Certified ELE Teacher · Vigo, Spain · Vancouver

Spanish for people who want to
actually connect.

Languages, bikes, long roads and ten years teaching Spanish to students from 30+ countries. Curious adults, travellers, professionals, beginners and advanced speakers who wanted more than a textbook. Whatever brought you here, you probably don't want just a lesson. Neither do I.

Book a free intro call See lessons & pricing →
10+
Years teaching
30+
Countries
5.0
★ All platforms
ELE
Certified
Hugo Lua, Spanish teacher in Porto
Hugo Lua
Certified ELE teacher · Vigo, Spain · Based in Vancouver 🇨🇦
Hugo Lua
About me

I took the long way round.
On purpose.

I'm Hugo, from Vigo, in Galicia — the rainy, green, Atlantic corner of northwest Spain. I trained as an engineer, worked as one, and then walked away from it to follow something I couldn't stop thinking about: languages, people, and how the two connect.

That led me to cycle 2,000 km across northeast Brazil, then another 6,000 km through Uruguay, Argentina and Chile — stopping at schools along the way, sitting in classrooms, watching how people teach and how people learn. It was the best research I've ever done.

I've been teaching Spanish since 2016 — ten years, students from 30+ countries — curious adults, travellers, professionals working across cultures, complete beginners and advanced speakers who just want to go deeper. Every one of them taught me something.

I also teach children every Saturday at a Spanish school in Vancouver, which remains one of the best parts of my week. And I've had UN staff in my classes — not because I market to organisations, but because curious, open-minded people tend to find each other.

The pandemic was an unexpected turning point. Online classes went from a novelty to the only option — and six years later, it's become something more: a new way of teaching and connecting. The screen disappeared quickly. What remained was real conversation, real listening, and the kind of class where the language is almost a side effect of actually talking to each other.

🎓 ELE Certified ⚙️ Engineer background 🚴 8,000 km by bike 🇨🇦 Based in Vancouver 🧠 ADHD-friendly 👧 Saturday school teacher

LANGUAGES

Galician & Spanish
Native · Both
Grew up in Vigo speaking both. Galician is my mother tongue — the language I think in, dream in, and teach from.
Portuguese
Native-level · Two versions
European Portuguese learned in Porto. Brazilian Portuguese learned on the road in Salvador da Bahia. Two languages inside one language.
French
B2 · Still going
Studied formally, reinforced continuously. Still learning — because that's the only honest way to teach.
English
C1 · Learned on the road
Not from a classroom. From living, travelling and eventually landing in Vancouver. Refined every day.
How I teach

Conversation first.
Structure always.

I don't read from scripts. I don't follow a fixed programme. I listen, I adapt, and I build something that actually works for the person in front of me.

01

I listen before I teach

The first thing I want to know is who you are — not your level. Why are you learning? What's been frustrating you? What do you love? That shapes everything that follows.

02

The class is yours

No two students get the same lesson. Some people need structure and grammar. Some need to just talk. Most need a different combination each week. I read the room every time.

03

Correction that helps

I don't interrupt every mistake — that kills confidence. But I don't let patterns slide either. I correct the things that matter, in the moment that makes sense, in the way that sticks.

04

Real conversation, not exercises

We talk about real things — your life, your interests, the news, a film, a trip you're planning. Vocabulary and grammar live inside that, not in a separate box.

05

Culture is the language

Spanish isn't one thing. It's Galicia, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Bogotá. I bring that richness into every class — because context is what makes language stick.

06

The long game

My longest students have been with me for years. That's not an accident — it's what real progress looks like. I'm not here for a quick fix. I'm here for the whole journey.

Lessons & Pricing

Pick what fits.
No hidden extras.

Every lesson includes preparation, materials and follow-up. What you see is what you get.

Individual · All levels

One-to-one Spanish

$45 USD
per 60-min lesson

Fully personalised — conversation, grammar, pronunciation and culture in the proportion that works for you.

