Përshëndetje,jam Arseni.

Hi, I’m Arsen!

Teaching Albanian since 2020.At first, it was a way to earn a living.Now it’s my mission: real, everyday Albanian, easy to learn wherever you live, especially for Albanians abroad.

Arsen

Poppies below the mountains in Kukës — Kukëswhere I’m from

The white Ottoman houses of Berat on the hillside — Beratmy favourite city

Albanian byrek on a plate — Byrekmy favourite food

Gjipe beach, a cove with turquoise water between green cliffs — Gjipemy favourite beach

My students kept asking for one thing: something to practise with.

So here’s how Real Albanian started ↓

17 June 2020

My first lesson, on italki

I started teaching Albanian online: partners of Albanians, travellers, people moving to Albania, and many Albanians born abroad who never learned to speak it, or simply wanted to feel more comfortable speaking with their family.

Alongside online lessons, I also taught in person in Tirana, and hosted Albanian meet-ups for learners ↓

A large group of Albanian learners smiling at a Real Albanian meet-up in Tirana

Albanian learners at a table in a bookshop during a Real Albanian meet-up in Tirana

Albanian learners around a long table at a Real Albanian meet-up in Tirana

Albanian learners around a table in a bookshop at a Real Albanian meet-up in Tirana

Arsen with a headset at his desk, teaching an online Albanian lesson — teaching online, 2020

Lesson after lesson…

The same problem kept coming up

Whatever their level, my students had almost nothing online to practise with between lessons. No proper courses, nothing that sounded like real, everyday Albanian.

Arsen on stage with a slide about the lack of good Albanian learning materials — the problem, on stage

17 June 2023

So I launched Real Albanian

Courses and materials built from real conversations, for learners anywhere in the world.

A screen at Musicbooks counting down the last minutes to the RealAlbanian.com launch — the countdown

Arsen taking a selfie with friends at the Real Albanian launch night — launch selfie

Guests at the Real Albanian launch night at Musicbooks in Tirana — launch night, Musicbooks

July 2023

Pitching at GEN-E in Istanbul

Real Albanian went to GEN-E 2023, Europe’s biggest student entrepreneurship festival, run by Junior Achievement Europe. Young founders from 43 countries, and we were the first to pitch to the jury.

Arsen and the team at the Real Albanian stand at GEN-E 2023 — our stand

The Real Albanian team with their banner on a boat on the Bosphorus at GEN-E 2023 — GEN-E, Istanbul

September 2023

Moving to Paris

A few months after the launch I moved to Paris to study. I finished my master’s, then went on to a second one.

Arsen on a bridge over the Seine at sunset, with the Eiffel Tower behind him — Bonjour, Paris!

7 November 2023

First place at JuniorUP

After months in JuniorUP, the startup accelerator by Junior Achievement Albania funded by AADF, Real Albanian won first place at Demo Day and a $10,000 investment to grow.

Faleminderit, Junior Achievement Albania, for believing in Real Albanian! ♥

Arsen pitching Real Albanian at JuniorUP Demo Day — pitching

Arsen with the jury and the JuniorUP team after winning first place at Demo Day — first place!

September 2025

Starting my PhD

I began a PhD in linguistics at Sorbonne Université, jointly with the University of Milan. Between studies and research, Real Albanian got quieter and quieter.

Arsen smiling and giving a thumbs up at the start of his PhD — Sorbonne Université

November 2026

Relaunching Real Albanian

Now Real Albanian is relaunching again: new courses, a new website, and a reason closer to home than ever.

The new realalbanian.com homepage: Speak Real Albanian, over Rozafa Castle with the Albanian flag — the new realalbanian.com

Why now?

My five nephews and nieces are growing up in Sweden and Italy, speaking more Swedish and Italian every year.

Noah
Ester-Sofia
Nina
Nils
Tiago

“I want them to speak Albanian too.”

I’m bringing Real Albanian back for them, and for every student whose family story looks like theirs.

A red heart balloon in front of the National History Museum in Tirana — for my five little learners ♥

What makes it real

Albanian as it’s spoken

Not textbook Albanian, but the Albanian you’ll hear talking with your gjyshe, at the bakery or with friends at the café.

Built for learners abroad

For Albanians born outside Albania, and for anyone learning for a partner or family.

Explained in your language

I teach in English, French and Albanian, so grammar gets explained, not just drilled.

Ready to start?

The courses take you from your first words to real conversations, at your own pace. I’d love to see you there.

See the courses

Shihemi së shpejti!