Hello everyone! My name is Karina. I have been a Spanish and English teacher in Bogotá for over eight years. I enjoy teaching a wide range of students from children, adults to older individuals with varying levels of familiarity with Spanish. Each student offers a new opportunity to further develop my teaching skills, which is very rewarding for me.

I adapt my lessons to each of my students’ needs, interests and learning styles.I have had the opportunity to work with people from many countries around the world and with people with different professions such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses and Foreign Service Officers from several diplomatic missions in Bogotá. I like to share my language and culture in my classes and make students enjoy their learning process. Each student is a great experience and an adventure in the Spanish teaching world.

I graduated from the most academically recognized university in Colombia: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, with a Bachelor's Degree in English Philology and Languages and I have just graduated from a MA program in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from Funiber. Teaching is my life! I invite you to live this great learning adventure in my classes!

I have been a Spanish teacher for over eight years. I have been in charge of the Spanish Language Program to Foreign Students in Universidad Pedagógica Nacional for the last two years. Among my teaching skills with this University I can highlight:

-Design, write and implement Spanish curriculum for exchange students with A1, A2, B1 and B2 levels (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Develop highly effective lesson plans, including workbook activities and multimedia resources. Utilize collaborative learning strategies. Design, lead and carry out field trips and inter cultural activities with students. Represent the University at conferences for Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) professors.

-Teach English at the Extension Courses Program to teenagers between 14 and 18 years old. Teach dynamic classes to advanced level students. Test students according to University guidelines and academic calendar. Promote autonomous learning initiatives from the University through internet tools like Edmodo. Upload students’ progress records and grades to the University platform and website.

I have also been a language teacher at the United States Embassy in Bogotá. Among my accomplishments with this experience I can highlight:

-Spanish and English Teacher of American Diplomats, US Military personnel and Colombian employees of the Mission. Create and implement Spanish and English curriculum for basic, intermediate and advanced levels. Employ a variety of current, innovative teaching strategies to motivate, inspire, and encourage language-challenged learners. Design units to maximize available technology and resources. Provide one- on-one assistance and instruction. Record student progress and track attendance. Document students’ performance and progress in detailed reports.

I conduct my classes with the communicative approach based on the idea that learning language successfully comes through having to communicate real meaning. When my students are involved in real communication, their natural strategies for language acquisition will be used, and this will allow them to learn to use the language.

I try to guide the activities in my classes by helping students to meaningful and real communication at all levels. I also like to introduce content based lessons (CLIL approach).