I see you: you are motivated, smart and brave. However, when it comes to learn / speak Spanish you feel embarrassed, stuck and frustrated.
Whether you need conversational lessons, improve your grammar skills, learn how to order in a restaurant ,a complete beginner or an advanced learner, you’re in the right place.
It doesn’t matter where you are in your Spanish journey , for how long have you been studying the language or how old are you. I am used to teaching kids,teens, adults and +50 are more than welcome in my class.
The ONLY thing that matters is that you want to be fluent in Spanish . I’m here and ready to help you to do that like the powerful, brave, and motivated student that you are.
¡Hola!
My name is Erica Cotonat and I’m obsessed with helping brave & busy students to become more fluent and confident Spanish speakers.
I’m a Spaniard
I have a perfectly neutral accent. I can teach the language AND the culture of my country: Spain.
I’m fully qualified
B.A in Journalism (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
B.A in Linguistics (Universitat de Barcelona)
M.D in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (Universidad de Alcalá de Henares)
Certificado de Aptitud Pedagógica (Spanish equivalent to PGCE) (University Autònoma de Barcelona)
Qualified Teachere Status (QTS)
I’m an experienced Spanish teacher
15 years working as a Spanish teacher
I’m specialist in teaching Spanish to native English speakers.
I’ve been teaching Spanish since 2006 and I LOVE to see my students improve their language skills, lose their fear of speaking, become active in conversations and finally make meaningful connections with native speakers
I offer high quality and 100% tailored online Spanish lessons.
If you are looking for a professional, patient and supportive private tutor I’m your Spanish teacher.
Before I go, I want to invite you to a free 30 min online lesson with me. We’ll meet each other, I’ll test your level, we’ll talk about your needs and goals and you’ll have a taste about who I am and how I teach.
Why did I start teaching Spanish?
It all started for me 15 years ago when I taught my first Spanish lesson during a volunteer program.
I was sitting in a tiny chair at a primary school helping a few kids from abroad learn Spanish and catch up.
They stared at me every time their tutor said something in Spanish they could not understand and at that point I discovered/realized how my native language could be a life jacket for others.
That day, my career changed -former journalist & linguist- and I decided to be a professional Spanish teacher.
It’s been a long journey, through a Master’s Degree in teaching Spanish, international & language schools, one-on-one tutoring, online lessons…figuring out day after day how to successfully make conversations possible in Spanish.
The Sipping Spanish story
In 2016, I decided to quit a stable,well-paying job to start my own business from scratch. It’s been hard, but I’m grateful for what I’ve learnt and the amazing people I’ve met along the way.
Some of you might not get what the “Sipping” in the “Sipping Spanish” entails. So, let me explain:
I grew up in a kitchen. Meaning, my parents own a restaurant and I basically lived my entire life surrounded by food and drink. In other words, I grew up studying/learning/doing homework/projects with food/smoothies/teas/juices constantly available to me.
Actually, right now as I type this, I have a cup of green tea with lemon to my right.
Sipping Spanish is about having this chill and warm atmosphere where you (either with my free lessons on Youtube / Instagram or having me as your private tutor) feel comfortable enough to speak Spanish (AKA learn). Sipping is also something you happen to do when something is too intense/hot/difficult enough to gulp. It must be taken sip by sip.
And this is exactly the way I see language learning. You can’t expect to become fluent in a week, no matter how many hours you study.
You need to regularly be sipping the language little by little, ENJOYING it and understanding that all things worth doing take time.
