Six months ago I sat down and asked myself a question that had been on my mind for a long time: what would it look like if learning Serbian online were genuinely free, genuinely structured, and genuinely encouraging? The answer became what we now call the Activator - the online Serbian school project that has quietly been growing throughout the first half of 2011. Today I want to share a small, honest progress report, because I think you deserve to know what is happening behind the scenes.
This is not a flashy announcement. It is simply a warm update from someone who has spent six months building something real, brick by brick, and who is genuinely moved by how much has grown in that time. I hope it inspires you - both as a learner and as a reminder that consistency really does compound.
What is this about?
The Activator is the name we use for the structured online Serbian school project that sits alongside this blog. The idea was always that it should be more than a collection of tips and videos - it should feel like a real school, with a real progression, where a learner could start from zero and work their way through to genuine conversational confidence. The six-month mark felt like a natural moment to pause, look back, and be honest about what has actually been achieved.
What follows is a straightforward list of the things that grew, changed, or came into being between January and July 2011. Nothing is exaggerated. These are real numbers and real changes, and I share them with you in the spirit of transparency and mutual encouragement.
What grew in six months
Here is an honest summary of the milestones reached between the start of 2011 and this July update:
- The video library grew dramatically. Before 2011, the YouTube channel associated with the Activator had around 20 videos - a modest but honest start. By July 2011, that number had grown to 125 videos recorded, with 99 of them publicly visible and ready for learners to use. That is more than a hundred free Serbian lessons available at any time, on any device, at no cost.
- New interactive materials were added. Beyond video, new structured exercises, vocabulary activities, and interactive materials were developed and made available to learners working through the Activator programme. The goal was always to make the material feel active rather than passive - something you do, not just something you watch.
- The community of learners grew steadily. Perhaps the most encouraging development of all: people actually showed up, did the work, and came back for more. Six months of consistent learners is not a given, and it means a great deal.
Why this matters
The Activator is a live, growing project - not a static archive, not a finished product, but something that is being built in real time by a real person who genuinely cares about your progress in Serbian. Every video added, every exercise written, every new module designed is a direct response to the needs of learners just like you. The result is that right now, in July 2011, there are more free, quality Serbian learning materials available through this project than at any point in its history.
For learners, this is simply good news: the resources you need to go from beginner to confident speaker are here, they are free, and they will keep growing.
A thank-you
None of this would mean anything without the learners who show up, do the exercises, ask questions, and share the materials with their friends. You are the reason this project exists and the reason it keeps growing - every comment, every question, every "I finally understood that grammar point" message is fuel for the next hundred videos.
Thank you, genuinely and wholeheartedly, for being part of this. We are building something lovely together.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the Activator?
The Activator is the structured online Serbian school component of this project. It goes beyond the blog by offering a more sequential, curriculum-style approach to learning Serbian - so instead of dipping in and out of individual posts, you can follow a path from the very basics through to more advanced material.
Is all the Activator content free?
The vast majority of the materials - including the video library - are freely available. The ethos of the project has always been that the barrier to learning Serbian should be motivation and time, not money.
How often is new content added?
New videos and materials are added regularly. The growth from 20 to 125 videos in under a year gives you a sense of the pace. The goal is consistent, steady progress - exactly the kind we encourage in our learners.
Can I start the Activator if I am a complete beginner?
Yes, absolutely. The programme is designed to welcome learners at zero and take them forward from there. You do not need any prior knowledge of Serbian, or of any Slavic language, to begin.
What is the best way to use the video materials?
Watch each video actively rather than passively - that means pausing, repeating phrases aloud, and writing down new words. The videos are short enough that you can easily revisit them, and revisiting is one of the most effective learning strategies there is.
How is this project different from other Serbian learning resources?
The most important difference is personal attention and genuine warmth. This is not a corporate product. It is a project run by a Serbian teacher who is invested in your success, and that comes through in every video and every exercise. The community around the project is real and friendly - you are never just a username here.
Six months in, and I am more excited about this project than I was on day one. That is a rare and wonderful thing, and I owe it entirely to the community of curious, committed Serbian learners who make it worth doing. Here is to the next six months - and to your Serbian getting better with every single day.
- Marina Petrovic
Curious about all the ways you can learn Serbian online? Explore everything we have to offer on the More about learning Serbian online page.