Exceptional Teaching Begins with Exceptional Teachers

Elisabeth Bulbena

Co-Founder

Elisabeth is a qualified Spanish teacher, a qualified Modern Languages teacher and a qualified Teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) with more than 21 years of teaching experience.

Throughout her career, she has taught Spanish, Catalan and English in three different countries, working with children, teenagers and adults from a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

She has extensive experience preparing students for Spanish GCSE, A-Level Spanish and DELE (A1–C2) examinations, helping many achieve outstanding results. Many of her students continue their Spanish studies beyond school, developing not only excellent examination results but also the confidence to communicate naturally in Spanish.

Alongside her work as a Spanish teacher, Elisabeth is a certified ADHD Coach, Autism Coach and a specialist in High Learning Potential (Gifted Education). She is a member of the research team on High Learning Potential at the Institute for Education of the University of Barcelona and has completed specialist training in gifted education, pedagogy, neurodiversity and inclusive education.

Elisabeth also has a strong background in music education as the founder and director of Beethoven Music School in London. Her experience in both music and language education has strengthened her understanding of listening, communication and how students learn most effectively.

She has extensive experience teaching children, teenagers and adults with ADHD, Autism, High Learning Potential (Gifted Education), Dyslexia, Williams syndrome and other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Elisabeth is fluent in Catalan, Spanish, English and Italian, and has an intermediate level of French and German.

As a multilingual educator, Elisabeth understands first-hand the language-learning journey. She knows both the challenges and the excitement of learning a foreign language and enjoys helping students develop confidence through meaningful communication rather than memorisation.

As well as being an experienced teacher, Elisabeth is also the mother of multilingual children. Watching them acquire several languages from an early age has further strengthened her understanding of how children learn languages naturally and reinforced her belief in the importance of listening, communication and meaningful interaction.

Elisabeth also has extensive experience supporting home-educated learners and private candidates. As a home-educating parent herself, she understands the opportunities and challenges of personalised education and enjoys working closely with families to help students achieve their academic and personal goals. She is also happy to offer general guidance on the process of entering students for official qualifications such as GCSE and A-Level Spanish as private candidates.

• ADHD Coach
• Autism Coach
• High Learning Potential
• SEND
• Music education
• Bilingual children

Joan Giralt

Co-Founder

Joan is a qualified Spanish teacher, a qualified Modern Languages teacher, a qualified Teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE), a historian and an experienced Secondary School Spanish Teacher currently teaching GCSE Spanish in the United Kingdom.

With a professional background in both History and Modern Languages, he has more than 18 years of teaching experience, including teaching in schools in Spain, working as a Modern Foreign Languages teacher in France for seven years and teaching in the United Kingdom.

Joan has extensive experience preparing students for Spanish GCSE, A-Level Spanish and DELE (A1–C2) examinations, helping learners achieve excellent results while developing genuine confidence in speaking Spanish.

He is fluent in Catalan, Spanish, English and French, and has an intermediate level of German.

Having learned several foreign languages himself, Joan understands first-hand both the challenges and the rewards of language learning. His own multilingual journey enables him to guide students with practical learning strategies, empathy and encouragement, helping them become confident communicators.

His background in History enriches his teaching, helping students understand not only the language itself but also the history, culture and traditions of the Spanish-speaking world.

Joan also has extensive experience teaching home-educated learners and preparing private candidates for GCSE and A-Level Spanish. As a home-educating parent, he values personalised learning and enjoys supporting students on their individual educational journeys.

• Spanish GCSE
• A-Level Spanish
• DELE A1–C2
• History
• Home education
• Private candidates

Rosa Vela

Spanish Teacher · Teacher Trainer

Rosa is a qualified Spanish teacher with more than 40 years of teaching experience in secondary education.

Throughout her distinguished career, she has held a number of educational leadership roles, including Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher, and has worked for the Department of Education of the Generalitat de Catalunya, combining classroom teaching with educational leadership, curriculum development and teacher training.

As a teacher educator, Rosa Maria has trained and mentored teachers throughout her career, sharing her extensive knowledge and experience with fellow education professionals. She has coordinated teacher training in High Learning Potential (Gifted Education) through the Institute for Education (ICE) of the University of Barcelona, helping teachers develop more inclusive and effective teaching practices.

She has extensive expertise in High Learning Potential (Gifted Education) and inclusive education and has been a member of the High Learning Potential Commission of the Catalan Department of Education, contributing to the development of educational practice and support for highly able learners.

Rosa Maria is also a certified coach, supporting and guiding families as they navigate their children’s educational journeys. She works closely with parents, helping them better understand their children’s strengths, learning needs and potential while providing practical guidance, reassurance and encouragement.

As a qualified Spanish teacher, Rosa Maria has dedicated her career to helping students of all ages develop confidence in communication, a love of learning and a deep appreciation of the Spanish language and its rich cultural heritage.

Her teaching is characterised by patience, warmth and high academic standards. She believes that every learner has unique strengths and that successful teaching begins with understanding each student’s individual needs, interests and aspirations.

Rosa Maria is proud to bring her wealth of educational experience to The Spanish Academy, where she continues to inspire learners through personalised, engaging and encouraging Spanish lessons.

• Headteacher
• Teacher trainer
• Gifted Education
• Inclusive education
• Family coaching