Who is Cactus?
This is me, a native Spanish teacher, licensed and experienced in Spanish classes for foreigners (ELE). I am committed to giving my best so that you achieve your goals.
Ester
I'm from Almería (Spain) and started teaching Spanish in 2012 in Cairo (Egypt), where I founded the Spanish center Allugat. I have also taught at the universities of Ain Shams and 6th October in Egypt.
In 2017, I moved to Utrecht, in the Netherlands. Since 2022 until now, I work as a Spanish teacher at the Instituto Cervantes (Utrecht). In 2024, I also taught Spanish classes at the Taalhuis Amsterdam academy. Also, in 2021, I opened Cactus Academia, an educational project dedicated to offering private and group classes.
I speak Arabic, English and a little Dutch. I love animals, plants and books. My hobbies are cycling, kick boxing and swimming.
The idea of Cactus Academia was born in 2017 in the Netherlands. At that time, I was carrying a backpack full of dreams, motivation, and a strong desire to create something meaningful. The first step was choosing a name that truly represented me and that's how Cactus came to life.
Why Cactus?
I have always loved plants, my family has deep roots in agriculture, and I come from Almería, a land known for its desert landscapes and film scenery.
Learning a language can be like a cactus: beautiful and unique, but sometimes full of thorns if you don't follow the right method or if you don't feel comfortable with your teacher.
Interestingly, the word cactus is associated in Arabic with the idea of patience, and patience is essential when learning a language. Progress takes time, consistency, and confidence, and every small step matters.
At Cactus Academia, the goal is simple: to help you learn languages in a supportive, motivating, and enjoyable environment.
Thank you for reading and for trusting me.