How English Built My Life—and Why I Built Lumi AI

One day, it all started at the dinner table.

I realized how English had shaped my life—and how important it would be for my kids.

I have three daughters, aged 6, 9, and 12. Like most parents, I want the best for them—not just in terms of health and happiness, but the kind of future they can shape with their own voices. And that future, I believe with every cell in my body, will be largely determined by how confidently they can speak English.

Not just know it—speak it.

See, I didn’t grow up with that confidence. I was born in Poland, where English was taught like algebra: grammar drills, vocabulary lists, and the constant, silent pressure not to make a mistake. I studied English for years. I got good grades. But when I had to speak it in real life? My brain froze. My mouth shut down. I felt small.

That’s why, at age 20, I packed a suitcase and moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, to get my university degree. I wanted to throw myself into the deep end of the English-speaking world. No safety nets. No Polish subtitles. Just me, a thick accent, and a lot of awkward conversations.

And that’s when I truly started learning English—not in the classroom, but in cafés, job interviews, university discussions, and small talk with flatmates from around the world. It wasn’t always pretty. I made mistakes. I embarrassed myself. But I kept speaking. And that’s what changed everything.

Looking back, I can honestly say: English built my life.

It gave me access to education in the UK, helped me grow professionally, and opened the door to a future I never dreamed possible back in Poland. But more than that—it helped me find love. Years ago, while working in China, I met the woman who would become my wife. Both of us were non-native English speakers, but English was the bridge. The very first word I ever spoke to her was in English. And now, here we are—married for nearly 14 years with three beautiful daughters. If I hadn’t learned how to speak English, my entire life would have taken a different path. I feel incredibly lucky.

Years later, I found myself in Shanghai, working as a project manager at Microsoft. Then I moved again—this time to Japan. Each time I started over in a new country, English was my anchor. It didn’t matter if I was in China, Japan, or the UK—English was the only language that let me communicate with anyone, anywhere. It opened doors, built friendships, and gave me opportunities I could never have imagined as a kid sitting in a Polish classroom.

And now? I watch my daughters going through their own English learning journey.

They’re bright. They’re curious. And they’re surrounded by tools that didn’t exist when I was growing up. But even with all the apps, videos, and games, I noticed one thing missing: someone to talk to. Not just once a week in class. Not just a chatbot typing back. But a real voice. A human-like conversation partner who doesn’t judge, who listens, who speaks clearly, and who can help them practice English the way it’s meant to be used—in conversation.

That’s why I built Lumi.

Lumi is the English-speaking partner I wish I had when I was younger. The one who doesn’t laugh when you mess up. Who encourages you to speak, not just understand. Who’s always there—on your phone, in your pocket, ready to talk. Whether you’re a 12-year-old learning school English, or a 42-year-old trying to land a better job, Lumi is your shortcut to speaking English fluently, confidently, naturally.

Because here’s the truth I’ve learned from moving across countries and cultures: the world doesn’t wait for perfect grammar. It listens to those who speak up.

And my mission—through Lumi—is to help millions find their voice.

Let’s talk.

—

Jack Jablonski

Founder, Lumi AI

From Poland 🇵🇱 → Scotland 🇬🇧 → China 🇨🇳 → Japan 🇯🇵