Penny
23 May 2018
I Teach Spanish! ... Isidro Martínez García
Isidro is one of El Patio's most sought after and revered teachers. Having been with us for almost 10 years, he's earnt the respect and admiration of hundreds - perhaps thousands - of students. In this article we dive into what makes Isidro tick - his strategies, his inspiration and the challenges he faces as a teacher. You'll also get lots of advice and even some practical exercises!
Mural de Rivera en Ciudad de México
Why did you study to become a Spanish teacher?
Ever since I was a child, I dreamt of becoming a teacher and I’ve always enjoyed learning languages, so this profession combines two of my greatest passions: language and teaching. Also, because I love sharing cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world and helping others in their process of learning.
When did you begin teaching Spanish?
I started in 2009 here in Australia. I was lucky to join the team at El Patio soon after my arrival and, since 2012, I’ve also been teaching at the University of Melbourne.
What do you like about teaching Spanish in Australia?
I find it fascinating that there are so many people interested in Spanish and the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. Additionally, in each group there is a wide variety of people in terms of professions and motivations for learning Spanish, which makes the classes interesting and dynamic. I also like the enthusiasm and interest with which the students participate in class. In intermediate and advanced levels, I love it when my students share personal stories involving complex issues. It gives me great satisfaction to witness their progress!
¿Por qué estudiaste para ser profesor de español?
Desde que era niño soñaba con ser profesor y siempre me ha gustado aprender idiomas, así es que esta profesión combina dos de mis más grandes pasiones: la lengua y la enseñanza. También porque me encanta compartir los aspectos culturales del mundo hispano y ayudar a otros en su proceso de aprendizaje.
¿Cuándo empezaste a enseñar español y dónde?
Comencé en 2009 aquí en Australia. Tuve la fortuna de incorporarme a El Patio poco tiempo después de llegar y desde 2012 también enseño en la Universidad de Melbourne.
¿Qué aspecto te gusta de la enseñanza del español en Australia?
Me fascina que haya tanta gente interesada en el idioma español y en la cultura de Hispanoamérica y de España. Por otro lado, en cada grupo hay personas tan diversas en cuanto a sus profesiones y motivaciones para aprender español. Esto hace que las clases sean interesantes y dinámicas. También me gusta el entusiasmo e interés con que los estudiantes participan en clase. En niveles intermedios y avanzados, me encanta cuando mis alumnos comparten historias personales que involucran temas complejos. ¡Es una gran satisfacción ser testigo de su progreso!
Ruinas de Edzná en Campeche
What is the most challenging aspect of teaching in Australia?
As a teacher, it can be difficult to explain certain grammatical concepts at the basic levels because, first of all, most students don’t have much prior knowledge of grammar and, secondly, for almost all of them it’s their first experience of learning a second language. For some students, it can be difficult to master certain topics such as the use of pronouns, past tenses or the subjunctive mood. However, I’m convinced that none of the topics are really that difficult. The important point is that they are presented in a clear and understandable way, at the right time and in a manner that is meaningful for the students.
Do you have any suggestions for how students can better prepare for each class?
I always tell my students, especially in their first class, that this will be an adventure of discovery. Exactly what they’ll discover will be how they can better learn as well as which learning strategies will be useful for them. I think this is very important given that the process of learning is both personal, because each of us is different, and at the same time, social. Therefore, participating as much as possible in class and helping their classmates to learn would be another of my suggestions.
Some of my students prepare for each class by learning the vocabulary and grammar that will be covered in the upcoming class. Obviously, this is not necessary, but it’s a very useful technique.
Also, I think students should always give feedback to their teachers. What do they like about the class? What do they not like? What would work better? What more do they need? In this way they would be helping the teacher to prepare better.
¿Y cuál es el aspecto más difícil de enseñar español en Australia?
Como profesor, puede ser difícil explicar ciertos conceptos gramaticales en los niveles básicos porque, en primer lugar, la mayoría de los estudiantes no tiene un gran conocimiento previo de gramática y, en segundo lugar, porque para casi todos es su primera experiencia en aprender un segundo idioma. Para algunos alumnos puede ser difícil dominar ciertos temas como el uso de los pronombres, de los tiempos del pasado o del subjuntivo; sin embargo, estoy convencido de que ningún tema es extremadamente difícil. La clave está en que sean presentados de la manera más didáctica posible, en el momento adecuado y de una forma que sea significativa para los estudiantes.
¿Puedes aconsejar a los estudiantes sobre cómo se pueden preparar mejor para las clases?
Siempre les digo a mis estudiantes, sobre todo en su primera clase, que esta será una aventura de descubrimiento y, precisamente lo que descubrirán será cómo aprenden mejor y qué estrategias de aprendizaje les son útiles. Creo que esto es muy importante pues el proceso de aprendizaje es, por un lado, algo personal porque cada uno de nosotros es diferente, y por otro lado, algo social. Por lo tanto, participar todo lo que se pueda en clase y ayudar a sus compañeros a aprender serían otros de mis consejos.
