Testimonies & Case Studies
Shy Teacher Builds Educational Empire: Hungary
Ms. Klara Kiss, Helen Doron Early English National Franchisor for Hungary.
Growing up in a rural backwater in Hungary meant opportunities were scarce, especially for a woman. It was a struggle to 'make something of yourself' in those years and her only hope was through strict self-motivation and hard study. Quietly, that's exactly what Klara did, and without anything that we today would consider financial support.
But Klara did receive moral support, from a much admired role-model, her own Grandmother; a woman of great foresight in her day, providing Klara with a love of learning and much needed encouragement through the difficult years of intensive study. Klara has earned Master of Arts degrees in both English and Russian literature, as well as linguistics.
"At that time I never thought I would actually teach English,” Says Klara. "I got a job as translator and interpreter in an R&D institute for the oil industry.” Klara then met her husband and started a family. Later, when she wanted to return to the workforce, her previous job was no longer there. Not to be discouraged, Klara mustered her talent and determination to open her own translation business, run from home with help and support from her husband.
"From the time I was 14 I'd taught English to adults and children,” explains Klara with pride. "I taught one young man so well, that he opened his own English language school for kindergarten-age children and we even enrolled our son in his school.” But Klara was worried for the future of her translation business as the political scene in Hungary began to shift.
"Later people began to anticipate Hungary's accession to the EU and that borders would open and young people would go abroad to study. I thought I would not be able to keep pace with the young ones with their fluent English and there would be no need for translation companies like us.” That's when Klara decided to open a bilingual kindergarten, but soon became frustrated by the lack of suitably trained teachers and the poor quality of local teaching materials.
One day while browsing the Internet for teaching tools to download, she came across a link to the Helen Doron Early English site. "I read through the whole site and was so excited. This was just what we were looking for!” Klara contacted the Helen Doron Head Office and arranged to visit Learning Centers in Linz, Austria and Munich, Germany, and speak with the franchisors there. She was convinced that this was the way forward. "I participated in the nearest Teachers Training Course in October 2002 in Berlin, and just a few days later I started to teach in our kindergarten. The parents immediately saw how wonderful Helen Doron Early English is. They started to bring their younger and older children for HDEE courses.”
Not long after, Klara opened her first Helen Doron Early English Learning Centre, and although it was spring - not a traditional time to start school, many parents enrolled their children. The Learning Centre flourished, and success was assured, however Klara didn't stop there. She bought the National Franchise for Hungary and attended the annual Master Franchisor's conference. "There I met the supportive Helen Doron team again, as well as Master Franchisors from around the world. It was a really good school for me, where I learnt a lot from the others. It showed me that a method like Helen Doron Early English - which is based on positive reinforcement and encouragement - can also encourage adults both in their lives and their careers.”
"I was always so shy and quiet and now I am amazed at my success.” Bashful Klara's Hungarian educational empire currently includes over 6000 students, almost 200 teachers and close to 65 Learning Centres; making her one of the most successful businesswomen in the history of Hungarian education.
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please contact: info@helendoron.com