Rafael: Thornton tutor

Certified Tutor

I am a graduate of a Colombian university, where I earned my Bachelor's in Law and later completed a postgraduate diploma in Commercial and Financial Law. While my academic background is rooted in law, my passion lies in educationsomething that's deeply ingrained in me, having been raised in a family of university professors.

I've had the privilege of teaching university studentsan experience that's as rewarding as it is inspiring. I find it incredibly fulfilling to watch curiosity bloom in the student, especially when they begin to question, challenge, and push the boundaries of what they know. Currently, I tutor conversational Spanish for adults, a subject I'm especially passionate about. Spanish is my native language, and tutoring it allows me to share not only the mechanics of communication but also the cultural richness that comes with it. My approach is shaped in part by my experience learning French as well as tutoring Spanish when I lived in Switzerland, which gave me a deeper understanding of language acquisition from both learner and instructor perspectives.

As a tutor, I believe my role is to guide, to challenge, and to help students navigate their own learning journeys. In conversational Spanish, that means focusing on the learner's interests and priorities, identifying areas for growth, and encouraging them to work through challenges by thinking critically and independently. I view every lesson as a collaborative experienceone where progress is measured not just in fluency, but in confidence and connection.

There is a saying in my country: "Quien no vive para servir no sirve para vivir." Roughly translated, it means, "If your life's purpose isn't to serve, then your life serves no purpose." That sentiment captures why I teachit is not just a profession, but a calling. In my free time, I enjoy reading about history, listening to music, watching sports (especially football, soccer, and hockey), playing video games, hiking, and spending time with my wife and our newborn. Above all, I try to live a life of curiosity, balance, and purposeand I hope to help my students do the same.