Expert Spanish tuition from my home to yours
Spanish Scholars
Welcome to Spanish Scholars, where language learning is not just a lesson, but an enriching journey towards becoming a true "Spanish Scholar." Led by an expert tutor with a wealth of experience in online language instruction, Spanish Scholars stands out for its commitment to excellence, use of state-of-the-art online learning technologies, and a proven track record of success!
The teaching philosophy at Spanish Scholars is that anybody can learn Spanish, and that language learning does not have to be limited to memorising grammar tables and dull repetition. The breadth and width of knowledge and experience at Spanish tutoring means that any student at any academic level can start improving from the very first session in a way that truly suits their own style of learning.
Spanish Scholars is inclusive.
Spanish Scholars is adaptable.
Spanish Scholars is here for you!
The teaching philosophy at Spanish Scholars is that anybody can learn Spanish, and that language learning does not have to be limited to memorising grammar tables and dull repetition. The breadth and width of knowledge and experience at Spanish tutoring means that any student at any academic level can start improving from the very first session in a way that truly suits their own style of learning.
Spanish Scholars is inclusive.
Spanish Scholars is adaptable.
Spanish Scholars is here for you!
Your tutor:
Andrew F. Bradley, PhD
Andrew F. Bradley, PhD
¡Hola! I'm Andrew, your tutor here at Spanish Scholars. I am a highly experienced language teacher and researcher who specialises in online language learning.
My personal journey with Spanish started when I was young and my family moved to Calp (Alicante, Spain). Here, I went to the local school and picked up Spanish very quickly. Explore Calp yourself in the attached video - it's truly beautiful.
After finishing secondary school in Spain, I returned to the UK to pursue a degree in Classics, but my passion for Spanish was too tempting. As much as I found Latin and Ancient Greek interesting, my true calling was for Hispanic languages - which I studied for my MA and PhD.
Learning a new language and culture was, and has been, life-changing. It's part of my mission here at Spanish Scholars to help fellow learners find that same joy I had with learning and using a new language. It also helps that I am very good at what I do!
On a more personal level, I really enjoy spending time with my elderly dogs Minky and Bronko, perfumery, swimming, and going back to Spain as often as I can!
My personal journey with Spanish started when I was young and my family moved to Calp (Alicante, Spain). Here, I went to the local school and picked up Spanish very quickly. Explore Calp yourself in the attached video - it's truly beautiful.
After finishing secondary school in Spain, I returned to the UK to pursue a degree in Classics, but my passion for Spanish was too tempting. As much as I found Latin and Ancient Greek interesting, my true calling was for Hispanic languages - which I studied for my MA and PhD.
Learning a new language and culture was, and has been, life-changing. It's part of my mission here at Spanish Scholars to help fellow learners find that same joy I had with learning and using a new language. It also helps that I am very good at what I do!
On a more personal level, I really enjoy spending time with my elderly dogs Minky and Bronko, perfumery, swimming, and going back to Spain as often as I can!
Qualifications
PhD in Spanish Education
University of Sheffield (2021)
MA in Modern Languages (Hispanic)
University of Liverpool (2015)
BA (Hons) in Classics
University of Liverpool (2014)
Enchanced DBS check
Accredited Spanish Examiner (DELE)
I am an official DELE examiner at the B1 and B2 levels (CEFR). DELE Diplomas are official qualifications certifying levels of competence in and mastery of Spanish.
Advanced 180 Hour Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
March (2019) and accredited by Accreditat. Other relevant certificates include: Mindfulness for Young Learners and Teenagers and Teaching English Online: China and Beyond (Cambridge Assessment English).
PGCert in Online Teaching*
I am currently enrolled on a Postgraduate Certificate in Online Teaching course with the Open University to formalise my extensive experience with online language teaching. I am expected to finish in December 2024.
Other Teaching Experience (selected)
Testimonials
Prices
GCSE (1-to-1)
MOST POPULAR £ 140
/Month - Spanish tuition to conquer the Spanish (i)GCSE exam (AQA, OCR, Edexcel).
- Targeted and meticulous preparation for all parts of the paper with a focus on integrating all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
- Personalised and free access to learning materials in ClassIn.
- Exam revision, mock tests, mock marking, and feedback analysis for all parts of the exam.
- Full tutor support for the whole academic year.
A-Level (1-to-1)
£ 180
/Month - Spanish tuition to conquer the Spanish A-Level exam (AQA, Edexcel, OCR).
- Targeted and meticulous preparation for all three parts of the paper.
- In-depth revision and study of the social, cultural, political, and historical aspects of the exam as both solo and incorporated sessions.
- Personalised and free access to learning materials in ClassIn.
- Exam revision, mock tests, mock marking, and feedback analysis for all parts of the exam.
- Full tutor support for the whole academic year.
