At just 15, Zakaria Hezzi became one of Tunisia’s youngest learners to pass the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) exam – a milestone shaped by years of dedication, curiosity, and the dynamic learning environment he found at the British Council. What began as a casual interest grew into a passion that transformed his skills, confidence, and outlook on the world.
Zakaria’s journey with the English language began at the British Council teaching centre in Tunisia when he was still a child. ‘I had no clear goals at first,’ he admits. ‘But once I started learning, I was obsessed. I wanted to be the best.’
Over the course of seven years, Zakaria’s dedication never wavered. He embraced each new word and every cultural reference as a step towards something bigger. The British Council became more than just a language centre for him – it was a place where curiosity and creativity were encouraged.
‘We weren’t just memorising grammar rules,’ Zakaria says. ‘We debated, played games, listened to music, watched documentaries, and discussed real-life topics. We could even vote on what we wanted to work on. That freedom made learning feel natural.’
Balancing English studies with school exams and extracurricular activities was not always easy. Zakaria recalls moments of frustration, especially during national exam years. Yet with the support of his teachers and his own discipline, he pushed through.
‘The British Council helped me build not only my language skills, but also my confidence,’ he says. ‘I became more outgoing. I learned how to work in a team, to speak up, and to understand people from different cultures.’
His English skills have already proven useful in everyday life – from easing team dynamics to navigating new social environments. ‘It helped me break the ice with people and made me a better communicator overall.’
‘I didn’t start learning English because I wanted to – but what began as an obligation quickly became a passion’ Zakaria Hezzi, Student, Tunisia