Learn Spanish with a native Castilian speaker. In Sheffield or online
From GCSE and A-Level prep to adult learners. Online and in-person tuition with a tutor who will make Spanish click.
Who I teach
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 full access to the free AVA Spanish learning platform for revision between sessions.
💬 Adult learners
From complete beginner to confident speaker. Whatever your goal; 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.
How I teach
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.
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.
What's included with every booking
1-on-1 personalised lessons
Tailored to your level and goals, not a generic curriculum
Online or in-person
Zoom from anywhere, or in-person in Sheffield area
Free Quest Portal access
Gamified exercises, vocabulary, reading, essays and more
Curriculum materials
AQA & Edexcel-aligned resources for GCSE/A-Level students
Between-lesson support
Email or message me with questions any time
Enhanced DBS certified
Safeguarding peace of mind for parents
Pricing
Transparent rates. More hours per week = better value per hour.
Single Hour
1 hour per week
Online lessons
Perfect for trying things out
Regular Learner
2 hours per week
£32/hour effective
Save £6 vs single hours
Committed Learner
3 hours per week
£30/hour effective
Save £15 vs single hours
Intensive Block
4 hours per week
£28/hour effective
For serious learners and exam prep
In-person lessons (Sheffield area only): add £10/hour to cover travel.
Need something different? Larger intensive blocks or specific arrangements are possible, just ask in the consultation form below.
Group classes & language exchange in Sheffield
Prefer a group setting? Join one of my in-person sessions at Courtside, Hillsborough Park.
📅 Weekly Spanish class · Mondays
An ongoing in-person group class building grammar and speaking practice week by week. We've been growing since September 2025, but you can join at any point. A good basic level is ideal, and if you're completely new I'll get you up to speed with everything we've covered so far, plus full access to the AVA Spanish platform to practise between sessions.
The Courtside timetable runs by term, so this link shows all current class sessions. Just look for Spanish class (Mon 8–9pm) and pick the date you'd like.
🗣️ Language Exchange · Spanish ↔ English
A relaxed monthly meet-up for anyone learning Spanish or English. Two hours of real conversation practice across both languages, and if everyone on the day is learning Spanish, we simply spend the time in Spanish. All welcome, whatever your level.
Look for Language Exchange Spanish ↔ English on the timetable. It helps (though it isn't required) to email me beforehand at alvaro@avaspanish.com with your level and which language you're learning.
What students and parents say
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!
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.
Book a free consultation
Tell me a little about you and what you're looking for. I'll be in touch within 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely. A significant number of my adult students started from zero. We begin with the absolute basics, pronunciation, essential vocabulary, simple phrases... and build up steadily. You don't need any prior Spanish knowledge.
Castilian Spanish (the variant I teach) is spoken in Spain, it has slightly different pronunciation (notably the /th/ sound for c/z), some vocabulary differences, and uses "vosotros" for "you all" in informal contexts. Latin American Spanish uses "ustedes" instead and has its own regional variations.
For learners: the differences are smaller than people think. If you learn Castilian, you'll understand and be understood across all Spanish-speaking countries. Many students who want to travel in Latin America still choose Castilian because it's considered the "clearest" variant for learners.
Online lessons are held via Zoom, free to download on any computer or phone, no account needed on your side. I share materials on screen during the lesson, and we use Google Docs for written practice. Lessons feel close to in-person once you've done one or two.
Yes, I teach both AQA and Edexcel specifications. Lessons can cover any combination of exam preparation, coursework support, speaking practice for oral exams, listening comprehension, written assessments, and revision. I keep up to date with the current specification requirements so what we work on is directly relevant to the exam.
If you give at least 24 hours notice, we can reschedule a lesson without issue. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are generally non-refundable (because the slot can't usually be re-filled). If I need to cancel for any reason on my end, you receive a full refund or a free replacement lesson.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation call (book using the form above) where we discuss your goals, current level, and what you're hoping to get out of lessons. This is a no-pressure conversation, we figure out together whether we're a good fit before any booking happens. If you'd prefer a paid trial lesson instead of a chat, that's an option too.
Weekly Monday Night Spanish Group Class at Courtside at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
Monthly Saturday Evening Spanish-English Language Exchange at Courtside at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
Weekly Monday Night Spanish Group Class at Courtside at Hillsborough Park, Sheffield