Miriam Rogers is from Peru, where she was a college-level professor. She holds a certification in teaching Spanish, a degree in Social Sciences and a Master’s in English Linguistics. She has been teaching for 15 years, including online and in-person. She has taught one-on-one, in small groups and off-site at companies and organizations.
When and where did you start teaching Spanish?
I began teaching Spanish in Peru in 2011 in a program called “Español para Extranjeros” at the School of Literature at a local university. In 2014, I continued teaching in the United States in the Continuing Education Program at the North and South Colonie School Districts in Albany. Since 2019, I have been teaching at Capital Region Language Center.
Why did you come to the US?
I moved here in 2013 because my husband is from Albany. I never imagined that I would live in this country, and my biggest fear was the cold!. It was a little difficult to get used to it at the beginning. I come from Arequipa, a beautiful city in Peru where the food is delicious, the average temperature is around 60–68 degrees, and it is sunny most of the year!
Do you have a favorite word in Spanish?
One of my favorite words in Spanish is “perfecto.” I often say it to my students when they do a good job, and they love hearing it!
You teach several classes, on-site at companies, in-person and online. Why are Spanish language classes popular?
Being bilingual is a big advantage in many workplaces. People learn Spanish to expand their career opportunities, communicate better with others, and connect culturally. I’ve taught many different professionals—including health care workers, lawyers, teachers, and librarians—who want to communicate better at work or improve their career opportunities. At the same time, many people learn Spanish simply because they think it’s a beautiful language and enjoy the personal challenge of learning it.
Anything else you want to share?
Over the years, working with people from different fields has been a wonderful experience. It has given me the opportunity to share my knowledge and contribute, even in a small way, to improving the community. It has also allowed me to be part of my students’ journey as they learn, not only the Spanish language, but also the cultures of different Spanish-speaking countries.
Check out upcoming language classes, including Spanish. You can also read about more of our teachers.