About Me

Born and Raised in a “Fictional” Place

That’s what Transylvania, the region where I was born, has been – to my amusement – called. Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually the epitome of peacefulness.

The last of four daughters, by the time I came along, my loving parents were rightly so tired that they, alongside my sisters, pretty much left me to my own devices.

Books became my toys and this is how I came to read earlier than most children. What I consumed then shaped my thinking and contributed to who I am today.

I don’t remember much about it, but I was told this wasn’t an easy time for the country owing to the oppressive political regime. There was money to buy food but food was scarce. My grandfather would get up at 3 a.m. to go stand in a milk, bread, sugar, or butter line as everything was rationed. It got so bad that, in 1989, the leaders of the country (Elena and Nicolae Ceausescu) were publicly executed after a one-day trial for genocide. I guess you can’t mess with a starving population.

Whilst Dad was busy being a meticulous engineer, Mum, whose resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me, used to make us these milkless, sugarless, and butterless cakes that nonetheless tasted much better than the fancy ones available today.

Despite some government control over broadcasting services, I watched as many British and American movies as my brain could absorb. Later on, telenovelas as well. Still love them.

To those who say that a language can only be mastered through formal study, know that this is how I learned both English and Spanish (the latter to a lesser extent). By the time I began studying English formally at age 12, I had already been sent by teachers to national-level competitions that tested things I didn’t know I knew but had acquired simply through exposure.

So whatever you’re binge-watching in another language right now, keep on watching. Your language skills will be stronger as a result.

Accepting My Calling

I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher.

My journey in life so far has therefore not been about finding my calling, but rather embracing it.

I still remember the first time I taught a class. It was my second year at The University of Bucharest, where I studied English and History. As part of mandatory teacher training, dreaded by many, we were supposed to go to an allocated high school and teach a proper lesson.

Mine was an introduction to Romanticism in literature. And I over-prepared it. I wanted to share far too much content, which is a default option for generous teachers everywhere.

The moment the lesson started though, something fell into place. In terms of instincts, anyway.

I intuitively knew what to emphasize, what to let go of, when to stop and listen rather than keep talking, what questions to ask, and how to respond to what students were saying. The result was applause which, in hindsight, is still a surprise.

I take absolutely no credit for this. It genuinely felt like being possessed. Which does sound like a sentence someone born in Transylvania would produce, doesn’t it?

To this day, I can’t do many things. I don’t know how to swim, I can’t sew, I haven’t learned how to drive. I’m also very clumsy. Shy too (so public speaking always takes a toll). Less well traveled than I wish. And far less knowledgeable about music than I should be. But teaching comes so naturally to me that I can’t say I do it badly.

It wasn’t straight away that I became a teacher though. I was adamant about being a translator first, as a way of postponing my “destiny.”

At the beginning of 2012, I finally felt ready for it all. I completed my initial language teacher training and began delivering in-company courses to business professionals. Not exactly the literature-oriented programmes I wanted, but a valuable experience nevertheless.

Spreading My Wings

Two years later, it was time to gain international experience. Moving to Poland and working toward the highest English teaching qualification (Cambridge DELTA) seemed like the right call. I spent 1 year in gnome-packed Wrocław (visit to see what I mean) and 1 in Warsaw – teaching, learning, and designing pedagogical materials for the British Council.

Adjusting was difficult for me though, partly because I didn’t speak the language. My consolation was that apparently the great Tolkien, who actually invented a language, tried to learn Polish too – and stopped!

In 2017, I moved to the UK, where I worked as a language trainer for adults, university college lecturer, pre-sessional English tutor, summer school manager, and secondary school teacher.

These jobs took me from a tiny place on the English map called Ellesmere to lively Sheffield to gorgeous Scotland (where I spent 5 years) to Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires. I also had short gigs in picturesque Plumpton, historical Lancaster, and tiny Witley (Surrey).

All the while I was writing for educational publications too. With 2 exceptions, for free.

Between 2018 and 2020, I completed an MA in Creative Writing (Fiction and Script), which was a Dream. Come. True. And in 2022 I nervously uploaded my IELTS preparation course onto Udemy.

In the autumn of 2024, I moved to sunny Barcelona. The city’s friendly and creative vibes have done me nothing but good. I feel like myself in the Spanish metropolis.

Despite always missing my parents, sisters, nephews, and niece, who sadly I don’t get to see enough of, I’ve been lucky to meet and make friends with dedicated fellow teachers and students who could not have shown me more kindness.

A New Chapter

Has my journey so far been rewarding? Absolutely. Has it been an easy one? I wish I could say “yes.” But then again, no easy journey proves enlightening.

I like to believe that I’ve been of help to my students, even when I was too tired to do more. I hope they still remember their tenses, random words and phrases from literature, essential academic writing rules and conventions, or how to use scenes from their favorite movies for language improvement. I hope they enjoyed my lessons. More importantly, I hope they know I’ve done it all from the heart.

Now a new chapter begins. Time to embrace change. This is the story bit where the character realizes something vital. As promised, here it is:

I have never been only a teacher. I have always been a writer as well.

Denying this part of myself is not only limiting, but unnatural as it literally goes against my nature.

That is why I started this blog. Yes, it’s a space to find what you need for your IELTS exam, use AI tools effectively, improve your English grammar and vocabulary, overcome your limiting beliefs, get book and movie recommendations, and ideally have fun in the process. 😊 To this end, I am gladly offering what I’ve learned over the years.

But I’m also doing this for selfish reasons. To share what I think with the world. To have my (good and bad) stories, poetry and other musings read by those who are equally in love with the written word. To make sure my voice is heard – on matters small and big. As Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

You might not agree with me, but the very fact that my ideas are available to be disagreed with makes me feel good.

Like fulfilling another part of my destiny.

I really don’t care about titles, prestige, or the kind of formal qualifications used only for bragging. If that’s why they are obtained, they don’t matter. I care about human warmth and writing in a way that is true to myself, as both a gift to others and personal liberation.

My name is Rebeca-Bianca Duriga, and I’m a teacher AND a writer. This is my blog / new chapter in life.