Meet Sandra Vargas | English Language Teaching

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandra Vargas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandra, how does your business help the community?
I have always been extremely passionate about languages and cultures. Languages are just so powerful in terms of letting people connect with each other and letting people into each other’s lives. I already discovered the power of language when I was a child. I grew up bilingual with the languages German and Bosnian and I quickly realized that I can connect with so many more people by just being able to speak these two languages. This gave me the motivation to learn more languages and, in the end, to graduate from University with a Master’s Degree in English Language and English Language Teaching. Creating a business that focuses on teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is doing exactly this – it gives my students the power to grow, to connect with the rest of the world, and it gives them the chance to expand their horizon. At the same time, they do the same for me. I grow, connect, and expand my horizon on a daily basis as well. With each other we learn to appreciate our English accents, our cultures, our beliefs and values, our stories, and our diversity. And this is just beautiful and something I live for.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I graduated from the University of Innsbruck with a Master’s degree in English Language and English Language Teaching. Since then, I have been teaching in several high schools around Europe. The last high school, before moving to the US in April 2022, was in Liechtenstein. I would say that my personality as a teacher sets me apart from others. I greatly care about my students’ academic success and advancement, but I also care about them as individuals. I have always been an approachable teacher and my students know that they can come to me with whatever and that I will be ready to help them at all times. Besides being focused on the academic material, there is also laughter and fun in my classroom. The aspect of laughter and fun has always been something I wished for when I was a student and when I imagined myself in the classroom as a teacher. Nevertheless, I too had to overcome some challenges because I soon realized that not all students will appreciate my friendliness and openness, and will take advantage of it. I had to learn that it is also my job to discipline my students and to teach them what respect means. I am most proud of myself that I learned this lesson, as this made me a better and unforgettable teacher, but also a better person. I carry this lesson with me at all times and also transfer it into my business called Learn English with Sandra. Every student who lets me in on their English learning journey is automatically part of the Learn English with Sandra-family. I am available for their questions, concerns, goals, and stories. I encourage my students to work hard during the lessons, but also to have fun while learning a language. I want my students to feel comfortable and safe with me because they are the most important to me, and I want to see them shine.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Fort Collins, it is just the cutest, most peaceful place, and I have had the chance to see lots of things already. I am expecting my family and friends from Switzerland soon, so here is where I would take them. First of all, I would show them the beautiful nature and trails. I love the Horsetooth Reservoir. Not only is it a great spot to overlook the whole city, it is also great for swimming, paddleboarding, and relaxing. I know for a fact that none of my friends have ever tried paddleboarding, so I am already very excited to see them try (and excited to laugh a little when they fall into the water). I would also like to show them the Lorry State Park. The trail is just wonderful and again, you can see the whole city and in this case also the Horsetooth Reservoir. I can already hear their “wooow” in my head. I would also be thrilled to show them around the city. The Old Town is just amazing. There are so many cute little coffee shops, bars, and parks. My friends, my mom, and I, hang out in coffee shops a lot, so I would love to take them to “Lima Coffee” because it is my favorite one. We all enjoy food and trying out new dishes, so I would take them to the famous Fort Collins food corner called “The Exchange”. They have the best Tacos and ice cream. The “Old Town Churn Ice Cream” is just an unforgettable experience for your taste buds. Lastly, I would show them the CSU campus. It may sound odd for you, but for people from Switzerland this is a highlight. Campuses of this size do not exist in Switzerland and walking down the Oval with the many trees around it, is just worth visiting it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate a huge shoutout to my husband who has been supporting me since day 1. Whenever I have technical issues, he is there to fix it, even though he himself has a demanding job and lots of things to do. When I have days where I doubt myself, he is there to pick me up and encourage me to keep going. He is my biggest fan and has my back. I would also like to dedicate a huge shoutout to my mum, dad, and brother in Switzerland who despite the physical distance (5,157.41 mi) and time difference (8 hours) always take their time to support me, and advise me when I feel stuck. Last but not least, I would also like to give a shoutout to my friends who always show up for me and have always believed in me. I am extremely blessed to have all these wonderful people in my life.

Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to tell my story with your help! As I‘m still quite new to the US and Colorado, I don’t have a huge network and can’t nominate anyone for now. However, if I come across someone and their business, I will email you.

Website: https://www.learnenglishwithsandra.de

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnenglishwithsandra_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandravargasjr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnenglishwithsandra

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2FKwoUHJekgyGzzKHj5ZcQ

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@learnenglishwithsandra_