  • Adapted to your level and goals
  • Materials included
  • Session notes sent after class
  • Flexible scheduling
Book a free intro call
Most popular

Monthly subscription

$160 USD
4 lessons per month · save $20

One lesson per week, consistent progress, priority scheduling. The format most students move to after their intro call.

  • 4 × 60-min lessons per month
  • Priority scheduling
  • Monthly progress check-in
  • WhatsApp support between lessons
Book a free intro call
Best value · Intensive

20-lesson pack

$800 USD
20 lessons · save $100 · valid 6 months

For students serious about real progress. A full commitment with flexibility and a real discount.

  • 20 × 60-min lessons
  • Structured learning plan
  • Materials and resources
  • Valid 6 months from purchase
Book a free intro call
2–4 students

Small group class

$30 USD
per person · per 60-min lesson

Groups formed with care — same level, compatible personalities, real conversation. Not a cheaper class. A different kind.

  • Maximum 4 students
  • Curated by Hugo for compatibility
  • Monthly subscription format
  • Complements individual lessons
Learn about groups →
Special · Unique

Discover Galician — Language, Culture & Identity

$50 USD
per 60-min session

My mother tongue — the language of the Atlantic northwest of Spain, closely related to Portuguese. An experience that makes every Iberian language click differently.

  • Native Galician speaker
  • Language, culture and identity
  • Connections to Spanish and Portuguese
  • For the genuinely curious
Book a session
* All prices in USD. Canadian students add 5% GST. All prices include preparation, materials and session notes. The intro call is always free — 30 minutes, no card needed.
Small groups

Not a cheaper lesson.
A different one.

I put students together when I'm sure the group will work — in level, energy, age and personality. Maximum 4 people. Always by invitation or request.

🎯

Matched by Hugo, not by algorithm

I know my students. I know who will click, who will push each other forward, and who will just be fun together.

🗣️

Real interaction, real Spanish

Hearing someone else search for a word — and find it — is one of the most valuable things in language learning.

📅

Monthly subscription · $30 USD/person

Consistency matters for the group. One lesson per week, same time, same people.

➕

Works best alongside individual lessons

Precision from the individual. Confidence and fluency from the group. Many students do both.

Individual classes give you precision. Small group classes give you the courage to use it.

Interested in joining a group? Mention it when you book your intro call and I'll let you know if there's a good match forming.

For whom

You'll fit right in if...

I work best with people who are curious, engaged and ready to actually talk. The level doesn't matter nearly as much as the attitude.

❤️

People with a personal connection to Spanish

Family, roots, a partner, a place that stayed with you. The students with the deepest motivation often have a reason that goes beyond language — and that shows in every lesson.

🌍

Curious, open-minded adults

People who love languages, travel, culture, food, history or ideas. Students who enjoy the class as much as they need it.

🏢

Professionals working across cultures

International organisations, NGOs, anyone whose work takes them across the Spanish-speaking world. Spanish for real contexts, not textbook scenarios.

💬

B1–C2 students who want more

Intermediate and advanced learners who want real fluency, precision and confidence — not just to "get by".

🏁

Serious beginners

People starting from zero who want to do it properly, with a solid foundation and good habits from the start.

🧠

ADHD & attention differences

Students who need variety, shorter bursts, a different kind of structure. I adapt the format, not just the content — and I genuinely enjoy finding what works for each person.

Reviews

What students say

5.0
★★★★★
Preply · 14 reviews · all 5 stars
🎉 Fun · 46 💬 Great conversation · 46 📚 Excellent materials · 35 💪 Goes the extra mile · 30
Verbling student badges
★★★★★

"Hugo is an exceptional tutor — intelligent, worldly, and highly intuitive when it comes to identifying exactly what a student needs to advance. He provided the structured guidance and fun conversations I needed to regain my fluency."

Ch
Chiara
C1 · Preply · May 2026
★★★★★

"I can't say enough good things about Hugo. From the start, he was a breath of fresh air. His kind, unassuming manner put me instantly at ease — I wasn't afraid to make mistakes and really try."

