Hello and welcome! My name is Elena, and I’m the founder of The Happy Caracola - Spanish Academy here in Kent. I’m originally from Spain, but after more than 11 years in the UK, I now feel lucky to call both countries home. Being part of two languages and two ways of life has shaped who I am, and it’s something I love sharing with others through teaching.
My professional background is in Travel and Tourism, a field that sparked my passion for languages, communication, and cultural exchange. While in Spain, I also taught English to small groups of children in an afterschool clubs and also to small groups of adults in community centres, where I discovered how creative, supportive, and enjoyable language learning can be. I’ve learned that the best way to pick up a language is by making it practical, fun, and encouraging, and I’m always trying out new ideas to make my lessons fresh friendly and practical.
I’m a mum to a young son who was born here in the UK, and he’s picking up Spanish alongside me. Raising him bilingually is both rewarding and hilarious—sometimes it’s a full-time Spanish-English comedy show—but it’s taught me that learning a language is way more than memorising grammar; it’s about confidence, identity, and sharing laughs along the way.
At The Happy Caracola, I bring together my international perspective, professional experience, and personal journey as both a teacher and a mum to create Spanish lessons that are authentic, practical, and adaptable to your goals. Whether you’re preparing for exams, travelling, looking to grow at work, or simply learning for personal fulfilment, my mission is to make Spanish learning an enjoyable and rewarding journey, step by step.
I’d love to hear from you, so please get in touch and let’s start your Spanish adventure together!