Abc Languages

Rachel Meyer and Elizabeth Lunney Zackheim started ABC Languages to right the wrongs of their own paths to becoming certifiable language geeks. Although both are now polyglots, it might surprise you to learn that the story of how ABC Languages came to be was through a series of disappointing experiences in both the language classroom and industry. Both Rachel and Elizabeth, born 3 days apart, started out as average American students taking language classes with dreams of becoming fluent. Rachel, the more diligent student, chose Chinese and Elizabeth, a middling language student at best, opted for French. Random choices based on what was available. Despite the drudgery of traditional language classes, both chose to spend their junior year of college abroad determined to see this through. After Elizabeth’s year in France and Rachel’s year in Taiwan, both emerged with a life-changing experience: fluency in the language and a clarity that this was a passion. Rachel, who, despite the blood, sweat and tears she put into her studies, could barely speak when she arrived. She emerged with near native fluency. Elizabeth, went from being one of the worst students in her group to one of the best because, as it turns out, she was an auditory learner with a talent for languages that went undiscovered for 10 years in the traditional classroom. This led to other experiences abroad. Rachel lived in Barcelona and was pleasantly surprised to find learning Spanish significantly easier than Chinese, especially over tapas and Rioja. Elizabeth studied in Italy and lived in Germany continuing to fulfill her now insatiable desire to learn languages and discover new cultures.