about me – Speak English 🇺🇸

Hey!

I’ve put this page together so that you can get to know me a little better and to explain how English has influenced my life in the most positive ways...

I’m Barbara, though most people call me Bara. I’m originally from Hungary 🇭🇺 and spent most of my life there before making a big move to sunny Thailand 🇹🇭. I’ve been an English teacher since 2005, and over the years, I’ve had the joy of seeing language open doors for so many people, just like it did for me. Through English, I’ve built lifelong friendships, explored different cultures, and created a life full of freedom and adventure. 🌎

English has given me countless opportunities: the ability to travel, connect globally, and build a meaningful life abroad. I truly believe in the transformative power of language, and I’m here to help others experience that same journey. 🤍

To teach is to touch a life forever.

This is how it all started 🙂

Sunsets are magical in Thailand. This photo was captured at Big Biddha Phuket in 2015.

This is us in January 2016 in Phuket - a group of foreign teachers from Thailand, the Philippines, South Africa, The USA, Canada and me as a Hungarian . This photo was shot on our annual sports day.

The Chinese New Year is widely celebrated in Thailand. It begins on the new moon that falls between 21 January and 20 February. This time different communities celebrate with breaking bread and wishing each other good fortune for the year ahead. We dress in 🔴 because red is China's good luck color, believed to scare away spirits of bad fortune.

Trick or treat?
As the majority of the country is Buddhist, Halloween isn't considered a holiday in Thailand. As our school is a multi-cultural institution we celebrate it and the kids love it. It is SO FUN! Anyway, I love their outfits.

Christmas isn’t an official holiday in Thailand but many hotels and malls put up Christmas decorations and even street vendors wear Santa hats. International schools widely celebrate Christmas as most of the foreign teachers are Christians. Kids obviously enjoy it and so do I.

Fun fact: Scouting in Thailand is unique in that it is part of the school curriculum. Once a week Thai students come to school in their Scout uniforms and take part in Scouting activities. In this pic you can see my class planting trees. ❤︎ Among other amazing things they also learn to cook traditional Thai dishes. Yum-yum.

The wai khru ceremony (พิธีไหว้ครู) is a beautiful ritual in which students pay respects to teachers. You can see my Thai co-teacher in this photo with our students preparing for the ceremony. She’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met and I feel lucky to call her a friend.

Monsoon season in Thailand 🌦 You can expect heavy, inconsistent and warm rain... And actually I love it very much.

When you're in the tropics, get prepared - you'll definitely need a raincoat or two...

School canteen food. As you see in Thailand even the mushrooms are smiling 🙂

Once in a lifetime experience was had - feeding a baby tiger. (Bangkok 2016)

On the left is Chelsea, my first American friend. We made the famous Sapa hilltribe trek together and what an awesome experience it was! And in the middle it is Sue, our local guide and her beautiful family.

This is what you can expect in Asia when it comes to riding a motorbike... Anyway it's just a random shot I wanted to share because I find it cool... smiles are everywhere. 🙂

Coca Cola anyone?
(Coca Cola is spelled this way in Thai: โค้ก )

'All plants and flowers leading their life in the warmth of the sun and the grace of the light. The sunlight psychologically evokes happiness, peace and love'. You'll find wisdom everywhere, even on the floor of a shopping mall.

Typical moments in a Thai convenience store - the 🐈 is not for sale though.

Isn't it picture perfect? Though I'd share it because of the tranquility. It was shot in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Padar Island is a big hit among visitors in Indonesia for a reason... It's a magical place with an epic viewpoint. I loved it!

That's me shopping tuna 🐟 in a local market in Indonesia (October 2016)

This is Manisha from South Africa. The photo was taken in Soweto, Johannesburg. We had a great time!

I couldn't agree more ♥︎

She's Alicia, the best travel buddy you could ever wish for. We met online and backpacked the Philippines 🇵🇭 together in 2017. One of the best journeys I've had thus far.

That's my Philippine soul-sissy, Leya. We met in Boracay and she showed me around the island together with a bunch of friendly locals... we had a blast! As the quote says: "Find your tribe, love them hard". It couldn't be more accurate!

This one is just for fun - there's a lot to catch up with 😀.

A randomly found love rock in Cebu. Thought I'd share.

Wherever you go you'll find life everywhere in the tropics. Amazing hey?

I love turtles and tortoises of every size and color. This one is the Aldabra giant tortoise in the Seychelles - one of the largest tortoises in the world.

