THE STAFF

BEHIND THE SCENES

Our team consists of a mixture of nationalities where more than 10 accents can be heard in any given day in our office We are passionate about the effect that Pueblo Ingles has on people’s lives and we have developed complimentary services to offer even more! These people below make up our largest and strongest team to date. They are not only tasked with making sure your time at our villages is spectacular but with; developing new initiatives; planning English classes for our customers; doing translation; managing residential grammar courses; putting our Masters students through the mill and also finding job opportunities for people with English proficiency.

 

JUAN CARLOS MEDINA - Co-Founder of Pueblo Ingles and General Manager
Juan Carlos is a 47-year old entrepreneur from Soria. While working in the financial world, Juan Carlos Medina met the director of an English training centre and together they founded the concept of Pueblo Ingles. It was in July 2001 that Juan Carlos went to Valdelavilla to guide the first brave group of Spaniards and outgoing Anglos (term we use for native English speakers) through what is now the best English immersion course in Spain. Before the expansion of the team, the challenging early days involved single-handedly leading the program in Valdelavilla whilst at the same time generating business to secure the program's future success. Now based at the head office in Madrid, his travels to and from programs are over but in typical Pueblo Ingles fashion he remains in contact with all the good friends he made on those early pioneering programs.

SONIA PALACIOS - Partner and Manager of Pueblo Ingles
This lovely Spanish lady manages the Pueblo Ingles office with her charming smile and beguiling ways. Originally Sonia was the main contact for all Anglo participants. Now she takes care of the business in Madrid and is in direct contact with the Spaniards. She's a great believer in the Pueblo Ingles concept and this is something that is clearly apparent when she describes our magic formula to our clients. She and Juan Carlos call the shots on anything and everything concerning the program. She's an expert flamenco dancer, so if you see her at the welcome reception, start clapping and get her to dance!

ALVARO MEDINA - Operations Manager
Alvaro Medina lives practically half of the year in our different villages and travels through the Spanish countryside searching for new venues. He has experience as a government employee in Barcelona and Madrid and he even owned his own restaurant in Soria. Now he also runs a hotel our company owns in Segovia - Casón de la Pinilla - where we hold English grammar residential courses. His experience in this business has made him an expert in Hotel management, which is why he makes sure the venues are top-notch and up to standard. He also started as a Program Director running the programs at our venues, but has now diversified to seeking out new places and packages to offer our clients and dear Anglos. He's a man of few words, but when you see his expressive smile you'll see why he needs to say so little to get people involved!

MARIA GOYANES - Operations Manager
She is known by many of the Anglos who came on programs since 2003 as she was responsible for recruiting and coordinating the program and making sure each group had a perfect mix of candidates. Maria is 27, has lived practically all over the world and when not working, travels the globe to visit her many friends. She enjoys managing the programs from the distance and planning the strategies for the new projects. She is also in touch with the travel journalists who want to come to the program, to live it and then write about it! You will most probably meet her in the office in Madrid.

EVA GARCIA - Controller
Two years ago, when Eva heard about Pueblo Ingles through a friend, she contacted us and persuaded us to give her a job! She had heard about the concept after having spent a year and a half learning English in London and was just fascinated by the idea! She first started coordinating the Spanish clients and has now been promoted to control and supervise the day to day financial activities. She resolves everything with a smile!

CHERYL FORREST - Manager for the "Anglo" division
Managing the Anglos Dept. is a delight for Cheryl since her people and organisational skills are put to the test as the weekly rollercoaster ride delivers us to the next program. Being overall responsible for your first point of contact to attending the program and after, you may not speak to her but she's there improving the way Pueblo Ingles is perceived and protecting the fabulous reputation that we have built. Thanks to the raving success of our programs, demand has increased significantly which means that our inboxes are constantly being flooded by applications and questions from thousands of eager Anglos. All this means she needs a hand! Let me introduce the two stars who formulate the weekly group of Anglos.......

LUKE NIGHTINGALE
With his film star name, is also know as Silky in the office. His way with words really is a boon for the department in the way that he chats to all of our Anglos via the hundred of emails we deal with every week! A football fanatic who likes a good cup of tea (and makes one too) is at your service whilst booking you into your chosen program and dealing with any other enquiry regarding your participation. Having been an Anglo himself, he knows exactly what's in store for you and can give you many an anecdote from his experience at La Alberca. Being a Londoner makes it easy for this city boy to fit right in with the Madrid vibe but I'm sure he'd be quite as happy in a pair of wellies (Wellington boots for the non UK people)!

SHONA HOLLAND
Shona belongs to the Anglo Department and compliments the team very well with her Scottish accent and warm personality. This newbie of the team, and a wannabe Gladiatior contestant, is full of enery and an avid American Idol fan. She keeps us all entertained with her thoughts of the day, her lovely singing voice and her tales of life in Granada. Her Spanish language skills are enviable and her love for Spain is undeniable because she is taking full advantage of everything life has to offer here. She takes care of all the Anglos queries and is responsible for booking up Pueblo Ingles programs for the whole year.

