ABOUT
The Gringo Spark
At Gringo Language Academy, we do things differently. Founded in Bend, Oregon in 2022, our mission is simple: help adults habla más and struggle menos. What sets us apart isn’t just our 25+ years of experience — it’s the way we teach. Flexible, practical, and infused with personality, our approach blends coaching, conversation, and community to make Spanish feel less like a chore and more like a lifestyle.
Whether you're joining from your living room or meeting up for coffee en español, you're not just learning a language — you're becoming part of something vibrant. We serve learners across the country who want Spanish to fit into real life, not the other way around. This is where confidence grows, culture connects, and learning actually feels fun.
Our Team
Meet the people—and pups—working to build Gringo Language Academy.
An educator, learner, traveler, dog mom, and unapologetic Spanish nerd who's spent decades figuring out what actually works (and what doesn't) in language learning, Jennifer focuses on making Spanish practical, engaging, and useful—because if you’re putting in the work, you should actually learn it.
When she's not teaching, you'll find her drinking coffee, cuddling puppies, and sharing tales from some of the places she's been lucky enough to explore—México, España, Guatemala, Cuba, Chile, Uruguay, and most recently, Costa Rica. Where to next? Stay tuned…
A true Midwesterner at heart, James is a musician, die hard Cubs fan, and Computer Science educator who finds purpose by helping others learn and building things that matter.
He writes code, plays guitar, and explores life with the four-legged members of the team—Dooder and Li'l Fuego—who are always close by. He's tagged along on several Spanish-speaking adventures through Guatemala, México, and España, picking up more than un poquito de español along the way.
Dooder Ann has been with Gringo Language Academy since the beginning, and handles all the behind-the-scenes details of the company. She is in charge of pest control, security protocols, issues of treat compliance, and making sure that everything runs on (her) schedule.
A young and enthusiastic character, Li'l Fuego is learning just what it takes to build a business and a community. He is excited for this opportunity to learn from his big sister, and is proud to be in charge of snuggles and stress-relief.
Our Partners and Our Thanks
We are here because we partner with good people.
Schedule Your Gringo Glow-Up Today
Snag a complimentary assessment of your current level of Spanish, set a plan to help you move to the next, and get answers to all your questions about Gringo Language Academy.
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