From Frustration to Fluency – How Camila’s BeLingual is Revolutionising Language Learning

Let’s be honest…none of us enjoyed learning languages at school right? Trying to both understand and learn how to speak or write in another language in such a formal setting just doesn’t work for everyone. Trying to cram before a test, with a focus on grammar and memorisation instead of communication or conversing with an inflexible curriculum that doesn’t align with everyone’s individual learning styles.

Enter Camila – she fell in love with teaching others how to converse, get and immerse themselves in both the culture and language of another country. Because that’s how she was able to become fluent in other languages herself. 

Coming from a hard-working background in Chile, the plan was to study in the UK then return to her home country once that was all done. However, like many she found opportunities in here, and she never went back…Access to bilingual education was rare in Chile and international experiences were a privilege reserved for a few. But Camila’s family had always encouraged her to dream big, so with their support, she became the first in her nuclear family to attend University and study a postgraduate degree abroad.

‘What truly set me on this path was my love for language, communication and cultural adaptation. I wasn’t just learning English, I was learning how to connect with the world. That ability opened doors that many of my peers never even knew existed.

When I became an English Language Teacher, I realised that language learning alone wasn’t enough. Many people study English for years but still lack the confidence and skills to use it effectively. I saw a gap, there needed to be a way to make language learning more accessible, efficient and truly meaningful.’

Enter BeLingual – founded by Camila it’s there to equip people with the tools to become valuable assets wherever they go. This business has been created to solve a global issue which is limited access to practical language and communication skills – this needs to change and more people should be given the opportunity to learn a new language and develop transferrable skills in the process!

Camila has always been there for others. She loves helping people to learn and thrive in new places, knowing that the true secret to success is to immerse yourself completely in the culture, throwing yourself in the deep end instead of tip toeing in. She too believes that trying to learn a new language in a formal setting like at school or college just doesn’t work any more. Not everyone has the patience or can really understand what is being taught in this way. 

So how does BeLingual work? Let’s hand over to Camila to explain:

‘BeLingual combines language learning with soft skills and cultural intelligence, helping learners become valuable, adaptable contributors in any environment. The focus isn’t on passing a test—it’s on thriving in real-life situations.

Our live, online programs are:

• 66% more effective than traditional courses
• Led by one dedicated teacher per student or group for consistency and confidence
• Data-driven, so every bit of progress is tracked and measurable

Our goal? To empower people to become confident, effective communicators, whether in English or their native language, so they can seize global opportunities with purpose and clarity.

At BeLingual, we’re not just teaching languages – we’re transforming the way people communicate. Our holistic, tech-powered approach goes beyond grammar and vocabulary. We combine language learning with essential soft skills and cultural awareness, equipping learners to thrive in real-world, multicultural settings.

And we don’t guess progress – we measure it. Every step is backed by real-time data, ensuring tangible, trackable improvement.

We empower people to become confident, effective communicators – whether in English or their native language – so they can thrive in a global world full of opportunities.

We chose to build our business in the UK because it’s more than just a location – it’s a gateway to the world. As a global hub for education, business, and innovation, the UK offers the perfect environment to connect across time zones, embrace cutting-edge EdTech, and support a diverse, multicultural population.

Here, many are seeking to improve their communication and transferable skills – not just to find a job, but to build a meaningful, fulfilling career. And that’s where we come in.

Although we began by offering our services in Chile, today we serve students globally. The UK has given us access to resources, networks and opportunities that have helped us scale our vision faster than we could have imagined.’

We love hearing about our Innovators and their businesses scaling up bigger and better than first anticipated!

But like anything the journey to success for business owners has its challenges, so let’s explore some for Camila and BeLingual. 

‘One of the biggest challenges was securing my Startup Visa in 2020. That was the moment I had to prove, to myself and to others, that my business wasn’t just an idea. It was innovative, viable, and scalable.

Initially, my university endorsed me, but when it came time to transition to the next phase, I had to find a new endorsing body. That meant researching the right organisations, pitching my business over and over again and also spending countless hours refining my business plan and application.

It was exhausting, but it forced me to sharpen my vision and strategy in ways I hadn’t before.

To overcome these challenges I leaned on my network. I was fortunate to have support from the University of Essex Startups team, mentors, and friends who believed in me, in us. I asked for help, I took advice, and I learned to navigate the system by connecting with the right people.

This experience taught me a crucial lesson: you don’t have to do it alone. The right support system can make all the difference.’

You’d assume that in this line of work there would be lots of opportunities for travel, however Camila hasn’t actually left the UK for a while now. She is able to connect with her students and teachers globally without moving a muscle. Her way of teaching is completely innovative – she isn’t there to prepare you for a language exam, she’s there to prepare you for life.

There is always the difficulty in finding a work-life balance for our busy Innovators – I checked in with Camila to see how she deals with this. Simply put, she uses time blocking. Her calendar is organised in a way to avoid feeling guilty when Camila spends time on hobbies rather than dedicating that time to her work. Her hobbies include painting, writing, spending time outdoors, getting in exercise. By learning the art of saying no, Camila can set boundaries – another lesson to learn for us all.

Coming to the UK is no easy feat. For Camila she was pleasantly surprised at the response to her work. She’s met countless wonderful people, made some key connections at events, been given access to grants or opportunities to help grow and help her business to succeed. ‘I’ve met incredible people who have championed my business in ways I never expected. The UK isn’t just welcoming, it’s a place where people genuinely want to see new ideas succeed.’

Before we sign off, here’s a very key quote from Camila which we know will resonate with so many of you:

‘Your background is your superpower. Being from another country gives you a unique perspective, use it to bring something new to the market.’

She also shares some great pearls of wisdom below…

If you’re thinking about starting a business in the UK, remember – 

It’s possible.

It’s hard, but it’s worth it.

You don’t have to be ‘the best’, you just have to be the one who doesn’t quit.

I’m always happy to connect and share my journey. Our website is being redesigned at the moment, but you can find us at:
📩 Camila@belingual.co.uk
📲 Instagram: @belingual / @la.profepreneur