I write Easy-to-Read books
that beginners can really read!
About me
I am a Venezuelan author dedicated to creating easy-to-read Spanish literature for beginning language learners. Based in Australia, I teach Spanish and French using comprehension-based methods, specializing in supporting struggling readers and those with reading difficulties.
My work
My books feature engaging narratives with heartwarming messages, focusing on themes of identity, resilience, environmental conservation, cultural heritage, and social challenges. Each story is designed to inspire hope and confidence, making language learning both accessible and enjoyable.
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Arts with Honors
- Master of Research in Spanish Language and Literature
- Master in Applied Linguistics
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Modern Languages
I am accredited to teach languages in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia.
My Mission
With extensive experience as a teacher, teacher trainer, and researcher in education, I develop educational materials that address the needs of diverse learners.
Comprehension-Based Teaching
In 2013, I shifted from teaching languages in immersion and CLIL to using comprehension-based methods, including TPRS and story-listening. Story-listening, a method I’ve been using since 2016, has become one of my preferred teaching approaches due to its effectiveness in promoting sustained vocabulary growth, enhancing motivation, and making reading more accessible. In addition, I am able to present on a wide range of topics, including the development of extended reading programs, teaching with comprehensible novels, second language reading instruction, working with students with reading difficulties, and creating comprehensible resources for beginning readers. My efforts to promote these methods have led me to speak regularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Reading Specialist
As a mother of four trilingual children, my passion for reading and education grew from teaching them to read in a multilingual household. This personal experience sparked my interest in the broader challenges of reading, including special needs. I have supported learners with reading disabilities in special needs units, applying my skills to enhance their access to reading. Recognizing that many learners, both in my immediate environment and around the world, struggle to understand what they read and need texts adapted to their needs, I adapted the Easy-to-Read and Plain Language standards for language learners. I am committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their individual challenges, have access to reading materials tailored to their needs.
Accessible Language Learning Literature
Reading plays an indispensable role in the acquisition of a second language. However, there are very few texts that are easily accessible to beginners, especially those who know only a few words. I specialize in writing stories that convey a lot in just a few words and that beginning language learners can really read. As a native speaker, I write in a language that sounds authentic and natural, but I also work with professionals such as editors and proofreaders who review my books for cross-cultural sensitivity to ensure the best version is published. In my books, vocabulary is sheltered and introduced gradually to aid comprehension without overwhelming the reader. My books are beautifully illustrated by professional artists and adhere to a quality chart for language learning literature.
My mother, Dr. García Tovar, a highly respected ecologist and pioneer in environmental education in Latin America, instilled in me a passion for the environment. I write beautiful stories about Venezuela’s natural beauty and diverse wildlife, conservation of endangered species, natural disasters, and human impact on the environment. Raising awareness about the conservation of our planet is more important now than ever!
Decolonizing the Spanish Classroom: ‘Armando Bochinche’ the podcast
Together with Adriana Ramírez, I co-host Armando Bochinche, which is more than a podcast; it’s a platform to challenge traditional narratives and colonial legacies embedded in language education. The phrase “Armando Bochinche,” which loosely translates to “making noise,” perfectly captures our mission: to promote vocal and powerful discussions that question the status quo and advocate for social justice. Through open and unfiltered dialogue, we address issues that are often overlooked or suppressed in language education and advocate for a critical reevaluation of how Spanish language and culture are taught. Our goal is to empower educators to adopt more inclusive practices and to engage in critical thinking, paving the way for a more equitable and diverse educational landscape.
Promoting Latin American Voices
I am a proud founding member of Acento Latino Libros™, a collective of independent Latin American authors committed to promoting a positive, respectful, and accurate representation of Latin American individuals and culture. Our mission is to enhance the linguistic and cultural representation in Spanish language classrooms and school libraries. Acento Latino™ strives to increase the visibility of high-quality literature written by Latin American authors in the Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) market. We regularly publish a joint catalog of books every quarter, featuring works from notable authors including Adriana Ramírez, Diego Ojeda, Craig Klein Dexemple, Verónica Moscoso, Enid López Read, Marta Ruiz Yedinak, Esmeralda Mora, Carolina Gómez and myself.