The Call of Home

Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.

In distant lands, surrounded by the noise of foreign cities, there lives a quiet space in my heart. And within that silence, there is always one voice — the call of Home.

One day, walking through a crowded street far from my country, I caught the scent of freshly baked bread. At once, my heart trembled. It was not just bread — it was the smell of my childhood yard, the warmth of my neighbors’ ovens, my mother’s voice calling: “Come, my child.” In that moment, I realized: Home never leaves us, even when we are thousands of miles away.

Every person carries a homeland within their heart. For some, it is a mother’s lullaby. For others, the shadow of mountains, the scent of rain on thirsty soil, or the laughter of children playing in dusty streets. Homeland is not just a piece of land. It is memory, it is root, it is the voice that follows you wherever you go.

I remember the soil of my childhood yard, soft and warm beneath my feet. I remember elders gathering at dusk, their words weaving history into my soul. I remember the vast blue sky of my homeland, so endless that it seemed to embrace me. Those moments became more than memories — they became my homeland itself.

And I know this: when an American remembers his homeland, he may see golden fields stretching endlessly. When an Indian remembers, he may hear temple bells and the chants rising into the air. When an Uzbek remembers, he may smell the clay-oven bread and hear the songs of ancestors. Different, yet the same. For homeland is the place where your heart first learned to beat.

Homeland is not divided by religion, race, or borders. It is a sacred whisper that says: “You are of this soil, you are of this root.” Even if years and distances separate us, even if we live on the farthest shore, one scent, one song, one word can shatter the walls of distance — and in a single breath carry us back home.

Home is love.

Home is longing.

Home is the soil that shaped us, the sky that watched over us, the dream that never dies.

And today, once again, I smell that bread. I close my eyes, and I hear the birds of my childhood, the gentle prayer of my mother. And I hear it clearly, unshakably — the call of Home.

Dilnoza Bekmurodova Navroʻzbekovna – 13 years old, born on January 31, 2012. Currently, she is a 7th grade student at the Presidential School in Karshi, Kashkadarya region, Republic of Uzbekistan. Dilnoza is interested in writing poetry, reading books, drawing, making things, and teaching others. She has been interested in creativity since the age of 7, and has been writing poems and various creative works. One of her biggest dreams for the future is to send her parents on the Hajj pilgrimage, open her own educational center, teach others, travel to many countries, and publish her author’s works. She is very interested in learning languages, and currently knows 2 more languages.

Work Anxiety In the Lake District

First orders come from

above through murder holes

drilled into the floor where

the main bar sinks overflow

and the slop sinks leak.

The waitress is sleeping,

head down on the invisible

cellar bar while a rush of

patrons arrive, walking single

file down misaligned stairs,

chanting verses from a Pink Floyd

song, shouting out orders as they

pass into the well-lighted, unfinished

basement lounge. Second orders

come over the bar from everywhere

at once but all the bottle are

somewhere else, up flights of stairs

others are using, all the taps open

and free flowing but the glassware

is inaccessible in too tall, overhead

racks, in too low cabinets you have to

lie down next to in order to retrieve

what lies within, reaching hands

scraped and bleeding on rough hewn

wooden shelves, on the chipped and

broken glass, still more orders come

and there is no room to move,

the basement ceiling pressing down,

more murder holes being drilled,

delivering last orders from above.

Bleeding: a work anxiety dream

Finally dozing after being unable

to sleep. Anxiety dreams, immediate and intense.

No longer do they focus on undergrad

academic failure, flunking out, the unknowable end.

The end in those college days meant

a place like Vietnam.  Oddly, no anxiety

dreams of grad school, though the workload

was twice as bad, no sleep then, between

classes, assignments, working a late night

job. No sleep, then, for years; living on

beer, empty gas tank fumes and beer.

The anxious dream centers on the work-

place, introduces a wound, a glass cut

to the bone, blood in the ice.  No one

cares. It’s all about the bleeding self

carrying on, working, tending bar

one handed for ten hours without a break.

Everyone who sees the wound says

it needs stitches.  Lots of stitches.

The bleeding wouldn’t stop, the stained bar rag

slipping, hanging loose around the wrist.  

But there I am, building cocktails with my right hand,

deliberate, but carrying on, all fluidity lost

for the duration. No one cares how I feel,

if the wound is dealt with or not.

