“Community is created when we write, listen and speak from the heart” – Ahava Shira I first heard about the Barcelona Journaling Festival last year, when Marusha Mozolevskaya, one of the co-founders, contacted me about the first edition, which would take place two months later, in November 2024. I loved […]
trauma-informed
14 posts
Client Background Julia, an experienced Spanish learner, reached out seeking support with a very specific challenge. Despite years of study, she struggled with severe anxiety when speaking the language. While she could read and understand Spanish reasonably well, the act of speaking triggered deep fears connected to childhood experiences of […]
Modern education, shaped by industrial-age thinking and dominated by Western philosophical frameworks, has long followed hierarchical models that prioritize individual achievement, linear progress, and control. One of the most emblematic representations of this approach is Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs,” a pyramid that places self-actualization at its peak and assumes […]
Healing Education: Healing Education The phrase “healing education” invites a powerful double meaning, acting as both a vision and a call to action. On the one hand, it evokes the image of an education that heals: a nurturing, compassionate, and transformative process that supports emotional and psychological well-being. On the […]
Table of contents Introduction Understanding trauma and its impact on learning Principles of trauma-informed education The intersection of trauma and language learning Key strategies for trauma-informed language instruction Creating a safe and inclusive environment Culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma Case studies and real-world applications Challenges and considerations Conclusion Additional resources […]
Language learning is often taught as a formula: grammar + vocabulary + repetition = fluency. But for many learners—especially adults navigating Spanish learning anxiety—this equation leaves something out: the human experience. The fear of sounding “wrong.” The grief of losing one’s native voice. The longing to express feelings deeper than […]
You know that feeling when you’re trying to speak a new language and your brain just… freezes? Or maybe you get flustered, your heart races, and suddenly even “hello” sounds impossible to pronounce? That, right there, is what happens when you’re pushed outside your window of tolerance. What is the […]
Language is more than a tool for communication; it’s a bridge to understanding ourselves and connecting with others. For neurodivergent adults—individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological variations—language learning can be both a challenge and a pathway to empowerment. When past traumas intersect with traditional educational methods, the journey […]
Reclaiming language through art For neurodivergent adults and individuals affected by trauma, learning a language can be more than an academic challenge—it can be a deeply personal and emotional process. Traditional methods often overlook the internal experiences of learners whose brains process language, emotion, and identity differently. This is where […]