Why Teaching Spanish while travelling fuels my passion!

My story, your Spanish teacher on the go!

The first time I taught Spanish in a tiny café in Boquete, Panamá, I felt it instantly: this is where language comes alive. There were no walls, no ticking clock, no neat rows of desks—just the clink of coffee cups, the scent of fresh pan dulce, and a group of curious minds eager to dive into a new language.

Outside, the streets buzzed with life. Inside, my students practiced ordering from the waitress, hesitating at first, then smiling when she understood them perfectly. That spark—the thrill and fulfillment of language in action—is what fuels my passion for teaching Spanish while travelling!

The Freedom of also Learning Without Walls

In a travelling Spanish classroom, besides the hours we spend in a more formal classroom setting,  the world itself becomes the lesson plan. One day we’re learning past tenses on a sunlit Caribbean beach in San Blas, Panama; the next, we’re chatting with vendors in a bustling market in Turrialba. There’s no bell to signal the end of learning—the city, the weather, the people around us set the pace.
It’s liberating. And because it doesn’t feel like “school,” students open up faster, absorb more, and forget to be afraid of making mistakes.

Language Learning in the Real World

Textbooks are fine as well, we will use them—but nothing beats ordering your own food in Spanish and hearing the waiter reply without switching to English.
We practice while buying bus tickets, asking for directions, or bargaining for fresh mangoes. Every conversation is a mini victory.
I’ll never forget one student who started the week shy and hesitant, and by Friday was confidently ordering for our entire group at a crowded restaurant. The pride on his face? Pure gold.

The Human Connection

Language isn’t just a tool—it’s a bridge. While we travel, locals share their traditions, jokes, and favorite places. Students share their own cultures in return.
I’ve seen strangers become friends, and temporary encounters turn into long-lasting bonds. Years later, some of my students still message their host families, sending photos, recipes, and holiday greetings.

Why I Keep Saying Yes

Yes, it’s unpredictable. Yes, it’s tiring to move from place to place, meeting new groups, adapting to different rhythms. But every new city is a fresh chapter. Every lesson is a chance to witness that moment when a student clicks with the language. And every connection—no matter how brief—reminds me that teaching Spanish this way is more than a job. It’s a shared adventure.

The Road Ahead

For me, a travelling Spanish classroom blends everything I love—language, culture, adventure and the freedom of the open road. It recharges me, challenges me, and lets me see the world through my students’ eyes.
And maybe that’s the real lesson: learning doesn’t just happen in a classroom. It happens wherever curiosity meets connection.