TAGALOG and CEBUANO lessons by a Filipino certified teacher with almost 5 years of online teaching experience. (Less than 100 hours each level is never okay!)

Find out more about Mhariniel Grace

• 1. Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak Cebuano and Tagalog fluently because they're my native languages. I grew up in the Philippines, where both are part of everyday life. English is also my second language, which I learned throughout school and use daily in my work as a tutor. As for German, I started learning it after moving here to Germany. It was really challenging at first, but with consistent practice and the help of great teachers, I've reached a B1 level and I'm still learning every day.

• 2. Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  For Tagalog, I would say José Rizal. He's a national hero and someone who really showed the beauty and depth of the Filipino language and culture. For Cebuano, I think of Vicente Sotto, who helped promote Cebuano literature. And for German, I admire Angela Merkel for her calm and clear communication. For English, I always think of writers like William Shakespeare, whose work still influences the way we use the language today.

• 3. Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  I love the Cebuano word "Hinaut", which expresses hope and goodwill. In Tagalog, I really like "Bayanihan"-it shows the Filipino value of helping each other. In German, I like the word "Fernweh", which means a strong desire to travel somewhere far. In English, I appreciate how flexible and expressive the language is-it's very creative!

• 4. Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Tagalog and Cebuano connect me to my family and my roots. I also enjoy helping people learn these languages-especially foreigners with Filipino partners or kids raised abroad who want to understand their parents' culture better. English has been a big part of my life too-it helped me teach and work online, and now it's one of the tools I use to support my students. Learning German is important to me because I live in Germany now, and I want to be part of the community and grow as a person.

• 5. What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  For Tagalog and Cebuano, learners usually find the sentence structure and particles tricky at first. But regular practice and lots of examples really help. German is challenging mostly because of the grammar and cases, but it gets easier with immersion and using the language daily. English can be confusing sometimes because of pronunciation and exceptions, but exposure to media and speaking often makes a big difference.

• 6. Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  I had a student who wanted to learn Cebuano so he could talk to his Filipino in-laws. After a few months of learning with me, he visited the Philippines and was able to talk to them directly-they were so touched! It made me feel proud to be part of that journey. As a language learner myself, I also remember how proud I felt the first time I had a full conversation in German-it was just at the bakery, but it gave me so much confidence!

• 7. How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Moving to Germany really pushed me to learn German more seriously. I had to communicate with people in everyday situations-at the grocery store, in hospitals, even at immigration offices. It forced me to improve fast and helped me understand the culture better too.

• 8. What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I'm a native speaker of Tagalog and Cebuano, and I've been teaching them for over 4 years now. I've taught kids, teens, and adults, and I always try to make my lessons practical and engaging. I also speak English fluently and teach it on other platforms. Since I'm still learning German myself, I understand how it feels to be a learner-I teach with patience, structure, and real conversations that help students feel more confident.