I'll share a few words about myself and why and how I bring Speakberry to life
Maybe I'll start a bit further back—here’s a whole page just for me 🙂
I’m Marju Taukar, PhD 🙂. My passion is helping people in all sorts of ways, though lately that focus has mostly been on English. It looks like I'm gradually moving toward a future where I can share my passion even more broadly.
I used to think I did not really like teaching until a friend asked what it was that I did not enjoy about it. After some thought, I realised that I actually love almost every aspect of teaching. But in my pretty solid job at the time, there was just too much teaching. Plus, I felt I wanted to do something (a lot!) differently. Gradually, I began to envision the most enjoyable way to learn—a method that could really benefit people.
My intuition was reinforced by authors writing about learning, time-related processes, and cultivating self-awareness. Then, I had the opportunity to complete a language coaching training, which confirmed that many of my ideas about learning were actually legal 🙂
And here I am now—thinking I am not teaching but instead, offering you a chance to learn. I support everyone in my courses, providing opportunities to learn, guiding you along the way, and inspiring you when needed. In the end, though, learning is something everyone has to do on their own.
Speakberry courses
Speakberry courses grew out of everything I have written above—along with my love for self-development podcasts. I listened to them a lot (I still do!) and started wondering if there were others who’d enjoy them too while also wanting to improve their English. Combining the two seemed like a perfect match. Win-win. Time well spent in the best possible way. When something sparks an emotion in you, you are fully present. And when you are fully present, you are engaged and focused, making real learning possible.
Learning a language or improving you language skills no longer needs to happen separately from real-life contexts. Authentic material is available in many languages, and probably even in many less common ones. It is nearly impossible to live without hearing English these days. However, I have noticed that language skills, especially as an adult, do not develop just like that. The key to progress lies in paying attention and becoming more conscious of the language—the words and phrases we encounter. And this takes practice. My goal is for this to become a habit for you, so the course can serve as a kind of fishing rod, rather than the fish itself. With just a few simple tips, some guidance, and the right momentum, you will be well on your way to a longer-term self-development process.
In the courses, we talk about everything from the daily grind to deeper topics like gut feeling, tackling tasks when motivation is low, or what to make of the endless chatter in our heads. These topics are fascinating in their own right, and often lead to moments of insight on a variety of matters—not just English. However, the focus of the course remains on language learning. I share tips on how to learn more efficiently and where to place your attention. Occasionally, we’ll explore specific language functions and ways to express yourself more clearly. And, of course, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to practice.
Why trust me as your learning partner
If you value education, my first degree is in English language teaching. After that, I worked as a translator, and eventually, I completed a PhD in linguistics, specialising in translation studies. For a long time, I believed that my first degree had been not a wise choice, since I was already fluent in English by the end of high school and did not consider myself suited for teaching. However, I kept finding myself in situations where I was teaching others, often in unexpected ways.
Studying and teaching translation gave me a deep understanding of how we use language—why we say things, and whether we are truly communicating what we intend. It also provided me with a solid foundation for teaching specialized vocabulary in various fields. My ten years of working in linguistics sharpened my analytical skills and taught me how to learn independently, which turned out to be a perfect combination for what I do now. Over the past 20 years, I have taught private English lessons, worked briefly in schools, led a master’s program in translation, and for the last few years, I have taught both general and specialised English at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. It has been the experience of preparing and teaching specialized language courses that has led me to create my own language program. These days, I still teach a small number of courses at the College, but my focus is now on Speakberry.
I enjoy working with my hands as much as I do with my mind, always staying active and moving somewhere. I am a co-founder of ÕIE lemonades. Through both ÕIE and Speakberry, I aim to make a positive difference and offer something meaningful to people. ÕIE limpsibrändis. Nii ÕIE kui Speakberryga loodan siiralt midagi paremaks teha ja inimestele midagi head pakkuda.
If you are more curious about my values than education and experience, mine include a love for nature and environmental sustainability; focus on mental well-being and personal growth; authenticity, honesty, and openness. I practice what I preach and the alignment of words and actions are one of the most important things for me, both, in myself and in others. If this resonates, we will likely be a great fit!
Andmost importantly, I genuinely want to help you. This is something I truly enjoy, and I am confident I can support you or guide you in the right direction.