Joshi G. Prasad
Executive Director
He is the key piece in the School’s framework. He ensures the correct achievement of objectives, compliance with the guidelines of the ELE USAL Group, and maintains constant communication with the Central Department in Salamanca. He also leads the administrative team and works closely with the academic management to guarantee the proper functioning of the school.
Mr. Joshi holds a degree in Business Management and is currently pursuing studies in Management and Leadership at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He has over 20 years of experience managing companies in the education sector. His goal is to create opportunities for at least 1 million people to experience multilingual learning throughout their careers.
Due to his strong social commitment and deep human values, he is a founding member of a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing shelter to homeless orphaned children.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling, reading, doing volunteer work and appreciating nature.
LANGUAGES: SPANISH (C1) – ENGLISH, HINDI, URDU, NEPALI (QUADRILINGUAL) – BENGALI & JAPANESE (BASIC)
Paula Reyes Álvarez
Academic Director
Born in Vigo (Spain), Paula holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics with a specialization in Spanish Teaching Methodology (ELE) from the University of Vigo, where she also completed her degree in Hispanic Philology. She additionally holds a Master’s Degree in Teacher Training for Spanish Language and Literature and a Postgraduate Degree in Applied Linguistics. She is a certified DELE examiner for all levels and has over 13 years of experience in ELE.
Paula has taught Spanish at universities in Brazil, Portugal, the USA and Poland. In 2015 she was awarded the ASELE Prize for her doctoral dissertation “Teacher training in authentic assessment of ELE competencies”. She has published several research papers on competence-based teaching, authentic ELE assessment, and discourse interpretation.
She is currently the Academic Director of ELE USAL Bilbao and ELE USAL Barcelona, combining these duties with teacher training and academic consulting.
In her free time, she enjoys running, dancing sevillanas and being near the sea.
Languages: Spanish & Galician (bilingual), English (B1)
Gheily Jiménez
Academic Coordinator
Born in Venezuela, Gheily is an innovative and empathetic teacher with more than 20 years of teaching experience. She earned her degree as a Comprehensive Education Teacher at the Pedagogical University Institute Monseñor Rafael Arias Blanco in Venezuela. She is also a DELE examiner for levels A1–A2 and holds a Master’s Degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language.
Gheily has been teaching Spanish for around 6 years, delivering general Spanish courses, preparation courses for DELE exams from A1 to C1 for adults, and CCSE. She has experience in linguistic immersion programs, mother tongue instruction and language camps for children and teenagers. She has also worked as a Spanish teacher in the International Baccalaureate (IB) system for the MYP program.
Working in Venezuela, Australia, Dubai, and Spain has allowed her to develop multicultural skills in the educational field. She incorporates activities related to art, music and cinema into her lessons to create an integral learning experience.
In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, and doing crafts.
Languages: Spanish (native), English (B2)
María Andrés Pesa
Assistant & Spanish Teacher
Born in Cantabria, María is friendly, communicative and passionate about her work. She is one of the smiling faces that will welcome you when you arrive at our school.
María holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (University of Salamanca) and a Degree in Modern Languages with a specialization in Hispanic and Literary Studies (University of Deusto). She is also accredited as a DELE A2 written expression and interaction assessor and as an oral examiner for DELE A1–A2 (Instituto Cervantes).
As a teacher, she is passionate about creating a relaxed and enriching learning environment for her students.
In her free time, she enjoys reading novels and comics as well as taking care of her plants.
Languages: Spanish (native), English (C1), Chinese (HSK2)
María Magdalena Adam
Assistant & Spanish Teacher
Originally from Romania, María Magdalena is enthusiastic and warm, combining her passion for teaching with a practical and motivating approach. She enjoys creating dynamic learning experiences where students can interact, communicate and use the language in real contexts, fostering their confidence and participation.
She holds a Degree in Modern Languages from the University of Deusto and a Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from the European University. She is also specialized in educational innovation and diversity through university certificates in Active Methodologies and courses in Dyslexia and Dyscalculia.
She has experience teaching Spanish from A1 to C1, designing materials and applying communicative methodologies focused on student participation and fluency.
Her background includes collaboration in creating educational resources and organizing cultural activities for international students, as well as experience in event management.
In her free time, she enjoys learning languages, going to the cinema and discovering new restaurants.
Languages: Spanish (native), Basque (native), Romanian (native), English (C1), French (A2)
Berta Ruiz-Alejos
Spanish Teacher
Born in Spain, Berta is a creative teacher with strong artistic training and international experience. She graduated in Fine Arts Creation and Design from the University of the Basque Country (UPV–EHU) and holds a Master’s in Art Education. She later completed the Master’s Degree in Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) at the University of Cantabria.
Berta has worked in different fields related to art, education and cultural creation. She was an art teacher at Amadeus Aula Creativa (Logroño) and has developed projects in photography, graphic design and ceramics in cultural centers and companies such as Cooltour (Italy) and Sutan (Bilbao). Her experience as a Spanish teacher has allowed her to combine teaching with artistic creation and design.
Living and working in France, Italy and China has given her strong intercultural awareness in her teaching practice, encouraging student participation and expression.
In her free time, she enjoys ceramics, drawing and the cultural and social atmosphere of Bilbao.