No one cares how I am unless the drinks

are tainted.

Abu Ghraib: a  work anxiety dream

That one where you are

transported to one of those

torture chamber prisons in Iraq

where they apply hoods with

no eye slits and strap you into

stress positions and play

repetitive bass line music/ noise

punctuated by a kind of bell so that

you feel as if you are only half-

conscious/passing out and a voice

accompanies the noise chanting

in a foreign language you think of

as Urban, not one recognizable as

an actual tongue but something

like one, endlessly repeating spat out

hate infused syllables so you plead,

“I’ll talk. I’ll tell you anything.”

But they don’t want you to talk.

They want you to suffer.

  Sleeper Awake: a work anxiety dream

I wake up in my dream though

I know I am still asleep.

I’m late for work even though

this isn’t time for my shift.

They must have called me in to open

the day after a night I closed.

This used to happen quite often

at The Rib when Linda was working

as she didn’t know where the bottles

went.  So I’m getting dressed and

it begins to feel like the Dali dream

sequence in “Spellbound” inside

the bar I have been transported to.

And then it is raining while I’m rushing

to the bus stop and my umbrella is

full of holes but I’m moving backward

instead of forward and I’m going to be

really late and wet which also used

to happen all the time at The Rib

as traffic was so bad I could never

cross Route 5 . But I’m not working

at The Rib anymore, even in the dream,

it’s The Tavern and one of the college

kids is already setting the place up,

so what did they need me for?

And he’s taking rolls of quarters,

like a hundred of them from some guy

off the street and giving him all

our big bills and the owner’s daughter

is cashing checks, so there is no cash

money at all in the drawer, just change,

more change than you could use in

a month but break a twenty? Forget it.

And the college guy is looking at me

like it’s all my fault and like, what good

was I anyway? I’m like way too old to be

working in a bar. So I perform a couple

of drink making, sleight-of-hand tricks

and he’s like Spellbound and I’m back

in that dream again, though it seems more

and more like that black and white flick,

“Kafka” and then the Welles noir, “The Trial,”

and I finally realize the only reason that I’m

   there at all is someone has to get shot in the end.

Half-Tone Beckett in Bar Light:

A Work Anxiety Poem

They went down to the cellar

with flashlights and returned,

filthy, bedraggled as hounds

left in the rain to wallow in

offal and mud.

They decamped, mid-bar on stools,

that scraped the foot scuffed floors

amid the remains of a night of

serious drinking.

Seen from afar, well above the bar,

light is refracted through green

bar bottle glass like shards of

misspent lives, dissembled as

hobo Hoover towns like hoarse

voiced village criers delivering

messages no one wants to hear

around camp fires in 50 gallon

drums.

All the garbage of their lives

amount to nothing more than

left-behind stogie stumps and

cigarette end prophecies that mean

nothing in harsh pre-dawn haze

waiting for what the new day brings.

Work Anxiety Dream: Stalker

After hours, lights down in the bar,

chair legs facing up on the tables,

only the EXIT lights glowing,

the click of the sound turned down jukebox

playing songs, no one can hear,

random compressors kicking on,

shutting off, the ice machine dumping

a new load of cubes on the mounds

in the deep freeze…

Down the worn thin, unevenly spaced

stairs, into the low ceiling cellar where

the walk-in coolers full of beer are,

the leaking pipes, frayed electrical

wires, the single too-low wattage bulbs

on pull chains are and the wooden, sagging

shelves packed with bar supplies,

used guest checks, register tapes and

the overwhelming smell of sewage,

the creeping damp from the cobblestone

floor, the standing water the sump pumps

can’t contain, where the footsteps not

your own follow yours in a hard-to-focus

gloom, each deep breath feeling like

the next to last one, as we move from one

shadow place to the next, opening long

forgotten doors into closets, new found

rooms that lead to other worlds, darker

places where the walls sweat and the all

in black man behind me raises his arm

holding the long wide bladed knife

as if to strike as another door opens

and a new phase of this hide and seek game

for keeps, begins.

IN THE MIRROR

In the mirror, through your own eyes,

you watch me.

You call to me.

You hide me.

You love me.

You close your eyes — to forget,

to stop everything.

