What is it like to be a Spanish tutor?

Teaching Spanish has helped me to better understand my own language because when students ask questions, sometimes they want to know why a word or expression is in a way that does not seem to be logic. The answer is simple; because Spanish language is a not just one language, it has influence for vulgar Latin, Celtiberan (Celt and Iberian), Basque, and even Greek. ✍ Juan Pardo, Spanish GoLearn tutor

Classroom style with people learning from the tutor

My learners are very inquisitive, and they enjoy chatting and helping each other in the class. This really helps to make the language more accessible to everyone. Because I use scenarios that are familiar to the students, they find easier to connect their experiences to the language they are learning; we all had to ask for directions or had to talk to someone in a hotel or restaurant, or even buying goods in the streets in Spain. Those connections and experiences help the learners to put themselves there and I can help them to start talking real Spanish, which is practical, useful, and fun. 

It is interesting how my learners, who are all British, ask often for an exact pronunciation. While this is important, in Spanish sounds are much simpler because they don’t vary so much depending on the words used. All sounds are emitted in the same way! So for instance, often Valencia will sound the same as Baleares.  

I learn every time with the students, and I like that I can share the knowledge and culture of my mother tongue with lots of different people, that is fun too! Another thing that I like from my current teaching is how learners are keen to know more, they are curious, and they support each other when someone may find something more difficult or not too sure. Of course I am always there to support them, but it is positive they support each other, and they learn together.  

A brilliant way for people to improve their everyday skills in areas such as Languages is to sign up to one of our adult learning programmes. You can find these courses on the GoLearn website

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