Spanish Tutors/LLAs

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Our Current Spanish Tutors/LLAs Heading link

Celeste, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I am a senior double majoring in Applied Psychology and Spanish. I am a first generation heritage Spanish speaker, and I hope to help you reach your Spanish goals with as much support as possible. My parents are from Colima, Mexico and I grew up and still live in Cicero where the Latinx community is still as vibrant as ever. Learning a language doesn’t have to be hard! I believe learning Spanish will lead to more opportunities for success in any future career you may have, so come to me for any Spanish help you may need.

Celeste  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Janelle, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I’m a transfer student majoring in Urban Studies and minoring in Spanish. I’ve been studying Spanish since I was 12!  I’ve gotten so much joy from learning about Hispanic language and culture. My greatest pleasure has been using that knowledge to connect with people here in Chicago and on my travels abroad. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned to help people on their language journey. I understand how daunting studying a language can be, believe me I’ve been there. Hopefully, I can help to make that process a lot easier, and just maybe convince you to love language as much as I do!!

Janelle  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Jason, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I am a sophomore here at UIC, and I’m majoring in Teaching of History with a minor in Spanish. While I’m not a native Spanish speaker, I’ve been learning Spanish since middle school, and I started taking it more seriously within the last three years. Since then, I’ve grown to love learning more about the language and the cultures that surround it.  I’m a Peer Tutor, so I can help others love learning Spanish too. Living in Chicago, a city with a huge Spanish-speaking population, learning Spanish has been super practical for me. I know learning a new language is not easy, so I’m happy to be a resource available to you at the LCLC!

Jason  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Lorena, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I am a first-generation Mexican college student double majoring in Psychology and Spanish and this is my second year at UIC. My parents are from Guanajuato, Mexico, and Spanish was my first language. I am an LLA because even though I am a native speaker, I want to better my Spanish skills and I truly love and appreciate my native language and want to help others learn it too. I have 19 credit hours, so I understand things can get rough and even though I am not perfect and my Spanish is far from it, I am always willing to assist you in anything you need!

Lorena  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Valerie, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I am a fourth year student majoring in Teaching of Spanish. I’m very proud of my Mexican background–my family is from Michoacan. Although I grew up speaking Spanish and English, I am finding new ways to better my Spanish. Spanish class has always been my favorite. I am an LLA because I enjoy helping classmates and students learn Spanish, and hopefully improving my own Spanish along the way. I know it can be hard to learn a new language or improve it so I hope to be able to help!

Valerie  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Zaira, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hola! I am a first-generation Hispanic college student majoring in Teaching of Spanish. My parents moved from Michoacan, Mexico to Chicago and since then we have built our home in the town of Cicero. Spanish to me is more than just a subject, it is the culture and the community that behind it that raised me and the one I have connected with all my life. I plan to become a High School teacher with a minor in LALS and earn an English endorsement. During my free time I enjoy watching and playing soccer as well as creating new music playlists. I look forward to helping students build their confidence with their Spanish and rant about soccer and/or music!!

Zaira  |  Spanish Peer Tutor

Our Former Spanish Tutors/LLAs Heading link

Abdallah, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I’m an Architecture major transfer student. I am from Brooklyn, New York, born and raised, but I am stuck in Atlanta, Georgia with family due to the pandemic. I started with Spanish 102 at UIC, but my interest in Spanish derived from learning about my family lineage. My father was born and lived some years in Panama City, Panamá, but if you didn’t know him, you’d never suspect him to be of Latino descent. My grandparents kept Spanish to a minimum in their household, so their children never picked it up. However, as a proud Panamanian learning of my family and culture, my siblings and I decided to pick up where my grandparents left off, and part of this mission is learning the language of the people to connect with more individuals/cultures and broaden our experience as individuals and as a family. I decided to tutor because I recognize teaching someone else helps the tutee and tutor. I look forward to working with Spanish students!

Abdallah  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Alejandra, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I am a third year student here at UIC majoring in Spanish. I commute to UIC and during my commute I get to listen to music which I really enjoy! Learning a language also involves learning about their culture which has always been interesting for me. I get to learn more about the culture and the rules of the language in my Spanish courses at UIC, which have helped me improve and I hope to help you too!

Alejandra  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Alison, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I am a senior in the Honors College double majoring in psychology and Spanish with a concentration in Hispanic linguistics. I have been taking Spanish classes for 16 years and have always enjoyed learning all there is to know about Spanish. It can be a fun way to connect with others through culture and language! I also work part-time and have a research position in a lab here at UIC, so I have had to learn to manage my time well and I understand balancing multiple responsibilities. I hope that through tutoring I am able to help other UIC students while learning from them as well.