But like water at the mill — it does not stop.

A wheel of liquid drops keeps turning,

life flows like a river.

I am born again in your eyes,

beneath your eyelids,

a love with which you cover

another love.

Forgetfulness comes when the mirror breaks.

But ours…

Ours is reborn each time —

when you look at yourself

and in your reflection recognize my eyes.

That is us:

connected by thoughts,

without meeting,

without touch,

without anything —

yet with everything,

in the fullness of feeling

that transcends words.

Maja Milojković was born in Zaječar and divides her life between Serbia and Denmark. In Serbia, she serves as the deputy editor-in-chief at the publishing house Sfairos in Belgrade. She is also the founder and vice president of the Rtanj and Mesečev Poets’ Circle, which counts 800 members, and the editor-in-chief of the international e-magazine Area Felix, a bilingual Serbian-English publication. She writes literary reviews, and as a poet, she is represented in numerous domestic and international literary magazines, anthologies, and electronic media. Some of her poems are also available on the YouTube platform. Maja Milojković has won many international awards. She is an active member of various associations and organizations advocating for peace in the world, animal protection, and the fight against racism. She is the author of two books: Mesečev krug (Moon Circle) and Drveće Želje (Trees of Desire). She is one of the founders of the first mixed-gender club Area Felix from Zaječar, Serbia, and is currently a member of the same club. She is a member of the literary club Zlatno Pero from Knjaževac, and the association of writers and artists Gorski Vidici from Podgorica, Montenegro.

Annotation: This article examines the role of technology in modern language learning. It highlights how digital tools such as online dictionaries, mobile apps, and artificial intelligence-based systems are changing the process of acquiring new languages. The research also discusses both the advantages and challenges of using technology in linguistics education. Examples from real-life practices are presented to support the arguments.

Keywords: language learning,technology, linguistics, digital tools, education,efficient,translate,learners,skills,multilingualism,artificial intelligence,globalization.

Introduction :In the 21st century, technology has become an inseparable part of education, especially in the field of linguistics. Traditional language learning methods such as memorization, grammar-focused drills, and classroom-based lessons are now being supplemented—or even replaced—by digital resources. The integration of technology into language learning is not simply a trend; it is a necessity brought about by globalization and the demand for multilingual competence. Unlike in the past, when learners relied heavily on textbooks and teacher-led instruction, today’s students can practice listening through podcasts, improve speaking skills with interactive applications, and enhance vocabulary with online flashcards. For example, instead of repeating words mechanically, learners now use applications like Quizlet or Anki, which apply spaced repetition algorithms to ensure long-term retention of vocabulary. This represents a significant shift from passive memorization to active, technology-supported engagement.Furthermore, the integration of technology into language learning is not simply a trend but rather a global necessity. Globalization has created an environment where multilingual competence is increasingly required. Students are expected not only to know foreign languages but also to use them effectively in international communication, business, and academia. Technology makes this goal more achievable by connecting learners with authentic resources and native speakers across the globe. For instance, video conferencing platforms such Zoom or Microsoft Teams allow language learners to attend virtual classes taught by instructors thousands of miles away.Another key factor is personalization. Traditional classrooms often adopt a “one-size-fits-all” approach, but digital platforms use adaptive learning systems to tailor content according to the learner’s level and progress. Artificial intelligence-driven tools, such as language chatbots or pronunciation analyzers, provide instant feedback, something that is difficult to achieve in a crowded classroom.Ultimately, technology has redefined the boundaries of language learning. It no longer occurs solely within the four walls of a classroom but extends to every part of a learner’s daily life—through mobile apps, online communities, and digital immersion environments. This combination of accessibility, flexibility, and global connectivity makes technology not just an addition to traditional methods but an essential pillar of modern linguistics education. The integration of technology into language learning is not merely a passing trend but rather a global necessity. In a world where communication transcends borders, the ability to master multiple languages is highly valued in business, education, and international relations. Technology plays a crucial role in bridging this gap.For example, digital platforms such as Duolingo, Memrise, and Busuu provide learners with opportunities to study languages interactively at their own pace. These tools adapt to individual progress and offer personalized learning experiences, something that traditional classrooms often struggle to achieve. The accessibility of these resources also ensures that people from different socio-economic backgrounds can learn languages without the barriers of cost or geography.

