Our Team

My name is Laura, and although I was born and raised in Girona, I currently live in Santa Cristina d'Aro. I studied Public Relations at the University of Bournemouth in England. I am responsible for managing the accounting and human resources department at the school. I really enjoy sports and dancing salsa, and whenever I can, I take the opportunity to travel!

Hello! I'm Cristina Ramos, and I'm from Banyoles. Currently, I live in Girona, and although I miss the lake, I must confess that I am very happy here. I studied Catalan and "Spanish" degrees at the University of Girona and later pursued a Master's in Teaching Catalan and "Spanish" as a Second Language. I absolutely love teaching languages because it allows me to work with language, which has always fascinated me, and it also lets me explore other cultures and ways of thinking. In my free time, I enjoy playing board games, though I also take great pleasure in music and reading.

I was born in London but lived in various places in the south of England. My father had a hotel and that was why I first got a diploma in Business Studies and then specialised in Hotel and Catering Management. By chance I ended up in Girona and after a few years teaching English, I decided I liked it enough to get serious about it. I took a TEFL course and after a brief spell as a professional hot air balloon pilot I started with UP! Idiomes. 

As well as teaching and trying to run the school I’m on the committee of the British Benevolent Association and was chosen as British Honorary Consul for the Girona Province. Through these organisations and the school, I have been very fortunate to get to know (and teach!) some really great people.

Right from the start I knew that UP! should be different. I didn’t want an “English” school as I believe all languages are equally important. Also, I strongly believe that through communication and learning about life and different cultures we can all become better people. 

My name is Anna Ortega, and I'm from Girona, where I currently reside. I have studied for a degree in Spanish Language and Literature, and I'm completing a Master's in Teaching Catalan and "Spanish" as Second Languages, both at the University of Girona. I work as a teacher of "Spanish" and Catalan as foreign languages, and I had the opportunity to do my teaching internship as a Spanish teacher at the University of Florence. I really enjoy travelling, cooking, and going on excursions!

My name is Julia, and I have studied Catalan and "Spanish" Language and Literature, specializing in Teaching "Spanish" and Catalan as Second Languages. During my Master's degree, I completed my teaching internship as a Spanish teacher at the Università degli Studi di Padova. Since November 2022, I have been a teacher at Up Idiomes Academy. I enjoy reading, music, and travelling. Thanks to my students, I get to learn about new cultures, languages, and customs from different countries.

Hello there!

I'm Alba Almenara, a teacher at UP. Currently, I'm a third-year student in Primary Education at the University of Girona. I live in a small town called Vilablareix, where I've been involved in extracurricular activities, teaching English at the school, and engaging in other leisure activities.

I absolutely love travelling and discovering new places. That's why this year, I had the opportunity to go on an Erasmus exchange to Södertörn University in Sweden. Reading and sports are also hobbies I enjoy very much.

I was born in Manchester, where I worked in the insurance industry. I have worked as a tour guide and entertainer in France, Blanes, and L'Estartit. I have been an English teacher for sixteen years. My hobbies include mountain biking and songwriting. I have five YouTube channels, and my favourite football team is Manchester City.

After 30 years in international businesses based in the UK I decided it was time for a change. My wife and I had many adventures travelling the world including being caught up in a powerful earthquake in New Zealand. We moved to Girona last year and enjoy everything about the city...I try and run or cycle...but more slowly than I used to...I am an old man...but our biggest challenge is learning Catalan!

I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and in 2007, I fell in love with Catalonia and a Catalan person. Since then, I have been living here and dedicating myself to translation and teaching the Portuguese language since 2011. Language and communication form the basis of my education, and teaching and society are my passion. I graduated in Library Science and Information Sciences and have a postgraduate degree in teaching Portuguese as a second language and as a heritage language. Additionally, I have extensive training in linguistics, philosophy, and teaching.

I have worked as a documentalist for various multinational companies (Tecumseh, Volkswagen...) and as a writer and editor for newspapers like O movimento and Jornal da Cidade. I am a disciple of the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire. I am passionate about music (especially Chico Buarque's), watching movies (with popcorn), being a mother, and nature.