Advanced (university) tuition (1-to-1)
£ 200
/Month - Personalised tuition for advanced students of Spanish. This often includes essay writing (in English or Spanish) and especially oral exam practice and preparation.
DELE Exam Preparation (A1-B2) (1-to-1)
£ 140
/Month - Comprehensive study of all four assessed areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing at the targeted level.
- Tuition will include: reviewing grammar, resolving and practicing specific vocabulary and phrases, studying idiomatic expressions, weekly revision and homework tasks, as well as discussing exam-appropriate texts and illustrations.
- With the help of insider knowledge from a DELE examiner (me!), tuition will also include excellent test preparation through mocks, real exam recordings, and lots of targeted practice.
Group or seasonal sessions
£ 100
/Month - Group sessions run periodically throughout the year depending on demand and the condition of the waiting list. Also, Spanish Scholars offers seasonal and temporary courses typically in the run-up to exam season or to address important but stressful parts of the exam (usually speaking sections).
- These group sessions are charged at a very competitive £25 per session.
F.A.Q
Are you DBS Checked?
Yes! I have an Enhanced DBS check which is updated regularly. I also keep up-to-date with Safeguarding Training and best practice for online teaching.
All sessions with me are recorded, without exception, and easily (and only) accessed by parents or guardians and the tutor. They are not deleted until tuition has formally ended.
Spanish Scholars is GDPR compliant.
All sessions with me are recorded, without exception, and easily (and only) accessed by parents or guardians and the tutor. They are not deleted until tuition has formally ended.
Spanish Scholars is GDPR compliant.
Do you have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)?
I do not have QTS, though I am a qualified teacher. I currently have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate, as well as years of experience working in and with primary/secondary schools and universities.
Are native speakers better language teachers?
Not necessarily. Good teachers make good teachers - at least this is what researchers have found.
Native speakers may have certain advantages over non-native speakers, and vice versa, but it is a very popular language myth that native-speakers are always better language teachers.
That said, I would be classified as a "native speaker" of Spanish since I learned it as a child and at home, as well as at school while living in Spain.
Native speakers may have certain advantages over non-native speakers, and vice versa, but it is a very popular language myth that native-speakers are always better language teachers.
That said, I would be classified as a "native speaker" of Spanish since I learned it as a child and at home, as well as at school while living in Spain.
What Spanish classes do you offer?
In a word: everything.
My expertise is as deep as it is wide. I have had excellent success teaching very young absolute beginners (ab initio) to leading a Master's Degree course on language teaching for Spanish-speaking trainee teachers.
In this way, the Spanish language experience you can expect at Spanish Scholars is entirely customisable and tailored to your needs.
This includes highly specific and technical training, such as tuition to prepare for GCSE or A-Level exams (international/UK) or official Spanish language exams such as DELE.
Unlike many competitors, Spanish Scholars is uniquely qualified to offer advanced Spanish tuition for undergraduate and postgraduate students reading Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish/Catalan) or Linguistics.
My expertise is as deep as it is wide. I have had excellent success teaching very young absolute beginners (ab initio) to leading a Master's Degree course on language teaching for Spanish-speaking trainee teachers.
In this way, the Spanish language experience you can expect at Spanish Scholars is entirely customisable and tailored to your needs.
This includes highly specific and technical training, such as tuition to prepare for GCSE or A-Level exams (international/UK) or official Spanish language exams such as DELE.
Unlike many competitors, Spanish Scholars is uniquely qualified to offer advanced Spanish tuition for undergraduate and postgraduate students reading Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish/Catalan) or Linguistics.
When is the best time to start (GCSE) Spanish tuition?
The simple answer for language learning and ease of mind is: the sooner the better.
Language learning relies on activating and reactivating prior knowledge. This can't be crammed or mastered in a few weeks. Take, for example, the Spanish GCSE exam.
Year 11 students will generally only have 35 sessions before they sit their GCSE exam if they start tutoring at the beginning of the academic year, while those starting tuition at the start of Year 10 will have around 75. That's a huge difference!
Language learning relies on activating and reactivating prior knowledge. This can't be crammed or mastered in a few weeks. Take, for example, the Spanish GCSE exam.
Year 11 students will generally only have 35 sessions before they sit their GCSE exam if they start tutoring at the beginning of the academic year, while those starting tuition at the start of Year 10 will have around 75. That's a huge difference!
How is payment taken?
Since Spanish Scholars is an online tuition service and does not offer face-to-face sessions, payment is always collected online and digitally.
I use Stripe to process payments. This can be arranged in multiple ways (invoices, subscriptions, one-off payments, etc) according to your preference. Traditional methods such as a direct bank transfer or setting up a Direct Debit is also an option.
Payment can be taken weekly or monthly. For larger payments up-front or tuition packages, I will apply a discount of 10% or 15%.
I use Stripe to process payments. This can be arranged in multiple ways (invoices, subscriptions, one-off payments, etc) according to your preference. Traditional methods such as a direct bank transfer or setting up a Direct Debit is also an option.
