Born in Valencia, a true lover of Spanish, she is passionate about going out on motorcycles with her boyfriend, taking trips to other cities, cooking paella on Sundays and playing with her cat. Don't you know our teacher Irene yet? At Hispania, a Spanish school, we know that one of the most important things that
In Hispania, Spanish school We know that one of the most important things a school has to offer is a professional, dynamic team eager to make their students experience a unique stay. For this reason, our teachers are qualified native speakers with a great love and passion for teaching Spanish. On this occasion, we have met with our beloved teacher Irene and we have asked her many questions so that the students can get to know her better. Are you ready?
Yes, I am very happy because I recently celebrated my seventh year in the world of Teaching Spanish as a foreign language.
If we go back seven years, I was on Erasmus in England and working as a conversation assistant at the University of Leeds. As the students and coordinators were very happy with my way of working, they suggested that I take the Spanish as a Foreign Language Teacher Training course at the Instituto Cervantes in Manchester and I accepted without a second's hesitation because I saw that the ELE world was about to become my great passion. Shortly after, when I finished the course they called me from the Cervantes Institute in Leeds and hired me. This changed my life because it allowed me to enter the exciting world of ELE! The only problem is that it was very difficult for me to live outside of Spain; I really missed my family and friends, the streets of Valencia, the gastronomy... I returned to Spain and I was lucky enough to be able to start working in Hispania, Spanish school, the best Spanish school in the world.
This is a very difficult question because I have lived unforgettable moments at this school but the truth is that in April of this year, Hispania, Spanish schoolIt gave Professor Rita and me a very great opportunity: to teach at the Jaume I University of Castellón. Jaume I University and our school have a very good relationship and work together on many projects, so, for a month, we taught Spanish language and culture to a group of students who came from Illinois, United States. It was a great challenge for me because most of the students were children of Mexicans, that is, they had a personal interest in everything related to the Hispanic world. They were very interested in Spanish culture and we were able to work on very different and interesting things together. It was very enriching because not only did I teach them but they also taught me; I learned a lot about Mexico and many stereotypes were broken.
I think that the most important thing a Spanish teacher has to have is the ability to transmit not only the language but also Spanish values and culture. It is essential to break with clichés and teach to respect different cultures. In classes I always encourage my students to share traditions and customs from their countries, I tell them ours and from that respect we can learn a lot together. I believe that all cultures have something special and none is superior to another.
I always include three ingredients that I consider essential in my classes: motivation, attention and discipline. Students must be motivated by proposing interesting and fun activities so that they can learn in an atmosphere of joy and tranquility. This must be combined with attention; Each student has their own needs and the teacher must be aware of this in order to give them what they need. Finally, discipline, it is important to learn while having fun but without neglecting good work discipline. A teacher who takes these three elements into account will give a perfect Spanish class.
To future Spanish students, I would say that they should not hesitate and come study with us. Valencia is a beautiful city and very comfortable for a stay: it has a very beautiful historic center, a lot of culture, a thousand bars and restaurants and, above all, it has mountains and a beach, something that is very important to me. Whoever knows me knows it! Furthermore, our beloved school is in Valencia. Hispania, Spanish school that trains its teachers a lot and its maxim is that the student feels happy. Without a doubt, if I were a student, I would want to study at a school like Hispania, Spanish school. Furthermore, I love the cultural activities that we do with our cultural manager: tours of historic Valencia, muslim, mysterious, medieval, roman; tastings and workshops paella, indentation, Valencia water, horchata; visits to Oceanographic, Bioparc, museum of fine arts, modern art museum; flamenco classes or sauce for the more party-goers…
Without a doubt, I would recommend the series. Merli. It's about a philosophy professor who, for me, is a role model, because he motivates his students, he has discipline, but even so the students adore him, trust him, and tell him their problems. It reflects not only the life of an institute but also the function of the teacher, as a key figure in education. I think students will enjoy and learn a lot from watching it. Afterwards, we can discuss it in class 😉
If you ask me to choose a book, then I have to tell you about a great classic of the Spanish language: life is dream of Calderón de la Barca. When I began my humanistic studies I read this book and I found it so representative that it has always accompanied me. Another book that I am passionate about is The elf lady, I feel very identified with this novel, I think it represents me because, at first, I can give an image but when people get to know me well, they realize that I am much more versatile than I thought.
I want to continue growing in Hispania, Spanish school because it is a very prestigious school that has won many awards, receives thousands of students from all cultures and offers many opportunities for both teachers and students. In addition, now I am in charge of organizing the logistics of the DELE, the level tests and meeting with the students, something that I am delighted with because I can help our students live a very important experience in their lives such as passing a DELE exam. I feel very happy because they have trusted me with this important task.
Irene, thank you very much for your words and your time. We are sure that our students will really enjoy getting to know one of their favorite teachers better.
If you want to enjoy the classes of Irene and of all the great team of Hispania, Spanish school, live a thousand new experiences, enjoy our incredible activities and learn a lot of Spanish in the happiest school in the world, don't think twice and come with us. We are waiting for you!
Interview conducted by Rita Rodríguez Varela for Hispania, Spanish school.