance, differences in culture and traditions will be encountered and the task of motivating students will sometimes be very challenging. Yet, at Bilingual there is always that feeling of everyone "being in the same boat", with everyone sharing learning experiences, supporting others in their quest as educators, helping them with what they need in order to adjust to life in a "new" country, helping them to find their feet in the possibly overwhelming new experience.

To put it in a nutshell, I’m a true believer in the benefits of multilingualism and proud to be a part of Bilingual!

 

Susann Pihl
Teacher Trainer