Fully Qualified Spanish Teacher & External Examiner with a solid academic background, including a Masters of Arts in Applied Linguistics, a BA of Arts in English, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and QTS. With solid skills and 20+ years of teaching experience in languages (English, Spanish and French).
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Availability For Our Mid-IB Summer Tuition Is Limited!
Get ahead in IBDP final year during the summer with IB ++tutors Mid-IB Summer Revision Course.
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Maria L.
Country: Spain, Alhaurin De La Torre
Tutor Bio
I completed a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics to teach Spanish as a Foreign Language. I am a native Spanish speaker and fluent in English (C2 level). I am a graduate of English Language (B.A.), and I have a working knowledge and a good command of French. I have a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as confirmed by the Department of Education (DfE) in the United Kingdom. I have a lot of experience teaching languages to both children and adults. I have been a Spanish tutor in the Fluency Corps company and currently work as an internal moderator for the International Baccalaureate, developing my work as a teacher remotely. I have experience teaching Spanish and English in both primary and secondary in a British international school (700 on a roll) in Spain that follows the U.K. National Curriculum. I have prepared students for public examinations, such as IGCSE and A level, with excellent results. In class, I do not just teach the language because I believe that teaching a language also involves knowing the traditions and culture of the people that speak this language. For this reason, my teaching is eclectic and involves the students in their learning process through various activities outside the traditional classroom. I have an open and dynamic personality. Tutor Introduction
Teaching Experience
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2019-Present @ International Baccalaureate Organization
Examiner & Moderator for IBDP Spanish
Besides being an Examiner, I also tutor IBDP Spanish Language A & B at both levels SL & HL.
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2019-Present @ Time4London
English Teacher
Exam Preparation for Cambridge Exams.
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2018 @ Fluency Corps, USA
Online Private Spanish Teacher
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2018 @ Campus III, Málaga, Spain
English and French Teacher
English teacher for Cambridge Exams. English and French teacher for a mixed group of students.
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2014-2015 @ Laude San Pedro International College, Málaga, Spain
Supply Teacher
Classroom teacher in Early Years, Foundation, KS1 & KS2. French teacher for KS2 & KS3 ESL Teacher for KS2. Drama Teacher for KS2. Spanish Teacher in Foundation & KS2 Teacher of Lengua. Española y Conocimiento del Medio KS2 ESO Teacher.
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2010-2013 @ Laude San Pedro International College, Málaga, Spain
MFL Teacher
Teacher of Spanish as Foreign Language from KS2 to 6th Form. Teacher of English as a Foreign Language for Spanish students. Extremely proactive Form Tutor together with pastoral care. English teacher for KS3 Prepared students for examinations. (IGCSE & A Level) Cambridge official examiner/ Exam Invigilator.
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2009 @ Colegio Internacional Torrequebrada, Málaga, Spain
Secretary & PA
I Performed Spanish and English translations.
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2002-2008 @ Rafael de Dios, S.L, Málaga, Spain
General Manager & PA
Performed product presentations at international and national fairs. Recognized for outstanding customer service levels. Personal attention to customers and dealers. Organized and managed all the work generated in the office.
Education
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University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
Masters of Arts in Applied Linguistics
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Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Málaga, Spain
Bachelor of Arts in English
Teaching Skills
Extended Essay (EE)
Individual Oral (IO)
Spanish Language A Language and Literature HL
Spanish Language A Language and Literature SL
Spanish Language A Literature HL
Spanish Language A Literature SL
Spanish Language ab Intio SL
Spanish Language B HL
Spanish Language B SL
Spanish Self Taught Language
Tutor Teaching Style
I include a range of activities such as role plays, drama, and projects that help students develop their true potential in my classes. Also, I create exercises that often occur in everyday life in the classroom so that students naturally learn languages.
Usually, I like to talk to my students about their likes and hobbies to get to know them better. And something significant to me: helping them achieve the best academic results. To do this, I adapt my classes to their needs. I want them to feel comfortable. I can quickly adapt my teaching to the level of the students, and I create my material to suit the needs of each group. I love working with students from different cultures and nationalities. As a teacher, I firmly believe that it is essential to teach mutual respect and promote tolerance and diversity so that our students will be highly placed individuals in the future.
In the beginning, we start doing all the activities together. Little by little, they begin to fly alone because I encourage them to think for themselves and make mistakes. If a student makes a mistake, it is because s/he is trying. If they feel pressured to do everything perfectly and quickly, they will not move forward and will not have enough confidence in themselves. So, they begin to trust their learning process and work independently.
I always use positive reinforcement, and I usually compare other things they do daily that are much more difficult than learning a new language.
Review that concept differently until we find the most appropriate for the student.
Sometimes, before reading, I watch a video about the topic with the students so that they have an idea of what they will read, which is beneficial. In this way, their reading comprehension improves considerably, based on my own experience.
Empathy, communication, and the desire to help them achieve their goals.
Looking for activities they like to do in the language we are learning.
I ask for feedback, and also through practice and exercises.
Trust is built little by little. When they realize that they can begin to understand and express themselves in the new language, security and confidence are born by themselves.
Usually, I evaluate it by asking them directly what they need. And on other occasions, through a questionnaire. Although and due to my experience during the classes and as a teacher, I can see what they need to study and reinforce.
For this purpose, I pay special attention to their level, the course they are studying, and if they need to pass any kind of official exam.
PPT, worksheets, PDF, videos, and interactive games
Tutor Quote
Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine- Lord Byron