Tell us who you are, where you live, your nationality and how long you’ve been learning a language with us. 

I’m 25 and from the USA. I live in New York at the moment and I work in organic agriculture. I have been using Coffee Break Spanish since January.

Which language or languages are you learning with Coffee Break?

Spanish

What experience have you had speaking and learning other languages? 

I spent a year backpacking and volunteering on small farms throughout South America. I then went back to Ecuador last winter for three months and did a similar trip.

What are your favourite memories of learning a language?

At the beginning of my trip my Spanish was so poor that I was asking for soap in a store in a small town Colombia by demonstrating washing my armpits and saying ‘sopa, sopa’. By the end of my trip I was fully immersed in conversations at dinner and going out with local friends.

Where would your ideal coffee break be, and with whom? 

I want to speak Spanish and share maté with Lionel Messi in the locker room of the Camp Nou.

What’s the best language-learning tip you have found works for you? 

When I was travelling I would write diaries and have Spanish speakers correct them for me. Now that I’m back in my country I try to maintain a lot of Spanish WhatsApp conversations with friends and listen to Spanish podcasts and music.

Quick Fire Round

• Your favourite language: Spanish
• Your favourite word or phrase in the language: Chévere
•  Do you have a favourite film, TV show, book or singer in the language? 100 Years of Solitude
• Your favourite destination to practise your language: Colombia

Your final comments

Learning a language is fun because it is a lifetime process. Each day you can learn something new and get a little better.