Alison  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Anye, Spanish Peer Tutor

“I started taking Spanish as a requirement and struggled with memorizing vocabulary, conjugating, and everything in between. Luckily, I had great instructors and was able to find resources to become more fluent and successful in Spanish. I decided that I wanted to help my peers who might face similar struggles.

Anye  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Asad, Spanish Peer Tutor

I am a senior here at UIC. I am a first-generation college student majoring in Neuroscience. As a commuter, I understand how rough the adjustment to college life can be, and I am still constantly re-adjusting myself to the demands of a rigorous course load. I began in the BLP myself, starting in Spanish 101. I never thought I would love learning Spanish, to the point where I am currently taking a grammar writing course to strengthen my Spanish acquisition skills. I am so lucky that I have had amazing instructors who truly care about each of their students in the language program and guide students in their educational journeys. I hope to do this as well, by being a tutoring resource for other students in their quest to receive a more rewarding and personalized education.

Asad  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Celeste, Spanish Peer Tutor

I am a teaching of Spanish major here at UIC. As a freshman, I was not sure what I wanted to major in. I took a foreign language class as a requirement for the college of LAS. I decided to pick Spanish to fill my requirement because it was a language they meant a lot to me. It was the language my parents practiced at home and the language I used to communicate with my community. As I went on with the semester I noticed I love learning about the language! I realized that there is so much to learn, and that practice only makes perfect. I hope to learn and practice more with you, in order to reach our end goals together!

Celeste  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Chloe, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I’m a fourth-year student double-majoring in Psychology and Spanish. I transferred to UIC from the City Colleges of Chicago in the Fall of 2021. I live on campus with three roommates. I started learning Spanish in seventh grade, and really developed a passion for learning the language through my 100-level Spanish courses at UIC. Over the summer, I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. This experience really proved to me that the work I’ve put into Spanish classes at UIC has led me to be able to communicate and connect with people that I would have never been able to without knowing a second language. I’m excited to help others feel more confident in their Spanish language skills and more empowered to use their Spanish in their communities, and potentially around the world!

Chloe  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Claudia, Spanish Tutor

“I am a first-generation college student. Although I am a Chicago native, I travel to Jalisco, Mexico very often, and it has become a large part of my Mexican-American identity. I currently work in sales and go to school full-time. Juggling work and academic life is a struggle but in my three years here at UIC, I have learned how to balance it all and study effectively. I hope to continue learning through my peers while serving my community here at UIC.

Claudia  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Daisy, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hello! I am a first-generation college student in my last year here at UIC, studying Spanish with a concentration in linguistics. I am a transfer student and I’ve been a commuter for the past 2 years. Growing up I struggled learning English as my second language, so I know what it is like to learn a new language. One tip: if you’re just starting to learn a new language it’s always a great idea to watch movies or TV shows with Spanish subtitles. As a peer tutor I’ll share my language experience and help you with any challenges you might be facing with Spanish.

Daisy  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Dylan, Spanish Peer Tutor

I am a sophomore studying Urban Education – Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. I am a member of the UIC Dance Team and am also employed at UIC Campus Recreation so I understand managing a full course load while having a busy schedule. I commuted my Freshman year, which allowed me to work on my own time management skills. I have been studying Spanish since middle school and the language has allowed me to connect to many different individuals as well as travel to Spanish speaking countries. I hope to work with other students to understand the importance of learning a language as well as how to successfully understand the language allowing them to be successful not only in school but life.

Dylan  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Elisa, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hi everyone, I am a junior at UIC, majoring in Teaching of Spanish with an ESL endorsement. I grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and currently reside in the southwest side of Chicago. Throughout most of my life, I served as a translator for my parents who hardly spoke English. I also taught them English and taught family members how to read and write in both languages. With these first hand experiences, I grew passionate about becoming a Spanish/bilingual teacher and started taking many Spanish classes at UIC. I also volunteer at Englewood Stem High School and started peer tutoring to help other students with challenges.

Elisa  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Elizabeth, Spanish Peer Tutor

I am a Criminal, Law, and Justice major. I have always enjoyed learning about different cultures. I love being bilingual because languages are each unique in their own ways. Becoming a Spanish peer tutor gives me a chance to share that passion with others. I know it can be confusing and would love to help others find comfort and fun while learning Spanish. I am a commuter and work outside of my UIC classes, and I know it can be a struggle to find time to study. I can share my own strategies with you.

