Get to Know Me!
If you want to learn Spanish, your are on the right place! I am Natalia Salguero. I am a qualified and experienced Spanish teacher from Barcelona.
I have always loved travelling and meeting people from different countries and cultures. I am also interested in languages – both in language learning but also in the language acquisition process itself.
I believe there is a connection between the language we speak and the way we see and perceive the world. So the more languages you speak, the more different interpretations of the world you get! Language learning actually affects your brain – and I mean in a positive way! Mastering a foreign language gives you brain cognitive benefits, it is like exercising your brain!
I am currently in the process of learning Mandinka myself – a bit of a challenge as it is totally different from Spanish! what a brain work out!
But not too worry, I also have the time to help you with your Spanish. I want you to speak Español!
I have been there
There I was, 18 years old, enrolling in my English Studies BA at the UAB (Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona).
I thought it will be a piece of cake, I was good with languages, but this was no joke.
All the lectures were given in English, notes had to be taken in English, if you had something to say, you had to speak English, …it actually made sense but I was not expecting it for some reason.
My English level was not great, I studied a lot of grammar in High School but I could not really speak or understand the tutors, so I panicked a little bit. “what was I thinking? I don’t get it! How am I going to take notes even?”. I decided to do something about it and I went to London to improve my English- and have some fun in the process.
I came back from London a year, and a bit later with a good English level that allowed me to finish my degree, and look at me now! I am fluent and I can communicate effectively! I can even help Spanish speakers with their English.
You may wonder, “ok so, are you telling me I need to move to Spain for a while?”.
You could (and if you really want to you should), but there is no need to. There is another very effective way to learn Spanish. Why don’t you try my customized private online lessons? Save yourself the hassle!
Who is Natalia Salguero?
Let’s just say I am the girl you can see in the picture below on the right handsight,wearing a striped dress with flowers. The other girls are my two sisters.
- I was born in 1975 and I am from Barcelona. My husband is from Gambia and we have two daughters.
- In london I worked as a dogpair!Yes! I was looking after two dogs (Bounce and Bonny)!
- I lived in Edinburgh for three years - but I was not a dogpair at the time though!.
- I have a BA in English Studies but I also considered studying journalism.
- When I was a child I used to pretend I was a teacher to all my dolls and teddy bears. I also loved pretending I had my own radio show. I would record myself talking for hours sometimes in my own Spanglish dialect, and I would even interview guests (whose role I played of course!), I was even in charge of the ads, songs and so on. What a show!.
- Teaching has not always been my main job. I worked for an outsourcing company for over 11 years! I do miss the people I met and worked with, and I got to practise and use my English. Fortunately though, I got a lucky escape when I was made redundant! I will always be grateful as I was actually given the opportunity to become a digital entrepreneur!
- I am currently learning Mandinka, my husband's mother tongue. When I visited "The Gambia" for the first time I felt sad and frustrated as I could not speak the locals' language. I wanted to speak "to their hearts".
- My youngest daugher seems to have one of those, pretty common these days, learning disorders, so I am interested in alternative teaching methods, such as Montessori. I am not very fond of the traditional education system, which has not changed one bit since it was created and it is overcrowded especially in Spain. I am also against homework and exams- a good mark does not necessarily reflect your knowledge.
- I am also interested in alternative or natural medicine and nutrition. I feel traditional medicine only treats the symptons of the disease with legal drugs,but not the root cause. Traditional medicine should treat the body and mind as a whole. I am vegan and vegetarian curious, but I just love my meat (and fish and eggs! ) too much to give them up.. Besides, I am not too sure about having to take B12 supplements (if you are a vegan).
- I have never been sportive but I am aware exercising is key to have a healthy body and mind. I have recently discovered Elena Malova, and I am trying to get in shape with her videos. I totally recommend her to you if you dont know her! She is great!
¿Do you want to know more?
If you still want to know more about me, or if you have questions about my lessons and services, do get in touch! I will be very happy to hear from you!