Master Spanish with a Native Expert: Tailored Learning Plans from Absolute Beginners to Advanced Students Online or in London

Find out more about Esther

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak this language fluently because of my roots-my family spoke it at home, so it's always been part of who I am.

• Can you name a living, historical, or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote Don Quixote, is one of the most iconic figures in Spanish culture. Other amazing writers include Federico García Lorca, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, and Antonio Machado. They each bring out something special about the language-its poetry, philosophy, and depth.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition, or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  I love the word "sobremesa," which means the time spent chatting at the table after a meal. It's all about enjoying good company and conversation, which is such a big part of Spanish culture.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking Spanish is a big part of who I am-it connects me to my heritage, my family, and my friends. Beyond that, it also lets me share the language and culture with others, which is something I love doing. Being able to teach and help people understand a different culture is so rewarding because I get to see how they grow in their appreciation for it. Plus, learning a language opens the door to so many experiences and perspectives you wouldn't find otherwise, which is why it matters so much to me.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language, and what can help the process of learning?

  Verb conjugations can be a real hurdle since they change with tense and subject, but I use a cognitive grammar approach that makes it feel more logical, so you don't just have to memorize everything. In my classes, I always go for this method, along with role-playing and conversation practice to keep things fun and practical.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  I was always good at syntax, so I ended up helping my friends with it. A lot of people found it confusing, but I enjoyed breaking down sentences and showing how everything connected. We'd go through examples after class, and I loved seeing the lightbulb moments when it finally clicked for them. It was the first step in my teaching journey, and it made me realize how much I enjoy helping others understand language-it was really rewarding to see my friends grow more confident.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Actually, my experience living in the UK and learning English helped me value my own language even more and appreciate the language-learning journey itself. I always encourage my students to travel to Spain or other Hispanic countries and try speaking a bit of Spanish. Being surrounded by people who speak the language you're learning is the best way to grow-there's no substitute for real-life practice!

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I'm a total language geek! I'm studying for a degree in English Language and Literature, have my qualifications as an ELE teacher, and have been on the journey of learning a new language myself. I know the challenges and joys of it, and I think I can make your learning experience effective and fun!