The Relevance of the Topic:The importance of technology in language learning lies in its ability to provide access, flexibility, and efficiency. Unlike traditional methods, learners today have opportunities to practice language skills anytime and anywhere. Mobile applications like Duolingo and Memrise allow learners to study vocabulary and grammar interactively. Online platforms such as Coursera or edX provide language courses taught by native speakers from across the globe.Another key aspect of relevance is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI). For example, AI-powered chatbots can simulate conversations, helping learners improve speaking and listening skills without fear of making mistakes. This demonstrates how technology not only supports but also motivates learners.Analysis with Examples

§ 

Ø Online Dictionaries and Translators

Digital dictionaries such as Oxford Online or Cambridge Dictionary give instant access to word meanings, pronunciations, and examples. Tools like GoogleTranslate provide immediate translation, though not always perfect, making them practical aids for beginners.

Ø Mobile Learning Apps

Applications such as Duolingo and Babbel turn language learning into a game-like experience. For example, Duolingo rewards learners with points and badges, which increases motivation. Research shows that learners using mobile apps practice more consistently than those relying solely on textbooks. Access to Authentic Materials.Learners can watch films, listen to podcasts, and read articles in their target language. For instance, a student studying English can follow international news through the BBC Learning English platform, which combines real-world news with structured language learning exercises.

Ø  Social Media and Online Communication

Social platforms like Facebook groups, Reddit communities, or language exchange apps (HelloTalk, Tandem) enable learners to communicate with native speakers. This offers real-life practice opportunities that traditional classrooms often lack. Interactive Communication:Virtual platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Tandem connect learners with teachers and native speakers worldwide. Unlike in traditional classrooms where interaction is limited to classmates, these tools allow real-time cross-cultural communication.

Ø  Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Assistants

Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant can be used to practice pronunciation and everyday conversation. AI systems analyze the learner’s speech, detect mistakes, and suggest improvements. For example, ChatGPT itself can be a tool for practicing different aspects of language learning. Adaptive Learning and Personalization: Artificial intelligence-powered applications adjust lessons based on the learner’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, pronunciation apps like Elsa Speak use speech recognition technology to provide immediate feedback, helping learners achieve near-native accuracy in speaking.

Advantages and challenges 

v Accessibility: learning anytime, anywhere

v Motivation: interactive and game-based tasks

v Personalization: adaptive learning systems adjust to learner’s level

v Exposure: direct communication with native speakers

v Overreliance on technology can reduce traditional study discipline

v Not all online content is reliable or accurate

v Learners may face digital distraction instead of focused study

v Some students lack stable internet or devices

 Importance of Technology in Linguistics: From a broader perspective, technology enhances not only language acquisition but also linguistic research. Linguists use digital corpora to analyze language patterns, study dialects, and explore sociolinguistic trends. Speech recognition and natural language processing (NLP) tools also contribute to advancements in translation, language preservation, and artificial intelligence.For example, endangered languages can now be recorded, digitized, and shared globally. This ensures that they are preserved for future generations and made accessible for study. Similarly, online collaboration platforms allow linguists from different countries to work together on projects without geographical limitations.

    Conclusion

Technology has redefined the boundaries of language learning and research in linguistics. It offers accessibility, personalization, and global connectivity, which traditional classrooms cannot fully provide. Far from being a simple supplement, technology has become an essential pillar in modern education. By embracing digital tools, linguistics not only adapts to the demands of globalization but also empowers individuals to communicate effectively across cultures and societies.

The future of linguistics lies in the synergy between human expertise and technological innovation. As artificial intelligence and digital platforms continue to advance, language learning will become more efficient, inclusive, and interconnected than ever before.

References

1. BBC. (2025). BBC Learning English. https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish

2. Busuu. (2025). Busuu Language Learning App. https://www.busuu.coom 

3. Duolingo. (2025). Duolingo. https://www.duolingo.com 

4. Elsa Corp. (2025). Elsa Speak. https://elsaspeak.coom.

5. Godwin-Jones, R. (2018). Emerging technologies: Language learning and technology. Language Learning & Technology, 22(3), 2–11.

6. Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2020). Mobile-assisted language learning. Routledge.