Payment can be taken weekly or monthly. For larger payments up-front or tuition packages, I will apply a discount of 10% or 15%.
What is the cancellation policy?
Unlike many of my competitors, Spanish Scholars offers a highly flexible approach to rescheduling booked lessons.
Language learning is a fluid and non-linear process, and this should carry onto the tuition schedule itself. It must fit around the daily lives of the learners and, sometimes, it is simply not possible to attend a session. In these cases, Spanish Scholars will offer an alternative time or to simply postpone the tuition to the next week.
Please note that there is a limit to how often a booked class can be postponed. Pre-purchased packages of multiple sessions will have an expiration date.
Emergency leave will also be granted for emergencies, of course.
Language learning is a fluid and non-linear process, and this should carry onto the tuition schedule itself. It must fit around the daily lives of the learners and, sometimes, it is simply not possible to attend a session. In these cases, Spanish Scholars will offer an alternative time or to simply postpone the tuition to the next week.
Please note that there is a limit to how often a booked class can be postponed. Pre-purchased packages of multiple sessions will have an expiration date.
Emergency leave will also be granted for emergencies, of course.
What is your availability?
Due to incredibly high demand, open slots are typically filled within moments as Spanish Scholars also has an active waiting list for certain hours or times. Please check the Book a Class page for more up-to-date information on my current schedule and offered slots.
Typically, I am available for tuition throughout the year except:
- Ten days in December for Christmas and New Year
- Five days in February for Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
- Seven to ten days during the summer (variable)
At present, I am accepting new clients for the UK evening hours (5-9pm).
Typically, I am available for tuition throughout the year except:
- Ten days in December for Christmas and New Year
- Five days in February for Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
- Seven to ten days during the summer (variable)
At present, I am accepting new clients for the UK evening hours (5-9pm).
Can you guarantee a certain grade or proficiency level?
Even though I have had great success and have not yet had a student fail a milestone exam, unfortunately I cannot guarantee a pass or specific grade outcome.
Every student is unique and has a different relationship with language (learning). Standardised tests only benefit some types of learners, at the expense of others who can really struggle with them.
It is my role as a tutor to identify these strengths and weaknesses and come up with the best learning plan for the most realistic outcome.
Tutors who offer "guaranteed passes" are not being honest with their learners.
Every student is unique and has a different relationship with language (learning). Standardised tests only benefit some types of learners, at the expense of others who can really struggle with them.
It is my role as a tutor to identify these strengths and weaknesses and come up with the best learning plan for the most realistic outcome.
Tutors who offer "guaranteed passes" are not being honest with their learners.
Why do you tutor and not lecture at a university?
I am still an academic, but I have chosen to not work within the academy. The UK Higher Education sector is in an interesting position right now. Many Modern Language departments are being closed due to lack of funding and/or support from upper management, and lecturers have little freedom in who, how, and what they teach.
As a tutor, I get to create my own academic experience without the extra hassle. As a tutor, I have the freedom and flexibility to teach more (varied) students.
That said, I do actively publish and present scholarship in my field of expertise - and I frequently collaborate with univerities for non-permanent teaching positions. For example, I am currently teaching on an MA course offered by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.
As a tutor, I get to create my own academic experience without the extra hassle. As a tutor, I have the freedom and flexibility to teach more (varied) students.
That said, I do actively publish and present scholarship in my field of expertise - and I frequently collaborate with univerities for non-permanent teaching positions. For example, I am currently teaching on an MA course offered by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.
Which learning platform do you use?
In my experience Google Meet, Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, and other basic platforms are not optimal for online language learning. A great platform should function as a virtual classroom, and unfortunately these apps fall short in one area or another.
In all of my years of online teaching, I have found that ClassIn is the best teaching app for language learning speficially. I have used it for almost three years now in my Spanish and ESL tuition sessions.
It's an "all-in-one" learning environment which supports multi-interactive teaching with a huge variety of interactive tools, such as an in-class and out-of-class chatroom, a customisable whiteboard, a dedicated homework area, the class schedule, previous class recordings, and a section with all the class resources and materials.
If you are curious about this app, check out this short introduction from the company.
In all of my years of online teaching, I have found that ClassIn is the best teaching app for language learning speficially. I have used it for almost three years now in my Spanish and ESL tuition sessions.
It's an "all-in-one" learning environment which supports multi-interactive teaching with a huge variety of interactive tools, such as an in-class and out-of-class chatroom, a customisable whiteboard, a dedicated homework area, the class schedule, previous class recordings, and a section with all the class resources and materials.
If you are curious about this app, check out this short introduction from the company.
Book a class
If you're interested in having me as your Spanish tutor, please contact me directly with any questions and especially which time you would like to have tuition. At present, I am currently accepting students for the evening UK hours (5-9pm) on weekdays.
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