Leah traces the spark of her vocation back to her grandfather. Having immigrated to the United States from Puerto Rico, he nurtured her love of culture and language and became the catalyst for her lifelong interest in education. She recalls her childhood with fondness, remembering how she has dreamed of becoming an educator for as long as she can remember. Over time, through exploration and self-discovery, Leah realized that her true calling lay in teaching as a bilingual educator. Since graduating, she has earned an ESL certification, a master’s degree, and now shares her expertise with adults through her instruction at Workplace Languages.
“If I can make a difference in others’ lives through things I have learned, I call that a win,” Leah reflects.
Adult Language Learning Vs. Child Language Learning
At first glance, teaching children and teaching adults may appear to be worlds apart. The methods often differ, yet Leah has come to believe that the two are more alike than they seem. Language learners of all ages want to feel joy in their educational journey. In her elementary classrooms, Leah often utilizes games and conversation to maintain engagement. When she applied those same methods with adult learners, she discovered that they too were energized by playfulness, connection, and collaboration. Regardless of the level, her goal remains the same: education should not only result in growth, but also delight.
“I believe that we are all life-long learners of one thing or another,” she observes.
Her experiences volunteering in classrooms further deepened her commitment. Meeting the immigrant parents of her students gave Leah opportunities to help families navigate life in the United States and bridge cultural and linguistic divides. Just like she loves showing children how the world works, she also finds joy in guiding adults as they acquire the vocabulary and cultural awareness they need to thrive. Many of her adult learners approach language learning with passion and determination, eager to improve their language skills and strengthen their connections with others.
However, teaching adults comes with its own set of challenges. Unlike children, adults may struggle to be vulnerable or risk making mistakes. Leah addresses this by modeling courage herself: she speaks to her students in their native languages, demonstrating that it is both acceptable and valuable to learn through error. She also recognizes that adult learners balance education with significant real-world responsibilities. To meet this reality, she adapts her lesson plans to be efficient, practical, and relevant to make sure that her students can make progress without feeling overwhelmed.
“It is important to cater to the needs of your students no matter their age, background, or final goal,” she emphasizes.
Whether she is teaching children or adults, Leah seeks to make her classes engaging, hands-on, and memorable. She believes that enjoyment is not separate from learning but the best path toward lasting comprehension.
Beyond her work in language education, Leah has developed an interest in yoga and hopes to one day pursue training to become an instructor. Although she does not yet have experience teaching physical wellness, she embraces the opportunity with curiosity and excitement.
“I hope to evolve into teaching different things and continue to learn on my own to deepen my own understanding,” she concludes.
Leah is a valued member of the Workplace Languages team, and we’re proud to have her as a teacher in our corporate language training programs.
