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El Patio Spanish

Spanish Language School

See if you can spot Mónica - in Palenque, Mexico

Interview with Mónica

Why did you study to become a teacher of Spanish?

I decided to become a Spanish teacher because I have always loved languages. I especially like their ability to transmit culture and the way they give you access to other people's ideas. I wanted to have the opportunity to share valuable aspects of the Spanish-speaking world with people who were interested about it.

When did you begin teaching Spanish?

I began formally teaching Spanish in 2009 when I was granted a scholarship to go to England as a Spanish Language Assistant.

How did you start in Australia?

I moved to Australia in 2011 when I got married to my husband, who is an Australian. I was very fortunate to find a job at El Patio only a couple of months after arriving in Melbourne. I have also worked on some occasional projects as a translator and as an English teacher.

What is a loveable aspect of teaching Spanish in Australia?

My favorite part of being a Spanish teacher in Melbourne is that I get to meet many interesting and nice people! The students at El Patio always have very interesting things to say and they teach me a lot about Australian society, culture and politics. I also love how Australians don't mind having a laugh and spicing up the class with jokes. Many people are also happy to share their personal lives in the class, and develop good friendships with me and others. Some of the students have become my friends out of the classroom as well.

What is the most challenging aspect of teaching Australians?

The most challenging aspect of teaching Australians is that as English speakers they can struggle sometimes with some Spanish grammar concepts which do not exist in English. Some of the Spanish grammar can get pretty abstract at times! However, with enough practice and patience even the hardest structures eventually start getting produced automatically.

Do you have any suggestions for how students can better prepare for each class?

I believe the best way to prepare for the class is to have a relaxed and open attitude. A more specific suggestion would be to get into what I like to call 'Spanish mode' before the lesson: read a short text in Spanish, listen to some bits of news in Spanish, or even speak to yourself in Spanish! You could also just quickly peek over the pages from the previous or current lesson so you can warm-up before the class.

What do you think the best method for memorisation is?

In my own experience as a foreign language learner, the best way to learn new words is to write them down in a list, so every time you add a new word you get a chance to review the previous ones. The best is to try to start using them straight away, you can try to include them in your next conversation or as part of your homework if you have to write a text. If you can't find an opportunity to include them in a natural way you can write down a phrase or imagine a short dialogue including the word or words you would like to memorise.

What teaching methods do you like to bring to the classroom?

I like using a more communicative approach as I know how rewarding it is to be able to use the language you're learning in a realistic and practical way so I always try to include a natural conversation or exchange at some point in the class. I do not mind exploring grammar when it is necessary.

Is there a common question that students ask about the acquisition of Spanish? And your answer?

Students often ask me about ways to improve their listening comprehension as it is commonly a hard ability to master when you're not living in a Spanish-speaking country. I would generally suggest trying to watch bits of films in Spanish with Spanish subtitles. Sometimes it is hard to recognise even words you know very well if they're said too fast; subtitles can help you understand the intonation and rhythm of Spanish.

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