Native Spanish Online Tutor – DELE Examiner (All Levels) & GCSE Prep | 20+ Years of Teaching Experience

Learn more about Anabel

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

  Spanish is my mother tongue, and German is my adopted language. 😊

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

  It would be very difficult to choose just one! Our culture is made up of a little piece of each and every one of them.

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

  There are many, but to wink at my students, the phrase that they say best defines us is "Genio y figura hasta la sepultura" (Genius and figure until the grave). 😊
  The first expression I learned in German was "Übung macht den Meister" (Practice makes the master), which is pretty spot on, right?

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

  Spanish is an essential part of who I am, my identity, and my history. It allows me to connect with my people, my friends, and millions of others around the world. Additionally, being one of the most spoken languages and widely used on the internet, speaking Spanish opens many doors both personally and professionally.
  
  German, on the other hand, is the language I have adopted over time and that has profoundly shaped my life. Living in Germany has given me the opportunity to fully integrate into a rich culture and enjoy its literature, cinema, music, and history. Moreover, it is a fundamental language in Europe, especially in academic and professional fields, which has expanded my personal and career opportunities. For me, speaking German is a way to connect not only with Germany but also with many other cultures that share this language.

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

  In my opinion, the main difficulty for Spanish learners is the use of the subjunctive mood, more so than the use of "ser" and "estar," "por" and "para," or accentuation, for example. Over the years, I've encountered many students with a high level of Spanish in all areas (grammar, vocabulary, fluency, diction, etc.), but they still make mistakes with the subjunctive.
  
  As for German learners, once the fears of pronunciation and declensions are overcome, the biggest challenge is the gender of nouns. Similarly, I've encountered advanced students who, despite speaking fluently and with mastery of the language, still make mistakes with noun gender.

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

  Oh, there are so many… The most recent one was on my birthday. An American student gathered a group of Spaniards in Miami to sing "Happy Birthday" to me. It was the best gift!

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

  Without a doubt, it was my first trip to Germany. I went for three months and ended up staying! 😊 Immersing myself in their culture and fully integrating as one of them allowed me to learn the language in an easy and natural way.
  Now, as a teacher, I love sharing that same enthusiasm and helping my students learn German in a fun and engaging way-even through online learning.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  The best ones to answer this question are my students, but for those of you who don't know me yet, I'll just say that I love my profession, and I will be there to support and help you with anything you need.