You have already spent enough time studying Spanish without knowing what to do next. I help you turn what you already know into Spanish you can actually use.

Find out more about Diana

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

  I am Mexican and a native Spanish speaker, so Spanish has always been part of who I am. But being a native speaker is not, by itself, what makes me passionate about teaching Spanish. What drives me is being able to share the language, the culture, and all the things that make Spanish come alive beyond the textbook.

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

  Don Quijote de la Mancha is probably the most iconic fictional character in the Spanish-speaking world. Centuries later, his story, his uniqueness, and even just his silhouette are still instantly recognisable.
  
  For Mexico and Latin America, I would choose Frida Kahlo. She transformed her own identity, pain, creativity, and Mexican heritage into something recognised around the world. Her work is a powerful reminder of how much culture can be expressed without saying a word.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition, or behaviour in the language that you particularly like? “Mi casa es su casa.”

  I love that such a simple phrase says so much about Hispanic culture. It is not just an invitation into someone's home; it expresses warmth, generosity, and the idea that making someone feel welcome is part of who we are.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Spanish is not just my mother tongue. It is the thread connecting every chapter of my life.
  
  I grew up in Mexico City and later lived, studied, and taught Spanish and Hispanic culture in South Africa and the UK. Moving between cultures made me realise that language is never just vocabulary and grammar. It carries identity, history, humour, personality, and a sense of belonging.
  
  Spanish has allowed me to connect with people across three continents, and it has given me the ability to share a part of myself wherever I go. That is exactly what I want for my students. I want them to move from “I know Spanish, but I’m afraid to speak” to actually using the language to connect with people.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language, and what can help students with the learning process?

  I have asked this question to my students many times, and the answer I hear most often is surprisingly simple: confidence.
  
  English speakers often struggle with expressions that do not translate directly between English and Spanish.
  
  Students who already speak Portuguese or Italian face a different challenge: Spanish can look so familiar that it is easy to assume you know more than you actually do, which can lead to confusion between similar words and structures.
  
  But regardless of their background, many students reach the same barrier: they are afraid of making mistakes.
  
  That is where I think a good teacher makes the biggest difference. My lessons are a place where students can make mistakes without feeling embarrassed, experiment with the language, and keep speaking. Because you cannot become fluent by waiting until you are perfect. You become fluent by speaking, making mistakes, and speaking again.

• 6) Could you share an anecdote related to your language learning or your student days?

  Absolutely. I actually went through a process very similar to what many of my students experience today.
  
  When I was learning English, I immersed myself completely. My music, films, podcasts, friends, and everyday media were all in English. I even took intensive lessons on the weekends.
  
  I still remember the moment when something changed: I stopped simply managing in English and started being able to express my personality. I could make jokes, explain complicated ideas, and have conversations that actually sounded like me.
  
  That experience stayed with me. I know what it feels like to go from translating in your head to genuinely living through another language, and I try to help my students reach that moment too.

• 7) How has travel or a specific experience helped you to increase your understanding and appreciation of the language?

  Leaving Mexico for the first time made me appreciate Mexico more deeply.
  
  When you are surrounded by your own culture, many things feel completely normal: the expressions you use, the way you greet people, the humour, the food, the way you tell stories. It was only after living abroad that I started noticing how much culture is hidden inside everyday language.
  
  Living in different countries made me look at my own language from the outside for the first time. It deepened both my understanding of Spanish and my appreciation for where it comes from.
  
  8) What makes you a Superprof?
  I don't believe in teaching the same lesson to everyone.
  
  I plan carefully, listen closely to what each student actually needs, and build my lessons around their goals, personality, level, and interests. I teach students of different ages and backgrounds, so I am constantly adapting the way I explain, practise, and present the language.
  
  But more importantly, I want my students to use Spanish, not just study it.
  
  My goal is for a student to leave a lesson thinking, “I actually spoke Spanish today.” To me, that is what makes a great teacher, and what makes me a Superprof.