Native Spanish teacher with qualified experience in Spain, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Bachelor’s Degree in Education, ELE and TESOL. Interactive, fun and adapted. ONLY ONLINE CLASSES

Find out more about Berta

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

  I am a Spanish native, also I was travelling a lot, it gives me a wide understanding of accents and Spanish variants.

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

  The land where I was born in Spain is famous for being the inspiration for Miguel de Cervantes, the writer of the book "Don Quijote de la Mancha", Castilla - La Mancha, cradle of literary writers.

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

  If I had to highlight some typical words would be: "ser majo" ("to be very very friendly") "¿qué pasa tío/tía?" ("how's it going?").
  Related to funny expressions I can say:
  "Ser más pesado que una vaca en brazos", the literal meaning is "be heavier than a cow in arms", the real meaning is someone who is annoying or difficult to tolerate.
  "Pillar un pelotazo" ("Get very drunk").

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  I love languages and to improve the communication between people, is the key to individual and social progress.
  We can create a better future with more tools of understanding, and the most effective is language.

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

  When you are reading in Spanish it is easy, because every word has its own sound, never changes, each word is read as it is written.
  The difficulties here come with the variety of verbal tenses we have or the different ways to say a word, so patience, attitude and practice are important.

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

  Very funny the day I was telling a story to my friends in English and instead of "bird", I was pronouncing "bear". I was explaining that a bird attacked a friend because in Brisbane (Australia) birds can be aggressive and you have to be careful where you eat a sandwich, etc... and their faces were, OMG. I remember one of my friends asked me if she is alive after this attack and of course I answer very secure "Of course, come on, it is only a bear."

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

  Traveling directly to the country where the language is spoken, speaking with natives, full immersion. During my trips I have met very varied people from many countries, I can't say a specific trip, all of them have contributed a lot to me, not only in terms of learning a language but also in getting to know a culture directly. The reality is that you live, directly, on live, not the one what the media tells you.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I was training in languages, first Education, at the University and later with specific courses such as TESOL and ELE, that is the base to teach a language, you can speak a language but it doesn't mean you are a teacher of this language. Also being native and to know the culture, expressions, habits, ways to speak according to the part of the country, jokes we do, double meanings, and proper pronunciation of the language.
  I hold a University Master Degree in International Business and Logistics, I can prepare Spanish for business too, at the same time in my current job as a Team Leader I can train social abilities, how to pass and interview in Spanish, etc.
  I feel very comfortable knowing new people, I am used to dealing and working in a team where everyone is unique, and here, every student is unique with their own motivations. You need to know first "why" they want to learn and later adapt that teaching to that specific student.
  Because we are training to teach a language but also we are training so that students understand the context, the ways of life, the businesses, trends, in resume to learn in a practical, productive and, above all, relaxed and entertaining way. Teaching knowing their needs and how to deal with a language and its customs.