Maria Lafuente
the founder and manager of our school. She was born in Barcelona (Spain) and has lived in Bristol since 2007. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and holds an MA in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, a PCSE and a BA (Hons) in History. Maria has been teaching Spanish since 2008 in a wide range of learning environments, from the University of Bristol, the University of Exeter and UWE, to several language schools and international companies. She has also taught a great variety of private students and has helped students prepare for their GCSE, A Level and DELE exams. She has been a Spanish GCSE and A Level examiner at 3A Tutors Ltd, an independent exam centre in Bristol, since 2011. She has also worked as a DELE examiner at the University of Exeter (2016).
At Spanish Courses Bristol Maria manages the school, coordinates courses ensuring their content and materials are of high standard and is responsible for course enrollments. She also ensures that private students are matched with the best Spanish tutor to suit their needs. She will be very happy to answer any of your queries about the school.
Lydia Fernández
Lydia was born in Madrid but raised in Asturias and holds qualifications in Primary Teaching Education and a MA in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language. Her dedication to sharing her native language has been evident since her arrival in Bristol in 2012. Over the years, she has gained significant experience teaching Spanish in diverse contexts, from providing PPA cover in schools to tutoring at the University of Bristol, instructing at language schools, and offering private lessons. Lydia’s teaching philosophy focuses on creating dynamic and welcoming classes that cater to individual needs and learning styles through interactive materials and a focus on real-world communication, incorporating cultural elements and prioritizing confident speaking.
Esther Blanco
Esther was born in Santander, a small city in the North of Spain. She holds a BA in Modern Languages and BA in Primary Education. She worked as a Spanish Language Teaching Assistant in a secondary school for 6 years, during which she taught Spanish to A-Level students and helped GCSE students prepare for their exams. Esther has also extensive experience teaching adult group courses and private lessons, at all levels, for all ages and both face-to-face and online. Esther loves teaching and she prepares her lessons using different materials and resources, focusing on her students’ needs and interests. Esther has also helped students prepare for their DELE exams.
Clarissa Rojas
Clarissa was born in Mexico and holds a degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Psychopedagogy, and formal training as a Spanish teacher for foreign learners. She has worked as a Spanish teacher for several years, teaching students of all ages and levels both in-person and online. Her experience includes working with children, teenagers, and adults in private lessons, group classes, and school environments. Clarissa is passionate about language, learning, and human development. She designs her lessons using a variety of interactive materials and always adapts her approach to meet the individual needs, goals, and interests of her students. She has also supported students in preparing for official Spanish exams such as DELE. Clarissa’s warm and joyful personality makes her classes dynamic, welcoming, and full of positive energy. Her background in psychology and psychopedagogy enriches her teaching style, which is empathetic, engaging, and deeply student-centered, creating a space where learning feels safe and meaningful.
Carolina Suils
Carolina is from Madrid, where she studied Business Administration Degree. She also lived in Barcelona for 6 years, where she worked in hotels and studied a Masters Degree in Meetings and Events Organization. She has lived in Bristol since 2012 and always felt passionate about languages and the opportunities they can bring to your life. Carolina is a holds a qualification in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language by ELE International School and 5 years experience teaching groups and individual students of different levels, online and face to face. She has also helped students to prepare for their GSCE exams. Carolina likes using her own experience learning a new language to help her students learn and also focuses on her students’ goals and interests to create a dynamic atmosphere in the class allowing them to enjoy their course more.