Today we’d like to introduce you to Csilla Horvath.

Hi Csilla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

Csilla Language Lab was born from my journey as both an artist and educator. I started my career as a performer in NYC and later earned a degree in English Literature and Education. After a decade of teaching in diverse school settings, I saw the potential in creating something more personal and global. During the pandemic, I began teaching German online, which allowed me to build an international client base. What started as a side project quickly evolved into a full-time business. Today, Csilla Language Lab blends my love for language, culture, and travel — I teach from all over the world, offering a unique, progressive approach to language learning.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Definitely not always a smooth road — but every bump taught me something valuable. I started Csilla Language Lab completely on my own, with no financial help from anyone, which was incredibly challenging in the beginning. Starting a business during a pandemic came with a lot of uncertainty, and building a brand from scratch while constantly moving between countries wasn’t easy. I’ve had to juggle time zones, deal with tech hiccups mid-lesson, and navigate the realities of being a solo entrepreneur. But each obstacle pushed me to get more creative, adaptable, and resilient — and that’s shaped Csilla Language Lab into what it is today.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

At Csilla Language Lab, I specialize in teaching German through a modern, creative, and global lens. I work with students of all ages, from toddlers to adults, offering personalized online lessons that combine language learning with culture, storytelling, and even travel. What sets me apart is my progressive approach — I don’t follow traditional textbook methods. Instead, I tailor each lesson to the student’s interests, incorporating technology, visuals, games, and real-world settings.

I’m known for making language come alive — whether I’m teaching from a café in Paris, a beach in Cartagena, the streets of Athens, or even the Pyramids in Cairo. I build entire lessons around where I am, turning each location into a cultural and linguistic experience for my students. What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built — students who are excited to learn and inspired to explore. When a 12-year-old tells me they want to live and work like I do one day, I know I’m doing something right.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?

Something surprising that most people might not know is that I grew up hearing and speaking about six different languages — but German was never spoken at home. I learned it entirely through school settings, so I truly understand what it’s like to acquire a language in an academic environment rather than as a native speaker. Despite the multilingual background, building Csilla Language Lab was still a solo journey — I had no funding, no business background, just a vision, passion, and a lot of determination. And before all this, I was a flamenco dancer performing around the world — so creativity and movement have always been part of how I express myself, even in the classroom.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.csillalanguagelab.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csillalanguagelab/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089207635479

Image Credits

Kinza, axkproductions