The challenges of the Spanish as a Foreign language teacher training course

Instituto Hemingway’s Spanish as a Foreign Language teacher training course is designed so that participants with no teaching experience whatsoever complete the course with a well-rounded knowledge of teaching theories and a good idea of the practical reality of the classroom. However, experienced teachers frequently sign up for the course as well, in order to update their knowledge and methods.

The students of the teacher training classes always represent a wide spectrum of previous experience and training. We’ve had philologists trained in various languages, secretaries, history graduates, students with degrees in education, teaching, tourism, fine arts, business, law, various engineers of different fields, business owners, even decorators.

Of course, previous study in certain fields does offer advantages. Those trained in philology find it easy to teach grammar, whilst those with degrees in education or teaching pick up new teaching theories quickly. However, those without these types of studies are by no means incapable of benefiting from the course and becoming excellent teachers.

After some years teaching this course, I have noticed a number of interesting trends. The participants sometimes split into two groups: those who seem almost scared of grammar, and those who assume that it is be very easy because they already know the language. In reality, it is by no means easy to understand the rules and reasons behind Spanish grammar, nor how to teach it correctly. By the end of the course, the majority of students have a new-found respect for the grammar of their own language.

Generally, students begin the course thinking (erroneously) that out of all the topics that they will cover in class, grammar is the most important, even the only important one. Some of them also have the idea what anyone with an idea of Spanish grammar can teach Spanish to foreigners. By this, I mean that they think that they can etach well: knowing what you´re doing and why you´re doing it, etc.

Throughout the course, students are often surprised by how complex Spanish grammar is; how broad and how difficult the concept of the “subjunctive mood” is, for instance. They are pleasantly surprised by the communicative method, and the task by task focus. However, I myself am often surprised by quite how much it takes to break down preconceptions around teaching and language (the concept of errors, how and when to correct them, how to adapt oneself to the needs of the students…) It’s sometimes actually more difficult to break down existing ideas than to teach new ones.

We often have probles with “stage fright” when students come to do their teaching practices; problems with adapting to teaching lower levels, when it´s difficult to make yourself understood; and that´s not to mention grammatical uncertainties… But what always amazes me the most is the fantastic attitude often demonstrated by those students with the least experience, and how they always manage to have fun with their students. This should always be the key aim.



Diana Urgellés is the professor of the onsite Spanish teacher training course



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