PEPA POZA - Sales Representative for Spanish Division
Pepa runs around Madrid presenting the product to companies who are searching for that unique language training program! Once she has convinced the Human Resources department that Pueblo Ingles is the best method for the companys' employees to practice English, she makes sure the Spaniards know that they are up against a crazy bunch of chatter-boxes with the most remote accents we could take on.

LAURA MORENO - Sales Representative for Spanish Division
Laura is a new addition to the commercial team and brings her organisational skills from when she was coordinating the Spanish group of participants. Learning English herself, she recognises the need for Spaniards to communicate effectively in our wonderful language, for their careers and beyond! Laura is known for the imaginitive lunches that she brings to the office - always in a combination of chick peas, green beans and rice! Her presence in the Commercial Dept. yields better results than her cooking skills!

JULIA PALOMINO - English Required Manager
After Pueblo Ingles, some of the Spaniards feel so confident about their English, they are even ready to take a leap into looking for a job in English! So recently, we have also launched our own job search engine! EnglishRequired.com is managed by Julia Palomino. She is in charge of looking for companies who need bilingual candidates. So yes! If you speak Spanish you can also sign up to her candidate list! If on the other hand think your office, school or a friend you know is looking to recruit Spaniards with a very good knowledge of the English language - show them our way. Go to www.englishrequired.com for more details!

COLBY PRICE - Education and Training Manager
A long time ago, Colby came to Europe with a backpack and no intention of staying! After three months of living in Madrid, he decided this was the city he was going to plant roots! So he started teaching English and now, after over twelve years, he is now an expert and ready to teach others the trick of the trade! He organizes and trains for in-company teaching and residential grammar courses. In the summer he works with the Teens to ensure the Spanish students learn English and the "Anglo" volunteers have the time of their life.

SANDRA HANDLER- Coordinator for TEEN Pueblo Ingles Programs
If you wondered what was the deal-breaker for Colby to stay in Spain then Sandra is her name! Sandra and Colby live San Lorenzo El Escorial, a beautiful little village we recommend you visit if you come to Madrid. Sandra has also taught English for many years, specializing in in-company classes with major international clients. Now she has decided she will use all that experience to teach the younger crowd! She will be coordinating the Teen programs and will be the Program Director during most of the sessions this year. When in the office, she can get the whole crew laughing with her contagious laugh!

 

Onsite Pueblo Ingles Staff

Programs at Pueblo Ingles are never the same twice because each and every Pueblo Ingles program tells a new story. With each individual participant added to a program, the dynamics are radically changed. The addition of one person has a domino effect affecting every other person's experience. One might compare it to adding a new character into narrative where the group dynamics is key. What would have happened for example if Peter Pan had been one of the boys in Lord of the Flies, or if the Incredible Hulk had been on the jury in Twelve Angry Men, or if Mary Poppins was added to the set of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly? We can only hypothesise of course, but I think we'd all agree that thing s would definitely have been different? In this way you really are the secret to the success of every program. We do our best to put together interesting, diverse and balanced groups. And that's not all we guarantee. ..

.Each program's story is also heavily influenced by the members of staff that join it. In the TEEN program there is one staff member for each 10 participants. That means that in a group of sixty, (thirty Spaniards and thirty Anglos), there will be six Pueblo Ingles representatives: A Program Director (PD), a Master of Ceremonies (MC) and 4 counsellors. The adult sessions are led by a PD and a MC who will constantly be around! Even if you can't physically see them, they are there, observing everything you do and keeping everyone entertained, happy, motivated and speaking English...NONSTOP!!!!

The staff we've hired to work on these programs have been very carefully selected. They're a mixed bunch with all sorts of skills and experiences. One thing's for sure about all of them though: They know their jobs inside out and whatever dynamic duo you get on your program, they will be two characters completely devoted to seeing that your Pueblo Ingles story has a happy ending. We're very proud to introduce the Motley crew that is our Program Directors and Master of Ceremonies:

PROGRAM DIRECTORS (PDs)
Your PDs will be there to solve problems with a warm smile and ensure that you are comfortable with all aspects of your stay. They will be one of your best friends during the program and for a long time thereafter. They will make sure the group and the hotel service is at its best, and they will make sure you have on of the best weeks of your life. Alvaro Medina has trained all the PDs that have come on board since him and Juan Carlos started to direct the programs. You may catch Alvaro roaming around the "Pueblos" but if not, you are sure to see his influence in the professionalism and commitment of his team of PDs .

PABLO
Originally coming to Pueblo Ingles as a client looking to improve his English, Pablo improved his English so much in three sessions that he decided he wanted to stay in touch with the program - not only for the language but for the enriching experience it provides. Today, he is one of our most experienced PDs and ready for anything! They don't cal him the legend for nothing!

 

SABELA
Sabela is a Spanish cutie with an Irish accent! Her handle of the English language is so advanced that even the natives in the Anglo department are impressed. Violin playing, half-pint-sized Sabela also has Teen Program success to add another string to her bow. Sweet as pie in her approach and a favourite with the lads, she is a naturally engaging person to have around our villages.

