Visited 11 hours ago
José Zapata
Professional TeacherTeaches
Spanish
Native
Portuguese
Speaks
English
Italian
Your ELE teacher with more than 9 years of experience and an excellent attitude
Teaches
Spanish
Native
Portuguese
Speaks
English
Italian
Your ELE teacher with more than 9 years of experience and an excellent attitude
About Me
Me as a Teacher
My lessons & teaching style
Resume & Certificates
From ColombiaLiving in Medellin, Colombia (05:16 UTC-05:00)
About Me
italki teacher since Jun 21, 2018InterestsReadingGamingMusicPets & AnimalsFilms & TV Series
I’m a philosopher-turned-language teacher, blending deep thinking with vibrant Spanish and Portuguese lessons. For over 10 years, I’ve helped students at UPB University and beyond master communication—grammar clubs, structured classes, and curiosity-driven chats. My secret? Philosophy sharpened my love for questions, so your 'whys' about language or culture are always welcome. Certified by the Cervantes Institute, I turn grammar into practical tools for real-life conversations. Let’s build fluency with patience, clarity, and a touch of intellectual fun!
Me as a Teacher
The first thing you should know about me is that I’m a patient, attentive, and deeply curious teacher. I genuinely enjoy challenging questions, and I never hesitate to pause a lesson plan if your curiosity takes us somewhere meaningful — whether it’s grammar, culture, vocabulary, expressions, or the nuances of real communication.
I’m passionate about improving every day, and I value honest, respectful feedback because it helps me refine my teaching and support you better. My classes blend structure with flexibility, so you always feel guided but never limited.
With me, you’ll have a teacher who listens, adapts, and cares about your progress as much as you do. You can count on my patience, My lessons & teaching style
teach from zero or any level, always focusing on real communication. We start with essential functions, personal questions, daily situations, and practical vocabulary you can use immediately.
My method is simple: communication first, grammar as a tool. Every concept you learn is applied in real contexts — never theory without practice.
Classes are clear, structured, and dynamic, helping you see progress from the very first lesson.My teaching material
- PDF file
- Text Documents
- Presentation slides/PPT
- Audio files
- Image files
- Video files
- Flashcards
- Articles and news
- Quizzes
- Test templates and examples
- Graphs and charts
- Homework Assignments
Certificates
tiempo certificado de experiencia laboral desde 2016 - Universidad pontificia bolivariana - 2018comencé desde el 2013, sin embargo por el tipo de contratación tengo el certificado solo desde le año pasado.
Certificate verified
profesional, formación académica - instituto cervantes, universidad externado de colombia, Universidad Pontifica Bolivariana, Universidad Luis Amigó. - 2018en el archivo se encuentra el acta de grado como filosofo profesional, un certificado laboral como profesor de idiomas en la universidad luís amigo, certificado de curso de didáctica con el instituto cervantes y un certificado en enseñanza de la universidad externado de Colombia. todos son instituciones de renombre en el ámbito de la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera.
Certificate verified
Education
2008 - 2020
Other - filosofíacarrera principal
2018 - 2020
Other - enseñanza del españolcapacitación
2008 - 2014
Bachelor’s - licenciatura en enseñanza de idiomasno terminado
Work Experience
2012 - Current
docente de español para extranjeroshe trabajado liderando clubes de conversación y gramática, desde el 2013 he enseñado español en la mencionada institución dictando cursos intensivos de 2 horas de lunes a viernes por mas de tres meses consecutivos por lo que consecución de temas, desarrollo de los mismos y elaboración de material no representa ningún problema.
2014 - 2018
Docente de Portugués
2018 - 2020
Docente de EspañolProfesor de español en proyectos de difusión internacional de la cultura colombiana y el español.
5.0
Rating
161
Students
1,682
Lessons
100%
Attendance rate
100%
Response rate
Spanish Lessons
Spanish
Portuguese
Trial Lesson
107 lessons completed
USD 8.00+
¡Qué más pues!
A1 - C2Conversation107 lessons completed
USD 11.00+
Package with 10% off
Stairway to Spanish, Spanish from beginners to Advance!
A1 - C1Language Essentials876 lessons completed
USD 12.00+
Package with 15% off
Availability
Based on your timezone (UTC+00:00)
My creations
Podcast (1)
266 Reviews
Johannes Mahr
21 Spanish lessons
Teacher’s pick
José is a great teacher. Extremely patient and friendly and just a joy to learn with. I especially appreciate how thoughtfully structured his lessons on grammar are.
Nov 9, 2022
Adam Brock
11 Spanish lessons
Teacher’s pick
I'm a foreign service officer and I needed to prepare for my official Spanish exam. Jose was excellent - punctual, engaging and well informed on politics, culture and current events. His grammar explanations are thorough and effortless. Thanks to my lessons with Jose, I had no problems passing my test. Highly recommended for people working in the government and NGO sector.
Apr 27, 2019
Marcelo Wergles
12 Spanish lessons
Perfecto como siempre!
Jan 21, 2022
Naiyir Elbially
93 Spanish lessons
Teacher’s pick
Jose taught me how to speak Spanish from scratch, now i am comfortably talking Spanish
Jul 11, 2020
David Rowley
5 Spanish lessons
Had a great first class with José! He did a quick analysis of where my current level is and what needs to be done to improve it. I highly recommend!
Dec 26, 2025
Marcelo Wergles
12 Spanish lessons
Gracias José, ¡Me encantó la clase!
Jan 20, 2022
Trial Lesson
USD 8.00
Your final payment will be made in USD