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El Patio Spanish

Spanish Language School

Why did you study to become a teacher of Spanish?

Funnily enough, I never imagined I’d end up teaching Spanish! Growing up, my parents always told me I had to learn languages if I wanted to stand out. So, I started learning English and German from a very young age—and I totally fell in love with both! I found their cultures fascinating and dreamt of traveling to places where I could use my new skills. As a teenager, I even begged my parents to send me abroad for a year, and, well, the rest is history. After spending a year in the US, my love for travel grew stronger, and it quickly became my number one goal in life. I didn’t care what I did as long as it allowed me to see the world. 

At 18, I thought studying law would be my ticket to global adventure (I naively dreamed of becoming a diplomat and jet-setting around the world). So, I dove into law school, but while doing that, I started teaching English and Spanish to kids to save up for my next travel destination. That’s when I had a lightbulb moment: I actually enjoyed teaching way more than law! So, even though I loved my studies, I couldn’t ignore the spark teaching gave me. I finished my degree and even did a master's in refugee protection and forced migration studies—a subject I’m still passionate about today. 

But it wasn’t until a few years later, while living in Korea, that I realized teaching could be my job and the key to unlocking my dream of traveling the world. I started teaching Spanish and English in Seoul and discovered how much I truly loved it. It felt fulfilling in a way I hadn’t expected, and from that point on, I never looked back. 

When did you begin teaching Spanish?

I began teaching Spanish grammar to Spanish kids fresh out of high school. However, my journey as a Spanish teacher to non-Spanish speakers began back in 2017 while I was living in Seoul. I originally started teaching English at an academy, but a Korean friend of mine was a Spanish literature professor in university. Whenever a Spanish grammar question was brought up to her, she would text me and ask me what the grammar rule was or why certain structures worked in some sentences but didn’t work in others. Spanish is quite tricky, so I always answered her to the best of my abilities. She then started telling me that I should quit teaching English and teach Spanish instead since her university needed people like me that could help them improve their Spanish grammar and vocabulary. I was quite hesitant since I thought teaching Spanish would be quite difficult for me since it´s not a language I learned from scratch later in life but a language I grew up with. 

However, my Korean friend would not take a no for an answer and decided I needed a little push ‘into the right direction’. One day, she invited me to lunch at her university. Little did I know, it was all a setup. After lunch, she casually told me she had to go to class and invited me to tag along, saying she had a little “gift” for me. I foolishly followed her and realized there were like 70 students in her class all staring at me. She then smiled, closed the door behind me and introduced me to her class as their Spanish teacher for the day. I was dumbfounded but had no way out. Everyone started bombarding me with questions about me and Spain and Spanish and so I stayed and answered. I came up to realize that I had so much fun during that class that I took up on her offer and became a teacher assistant at Hanguk University of Foreign Studies.

How did you start in Australia?

Australia was always at the top of my bucket list. After living in seven different countries and traveling the world as a backpacker for a couple of extra years, I kept meeting people who either thought I already lived in Melbourne or told me I had to move there. So, in November 2024, I finally decided to give settling down a go, and of course, Melbourne was the first place that popped into my mind. I moved into Northcote, and one day, while casually strolling around my new neighbourhood with my roommate, we stumbled upon El Patio Spanish. What are the odds that I would just happen to find such an amazing Spanish academy just five minutes from my new home, right? It felt like fate! 

Excited, I immediately handed them my resume and, lucky for me, was called back shortly after. After learning more about their methodology, I realized we were the perfect match.  

What is a loveable aspect of teaching Spanish in Australia?

Without a doubt, it’s the students! People in this city are genuinely some of the kindest and most welcoming individuals I’ve ever met. When I first started, I’ll admit I was a bit nervous as this was my first time teaching Spanish to native English speakers. But from the very beginning, everyone was so accepting and eager to learn that any nerves quickly melted away. 

I absolutely love the little chats I have with students before and after class and some of the odd questions I sometime get about Spanish and Spain. It’s always fun to share bits of my country, my language, and my culture with them, especially when they’re so curious and excited to learn. There’s something really special about the genuine interest Australians have in learning languages and traveling the world and it’s something I can also relate to.  

What is the most challenging aspect of teaching Australians?

Surprisingly, the most challenging aspect of teaching Spanish grammar to Australians has been trying to explain it through an English grammar lens. I quickly realized that many Australians never really learned English grammar in the way I expected. For example, when I’d explain that in Spanish, adjectives change their gender and number depending on the noun they’re describing, but adverbs never change, I was met with confused stares. It was as if I had just started speaking Chinese! A lot of students told me they had no idea what I was talking about, and that was a bit of a "whoa" moment for me. 

Over the past few months, I’ve learned to be a bit more cautious with how technical I get when teaching. I now make sure to first explain the English grammar equivalent so everyone can grasp the concept before diving into the Spanish details. It’s been a learning curve for me too, but I’m now very thankful for my English teaching background.  

Do you have any suggestions for how students can better prepare for each class?

One of the best ways for students to prepare for each class is to come with a curious mindset. The more questions you ask, the more you’ll get out of the class. I always encourage students to review their notes and homework from the previous lesson and think about any areas where they might be a little unclear. If something from the last class didn’t quite stick, write it down and bring it up in the next session, we’ll tackle it together! 

Also, I’d recommend practicing speaking, even if it’s just talking to yourself! The more you use the language in everyday situations, the easier it’ll be to recall during class. And if you’re feeling extra motivated, try to bring in something new to discuss, whether it’s a Spanish word or expression you’ve come across or a cultural question you’re curious about.  

Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy the process. Spanish can be tricky at times, but with the right attitude, it’s also a lot of fun. So, stay positive, and remember, every little step counts. 

What do you think the best method for memorisation is?

I believe the best method for memorization is a mix of repetition, context, and engagement. Having lived in multiple countries and taught various languages, I’ve learned that the most effective way to remember new vocabulary or grammar concepts is to actively use them in real-life contexts. For example, I often ask students to listen to a Spanish song and pick out new words or phrases. I then challenge them to use these new words in class during speaking activities and we would all share our new words of the week at the end of the class. This helps them connect what they’re learning to something they enjoy, and it gives them a natural way to practice.  

Making learning fun and interactive is key. When you’re genuinely interested and having a good time with the material, memorization becomes less of a chore and more of a natural part of the process.  

What teaching methods do you like to bring to the classroom?

I love bringing a variety of teaching methods to the classroom, always aiming to keep things dynamic and engaging. I’m happy to say that El Patio's methodology aligns perfectly with my approach, allowing me to use real-world materials like songs, articles, and short videos. These resources help students connect language learning to real cultural experiences, making the language more practical and meaningful beyond just textbook lessons. 

I also focus a lot on active participation. I encourage students to use the language as much as possible during class, whether that’s through debates, role-playing, or even casual conversations. Creating a comfortable environment where they feel confident speaking is key for me. 

When it comes to grammar, another method I’ve found effective is breaking down grammar concepts by comparing them to their native language when possible. This often makes complex topics easier to understand, especially when the student might not have a strong grammar foundation. I also love using gamified activities to make learning feel less like work and more like a fun challenge.

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