Internet access is fairly cheap in Cambodia but limited in rural areas and islands. I found this sign at a hotel in Koh Rong Samloen island and actually loved the message.

"Live for the moments you just can't put into words" is my motto. Well, it was one of those moments with the best people and in the best place.

Flower Power 🌸 We're on our way to Phi Phi islands - to the place I'll forever call home.

That's me in Sweden.

Laos, February 2023. It was during the burning season, so the air was quite hazy.

With my best friend Cherry 🍒 in Chiang Mai.

Last but not least, my beautiful Bangkok by night. ♥️

Hope to hear from you soon!

You can reach me at hello@barakarall.com

Hey!

I’ve put this page together so that you can get to know me a little better and to explain how English has influenced my life in the most positive ways...

To teach is to touch a life forever.

This is how it all started 🙂

This is us in January 2016 in Phuket - a group of foreign teachers from Thailand, the Philippines, South Africa, The USA, Canada and me as a Hungarian . This photo was shot on our annual sports day.

Trick or treat? As the majority of the country is Buddhist, Halloween isn't considered a holiday in Thailand. As our school is a multi-cultural institution we celebrate it and the kids love it. It is SO FUN! Anyway, I love their outfits.

Christmas isn’t an official holiday in Thailand but many hotels and malls put up Christmas decorations and even street vendors wear Santa hats. International schools widely celebrate Christmas as most of the foreign teachers are Christians. Kids obviously enjoy it and so do I.

Monsoon season in Thailand 🌦 You can expect heavy, inconsistent and warm rain... And actually I love it very much.

When you're in the tropics, get prepared - you'll definitely need a raincoat or two...

School canteen food. As you see in Thailand even the mushrooms are smiling 🙂

Once in a lifetime experience was had - feeding a baby tiger. (Bangkok 2016)

On the left is Chelsea, my first American friend. We made the famous Sapa hilltribe trek together and what an awesome experience it was! And in the middle it is Sue, our local guide and her beautiful family.

This is what you can expect in Asia when it comes to riding a motorbike... Anyway it's just a random shot I wanted to share because I find it cool... smiles are everywhere. 🙂

Coca Cola anyone? (Coca Cola is spelled this way in Thai: โค้ก )

'All plants and flowers leading their life in the warmth of the sun and the grace of the light. The sunlight psychologically evokes happiness, peace and love'. You'll find wisdom everywhere, even on the floor of a shopping mall.

Typical moments in a Thai convenience store - the 🐈 is not for sale though.

Isn't it picture perfect? Though I'd share it because of the tranquility. It was shot in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Padar Island is a big hit among visitors in Indonesia for a reason... It's a magical place with an epic viewpoint. I loved it!

That's me shopping tuna 🐟 in a local market in Indonesia (October 2016)

This is Manisha from South Africa. The photo was taken in Soweto, Johannesburg. We had a great time!

I couldn't agree more ♥︎

She's Alicia, the best travel buddy you could ever wish for. We met online and backpacked the Philippines 🇵🇭 together in 2017. One of the best journeys I've had thus far.

That's my Philippine soul-sissy, Leya. We met in Boracay and she showed me around the island together with a bunch of friendly locals... we had a blast! As the quote says: "Find your tribe, love them hard". It couldn't be more accurate!

This one is just for fun - there's a lot to catch up with 😀.

A randomly found love rock in Cebu. Thought I'd share.

Wherever you go you'll find life everywhere in the tropics. Amazing hey?

I love turtles and tortoises of every size and color. This one is the Aldabra giant tortoise in the Seychelles - one of the largest tortoises in the world.

Internet access is fairly cheap in Cambodia but limited in rural areas and islands. I found this sign at a hotel in Koh Rong Samloen island and actually loved the message.

"Live for the moments you just can't put into words" is my motto. Well, it was one of those moments with the best people and in the best place.

Flower Power 🌸 We're on our way to Phi Phi islands - to the place I'll forever call home.

That's me in Sweden.

Laos, February 2023. It was during the burning season, so the air was quite hazy.

With my best friend Cherry 🍒 in Chiang Mai.

Last but not least, my beautiful Bangkok by night. ♥️

Hope to hear from you soon!

Trick or treat?
As the majority of the country is Buddhist, Halloween isn't considered a holiday in Thailand. As our school is a multi-cultural institution we celebrate it and the kids love it. It is SO FUN! Anyway, I love their outfits.

Coca Cola anyone?
(Coca Cola is spelled this way in Thai: โค้ก )