Algunos de mis alumnos se preparan para cada clase revisando el vocabulario y la gramática que se cubrirá en la siguiente clase. Claro, esto no es necesario, pero es una estrategia muy útil.
También, me parece que los estudiantes deberían dar siempre retroalimentación a sus profesores. ¿Qué les gusta de la clase? ¿Qué no les gusta? ¿Qué funcionaría mejor? ¿Qué necesitan más? Así también estarían ayudando a que el profesor se preparara mejor
Mis helados favoritos en Tepoztlán
Bebiendo un mojito en El Patio
What do you think is the best method for memorisation?
Well, I can only talk about the method that works for me because everybody’s learning experience is unique. When I’m learning other languages, what helps me is looking at the book, taking notes and seeing images and videos. It is also important for me to see the words, put them in groups and write them in different colours. Other students could benefit from reading aloud, speaking to themselves in Spanish and listening to the audio tracks from the book, as well as to podcasts, songs and the news. For others, it helps them to imagine themselves in a communicative situation, reinforcing that with gestures and movements. Overall, the important thing is to explore new ways of learning until the student discovers the one that works best for them.
What teaching methods do you like to bring to the classroom?
For me, it’s very important to make the most of all the opportunities that we have in class to create relevant communicative situations. When I present a text, a song or a video, I help students to understand grammar and then, I organise communicative activities as, in my opinion, the ultimate goal of learning another language is communication. That’s the reason why, in my classes, there’s always time to work individually, but frequently I also organise activities for the whole group or with different partners.
Sometimes I think that being a language teacher is like being a politician (an honest and honourable one, of course) – you have to keep everyone happy! That’s why I try to maintain a balance between reading, writing, grammar, speaking, listening and reflecting on the process of learning.
¿Cuál te parece el mejor método de memorización?
Bueno, yo solo puedo hablar del método que a mí me funciona porque cada experiencia de aprendizaje es única. Cuando aprendo otros idiomas a mí me funciona mirar el libro, tomar notas, ver imágenes y vídeos. También es muy importante para mí ver las palabras, agruparlas y escribirlas en diferentes colores. A otros estudiantes podría ayudarles mucho leer en voz alta, hablarse en español y escuchar las grabaciones del libro, podcasts, canciones y noticias. Para otros va bien imaginarse a sí mismos en una situación comunicativa y apoyarse de gestos y movimientos. En fin, lo importante es explorar nuevas vías para aprender hasta que se encuentre la que sea mejor para cada uno.
¿Qué métodos utilizas más frecuentemente en las clases de español?
Para mí, es muy importante aprovechar todas las oportunidades que se tengan en clase para crear situaciones comunicativas relevantes. Cuando presento un texto, una canción o un vídeo; ayudo a los alumnos a entender la gramática y después organizo prácticas formales y comunicativas ya que, en mi opinión, el objetivo final de aprender un segundo idioma es la comunicación. Es por eso que en mis clases hay tiempo para trabajar individualmente, pero en varias ocasiones organizo actividades en grupo o con parejas diferentes.
A veces pienso que ser profesor de idiomas es como ser político (uno honrado y honorable, por supuesto): hay que mantener a todos contentos. Por eso intento mantener un balance en clase entre la lectura, la escritura, la gramática, la práctica oral, la comprensión auditiva y la reflexión sobre el aprendizaje.
Is there a common question that students ask about learning Spanish? What is your answer?
A lot of students ask me if they will speak Spanish fluently one day. My answer is definitely yes! It’s probably not something that can be achieved in the short-term, but with persistence everything is possible. The adventure that I mentioned earlier can last for a whole lifetime!
¿Hay alguna pregunta común de los estudiantes sobre el aprendizaje del español? ¿Y tu respuesta?
Muchos estudiantes me preguntan si algún día lograrán hablar español con fluidez. Mi respuesta es, definitivamente, que sí. Probablemente no sea algo que pueda alcanzarse a corto plazo, pero con constancia todo es posible.¡La aventura que mencioné anteriormente puede durar toda la vida!
Isidro shares some of his favourite exercises with us!
Below are two examples of the wonderful original content that Isidro brings to his classes.
The first, a song exercise for beginners (between 15-45 hours study) which helps students with some irregular present tense verbs.
The second is an exercise for Intermediate students (between 45-120 hours study) which clarifies the use and position of pronouns.
Song Exercise - Julieta Venegas - Limon Y Sal (Video)
Download and print Isidro's song exercise material here.
The Inheritance - Pronoun exercise (Direct Object [OD] + Indirect Object [OI])
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