Languages: Spanish (native), English (B2), Italian (B2), French (A2), Basque (beginner), Chinese (beginner)
Nerea Turiño
Spanish Teacher
Born in Spain, Nerea is our specialist in teaching Spanish to young learners. With affection and dedication, she refers to her students as “her little ones”, ensuring they always leave with a smile after class. She also teaches adult lessons at various levels and enjoys designing learning materials and activities.
Her passion for discovering new cultures has led her to study and work in Australia, Portugal and Italy.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Spanish Teaching Methodology (Universidad Nebrija) and a Degree in Modern Philology (English) (University of León). She stays constantly updated on innovative ELE methodologies. She is accredited by Instituto Cervantes as an oral examiner for DELE A1 and A2.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new places, meeting people, music, nature, and spending time with her dog Dora.
Languages: Spanish (native), English (C1), Italian (B1), Basque (B1), French (A2)
Daniel Castillo Sanjuán
Spanish Teacher
Born in Zaragoza, Daniel is approachable, curious and enthusiastic. He enjoys cultural exchange and guiding his students in their Spanish learning journey. He brings dynamism and creativity to his classes, ensuring each lesson is meaningful and motivating.
He is a PhD candidate in Applied Linguistics and holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, both from the University of Salamanca. He also has a Degree in Primary Education from the University of Zaragoza. His research focuses on teaching Spanish to Chinese-speaking students from a cognitive perspective, a topic on which he published a chapter in *The teaching of Spanish and Chinese as foreign languages: challenges and proposals* (PUZ, 2025).
Daniel has extensive international experience teaching Spanish in institutions such as Eötvös Loránd University (Budapest), Beijing Sport University, and Harbin Normal University, where he taught grammar, pragmatics, cognitive linguistics, Spanish for specific purposes, and discourse analysis, both in-person and online.
He is accredited as a DELE assessor for written expression and interaction (A1–C2 & School A1–A2/B1) and as an oral examiner for DELE (A1–C2 & School A1–A2/B1). He is also an examiner and assessor for SIELE oral expression and interaction and an assessor for written expression.
In his free time, he enjoys playing chess, practicing circus arts, reading and trying new things—activities that reflect his inquisitive nature and passion for continuous learning.
Languages: Spanish (native), English (C1), Italian (C1), Hungarian (basic), Chinese (basic)
Seba Miguens
Marketing Manager
Spanish with Argentine origin, he holds a Degree in Graphic Design with a specialization in Corporate Image from the University of Buenos Aires.
He also holds a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing and a certification in Web Interface Design from Microsoft Corp.
With more than 25 years of experience as a designer and web developer, he has participated in and managed major international projects with a strong social commitment and special focus on minorities.
His career includes collaborations with numerous NGOs such as Aldeas Infantiles, Proyecto Hombre and Taller de Solidaridad, contributing to initiatives that promote inclusion, support for vulnerable communities, and equal access to technology and information.
He currently leads a comprehensive digital marketing consultancy project aimed at women entrepreneurs, helping them boost their businesses through effective client acquisition, digitalization, and sustainable growth strategies.
He is also responsible for the digital marketing and content strategies of ELE USAL Bilbao and Barcelona.
A passionate music lover, he enjoys listening to and collecting music, traveling, and participating in corporate events related to his field.
Languages: Spanish, Italian, English
Our Agents
He Yi
Head of International Relations
Born in Chongqing, China, Yi is open, kind, energetic and dedicated, with great enthusiasm for both life and work. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Industry Management and a Degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language. She has worked in Chengdu and Shanghai on cultural projects and audiovisual planning.
Yi is currently the Head of International Relations and Director of the Chinese Department at ELE USAL Bilbao. She manages daily teaching operations and actively promotes international cooperation with universities, educational institutions and recognized agencies to offer students from diverse cultures a professional and immersive learning experience.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, practicing Krav Maga, advocating for women’s rights, reading, spending time by the sea and doing volunteer work.
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (native), Chongqing dialect (native), English (C1), Spanish (B1)
Amanat Ali
International Regional Manager, South Asia
Born in Punjab, Pakistan, Amanat Ali has over 15 years of experience living and working in Spain.
He is currently the International Regional Manager for South Asia and IT Manager at ELE USAL Schools in Barcelona and Bilbao.
He coordinates academic relations with countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Dubai, promoting academic cooperation and supporting international students in their admission and integration processes.
Sama Kamiya
Head of International Relations, Japan
Born in Hekinan and raised in Takahama (Aichi, Japan), she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Sciences from Meijo University (Nagoya, Japan) and a Master’s Degree in Urban Design from the University of Barcelona. During her university years, she expanded her international perspective through short stays at Guilin University of Technology (China) and Thailand, later studying at Universidad San Martín de Porres in Lima (Peru).
She has over 10 years of experience teaching Japanese. Her passion for cultural exchange began during her university years, when she taught Japanese to international students and worked as an interpreter in Nagoya. During her stay in Peru, she also collaborated with JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) in Lima. She is also specialized in preparing students for the JLPT and EJU official exams.
In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano—especially pop music—and is currently learning “Bohemian Rhapsody”. She is also a great fan of manga, a passion she has shared with her father since childhood.