A Few Words
About Me
I was born and grew up in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. I developed an early interest in language, history and music and gained a postgraduate master’s degree in humanities at St Andrew’s University, the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the UK after Oxford and Cambridge.
From personal experience I know how important it is to learn other languages. You never know where life is going to take you.
In my own case I took a TEFL course (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) before I had completed my university studies. My plan was to spend a year living in another country but I didn’t know which one. A series of coincidences brought me to the north of Spain with a very basic level of Spanish. I fell in love with the way of life in Spain and when I returned to Scotland I had two countries that felt like home.
I began working in my family’s wine business in Edinburgh but felt a different future was waiting for me. A vineyard visit took me briefly to Logroño and then a friend phoned me out of the blue on Twelfth Night with a job offer in Santander.
This was the beginning of a period of living between two countries that ended with my permanent residence in Spain.
My first job in Logroño was in a language school and then I set up on my own to teach at the University of La Rioja, work with companies and give private classes.
I had no idea that I would end up living in Spain until it happened. I learned to speak Spanish as an adult because my life circumstances required it and I learned mostly in real life rather than in a classroom. This experience has greatly influenced the way I teach English to others.
I strongly believe there is no “right” way to learn English. You have to find what works for you as an individual. I also know that it’s possible to reach a point where you are equally comfortable speaking in your own language and another one, not because you speak perfectly, but because you know you can deal with any situation.
In my free time I enjoy reading and writing. I have always had a passion for history and music and I like to meet new people and visit new places. Every year I go back to Scotland to attend various events at the Edinburgh Festival and to write articles and reviews for the comedy production companies Punchline and the Leith Comedy Festival.
English 
Spanish