The people behind your lessons
Meet experienced online Spanish teachers offering thoughtful, conversation-first lessons shaped around each learner's goals, pace, and real life.
Your learning team
Head of Academic Development
Plans and develops academic immersive programs that support students in their learning journey. She is always exploring new strategies and materials to help students learn more effectively. The activities she creates also allow her to reflect, grow, and continually improve as an educator.
Head of Curriculum
Specializes in designing conversation-based lessons that adapt to each student's needs. His warm, encouraging approach helps learners relax, speak freely, and develop a natural, intuitive understanding of Spanish.
Our story
Spondylus Languages began as a way to keep a family safe and supported, then grew into a learning community connected by personal recommendations and meaningful Spanish practice.
The beginning · July 2020
Spondylus Languages was born in July 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. My husband, Javier, and I were searching for an alternative that would allow us to support our small family when Ecuador and much of the world had shut down because of COVID-19. It was a difficult time for families like ours that depended on stable work, and the outlook felt uncertain.
I remembered that I had taught before and decided that sharing Spanish could be an excellent option. It could provide income while allowing us to remain safely together with our children. We chose the name Spondylus because the shell is one of the most representative symbols of Ecuador and reflects the cultural roots we want to share through every lesson.
The first student
The first challenge was finding a student in a world filled with uncertainty. Friends from Idaho trusted me and invited me to teach their son Joseph again. I had taught Joseph Spanish when Joseph was a baby, and Joseph was now eight years old.
With no special resources, I began teaching Joseph from my phone at no cost. Within a month, Joseph's parents were delighted to hear Joseph speaking Spanish and decided to begin paying for the lessons.
Growing through trust
Little by little, families recommended our lessons to relatives, friends, and acquaintances. We learned that every recommendation did more than build credibility. Each recommendation opened a new opportunity because another family had placed trust in our teaching.
As the community grew, we created our own study materials for immersive, conversation-based learning. The materials help students hold conversations without depending on a script, building confidence and comfort across different situations.
There is never a class where somebody can say, “Today I didn’t learn anything new.”
Learning beyond the classroom
In class, we love when students begin conversations about personal interests, everyday life, or the cultures of our countries. Every conversation creates new vocabulary and another reason to use Spanish naturally.
We have also been fortunate to visit places in Quito with students, where Spanish continues through real situations such as speaking with local people, shopping, and placing orders. Those experiences became beautiful memories and inspired us to introduce guided Spanish experiences as part of the learning process.
During each experience, students practice from the first moment, work through fear in a supportive setting, and receive help with unfamiliar words and expressions.
Contact Spondylus Languages
Ask about lessons, learning goals, schedules, class materials, or immersive experiences. The team will review the message and reply by email.
spondylus.languages@gmail.com