Spanish native with more than 5 years of experience tutoring Spanish students.

Find out more about Juan

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

  I speak this language fluently because I'm from Spain and I lived there for 22 years. Furthermore, I've been studying it for the last 3 years, so I could become a professional in the subject.

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

  If I have to choose only one, I'd pick Miguel de Cervantes, a Spanish writer from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He had a big impact on the Spanish language, to the point where Spanish is sometimes referred to as "la lengua de Cervantes" (the language of Cervantes). Cervantes' creation of complex characters, his innovative narrative techniques, and his deep exploration of themes such as reality versus illusion, have made "Don Quijote" a cornerstone of Western literature and a seminal work in the Spanish literature canon.

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

  There are many different expressions in Spanish that are extremely funny. One example that I really like is "no ni ná". This is a colloquial expression from Andalusia in southern Spain and it's used to express disagreement with a person you're talking to, but in a funny way in which no one could get angry. I love it!

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  First and foremost, this language is my native tongue, enabling me to communicate with my family and childhood friends. Furthermore, I'm grateful to have grown up learning this language, as it allows me to converse with a diverse global community, not limited to just those from Spain. It's always a delight to meet someone from a Spanish-speaking country; our ability to communicate fluently bridges the vast geographical distances between our nations.

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

  One significant challenge in mastering this language is the extensive variety of tenses. We must conjugate verbs in multiple forms. However, fortunately, there are several effective methods to simplify the learning process!

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

  I recall days when I studied merely out of obligation, not out of personal interest. Consequently, I focused on passing exams rather than truly absorbing the knowledge. Now, living in London, I recognise the importance of continuous learning and strive to improve my skills to speak nearly as fluently as a native speaker.

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

  Regarding my native language, travel has illuminated the linguistic variations among different Spanish-speaking countries. I've learned to appreciate the distinct vocabularies specific to Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and others, broadening my understanding of the language.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  My passion for languages keeps me constantly engaged to learn about them. This helps me understand how my students perceive Spanish, allowing me to devise various methods to clarify the same concepts. My primary aim is to provide high-quality lessons and explanations, and I dedicate significant effort to preparing my classes thoroughly. I believe my students have certainly noticed and appreciated this dedication.