Pedro Antonio Martín

Sharing your knowledge and experience with a student is one of the things I love most about being a teacher. Being able to witness the student’s progress and contribute something truly useful whether it’s helping them travel, find a job, or simply fulfill their desire to learn Spanish for fun or hobbie is incredibly rewarding. Each student is a new challenge that enriches me both as a teacher and as a person.

I started teaching Spanish to foreigners in 2005 or 2006; I don’t remember the exact year. What I do remember is that my first classes were at a small private language school.

The Spanish language is very appealing to many foreigners. Many have told me that they enjoy listening to Spanish, which is why they started learning it. In other words, many people begin simply as a hobby. However, it’s important to note that Spanish is a language that is increasingly present in the workplace and in communications, making it highly valuable for finding a job. Traveling and passing official DELE exams are also common reasons for learning Spanish.

That's a good question. I think there are languages much more complicated than Spanish. Honestly, based on my experience, many students learn Spanish effectively and fairly quickly, so I don't think they find it too difficult.

There is a difference in certain vocabulary and specific grammatical constructions. I believe that in many parts of Latin America, Spanish is spoken with a very melodic tone, and vocabulary is used with great precision. I would dare to say that someone from Cuba or Colombia, for example, uses a larger range of words than a Spaniard. These differences and contributions from so many diverse places enrich and strengthen this wonderful language we share.

It depends on each student, but many are drawn to music, so I work with songs in my classes. I have also found that, in many cases, there is an interest in gastronomy, so I’ve worked with cooking recipes in class as well. Painting, thanks to geniuses like Picasso, Velázquez, or Goya, is also of interest, and we use their works to "read" and interpret their most famous paintings.

The problem for a teacher often lies outside the classroom. Bureaucracy in institutions like a large university takes up a lot of time, and it is undoubtedly the aspect I like the least. In the teaching process, problems can always arise, but I see this as part of the learning experience, so personally, I don't view it as something negative. Facing these challenges and overcoming them adds even more value to the work done during lessons, whether in a classroom or online.

Ohh, now let's talk about the "perfect" student. For me, it’s the one with a curious character who shows interest in various topics. The student who asks questions, the one who always has a "Why?" I believe this is essential because asking "why" means the student has a desire to UNDERSTAND what they are studying, and in my opinion, this holds great value. Often, the key to knowledge lies more in understanding than in simply learning.

Some people say that grammar is the most difficult part, but I don’t believe that. Maybe the toughest part is enduring some of my jokes and humor!

Practice, then practice, and later practice some more. Thanks to technology, we have countless valuable materials at our disposal articles, videos, songs, etc. Students can also ask for help from a teacher; in my case, I’m always happy to be of assistance to anyone facing difficulties. Keep going, and think about the world that opens up once you know a language.