Elizabeth  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Ella, Spanish Peer Tutor

“I’ve been studying Spanish for about 12 years now and absolutely love learning more about the language and the many cultures of its speakers. I am a Spanish minor with a focus in health professions. Growing up in a Filipino-American household, I know what it’s like to have to learn a completely new language that isn’t spoken in my family, so I can share all types of tips and tricks to pick up phrases and rules.”

Ella  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Emmy, Spanish Peer tutor

Hola! I am a third year student at UIC. I am tutoring in Spanish and I am double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. I grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and I was born in Bolivia, so I am bilingual and love both of my cultures. I wasn’t planning on having two majors, but after taking a Spanish class at UIC, I really enjoyed the foreign language department and decided to continue taking courses. I have an apartment near campus, but I was a commuter the past two years. In the future, I want to be a middle school counselor in a Latino neighborhood.

Emmy  |  Spanish Peer tutor
Isabelle, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! It’s nice to meet you! I’m a junior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Spanish. I’m originally from the southwest suburbs of Chicago, but I now live in Pilsen (aka the neighborhood in Chicago where you will find the BEST food!) I absolutely love to learn languages and help others learn them too, so I am happy to be a Spanish tutor. I am not a native Spanish speaker and did not grow up speaking the language; rather, I started learning it a few years ago in high school. At UIC, I’ve taken 102-104, so I’ve been in your shoes before! I know how challenging it is to learn Spanish from square 1, but I am here to help you through it and am very excited to meet you! Spanish tutoring is online this semester, so please stop by!

Isabelle  |  Spanish Peer Tutor (she/her/hers)
Jesus, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hola, I am a third-year student and a Teaching of Spanish major with an ESL endorsement. I am the first in my family to go to college. I hope that as a tutor I will be able to help anyone struggling to understand anything particular in the Spanish language. I grew up speaking Spanish and have taken it during high school and every semester here at UIC. Peer tutoring will also help me be more prepared for when I graduate and become a teacher. I can’t wait to work with you all!

Jesus  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Joseline, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I’m a Mexican-American senior at UIC with a major in Communications and a minor in Professional Writing. Born to immigrant parents in Chicago, I was raised in the metro Atlanta area and mastered English and Spanish at a young age to help my family as a translator. Being a commuter and transfer student, I struggled to connect with other UIC students so I have some helpful tips on how to navigate challenging language classes for those in the same situation.

Joseline  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Juan, Spanish Peer Tutor

I’m currently double majoring in Criminal Law and Justice (CLJ) and Spanish. As a native speaker, I’ve always felt confident in my Spanish. However, that completely changed when I was required to take it as a language requirement. It was through these Spanish classes that I learned that there was still so much to learn. As a peer tutor, I hope to share my experience and also learn a thing or two from other students.

Juan  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Kegan, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hi! I am a senior double major of Spanish and History here at UIC. I am, also, a transfer student from Harold Washington, here in Chicago, and started Spanish at the 100 level there. I was inspired to learn Spanish because, although my father was an immigrant from Mexico, I was not taught it growing up. Learning Spanish has allowed me to connect with my heritage, travel, and make new friends. I understand that starting from the beginning, can be challenging at first, but with persistence you will start understanding and speaking this awesome language.

Kegan  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Kelly, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I’m a junior and first-generation student. I’m currently pursuing a dual major in Psychology and Hispanic Studies with a concentration in Linguistics, and I’m also minoring in Art. I lived in Mexico for the majority of my life, and Spanish has always had a special place in my heart. I learned English for the first time as an adult, so I know how stressful a new language can be at times—and I have learned lots of tips on how to make this learning more exciting, and less worrying! I am optimistic this semester will be great and I hope that I can help other students in their journey to a new language!

Kelly  |  Spanish Peer Tutor (she/her/hers)
Lainey, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hello! I am a Spanish major with an Italian minor. I am in my second year at UIC, and I am currently living at home away from the Chicago area due to the pandemic. I am the first person in my family to attend college, so I understand it can be difficult trying to figure things out on your own. I began taking Spanish in elementary school and have continued my studies through the present. I have always been interested in the Spanish language, and in languages in general. I started in Spanish 102 at UIC and have a good idea about how the courses work and how to navigate them. However, I understand that new languages do not come easily to everyone, so I hope that by participating in peer tutoring, I can brush up on my own language skills as well as help you to expand yours! I have attended tutoring before myself and I want to provide a friendly face for other students who are looking for a different perspective on their coursework than what might be provided in the classroom. I look forward to seeing you in an online session!

