Meet the founder

Clara Torrijos Fernández

Founder of Spanish Academy Melbourne | Spanish Language Teacher & DELE examiner

¡Hola! I’m Clara — a Spanish teacher, professional proofreader, and passionate traveler. I created Spanish Academy Melbourne not only to teach Spanish, but to build a strong and welcoming community of learners who are curious about language and culture.

I have more than 8 years of teaching experience in Spain and Australia. In Madrid, I worked at language schools supporting people who had recently moved to the country, and I was also an instructor at the Complutense University of Madrid, teaching international students. Since 2019, I’ve continued teaching in Australia at institutions such as the Instituto Cervantes Melbourne and the Department of Education and Training in Victoria.

I’m a certified DELE examiner (A1 to B2 levels), and I hold two Master’s degrees — one in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language and another in Secondary Education. I’m also a professional proofreader and editor for academic texts.

Spanish Academy Melbourne is a newly launched project, and I feel genuinely excited and motivated to keep growing it. The aim is to offer high-quality, accessible, and practical Spanish courses that empower learners to use the language confidently — especially in real-life situations.

Spanish Academy Melbourne also promotes cultural activities happening in Melbourne (cooking experiences, theatre in Spanish, events and festivals…), conversation practice sessions with other students, and opportunities to connect with Spanish-speaking community members that the I already have connections with.

Trough these Spanish language programs, Spanish Academy Melbourne serve a dual purpose: fostering linguistic competency while celebrating and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Spanish-speaking communities. As Australia's Spanish and Latin American population continues to flourish, my goal to build bridges of understanding, create meaningful cultural connections, and strengthen community bonds.

Through language learning, participants you will not only develop valuable communication skills but also gain deeper appreciation for Hispanic cultures, supporting integration and multicultural harmony within Australian society. My approach recognizes that language learning is a pathway to cultural understanding, community building, and celebrating the vibrant diversity that Spanish-speaking Australians bring to our nation.

At Melbourne Spanish Academy, we celebrate and welcome learners from all backgrounds and walks of life. We proudly welcome students regardless of cultural and ethnic background, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability and mobility, age, religious beliefs, or socioeconomic circumstances.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate in Melbourne, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible learning environment with zero tolerance for discrimination, offering flexible accommodations and teaching methods that honor the diverse needs of all students. Learning Spanish opens doors to connect with over 500 million speakers worldwide, and we believe this opportunity should be available to everyone.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement