
What’s the Difference Between a Spanish Coach and a Spanish Teacher?
Dear Kim,
We love that you’ve decided to learn Spanish (or further your study of Spanish) and integrate into life in Spain! We talk about language-learning a lot here on the blog and so you might already be familiar with some common options like apps, books, and tutors. However, did you know there’s another, less common but incredibly powerful way to learn Spanish? It’s working with a Spanish Coach, who offers a unique blend of teaching and life coaching.
We’ll be honest, we weren’t super familiar with language coaching ourselves until recently, but when we connected with Jaime Valencia, the director of ABLA Academy, we were immediately intrigued! Coach Jaime has been an expat since 2001, lived in five countries, and is currently learning his fourth language (so he knows a thing or two about the process)! Furthermore, he’s spent the last decade in the fields of education, mindset and personal development. With his unique approach, he’s guided over 300 clients to become Good Expats in Spain – helping them integrate and feel proud of making Spain their home, without language barriers or insecurities holding them back.
We’re honored to welcome Coach Jaime as our newest guest writer. In today’s post, he’ll walk you through the differences between working with a teacher and a coach in order to help you determine whether Spanish coaching might be a valuable option for you to consider.
Hola! My name is Jaime Valencia, founder of ABLA Academy. While I am a Spanish coach, I promise to stay neutral in this discussion. My goal is to help you understand the differences between a Spanish teacher and a coach, so you can decide which is best for your needs. I’m here to guide you toward taking action and starting your Spanish learning journey, based on what’s right for you.
What’s the Difference Between a Spanish Coach and a Spanish Teacher?
Both Spanish coaches and teachers know the language, can teach you vocabulary and grammar, and help you learn Spanish. But how do you know which one is the right professional for you?
The Problem
Most people are familiar with teachers from their school experiences, so it’s easy to understand what a Spanish teacher does. However, the idea of a Spanish coach might be less clear. When we hear the term “coach,” we often think of sports or personal development, not language learning. Sometimes, a teacher and a coach can seem like they do similar things, which can make it hard to tell them apart.
So, let’s explore whether a Spanish teacher or a coach is the best fit for your learning journey.
The Definitions
Let’s start by defining each role.
A teacher helps you learn and guides you through the process, making sure you understand what’s being taught. Success with a Spanish teacher is often measured by achieving specific, measurable milestones, such as learning to tell time, speaking in past tense, improving pronunciation, or passing an exam. These are external goals that can be easily seen and quantified.
A coach, on the other hand, acts as both a mentor and facilitator. Coaches help you develop the mindset and attitude needed for success, focusing on internal goals that lead to personal growth and emotional satisfaction. Examples of these goals might include becoming a proud member of a Spanish-speaking community, building confidence to speak up, or feeling at home in Spain. These internal goals are more subjective and harder to measure.
What’s Right for You?
Now that we’ve defined the roles, let’s explore how to decide who to work with. Here are six key points to help guide your decision based on your goals, budget, and learning style.
1. Information vs. Transformation
A Spanish teacher primarily provides information about the language, such as verb conjugations, grammar rules, and vocabulary. With exercises, tests, and homework, a teacher can help you acquire a strong foundation in the language, useful for exams or job interviews.
A Spanish coach, while also teaching language, focuses more on overcoming barriers like lack of confidence or negative beliefs. Their approach is transformative, encouraging self-reflection, goal-setting, and personal accountability, leading to deeper emotional growth alongside language learning.
2. Traditional vs. Modern
A Spanish teacher usually follows a traditional approach with structured lessons, textbooks, and a focus on memorisation and repetition.
In contrast, a Spanish coach may use more modern techniques, incorporating technology and interactive tools like apps or websites. This approach allows for a more flexible and engaging experience, with instant feedback and materials accessible anytime, anywhere.
3. Perfection vs. Enjoyment
A teacher typically emphasises accuracy and perfection in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. You’ll learn the rules thoroughly and practice speaking correctly.
With a coach, while you still learn grammar and vocabulary, the focus shifts towards enjoying the process and developing a positive, relaxed attitude toward learning the language, rather than aiming for perfection.
4. Standard Learning vs. Personalised Experience
Teachers often follow a structured curriculum that covers all aspects of language learning—speaking, reading, writing, listening—with an emphasis on grammar and vocabulary.
Spanish coaches tend to offer a more personalised experience, tailoring the lessons to your specific goals, interests, and learning pace, making the process more individualised.
5. Low Commitment vs. High Commitment
Working with a Spanish teacher is usually a low-commitment option. You can decide how many hours you want to study per week, and the cost is generally more affordable, ranging from €10 to €40 per hour. There’s no long-term obligation.
Coaching, however, requires a higher level of commitment. It’s not just about learning a language but also investing in your personal development. Coaching programs can last from 2 to 12 months, with costs starting at €1000, reflecting the depth of the work and support provided.
6. Academic Support vs. Moral Support
Teachers provide academic support, assisting with assignments, homework, and test preparation. If you’re in a class, you also benefit from a collaborative learning environment with other students.
Spanish coaches usually work one-on-one, often online. Their role is to keep you motivated and inspired throughout your learning journey, offering continuous support and accountability, not just during lessons but throughout the entire program.
Conclusion
Now that you understand the differences between a Spanish coach and a teacher, I hope this helps you make a more informed decision. Whether you’re seeking a strong foundation in the language through traditional methods or a more personalised and immersive experience, the right choice depends on your goals, budget, and preferred learning style.
¡Hablamos!
Coach Jaime
CTA
Feeling STUCK with your Spanish?
Still unsure how to begin your learning and integration journey?
Need personalised help?
I’ve created a quick online assessment that provides you with a personalised report, offering insights into your Spanish language skills and integration process. It’ll help you see what’s working, what’s not – and give you practical tips to boost your Spanish confidence and make the most of your life in Spain.
It only takes about 1 minute and 7 seconds (yes, I’ve timed it!), and afterward, you can book a quick chat with me to review your assessment results and together, we’ll create a personalised plan to boost your confidence in speaking Spanish and settling into life in Spain.
Want to take the assessment 100% free?
Simply visit www.ablaacademy.com/assessment to get started.
Thank you so much to Coach Jaime for his valuable knowledge and insights. We hope it helps you find the right path for you and your Spanish learning journey! If you’re interested in hearing even more from Coach Jaime, don’t miss his new podcast The Good Expat. Check it out on YouTube or on Spotify.
Sincerely,
Spain