 

MARTA
Marta is the new Penelope Cruz, except prettier! A mega-confident Spanish woman who will soon take Hollywood by storm, she is currently working as a Program Director for Pueblo Ingles while acting as a movie extra and deciding which of the theatrical agencies she will grace with her talent. Those of you who have seen the Pedro Almodovar movie "Volver" have already seen Marta! As if that was not enough, she is also a freelance Graphic Artist and she is never far from her trusty Apple computer. She uses her skills as an actress and graphic artist to the full in the program, organising everything with computer driven accuracy while being able to flash a Hollywood smile even when under pressure.

 

MAYTE
Teaching American high school kids in a school with metal detectors at the door has toughened Mayte up quite nicely! She is not afraid to take on the loudest group and handles every situation with grace and a smile! Continuing her teaching studies between programs means that Mayte will be at the top of her game very shortly and we advise any school kid in the Madrid area to watch out! Mayte works very well in tandem with any Master of Ceremonies combo and her harmonious constitution ensures all of our participants a great time.

 

DANI
The newest addition to our buffet of PDs, Dani's laid back yet very well organised style is perfectly suited to run Pueblo Ingles programs in any venue. Having lived in Scotland for a while, this Spaniard can understand some of the most difficult accents that we find so valuable. In his spare time Dani is quite the creative cat in conceiving and making movies and his warming personality attracts many a longlasting friend beyond the Pueblo Ingles experience.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES (MCs)
In addition to your Program Director, you will be accompanied during the whole week by one of our best-kept Pueblo Ingles secrets. These people are like your ring leaders and circus acts all rolled into one! Their love for theatre, big groups of people and pure fun are the keys to making sure that you are well entertained throughout the program. And, when it's your turn to entertain, they'll be the ones that help to transform you into actors, performers, entertainers.and with just two to four hours of preparation! Don't panic though if you're not keen on the idea. You don't have to hide all week. Just let them know - they're easy to talk to, people's people, and they'll do almost anything to ensure that you're having a wonderful time.

BRIAN
Our blue eyes from Colorado! He has been with the Pueblo Ingles family almost since the start. He has done over 60 programs - that means he has lived in our venues for over 480 days! No one has more experience than he does! He has the talent to make people smile, laugh and cry at the end of the programs. He lives in Madrid and combines English teaching, with his love for sports. In between the programs he somehow manages to travel around the world visiting the many friends he has made in Pueblo Ingles. He will now take charge of the new MC's, train them and show them everything he has learned in the past 3 years. It's a pleasure to have people like him on staff!

DAVY
This Irish fella holds true to his infamous nature.  Not only does he dress in a multitude of smashing shades of green, he also has a full head and face of red. He carries with him an incredible amount of knowledge about anything and everything - true Leprechaun style. Davy will dazzle you with information from the smallest detail to the biggest invention. This natural born leader will not only gladly share every tid bit of information stored in his fascinatingly factual brain, but he will do so with such style and humour, that you will find yourself engrossed in amazing conversations. He'll tell exhilarating stories about strange and mysterious lands, 101 jokes that will have you laughing until you cry. When he isn't doing Pueblo Ingles programs he takes his walking encyclopedia self, and traipses groups through the mountains of Spain and we wouldn't doubt if he could lead you straight to the pot of gold.  Check out his site www.walkspain.com

GARRET
This cheeky Mancunian chappy has been spreading his wit (one would also say sarcasm) around Madrid for more than half a decade. He works as a teacher trainer and also in theatre all around Spain and Portugal. At the program he will have you dressed up as a pantomime dame or a cowboy in no time! He has bundles of energy, and beams with enthusiasm as he greets his new group on Friday mornings. He'll discover talents in you that you never thought possible!

JEZ
Our man from Skegness, England, came to Spain to participate as an Anglo and loved the experience. He is now a well integrated member of the Masters of Ceremonies team and with his background in drama, is a highly valuable one too! The eternal optimist with bags of motivation has one motto: Life is for learning; travel broadens the mind; the world is a book. So, we give you permission to corner him and tell him all about your world in all it´s gory detail.

CHRISTINE
Known as Capable Christine, this Canadian lass always wears a big welcoming smile. Maybe its the background in teaching or the fact that the word "can't" doesn't exist for Christine, but you always feel safe when she is around, knowing there is nothing she can't (did I say that word?)deal with. While participating as an Anglo in August 05, our on-site staff suspected Christine could probably catch flying bullets with her teeth while sweetly running a Pueblo Ingles program. We promptly persuaded her to stay and trained her to be a Master of Ceremonies.

 

AKEMI
Bubbly Akemi is an English and Drama graduate who loves to be around people. At her fitness training business in Los Angeles her motivational skills passed the ultimate test getting people who don't like exercise to exercise! She also worked writing in a comedy team for television. The only time she is not around people is when she is surfing. She is currently living in Madrid in between her stays in La Alberca or Valdelavilla.

Your group could be managed by any one of these Program Directors and Master of ceremonies but be assured that in whatever combination you will be surprised and delighted. Get to know the Pueblo Inglés staff