How did you get involved with Cronopios Idiomas?
Back then, they were about to start a project and they needed a teacher of Chinese for Spanish children, so that’s how we became acquainted. After the first meeting, I learned that they were about to start a cooperative school where the teachers involved would also be associates in the business, and I thought that it was a brilliant idea. I wanted to take part in it.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job?
Teaching is very fulfilling for me—I love teaching. It’s true that teachers have to work a lot preparing for class, but also while you teach, you learn. Both teaching and checking my students’ progress, and learning something everyday, are two of the most satisfying aspects of my job. Also, managing your own business is very challenging but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Working with my current B2 group
How should students prepare for a trip to Madrid?
Obviously, this depends on the student and the amount of time they are planning to stay in Madrid. However, I believe the best way to get ready is to keep an open mind about the people and places you are going to meet. Madrid, as many capitals around the world, can sometimes be a harsh place for its citizens. But we Madrilenians always say that our city is like a huge village: it’s very easy to start a conversation and make new friends, and people are always willing to help each other. So just be patient, keep an open mind, and let yourself enjoy the Spanish way of thinking.
Who would be the most successful type of Cronopios Idiomas student?
Probably the one who enjoys their stay as much as possible. We truly believe that if the student is comfortable and happy, and willing to learn, half of the work is done. The one coming to class and paying attention to the teacher and the rest of the students, joining the after-school activities and doing some homework (although that depends on the teacher, if they are lucky there won’t be any!), is going to be more successful than the one that pays not-so-much attention to their learning process.
How does your organization help students adjust to life in Spain?
From first contact until their last day of school, and in some cases even after that as well, we are there to help them as much as they need. Every Monday we prepare a welcoming appetizer for the new ones. We help them find the best place to live in Madrid. Most of us have lived abroad so we understand how difficult (and exciting) it is to be in another country. We also help with the process of getting the public transport card, we advise them about the best places to have lunch, dinner, and to party. I’ve personally written directions for the ones visiting my home town, which is a very touristic place. Whenever someone has been sick while at school, we’ve taken care of them—we’ve even got into a cab with them to get them home or go with them to the nearest doctor to translate.
What makes Cronopios Idiomas unique to other language-learning programs?
Our involvement! Most of the teachers I’ve met in my life love their jobs and are very involved in everything they do. But when you are managing your own business, the involvement is more intense. We don’t report to any boss, but we report to ourselves and our workmates, and this makes you very responsible for your work.
How have you seen students benefit from their lessons and/or time in Madrid?
I’ve seen many students become different people once they’ve spent a few months in Madrid. Shy and insecure students at first, they grow into social and lively people with a tight social schedule. Both students from Asia and northern Europe tend to smile more and more often. I always remember one of our first long-term students from Korea, telling us at the end of his stay in Madrid that he will be carrying Madrid and Spanish people in his heart because here he had known love.
Why should future students be excited to learn with Cronopios Idiomas?
Because they are going to have a lot of fun in class (yes, we have a lot of fun during classes—hearing people’s roaring laughter inside a classroom is quite frequent in the school); because they are going to meet many friends from all around the world; because they are meeting Pedro, our students admission staff and he´s the best. And because they’re going to learn and speak Spanish in no time!