Mgr. Soňa Gajdošová

My name is Soňa Gajdošová and I come from a small town in the north of Slovakia called Liptovský Hrádok.

Since childhood I have been keen on learning English, therefore I decided to attend classes with the main focus being English language learning and I continued studying English at the grammar school, M. M. Hodža in Liptovský Mikuláš.

After finishing grammar school I was still passionate about English, communicating with native speakers, and reading English literature, which is why I chose the study programme Teacher Training of English Language and Literature at Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. I found the study absolutely enjoyable and engaging, so much so that after completing my master’s degree I graduated from the university with honours.

Right after graduation I applied for a job at the Language Institute in Liptovský Mikuláš where I started working in September 2013 as an English teacher.

The main aim of the Language Institute, working under the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces, is to provide intensive, semi-intensive, and specialized English training predominantly for military personnel. I have taught several intensive courses of general English at all levels as well as some specialized courses where we prepare Slovak military personnel both for their missions in Afghanistan, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sofia, and also for their international trainings.

During recent years I have also attended courses, two highlights being a week-long international course, Military English Teaching Training, at the Szentendre military base in Hungary, 2015, organized by the Language Testing Centre of the National University of Public Service Budapest, hosted for teachers of military English. The next, and most significant, course I attended was the Materials Development Seminar at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, 2018. This course was focused on developing materials which are lacking at various language institutes around the world. It was a very unique and special experience which I consider to have been absolutely valuable and helpful in my career.

Overall I have to admit I find my job very challenging, responsible and demanding, but at the same time I cannot imagine a better position to move me forward.