My name is Susan Smith-Mendoza, and I'm a proud wife to John and a mother of three children. We live in Makati, Philippines, and it's been an incredible journey learning Tagalog.

When we first moved here, I was overwhelmed by the language barrier. It felt like everyone was speaking a secret code! But John was so patient and encouraging, and I was determined to connect with the locals and truly feel at home.

I started with simple phrases like "Magandang araw po" (Good day) and "Salamat po" (Thank you). John helped me with pronunciation, and I practiced every chance I got. It was tough at first, but the more I used it, the more confident I became.

One of my favorite memories is when I was able to order food at a local market using Tagalog. The vendor was so surprised and delighted, and I felt a real sense of accomplishment. It's these small victories that make the journey so rewarding.

Learning Tagalog has not only helped me communicate with people but has also opened up a whole new world of cultural experiences. I've been able to understand the jokes and stories shared by my neighbors, and I've even started to appreciate the beauty of Tagalog poetry.

I'm still learning, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity to connect with this vibrant culture. It's made our life in the Philippines even richer and more meaningful. And who knows, maybe one day I'll even be able to teach my children Tagalog!

However, I realized that to truly master the language, I needed more structured learning. So, I hired a few Tagalog tutors. They helped me with grammar, vocabulary, and even helped me (and my children) with the nuances of Tagalog conversation. It was a great way to accelerate my learning and gain a deeper understanding of the language.

Of all the tutors, my favorite and best has been Yves, then Ashton. Has a way of making learning fun and engaging, and I've made significant progress with the very effective teaching style. Had been helping me understand the complexities of Tagalog grammar. Very patient and encouraging. I'm so grateful for the guidance and support.