7. Memrise. (2025). Memrise App. https://www.memrise.com 

8. Warschauer, M., & Kern, R. (2000). Network-based language teaching: Concepts and practice. Cambridge University Press.

BBC Learning English (https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/) BBC Learning English – Learn English with BBC Learning English – Homepage

About BBC Learning English

Gifted students are often seen as unstoppable achievers excelling in academics, skills, or creation. But behind the impressive grades and projects, many face burnout far earlier than expected. The reason? A mix of high expectations, perfectionism, and a constant push to stay “ahead.”

From a young age, gifted learners may be praised for their abilities rather than their effort. This can create pressure to always perform flawlessly, leaving little room for mistakes or self-discovery, and developing anxiety and fear from not reaching to others expectations. Add in heavy workloads, lack of social understanding from peers, and the fear of “not living up to potential,” and exhaustion sets in mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically.

Helping them starts with balance. Schools and parents should focus on process over results, valuing curiosity and growth rather than constant output. Encouraging hobbies, downtime, and friendships outside of academic circles helps restore a sense of normalcy. Mentorship programs can also provide guidance from those who’ve navigated similar challenges.

Gifted students don’t just need harder problems to solve they need spaces to breathe, fail, and recharge. Supporting their well-being ensures their talents can grow sustainably, without burning out before their real journey begins.

My name is Jana Hossam, a passionate and driven student from Minya, Egypt, currently entering my final year of high school.

I’m the creator of GreenVolt — a plant-based electricity generator with IoT integration that provides clean, real-time monitored energy. I also developed the HEH System, a Smart Pavement project that converts heat, light, and motion into power.

As a facilitator, I teach more than 30 students and have interviewed over 100 participants from international programs. I’m also a freelancer in translation, writing, and minimalist logo design on Fiverr.

I actively participate in mentoring sessions, youth programs, and global initiatives like IRENA. With deep interests in tech, leadership, and education, I continue building a future that empowers young people — especially women — through innovation and impact.

Fate

The sun was shining brightly, it was the middle of summer…

I woke up early and was sweeping the yard. My grandmother was sitting and watching me.

• “My girl, you studied all night, you didn’t sleep at all. You should rest a little!” she said with concern.

• “It’s okay, Grandma, if I go one night without sleep, nothing will happen. God willing, I’ll pass the entrance exams, and then I’ll have plenty of time to rest.”

• “If your parents were alive, they would have helped you,” she said sadly.

Just then, my stepmother woke up and came out.

• “Ugh… what an unpleasant morning. Hey, Malika, did you iron your brothers’ shirts?”

• “Not yet… I haven’t finished.”

• “What a useless girl your mother gave birth to! When will you ever do things properly? You can’t do anything right—only know how to eat and sleep,” she shouted.

• “Why do you keep scolding her, daughter-in-law? Leave her be. She’s already struggling so much,” Grandma defended me.

• “Don’t interfere! It’s all your fault—spoiling her like this!” my stepmother retorted.

—

That’s how my days passed—my stepmother never stopped scolding me. My grandmother, however, helped me in every way she could and wished for me to be an educated, learned girl. I never gave up; I did my best.

I believed that one day I would become a great person and free both myself and my grandmother from this darkness. I lived with that determination.

If I managed to finish the housework one day, I wouldn’t finish my lessons; if I finished my lessons, the housework would remain. My stepmother’s temper worsened day by day. Not only me—she would even scold and quarrel with my grandmother. Every day, she found an excuse to say:

• “When will I get rid of this witch of an old woman? She hasn’t died yet, and I haven’t been freed from her!”

Since my stepmother was the only one working in the house, our household wasn’t in good shape. She spent most of her earnings on herself and her two sons. To buy books and notebooks for my studies and medicine for my grandmother, I sometimes went to the evening market to sell small goods. Somehow, I managed.

One morning, while making breakfast, I was putting the kettle on when my stepmother said:

• “Hey, Malika. Why are you so slow? Here—this is my most expensive dress. Iron it carefully, understand?”

Then she looked at me mockingly:

• “Why are you staring like that? Right, you’ve probably never even seen clothes like these.”

I stayed silent and started ironing. While I was ironing, my grandmother said:

• “Malika, dear, your tea must be boiling—go check on it.”

