Friendly, experienced and highly qualified Spanish teacher, with a BA Honours degree in spoken Spanish and a PGCE in Modern Foreign Language Education

Find out more about Katie

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

  My love of Spanish started at home. My mum speaks both Spanish and French, and growing up we would sing Spanish songs together, which sparked my interest in the language from a young age. That passion eventually led me to study Modern Languages at university, live in Madrid, and go on to teach Spanish professionally for over nine years.

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

  For me, Miguel de Cervantes perfectly represents Spanish culture. His work reflects Spain's history, humour and imagination, and Don Quixote remains one of the most influential novels ever written.

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

  I love the phrase "¡No pasa nada!" It literally means "nothing happens," but it's used to reassure people not to worry. I think it perfectly reflects the warm, positive outlook that I experienced while living in Spain.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Spanish has shaped both my personal and professional life. Living in Madrid allowed me to experience Spanish culture first-hand and develop real confidence in the language. It has given me lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences and a career that I genuinely love.

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

  Many learners worry about speaking because they're afraid of making mistakes. I always encourage students to speak from the very first lesson. Consistent practice, patience and regular conversation are far more important than trying to be perfect.

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

  One of my favourite memories is realising I could spend an entire day in Madrid speaking only Spanish—ordering food, asking for directions and chatting with local people. It was a huge confidence boost and reminded me why learning languages is so rewarding.

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

  Living in Madrid transformed my Spanish. It exposed me to authentic everyday conversations, different accents and cultural traditions that simply can't be learned in a classroom. It made me a much more confident speaker and a better teacher.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I combine over nine years of classroom experience with genuine real-life experience of living in Spain. Every lesson is personalised to suit my students' goals, whether that's passing exams, preparing for travel or simply gaining confidence in speaking Spanish.