Lainey  |  Spanish Peer Tutor (she/they)
Lisbeth, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hey everyone, I am a senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish for the Professions on the pre-medical track. I am a first-generation Latinx college student, and I grew up speaking Spanish because my parents immigrated to Chicago from Ecuador.  As a commuter I understand the struggle some of you may have to go through to get here and being first-generation I also know the importance of learning how to effectively manage time. I chose to be a peer tutor because I wanted to share my love for Spanish with others that want to learn a language I both grew up with and learned more about in UIC courses. I’ve found peer tutors for my other courses to be very helpful in contributing to my success, so I hope to do the same for you all.

Lisbeth  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Lisset, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola a todos! I am currently a senior double majoring in Spanish and Integrated Health Studies. I am also a member of the Honors College. I was born and raised in Chicago so I am a commuter at UIC and live with my family. Spanish was my first language and I take pride in the fact that I am able to share my Mexican culture with others. I have studied Spanish since kindergarten because I went to a Spanish-English bilingual school. I have continued to study Spanish at UIC because I feel that it is important to learn about one’s native language, while also learning about the culture, history, and fundamentals of the language. I want to be a peer tutor because I know that learning a second language can be challenging, but I hope to serve as an extra resource this semester. I can’t wait to work with you all!

Lisset  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Lorena, Spanish Peer Tutor

“I’m a double major in Spanish and Latin American Studies. My goal is to become a teacher, so I’m looking forward to sharing what I know and my experience with languages with other UIC students.

Lorena  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Lucia, Spanish Peer Tutor

“I am a first-generation college student majoring in Teaching of Spanish with a minor in Public Policy. I am looking forward to starting my career as a Spanish teacher in the near future! Spanish is my first language and I learned English as a second language. Learning a second language can be difficult. I found that learning a new language can be easier when there is a group of people helping you and supporting you throughout the process. As a Spanish tutor, I hope to help others with the challenges they may encounter while learning a second language.”

Lucia  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Magdiel, Spanish Peer Tutor

I am a double major in Spanish and Psychology. I’m bilingual in English and Spanish, and also studied French in high school.”

Magdiel  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Mara, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hola! I am a senior in UIC majoring in Teaching of Spanish with an English endorsement. Spanish is my mother tongue. I grew up in Jalisco, Mexico and moved to Chicago when I was fourteen. My passion for Spanish grew during my last years of high school and majoring in Spanish at UIC makes me proud of my identity and closer to home. I would love to help other people learn about my native language and the culture and use my experiences and knowledge with second language acquisition to help others going through that too. Learning a new language, especially as an adult, can be challenging, so I look forward to working with Spanish students.

Mara  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Maria, Spanish Peer Tutor

I am a first-generation college student majoring in Criminology, Law, and Justice and minoring in Spanish. Spanish is my first language and when I first got to UIC it was hard to continue speaking Spanish fluently at home when I had most of my classes in English. Peer tutoring and Spanish classes allow me to continue to learn more about my own language and to help other students by sharing ideas and tips helpful when speaking and learning Spanish.

Maria  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Mayra, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hello! I am a fourth-year student at UIC pursuing a double minor in Spanish and History. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household, I learned how to read and write in English in school, so I know what it’s like to learn a language! My career goal is to use the knowledge and expertise I’m now gathering as a student to help create resources for underserved communities. This includes breaking the language barrier that many students and families face in America, limiting them access to many opportunities. Here at UIC, I aspire to become a source of support by supporting students to achieve academic success. I’m starting by becoming a Spanish peer tutor at UIC and sharing different study tools that have helped me do well in language classes.

Mayra  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Megan, Spanish Peer Tutor

“I speak English and Spanish and I’m the first person in my family to attend college. I’ve been learning Spanish since pre-kindergarten. I want to continue Spanish and someday master it, since I’ve been learning it my whole life. I am currently taking a lot of classes along the lines of ethnic studies classes, psychology, and literature because I’m trying to find out what I want to do in life. As a peer tutor, I hope to help out students who are studying Spanish.”

Megan  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Merwin, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hello, I am a second-year student on the Pre-Med track, as a psych and biological sciences double-major, with a minor in Spanish for the Professions. As someone who wants to pursue a career in medicine, Spanish felt like an important language to learn to be able to help people, as a significant portion of the U.S. population, especially in large cities like Chicago, speak Spanish as a first language. I took 104 at UIC and I’ve already used my skills to translate in Spanish for a local doctor’s office. Now I’m looking forward to working with fellow Spanish students at UIC!

