ABOUT ME AND HOW i CAN HELP

¡Hola! Hello! My name is María. I am a native Spanish teacher, language learner strategies coach, and trainer based in London. I am also the author of two books: How to Learn Spanish: A Guide to Powerful Principles and Strategies for Successful Learning and Self-Empowerment (Hikari Press, 2021) and How to Teach Language Learning Strategies: 4 Simple Steps for Successful Independent Language Learning (Lightwork Press, 2021) .

I love teaching and coaching Spanish students. It makes me very happy to see them improve their communication skills, gain confidence, and enjoy learning the language through our work together. I also find being a teacher trainer very rewarding. It is fulfilling to share my knowledge with teachers who are committed to helping their students become confident, independent learners, and to see how teachers gain valuable educational insights from the work we do in the teacher training workshops.

I offer services in four areas.

As a Spanish teacher, I provide online lessons for young and adult beginners and those at elementary levels (A1–A2 CEFR). I also offer tuition for students preparing for the Spanish GCSE exam.

As a coach, I help language students develop strategies to make their learning more effective, enjoyable, and sustainable.

As a language teacher trainer, I run workshops on how to teach effective language learning strategies to foster greater learner independence.

As a personal development trainer, I offer individual sessions and group workshops to support people in discovering their talents and passions, clarifying their life vision, navigating career transitions, and creating a structured path towards their personal and professional goals.

Below, you will find detailed information about my professional experience, publications, certifications, and ongoing professional development.

My professional experience

I am a Senior Lecturer in Spanish at the University of Westminster (London), where I teach Spanish Language on the university's Open Language Programme and the BA Spanish programme. I joined the university in 2002 while completing my MA in Modern Languages at University College London’s Institute of Education.

Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in teaching, designing, delivering, and assessing Spanish as a foreign language courses, having worked in this field for over 30 years. I am also a specialist in language learner strategies, with over 20 years of experience in coaching and running workshops for adult and higher education students and teachers in the UK and other European countries.

In addition to my Spanish teaching role, I have held various academic positions over the years at the University of Westminster, other educational institutions, and in the private sector. These roles include Open Language Spanish Coordinator, Spanish Examiner, DELE Exams Officer, External Examiner, Spanish Language and Culture Consultant, Study Skills Tutor, Academic and Personal Tutor, and Spanish Development Editor.

I began my professional career as a teaching assistant and study skills tutor in the beautiful Spanish city of Salamanca. I moved there to pursue a BA (Hons) in Education at the university, although I was born and raised in Vigo, another charming city on Spain's northwest coast.

Since my teenage years, I have felt a strong calling to work in education. I believed that quality education could help people overcome challenges and reach their full potential. I still hold that belief, and, fortunately, I continue to deeply enjoy the educational work I do.

Qualifications and continuous professional development

I hold a BA (Hons) in Education from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca (Spain) and an MA in Modern Languages in Education from University College London, Institute of Education.

I am a certified Neurolanguage Coach® with Efficient Language Coaching and accredited by the International Coaching Federation. I am also a certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer, EUROLTA Teacher Trainer, International House Spanish Language Teacher and Online Tutor, DELE Examiner, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the Association for Language Learning.

I have attended numerous professional development events and courses, covering a wide range of topics such as Spanish language teaching (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation), language learner strategies, online learning, learner autonomy, intercultural competence, curriculum development, self-development, management and communication skills, neuro-linguistic programming, teaching students with dyslexia, and the use of AI in language teaching and learning.

I am passionate about continuous professional development and love exploring new educational approaches, techniques, and tech tools to improve my teaching and coaching. My goal is always to create learning experiences that are both effective and enjoyable for students and teachers.

For more details, you can go to:

My books and editorial work

I have published How to Learn Spanish: A Guide to Powerful Principles and Strategies for Successful Learning and Self-Empowerment (Hikari Press, 2021) to empower students by introducing them to key principles and practical techniques that have proven to be very effective for optimising the language learning process and making it more enjoyable.

How to Teach Language Learning Strategies: 4 Simple Steps for Successful Independent Language Learning (Lightwork Press, 2021) is aimed at language teachers. In this book, I share a straightforward and effective approach that I have successfully used with my students. It is a concise and practical guide, and the approach is applicable to modern foreign languages in general.

I have also worked as a Spanish Development Editor on the following graded readers written by Olly Richards and published by Hodder & Stoughton:

Short Stories in Spanish for Beginners, Volume 1: Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn Spanish the fun way !

Short Stories in Spanish for Beginners, Volume 2: Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn Spanish the fun way !

Short Stories in Spanish for Intermediate Learners: Read for pleasure at your level, expand your vocabulary and learn Spanish the fun way!

From page one "How to Learn Spanish" is an interesting, informative and engaging book. The strategies are clearly presented and explained, they are very easy to follow and use. I think this is an excellent book for anyone involved in the teaching and learning of a foreign language. I found that, as it usually happens with good books, I didn’t want it to end! In my opinion, this is a great and necessary read for teachers and students alike.

- Valentina Gamba-Tupper, Spanish Teacher

May I congratulate you on your wonderful presentation at The Language Show? The content was so relevant and your presentation skills were excellent.

- Workshop participant, The Language Show

Thank you so much for the workshop which has just finished! I thoroughly enjoyed it – hearing about your four simple steps and the discussion afterwards was really inspiring.

- Workshop participant, Fourth International Conference on Situating Strategy Use, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

ABOUT ME AND HOW i CAN HELP

My professional experience

Qualifications and continuous professional development

My books and editorial work

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