Fluency Lab

20/01/2026

Wherever you are, self-study and online classes are key for language learning. The 'expat bubble' is tempting and also dangerous. Have a look at the full episode on Youtube!

18/01/2026

2016 → 2026

Jamaica was a turning point for me.
It shaped who I am now, without me even realising it back then.

I’m really thankful for that that year, for the friends I made, and for discovering how much I love sharing my language and my culture. And thanks to everyone who’s been part of this journey, and to everyone who’s part of Fluency Lab today!!!

#2016

16/01/2026

Can you use the verb “hastiarse” in Spanish?

“Hastiarse” is pretty much getting sick or getting tired of something. Have a look at the examples on the video to get a better idea of how it works.

You can also use “hastiado/hastiada” to describe yourself after being sick pr being tired of something.

15/01/2026

Some days you’re proud of your Spanish. Other days… Spanish comes with a new crazy rule or difficult word.

But it's normal. Learning a language is never a straight line.

Recuerda, por favor! You’ve made more progress than you think. Don't let ugly subjunctive, or mischevious por and para to let you don't EVER!!

What’s something in Spanish that’s wrecked your day recently?

14/01/2026

In English, both might sound like “being on someone’s side” HOWEVER! In Spanish, you’ve got to pick the right preposition to get the right meaning:

Estar del lado de alguien
= to support someone, to be on their side (in opinion or stance)
An example can be:
La familia está del lado del paciente. → The family supports the patient.
🆚
Estar al lado de alguien
= to be physically next to someone
Estoy al lado de mi hermana. → I’m next to my sister.

El médico está al lado del paciente. → The doctor is standing beside the patient.
You see? Same verb but different preposition.

Totally different meaning.

Your turn:
Can you write a sentence using del lado de or al lado de?
And if you’re learning Spanish and want things to actually make sense, come join us at .co for everyday Spanish and .med for Medical Spanish.

12/01/2026

Learning Spanish shouldn't be seen as a chore—it's your key to unlocking a deeper cultural understanding, and actually enjoying the place and its people.
I've heard people thinking of "learning" as boring! Or thinking it's about grammar rules and vocabulary drills, but learning is about efficiency and strategy when it's done properly.
The full episode with David is on our Youtube channel, comment your experiences with Spanish, or let me know if you want the link to the episode and I will send it!

15/09/2025

Are you aware of the language barriers in healthcare that can impact patient care? It's time to break down these obstacles by learning Spanish! Discover how communication can save lives and enhance healthcare experiences. Read more about it here: https://wix.to/eWcGevm

You’re in pain. Maybe scared.And the person in front of you—the one holding the chart, the prescription pad, the answers—isn’t speaking your language.Literally.Now imagine that same moment... but the provider greets you in Spanish. Asks how you're feeling in your words. Checks in with a phra...

12/07/2025

It is well known that, although we’re not children anymore, our proficiency in a foreign language sometimes make us feel like one. We have all the mental capacity to make a point as an adult, but not enough resources in that language to make them work!

I know how it feels, I have been there trying to express, and sometimes defend myself in a language that is not mine and feeling like a 10-year old could sound smarter than me.

The solution? Keep exploring the language. Keep learning new words. If you feel your Spanish is somehow stagnant, it’s time to challenge yourself again to expand its current boundaries.

Have a great weekend!

09/06/2025

Which words from your abuelita remind you to words in Spanish? Or the other way around?

I have found many more! And with Helen from Canadá we keep finding more every practice session.

This is one of many tricks I've gathered from our students. I’d love to know your favorite weird-but-helpful vocab trick too! 🤓

28/05/2025

I found this sentence in one of our student’s stories yesterday and had to share it here with you, I think all of us should be more aware of this (me included).

It got me thinking about how lack of patience is often the real reason people end up saying they’re “not good at languages.”

I use to find that a bit lazy, but more recently it simply makes me feel sad.

If only they allowed themselves to deal with that initial discomfort of not being great at something right away, they’d discover how many capacities and hidden talents are actually there.

It's always easier to blame lack of talent than trying, that's why it sounded lazy to me (it still does a bit, but it's everyone's choice).

But it's always a shame that people get through life without noticing what they're missing out. That's the bit that makes me feel sad.

What's your definition of talent?
Is something that flows effortlessly, or something you shape and strengthen with effort?

I would love to read you in the comments ↓

19/05/2025

People often talk about the fear of public speaking.
Or the fear of expressing themselves in a second language.

Over time I've had to learn to do both.
Sometimes separately. Sometimes simultaneously.

Last week I presented my business and my beloved magazine to a great group of women entrepreneurs in the UK.

It was a very interesting exercise to decide what to share about the journey so far.

I'm glad to have captured these special moments in pictures! (Thanks Sandra and Julie 🥰)

They'll be great memories to look back on in the future and see just how much progress I've made on journey.

Infinite thanks to Network She for welcoming me into their community.

On such a unique and challenging journey as building a project from scratch, connecting with people who understand what you're going through is simply invaluable.

07/05/2025

Two updates I’ve been meaning to share…

1. This Instagram account is shifting un poquito:
It won’t be ONLY about Fluency Lab anymore.

Yes, I’ll keep posting in Spanish and English so you can keep learning.
Yes, there will still be content to support your Spanish journey.
But I’ll also talk about other key aspects of my journey: my books, my experience living abroad, and what it’s like to build something from scratch as an entrepreneur.

So you are welcome to this journey together, but I will also let you know where to go soon if you want to focus ONLY on the Spanish Learning content from Fluency Lab.

2. The other announcement is… We're (officially) starting a YouTube channel!
It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a looooong time.
But I didn’t want it to be simply about Spanish Lessons (there’s many channels like that already)

So… I’ll be co-hosting a kind of podcast with David, one of our longtime students.

We’ll have real conversations about learning, language, identity, and the messy, beautiful process of achieving fluency in a second language.

If that sounds like your kind of space—
stick around.

More soon.

BTW: Those are some pics of the first video while editing, so keep posted to have a look at it soon!

¡Gracias por estar aquí!