I am a Cuban-American who immigrated to the US as a very young girl in the early 1960's. Spanish is my first language so I am fluent in both Spanish and English. I spoke Spanish at home, for my parents insisted that I not forget my native tongue. I have been translating Spanish from a very young age since my parents did not know English. I am a High School graduate from St. Agnes Academy where I studied Spanish for native speakers under a marvelous Cuban Spanish teacher. She taught me to love the language, to use it, and to never forget it. In my years of teaching Spanish, I find myself using her techniques as my own tools to teach Spanish. I have a BS in Medical Technology from Houston Baptist University. This was my career for the first part of my life. After that, I taught Spanish I and II to Middle School Students for 13 years at a private school until 2011. I like to teach both in Spanish and in English to ensure that the student understands and does not get "lost". I emphasize the teaching of grammar, pronunciation, translation, and conversation. Being able to read and write in a foreign language is as important as speaking it. I spend a small amount of time teaching a lesson and a large amount of time applying that lesson in communication. I have some experience teaching ADHD students. My 8th grade students enter (High School) 9th grade with one Spanish credit for Spanish I so they can skip this course and continue with Spanish II. (Some schools require an entrance exam). Most of the High Schools in the area where I taught, knew that my students were ready for Spanish II. In addition to being a Spanish Teacher, I also tutored students after school and held Summer Programs for those students that needed a boost. I started the Spanish Program at my school and wrote all the curriculum and lesson plans for the subject. I have also written my own Spanish book and used it very successfully with the Middle School students. Let me know if I can help you be successful in learning Spanish.
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