We are a group of different people who have come together to create Espaanglisch. We really look forward to and enjoy working side by side with people from different cultures, different beliefs, different opinions, different dreams, and from backgrounds all over the world.
David Huerta Mercedes, founder.
I’m the one who is in charge of Espaanglisch. I created Espaanglisch because I love languages and I wanted to share that love with Peruvians from my city who don’t normally have the opportunity to learn a different language.
I’ve been teaching low cost Spanish and English lessons to locals and tourists for 7 years now, in Trujillo and Huanchaco and I love what I do for a living. I do not consider it “work” because for me a job or work sounds like something one has to do for the money but rarely for pleasure. I like teaching and working with different people from all over the world; it’s like traveling with all the stories and all the experiences that my students and volunteers have had and share with me.
As much as I enjoy teaching language, I enjoy learning it as well, I speak fluent English, some German, some Italian, French and obviously my mother language, Castellano or Español.
Cheyne Bull
I am a professional English Teacher with a background in working with disadvantaged communities.
I'm the one who is in charge of making sure David is in charge of Espaanglisch!
I first came into contact with Espaanglisch over 3 years ago as a volunteer. I loved my Peruvian students and their keenness to learn. Over time, David and I developed a strong friendship. The better I got to know David the more respect I had for both him and his organization Espaanglisch.
I was here on-site managing Espaanglisch throughout 2009 but am now back in Australia helping from afar!
Crystal Moshenko
Back home in Canada I work as a social worker in the field of child protection. I took a career break in 2009 to do some volunteer travel and while away volunteered in Nepal, travelled to India, Southeast Asia, and then to Peru.
I joined the Espaanglisch team in September 2009 as a Conversation Class teacher and enjoyed it so much I ended up extending my one month stay to eight months!
I was so impressed with David's work that he convinced me to help out long-term. So now I am in charge of volunteer coordination.
I am interested in improving the volunteer selection process (making sure we have the right volunteers for the job) and ensuring volunteers are well supported so that they enjoy their time with us as well as do a great job!
Like Cheyne, from April 2010 onwards I will be assisting off-site.
Elizabeth Pratt
Since high school, teaching has been a passion of mine that I've been fortunate enough to pursue in various parts of the world. I've taught in China and Tanzania, and done some short-term work in Thailand, Mexico, and Chile. Now I can add Peru to the list!
In addition to being a great way to appease my travel bug, I find teaching to be a very effective way to learn about cultures and about the nature of learning in general. By living and working in different countries, I get to see how people value education, what sorts of cultural barriers or inherent preconceptions they bring into the classroom, and how good teachers can impact people anywhere.
I work as the On-Site Program Coordinator for Espaanglisch, effective August 2010. My job includes orienting volunteers and providing teaching guidance, developing curricula for our English classes, maintaining existing relationships and cultivating new ones with other local nonprofits, and generally making sure that everything runs smoothly here in Trujillo.