Merwin  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Monica, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I am a third year student majoring in Teaching of Spanish.  I am proud to be a Spanish speaker and Mexicana. I am a first generation college student, and also navigating how to manage my time, and maintain a balanced school and work life. I knew I wanted to become an educator when I realized that I enjoy helping others in their learning experience. I believe learning a language is crucial for a wide variety of careers. Even as a native speaker, I am always learning new skills to better my Spanish. I also know that learning a new language is a difficult but interesting task, and am here to help with any questions.

Monica  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Olivia, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hello everyone! I am a political science major with a minor in Spanish. I am Mexican, but grew up in a predominantly white area, so learning how to speak my heritage language was a must for me and I am doing that here at UIC. I chose to peer tutor because I love helping others! I am the first person in my family to go to college, so I understand the obstacles that come with that. I am in five classes, which means my workload tends to be a lot. Since I am not a native speaker, I understand the difficulties that can come with learning Spanish. I aim to help other students with some of the study tips I have learned!

Olivia  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Paola Elena, Spanish Peer Tutor

¡Hola! I am a sophomore here at UIC, and I major in applied psychology with a minor in Spanish. I am also a first-generation college student with parents who migrated to Chicago from Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Growing up, I often played the role of translator for my mother, and this inspired me to continuously improve my Spanish. Now I study Spanish at UIC. I hope I can inspire others to be confident and proud of their Spanish abilities, no matter what stage they are at, because even a little bit of Spanish can be of assistance and bring comfort to non-English speakers in English-speaking spaces. I am excited to work with you this semester!

Paola Elena  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Samie, Spanish peer tutor

I am a third-year Chemistry major, minoring in Spanish. On top of all of that, I am also a first-generation college student. I never intended to minor and Spanish, but I fell completely in love with the language once I started taking Spanish courses at UIC. I know that learning a new language can be very intimidating for many and I want to help students gain confidence by developing their Spanish skills. I’m very excited to share my knowledge with the UIC community and also meet new faces.

Samie  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Sophie, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hello! I am a fourth-year student studying Gender and Women’s Studies with minors in Spanish for Health Professions and Philosophy on the Pre-med track.  I am an avid fan of soccer! I am from Waukegan, IL  and I commute every day. I started taking Spanish in middle school, but it was not until high school that I developed a deep passion for the language. Since then, I have wanted to do what I can to assist those who are struggling to learn the language. Learning another language is not easy, so it definitely helps to have someone in your corner. I am excited to be able to work with you guys this semester!

Sophie  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Valeria, Spanish peer tutor

I am a Teaching of Spanish major and speak Spanish fluently as it is my first language. It wasn’t until I started taking Spanish classes at High School that I found out that I was interested in learning more about my own language and helping others. I realized that when it comes to a language, you never stop learning.”

Valeria  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Yaneli, Spanish Peer Tutor

Hello! This is my third year at UIC: my major is Integrated Health Studies and I’m also minoring in Spanish. I work about 25 hours a week at my family’s business and hope to become a Physician’s Assistant. I grew up speaking and learning English and Spanish both at home and at school. I do however feel more confident in English, and understand that another language such as Spanish can be difficult at times. I often ask my family members or friends for help, it’s definitely a learning process! But it allows me to grow and learn, as I’d hope to do with others. I’ve always enjoyed knowing two languages, because it allows me to talk and connect with more people, help others, expand my mind and appreciate life more. Helping my other students understand and appreciate the Spanish language is a goal of mine because knowing languages gives opportunity, knowledge, and even consciousness.

Yaneli  |  Spanish Peer Tutor
Yazmin, Spanish Peer Tutor

As an immigrant, I grew up with parents who did not speak any English. Having to translate for my parents was a big part of my life. After having to go through the struggle of translating and interpreting English to Spanish, things like that became relatively easier for me as I got older and learned more and more Spanish. Now, as a Criminology major and Spanish for the Professions minor, I hope to translate and interpret for families and young people that may need help with the many obstacles that not knowing English can create. Over the years and with the help of the professors here at UIC, I’ve become a lot more confident in my Spanish. Hopefully, in the future, I can work for an organization  like DCFS or for the Juvenile Justice System here in Chicago, where I could use my Spanish and interpretation skills while also helping young people and families.

Yazmin  |  Spanish Peer Tutor