Language That Lives: An Unforgettable Lesson with Goran Vojnović

Some classes stay with you long after the lesson ends. Today was definitely one of them. ❤️
A heartfelt thanks to #GoranVojnović for graciously accepting my invitation at the Writers festival in London and spending today’s leason with the UCLSSEES Lower Intermediate group.
Together, we explored questions that don’t have simple answers: identity, belonging, language especially slang – the curious case of na Fužinama instead of na Fužinah, why swearing can sometimes say more about emotion than vocabulary, and what lies ahead in Goran’s creative journey.
What makes Goran’s work so special is that he never treats language as something neat and polished. In his stories, language breathes. It carries history, humour, migration, family, conflict, love, and everything in between. He reminds us that the way we speak tells a story long before we even realise we’re telling one.
My students came prepared with great questions, and left with stories to think about, perspectives to challenge them, and a reminder that language is alive.
Thank you, Goran, for your generosity, your honesty, and for making literature feel like a conversation rather than a lecture. It was a privilege to have you with us.
Hvala in srečno!