Reviews · Reseñas
Real words from real students, parents, and the AVA Spanish community.
¡Hola! ¡Estás en las reseñas!
These are the words from my past and present students and parents. I'm Álvaro, born and raised in Salamanca (Spain). Spanish teacher for over seven years, ZUMBA® instructor for over six years, based in Sheffield (UK), and the person behind everything you'll find on AVA Spanish.
I share these reviews not because I have to, but because each one reminds me why I love what I do. Teaching isn't just a job for me, it's my career in life, it's how I help people fall in love with my language, and find confidence speaking it.
ZUMBA® is the same thing in a different form: community, connection, and joy, all through dancing together. It's the kind of fun that feels like a night out, except you wake up the next morning fitter, healthier, and ready for the day. Just enough muscle ache to remind you that you actually worked out.
Whether you're here researching a tutor for your child, looking for someone to help you finally speak Spanish, or curious about my ZUMBA® classes, thank you for reading. Every name below is someone who took the time to share their experience, and I'm grateful for every one of them. ¡Muchas gracias! 💜
- Álvaro (05/06/2026)
👨👩👧 Parents
What parents say about their child's experience learning Spanish with AVA Spanish.
Alvaro has been a fantastic source of support and guidance for Connie throughout her A level Spanish. As a parent I have seen Connie's confidence and speaking ability vastly improve, whilst the sessions she has completed with Alvaro remain interactive, fun and are specifically tailored to her learning needs. Thank you Alvaro!
🎓 A-Level & GCSE Students
Students preparing for GCSE and A-Level Spanish examinations, in their own words.
Alvaro is such a great teacher and has really helped me through GCSE Spanish and A-Level Spanish. He is so thorough, knows the course inside and out and always goes above and beyond to help. His website has been so useful in revising and using in between my lessons with him in addition to this. I couldn't recommend AVA Spanish enough!!!
💬 Adult Learners
Adults learning Spanish for travel, family, work, or simply because they love it.
Alvaro is amazing!!!! His classes are such fun and he always makes them relatable to one's day to day which makes it a lot easier to understand and to remember rules. I started off as a beginner and now I'm already able to hold a conversation. I travelled to Spain twice and was really impressed with how well I was able to communicate. I absolutely recommend Alvaro and in fact, I once told him I needed 'another' Alvaro to teach me French in the same way as Alvaro teaches me Spanish hahaha. Go learn with him and you won't be disappointed.
I have been learning Spanish with Álvaro for a few years now, I was a total beginner and I'm definitely getting results, love our classes. Also really enjoying the new conversation classes. Would definitely recommend!! 🥰🥰
💃 ZUMBA® Community
From University of Sheffield society members to local class regulars.
The best way to exercise and have fun! I've been joining Alvaro's Zumba sessions since he first started at the pavilion in Hillsborough Park and now at Courtside. His sessions are energetic, intense and every level is welcome. I definitely recommend it!
Alvaro is an incredible Zumba instructor at the University of Sheffield Zumba Society! His classes are suitable for everyone because he offers easier modifications, making them really inclusive and beginner-friendly, while still allowing advanced dancers to challenge themselves. His natural charisma brings so much energy to Zumba that it motivates me and helps me feel more confident. His classes have such a unique and special atmosphere that makes them feel exciting and memorable.
He brings top tier energy to Zumba sessions and I feel great after.
Absolutely love my Zumba classes with Alvaro. Highlight of my week every week. Always such a funny class with great songs and dances too!
Alvaro's Zumba Classes at the University of Sheffield are some of the best I have been to. He brings so much energy and laughter to the class while also making sure we get a good work out! He always offers adaptations to make it easier or harder so class is truly suitable for everyone. I would recommend Alvaro's class to anyone new to Zumba and to those who have been doing it for years.
Álvaro is the best Zumba teacher!! He teaches our uni of Sheffield Zumba classes and he brings so much energy to the class and always makes you want to go back next week. His dances are the best and so creative to make you feel the burn but also enjoy yourself and have fun. He leaves nobody out and ensures everyone has a great time!!
Amazing zumba teacher who is very good at what he does, while also keeping it fun and lighthearted. Classes are a hard workout, but enjoyable throughout. I became part of UoS Zumba where he teaches, and it was a very welcoming vibe where you just learn the dances while you do them (and it feels very beginner friendly as I'm still slowly improving 🙃). Really good song choices and each song has a completely unique routine to it. Would recommend to everyone, and more fun if you go with a friend imo 😁
I look forward to uni of sheff zumba society classes with Álvaro every week - he's hilarious, super enthusiastic, and a brilliant teacher!
How we work together
Teaching Spanish in the UK comes with a unique challenge: most of my students are native English speakers, and the truth is, Spanish grammar often makes more sense once we've taken a moment to understand how English grammar actually works.
For example when we're learning El Futuro Próximo (the near future), we start with the English structure ("subject + going + to + do something") before mapping it to its Spanish equivalent (ir + a + infinitive). It's not adding an extra step, it's removing the confusion that "just speak Spanish" methods often create. Students leave the lesson actually understanding the rule, not just memorising it.
Every learner is different, so every plan looks different:
🎓 GCSE & A-Level students
Structured lessons aligned to AQA or Edexcel specifications, covering grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading, writing, and speaking practice. Plus access to the free AVA Spanish learning platform between sessions for revision and extra practice.
💬 Adult learners
From complete beginner to confident speaker. Whatever your goal is: travel, a Spanish-speaking partner, work, or simply because you love the language. Lessons adapt to your pace and your priorities.
🗣️ Speaking-focused sessions
For more advanced learners who already have the grammar but want regular conversation practice with a native speaker. Build confidence through real conversation.
And alongside the lessons, you have access to the AVA Spanish platform, completely free. The Spanish Codex, gamified exercises, Léxico del Reino, Crónicas reading articles, essay corrections, achievements and lots more, all designed to keep you engaged between sessions.
A note on the Spanish you'll learn: I teach Castilian Spanish, the variant spoken in Spain (Salamanca, where I was born and grew up). Everything is taught in clear, accessible English whenever you need it. Nobody learns a language by being thrown in at the deep end.
Ready to start your Spanish journey?
Whether it's Spanish lessons, ZUMBA®, or exploring the free platform, there's a path that fits you.