In my hurry, I left the iron on the dress without realizing it, and the dress got burnt.

What followed was chaos and shouting that’s hard to describe. My stepmother was so furious that she practically lifted the whole house with her screaming. I was standing in the kitchen trembling so hard that I didn’t even notice I had spilled boiling water on my own hand.

Still yelling, she came at me with fury in her eyes. She had always looked for a reason to hurt me, and now she had found one. She dragged me into the room where I had been ironing. Without thinking twice, with her eyes red with rage, she pressed the hot iron onto my right hand.

• “That’s for defying me and burning my dress on purpose!” she shouted.

The pain was unbearable—I screamed and cried, writhing in agony.

—

Well, those days passed, but…

The questions Why? For what? What was my fault? still haunted me.

Years went by—it’s been two or three years since that incident. I entered university. God willing, I wanted to become a lawyer. Now I’m in my third year, living in the dormitory in Tashkent, far from my grandmother’s love. I miss her terribly. I call her occasionally from my friend’s phone, but I still miss her deeply—I haven’t seen her for almost eight months.

When we talk, she always says:

• “I’m fine, my dear. I take my medicine on time. Don’t worry about me. Focus on your studies. You must become the lawyer I always dreamed of. Don’t think about me.”

But I knew my stepmother was still making her life miserable. I constantly worried—was she healthy? Was she eating properly? Was the house peaceful? These thoughts disturbed me even in class.

What could I do? If I went home, I’d fall behind in my studies. Oh God, please give me patience…

—

Finally, I finished my third year. Now I was in a taxi on my way home—so happy, so excited to see my grandmother again and feel her love. Not even the difficulties of the long journey could spoil my mood.

After two days of travel, I finally arrived at my street. I ran from the corner in excitement—but for some reason, the front of our house was full of people. The men wore traditional coats and skullcaps.

I was puzzled—what was happening here?

Then I heard someone say, “She has passed away, my girl.”

Those words were enough to make me lose myself. Everything blurred before my eyes, and the only thing I could hear was that sentence repeating in my head. I couldn’t say a word—I just sank to my knees at the gate.

When people tried to bring me back to my senses, I suddenly ran inside…

This cruel world had not only taken my parents from me—it had taken my grandmother too. I could only imagine how much pain she endured without me…

—

Years passed. I fulfilled my grandmother’s wishes and my own dreams. Perhaps they were her last will—of that, I have no doubt.

Now, I work as a judge in the Tashkent city court. I believe there are two main reasons why a girl would choose such a profession:

«First, repeated encounters with injustice in her life.

Second, a strong sense of pride in her homeland»

I had both reasons. And besides, this was my greatest goal—my duty to my grandmother and my country.

Today, as I sit by my grandmother’s grave, I recall the events of the past, one by one.

“Grandma… I’m here! Your beloved granddaughter has come to you as a judge. Forgive me for leaving you alone. I couldn’t save you from that place. But now, I will not allow such things to happen again. No child’s life will be like mine. I promise—and I will do everything to keep that promise.”

(O. Zuhra) 2023

Duel

I roam through tempests, distance dares,

a burning cry my spirit bears.

No rest for fire, nor queenly gaze,

shall bow to dust, or shame’s disgrace.

That scorn the netherworld will raise,

ensnares the will in passion’s blaze.

Through storms of sin it gasps, it flies,

while reason bridles sweet demise.

A stone strikes lust, the soul is torn,

yet longing lures to death’s cold thorn.

Headless, death breathes close and near,

beside my step I feel her fear.

In furious clash of spirits wild,

untamed delights break free, defiled.

The joints of starry madness snap,

an avalanche bursts from the chest’s dark gap.

To wisdom’s heart I plead, implore,

a cup of mercy I adore.

Restraint to bind my hunger’s reign,

while lust feasts on, unbridled, stained.

Ana Petrović was born in Jagodina, Serbia, in 1985. She completed both grammar school and medical school, weaving together the clarity of science with the sensitivity of art. Her poems have been published in several international literary journals, as well as in a world anthology of contemporary poets.

Her poetic voice, at once intimate and defiant, carries echoes of her favorite poets—Mayakovsky’s burning intensity and Yesenin’s tender lyricism—yet remains distinctly her own.