Am
Amy 🇺🇸
Verbling · Apr 2026
★★★★★

"Hugo is the perfect teacher. Extremely patient, he allows me to take my time and make mistakes before correcting me. He told me how a native would actually speak — and helped me build real confidence."

Ra
Rachel
Preply · UK
★★★★★

"Hugo es muy muy paciente y amable. Las conversaciones siempre están divertidas. ¡Lo mejor profesor!"

Di
Dillon Chen 🇺🇸
iTalki · 20 classes
★★★★★

"Solicité la clase para aprender sobre galego y portugués. Se ve que domina totalmente esos tres idiomas — una experiencia única."

Pa
Paula Lula Mit 🇪🇸
iTalki · Mar 2023
★★★★★

"Hugo ist gesetzt bei mir! — Hugo is settled with me for good." 143 lessons together.

Wo
Wolfgang 🇩🇪
Verbling · 143 classes
Book a lesson

Meet Hugo first.
A free 30-minute call — to see if we're the right fit for each other.

What happens next

📩

Hugo replies within 24 hours

He reads every message himself and suggests a time that works.

🎁

Free 30-minute intro call

A conversation, not a lesson. You see if Hugo is the right fit — and so does he.

📅

Flexible scheduling

Hugo teaches across North American and European time zones. Mornings, evenings, weekends — tell him what works.

💬

Direct contact, no middlemen

No platform, no ticket system. Just Hugo — at hugolua@gmail.com

Already on Preply or iTalki? Mention it when you book. Hugo is happy to continue lessons directly — often simpler and better for both sides.

How to pay

Simple, direct.
No hidden fees.

After your intro call, Hugo will confirm your lesson format and send you the right payment details for where you are. No card required upfront.

Where are you paying from?

Recommended
💸 Interac e-Transfer

The simplest option. Free for both sides, instant, and everyone in Canada knows how to use it.

Send tohugolua@gmail.com
CurrencyCAD (at current USD/CAD rate) + 5% GST
FeeFree
Hugo will confirm the exact CAD amount before each payment.
Questions

Good questions.

It's a free 30-minute conversation — not a lesson. No payment, no obligation, no card needed. A chance for you to meet Hugo, talk about where you are and what you want, and decide if it feels right. Hugo uses it to understand who you are as a learner. If both sides want to continue, you talk format, frequency and pricing from there.

Google Meet or Zoom — whichever you prefer. All you need is a decent connection and somewhere reasonably quiet.

Groups have 2 to 4 students maximum and I only form them when I'm confident the combination will work. They run on a monthly subscription at $30 USD per person per lesson. Mention your interest when booking and I'll let you know if a suitable group is forming.

Please give at least 24 hours notice to reschedule or cancel at no charge. Late cancellations or no-shows may be charged. I respect your time and ask the same in return.

Galician is my mother tongue — the language of the Atlantic northwest of Spain, closely related to Portuguese. It hides things that will change how you understand Spanish and Portuguese both. I offer personalised sessions exploring the language, the culture and the identity behind it. For people who are genuinely curious about languages, not just words.

It's easier than it sounds — here's exactly what to do, step by step:

  1. Open your bank's app or website and look for "Send money", "Transfer", "Pay someone" or "Wire transfer". Every major US bank has this — Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi, credit unions, all of them.
  2. Choose "Someone outside my bank" or "External transfer" — not a transfer between your own accounts.
  3. Enter these details:
    Name: Hugo Lua Perez Flores
    Account type: Checking
    Routing number: 026073150
    Account number: 8314432012
  4. Enter the amount in USD — Hugo will confirm the exact amount before you pay.
  5. Send and let Hugo know — ACH transfers usually arrive within 1–2 business days. A quick message to hugolua@gmail.com confirming you've sent it is always appreciated.

If your bank asks for a reason or reference, just write "Spanish lessons". If you run into any trouble, Hugo can also send a card payment link as an alternative — just ask.

Yes. I've taught professionals from international organisations and I'm happy to discuss tailored programmes for teams. Get in touch directly at hugolua@gmail.com and we'll figure out what works.

✓ Sent! Hugo will be in touch within 24 hours.