Ana Fernández Rodríguez

Teaching Fellow (Spanish)

Background

Ana Fernández holds a Master’s degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language from the University of La Rioja (Spain).

Working at the Centre for Open Learning, she has designed and taught Spanish courses for adults.

Ana has also held teaching roles in Spain and South Korea and has been a DELE examiner at Instituto Cervantes Seoul.

Currently, she is the Spanish Short Courses Coordinator at Languages for All and one of the SIELE coordinators.

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language, Universidad de La Rioja, Spain
  • Certificate in Spanish as a Foreign Language,  International House Madrid, Spain
  • Accreditation as Instituto Cervantes DELE proctor, Tokyo, Japan
  • BA in Journalism, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain

Responsibilities & affiliations

Responsibilities at The University of Edinburgh

  • LfA Spanish Short Courses Coordinator
  • Spanish Language for IFP Course Organiser
  • SIELE Edinburgh Centre Coordinator

Affiliations

Member of ELEUK, AHGBI, and CERU/SRUK

Undergraduate teaching

Current Academic Year 2025-2026

Previous Academic Year 2024-2025

  • Spanish Lifelong Learning courses
  • Spanish Language 2 - Written language tutorial
  • Spanish 1B - Written and oral tutorials

Research summary

Thesis Title: Teaching Spanish to Spanish Heritage Language Speakers in the United Kingdom

Studies show that Heritage Language speakers are a heterogeneous group in Europe and in the USA because of their diverse sociolinguistic background.

Therefore, the characteristics of this group in the UK cannot be assumed without research. Elements such as their connection with the heritage language and their self-identity, together with the value of the language in the country, might differ.  

Past research interests

Previous research examined inclusive language practices in the ELE classroom, analysing writing style guides and providing reflection activities.

Organiser

34.º ASELE International Conference, Edinburgh, 16th - 20th July 2024

70th AHGBI Annual Conference, Edinburgh, 7th - 10th April 2025

Participant

70th AHGBI Annual Conference 2025 at The University of Edinburgh - Roundtable: Teaching Hispanic Studies to Heritage speakers of Spanish in the UK

ELEUK 2025 Conference at The Open University - Research presentation: How do we teach Spanish as a Heritage Language?