Hola, Nice to meet you. My name is Milena and I am from Colombia. I love to teach Spanish and it is a real passion of mine, if you would like to learn Spanish please send me a message.

Find out more about Milena

• Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  Yes, I grew up speaking Spanish because I am from Colombia. Spanish has always been part of my identity, but moving to Australia in 2022 gave me a new perspective on the importance of languages. Living abroad inspired me to improve my English and also to share my native language with others.

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

  For me, Gabriel García Márquez, the Colombian Nobel Prize winner in Literature, is a strong representative of the Spanish language and culture. His novels show the richness, magic, and beauty of our way of expressing life through Spanish.

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

  One of my favorite expressions in Spanish is “¡Qué chévere!” which means “How cool!” in English. It shows the friendly and warm side of Latin culture.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking Spanish matters to me because it connects me with my roots, my family, and my culture. At the same time, teaching Spanish allows me to help others experience the richness of the language and understand how it feels to express themselves in a different way.

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

  The main difficulty for English speakers learning Spanish is often the grammar, especially verb conjugations and gender. What really helps is practicing with native speakers and learning in a natural and fun way instead of only following boring rules.

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

  When I first arrived in Australia, I wanted to order food in English, but I couldn’t find the right words. It was very frustrating not being able to say something simple. That experience made me more patient with my students, because I know exactly how it feels when you want to say something but you can’t.

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

  Living in Melbourne has been the most important trip of my life. Being surrounded by English every day forced me to practice in real situations, like studying, working, and making friends. It has taught me that the best way to improve is by living the language, not just studying it.