Skip to content
Home » Archives for Kelly Thornhill » Page 7

Kelly Thornhill

Founder and head tutor at Adventures in Spanish, Kelly has been creating fun, confidence‑building Spanish lessons for learners of all ages since returning to the UK in 2014 after an epic 20‑year adventure across South America. Her teaching blends real‑world cultural experience with engaging, practical learning. Discover how her Spanish courses can support you or the young learner in your life at www.adventuresinspanish.co.uk.

Gauchito Gil Argentina

Gauchito Gil: Argentina’s Cowboy Saint of the People

When I arrived in Argentina overland from Bolivia in January 2003, one of the first things that caught my eye were these mysterious little red shrines by the side of the road. At first, I had no idea what they were—just flashes of red whizzing past the bus window. It wasn’t until I later hitched a lift in the back of a truck with an Argentine family that I had the chance to ask. They explained, matter-of-factly, that these were shrines to Gauchito Gil—a legendary figure who, in the eyes of many Argentinians, was more important than the Church itself.

Read More »Gauchito Gil: Argentina’s Cowboy Saint of the People
learning Spanish in your fourties

Yes, You Can Learn Spanish in Your 40s: Why It’s the Perfect Time to Start

If you’re in your 40s and thinking about learning Spanish—but that little voice in your head keeps whispering “what if I fail?”—this is for you. The idea of starting something new later in life can feel daunting, especially when that something is a whole new language. But here’s the good news: being 40 (or beyond) doesn’t put you at a disadvantage. In fact, it might just be your superpower.

Read More »Yes, You Can Learn Spanish in Your 40s: Why It’s the Perfect Time to Start
Stay motivated when learning Spanish

Feeling Alone in Your Spanish Journey? Here’s How to Stay Motivated

So… you’re learning Spanish. But no one around you is. Not your partner, not your friends, not even your dog (although you’ve definitely tried saying ¡siéntate! a few times just to see). It can feel like you’re on a solo mission to fluency while everyone else is off binge-watching Netflix in English. The good news? You’re not alone in being alone—and there are ways to stay motivated and actually enjoy the process (yes, even if your only Spanish conversation today was with Duolingo).

Read More »Feeling Alone in Your Spanish Journey? Here’s How to Stay Motivated
Have fun learning Spanish

Home-Educating? Here’s How to Make Spanish Feel Like a Real Subject (Without Killing the Fun)

Let’s be honest—when you’re home-educating, everything has the potential to feel like either a beautifully child-led adventure or a slightly chaotic attempt to tick boxes while someone refuses to put trousers on. Spanish? That one often floats somewhere in between “We’ll do it later” and “Wait… does Duolingo count?”

Read More »Home-Educating? Here’s How to Make Spanish Feel Like a Real Subject (Without Killing the Fun)
horse riding through the vineyards Mendoza Argentina

From the Andes to Andalucía: The Immersive Journey That Shapes How We Teach Spanish

There’s a moment I think about often.

My daughter — still small, still figuring out the world — is mid-sentence in Spanish, completely unselfconscious, switching effortlessly between languages the way other children switch between shoes. She didn’t study her way to that. She lived her way to it.

Read More »From the Andes to Andalucía: The Immersive Journey That Shapes How We Teach Spanish
A candid of someone laughing while learning Spanish

From Panic to ¡Perfecto!: How I Finally Spoke Spanish Without Freezing Up

Ever frozen up mid-sentence while trying to speak Spanish, even though you know the words? Been there. In this blog post, I share how I went from total tongue-tie to confidently chatting with truck drivers as I hitchhiked across South America—plus the surprising role grammar lessons in Quito played in unlocking my fluency. It’s a story of nerves, mistakes, and the messy magic of real-life language learning.

Read More »From Panic to ¡Perfecto!: How I Finally Spoke Spanish Without Freezing Up
dream trip to costa rica

Why You Don’t Need to Be Fluent to Enjoy Travel in Spanish

Let’s get real: you don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to enjoy your travels in Spain or Latin America. Sure, mastering the language is amazing, but the beauty of travel is experiencing the world around you, not stressing over every little conjugation. So, if you’re holding back from planning that dream trip because you don’t speak perfect Spanish—stop right there. I’ve got your back.

Read More »Why You Don’t Need to Be Fluent to Enjoy Travel in Spanish
A person speaking confidently in a café in Spain or Latin America

5 Spanish Phrases That Make You Sound Instantly More Fluent (Even If You’re Not)

Let’s be honest—sounding fluent in Spanish feels great. It’s like pulling off a convincing salsa dance at a wedding without anyone realising you actually learned the steps from a YouTube short. But the truth is, you don’t need to be fluent to sound fluent. You just need a few tricks up your sleeve.

Here are five phrases (plus a cheeky intonation tip or two) that’ll help you fake it ‘til you make it. Ready? ¡Vamos!

Read More »5 Spanish Phrases That Make You Sound Instantly More Fluent (Even If You’re Not)
Work in Spain

How Spanish Can Supercharge Your Career (And Make Work More Fun!)

If you’re looking for a way to boost your career prospects, learning Spanish might just be one of the smartest moves you can make. With over 500 million speakers worldwide, Spanish is the second most spoken language by native speakers and a valuable skill in today’s job market. Whether you want to stand out to employers, open doors to international opportunities, or simply make your daily work life easier, Spanish can give you the edge.

Read More »How Spanish Can Supercharge Your Career (And Make Work More Fun!)