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My Story: From Learning Alone to the Power of Stories
When I arrived in the United States, I faced a huge challenge: I didn’t speak English. Learning the language wasn’t just an option—it was a necessity. But I had no guide, no teacher, no support group. I was completely alone and had to learn the hardest way possible.
Like many people, I was told the key was to “immerse” myself in the language. So, I made a radical decision: I distanced myself from my Mexican friends and anyone who spoke Spanish to me. I thought that by surrounding myself only with English, I’d learn faster. But without realizing it, I was depriving myself of one of the most powerful tools for learning a language: reading and connecting with others.
Not knowing a better method, I focused intensely on grammar and vocabulary. I spent hours studying rules, conjugations, and word lists. It was frustrating because I understood the theory, but when I tried to speak, the words wouldn’t come out naturally. I struggled to understand people when they spoke fast, and I constantly felt out of place. I’d look around and see people communicating effortlessly, while I had to carefully build each sentence in my head before saying it.
But I didn’t give up. Little by little, I made progress. And the day I was finally able to communicate with my family in English, I felt an indescribable happiness. Being able to talk to my nieces and nephews and understand their stories, chat with my in-laws, ask my daughters’ teachers about their progress at school, go to a store and ask questions without fear, travel without depending on others—it completely changed my life.
Language gave me freedom. Because I learned English, I could make incredible friends, work, grow, and achieve what once seemed impossible: becoming a Chicago police officer just like my husband. That accomplishment proved to me that when you truly commit to something, you can achieve it. Here is a picture of me at graduation day!
How the Spanish Reading Club Was Born
Years later, when we moved to Texas, my path took an unexpected turn. I was offered the chance to teach Spanish at a high school—something I’d never done before. I was scared to accept because I didn’t see myself as a teacher, but I decided to try. That first year changed everything. I taught at the high school for four years and discovered something that completely transformed the way I saw teaching: stories have the power to engage and make learning natural.
One day, I brought a story to class and started telling it, switching between English and Spanish. I saw something in my students’ eyes I’d never seen before—interest, excitement, a genuine desire to know what happened next. That was the moment I realized learning a language didn’t have to be difficult or lonely. There was a more effective, more human, and more enjoyable way to do it.
After four years of teaching in the classroom, I took my passion online, and for the past three years, I’ve been helping students learn Spanish through stories. That’s how the Spanish Reading Club was born in November 2024—What?! Yes, last year! A space designed to help you improve your Spanish without feeling overwhelmed.
Here, you’re not alone. Since last year, we’ve built a community where we learn through stories that captivate you, help you acquire vocabulary naturally, and let you understand grammar without memorizing complicated rules.
More Than a Reading Club: A Learning Community
But the club isn’t just about reading. We also have conversation classes, where the real magic happens. Here, you don’t just practice speaking—you also connect with people who, like you, are on this journey. The community is incredible: we support each other, we motivate each other, and we create an environment where making mistakes isn’t something to be afraid of—it’s part of the process.
Each conversation session is an opportunity to loosen up, gain confidence, and feel more comfortable speaking Spanish in real-life situations. There’s no better way to learn than doing it in a group, with support, and without pressure.
If you’ve ever felt that learning a language is difficult or lonely, I want you to know that you don’t have to go through this alone. In the Spanish Reading Club, you will learn effectively, with stories that engage you and a community that lifts you up.
I invite you to join us and experience the power of learning Spanish in a natural and fun way!
Are you ready to take your Spanish to the next level?
You don’t have to do it alone. In the Spanish Reading Club, you’ll have the support of a community that learns together through captivating stories, engaging conversations, and guided practice—all in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.
Join us and experience the power of reading, speaking, and connecting in Spanish. You’ll be amazed at how much you can understand, communicate, and truly feel part of the language.