Carlos Valverde Ochando

English and Spanish Teacher

Carlos Valverde Ochando is a English and Spanish teacher and content creator based in Granada, Spain. With over 12 years of experience, Carlos currently works as a high school teacher in Spain after recently returning from a Dual language exchange program in the US. He also creates content focused on making Spanish more accessible and authentic for learners, with an emphasis on slang, accents and regional expressions across various Spanish-speaking regions. He is especially well-versed in Spain Spanish, Argentinian Spanish, and Mexican Spanish. Carlos has a degree in English Studies from the University of Granada and a Master’s in Secondary Education Teacher Training.

Education

BA, English Studies, University of Granada
Master’s Degree, Secondary Education Teacher Training, University of Granada

Professional Achievements

Taught both in Spain and the United States, working in dual-language programs and secondary education
Developed innovative methods to identify and teach colloquial expressions across Spanish-speaking regions
Featured on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube under the handle @spanishinput, where he has built an international audience of language learners

Certifications & Organizations

Licensed Secondary Education Teacher (Spain)
Cambridge English: Proficiency (C2) – University of Cambridge
Qualified bilingual educator with experience in U.S. dual-language middle school programs

Favorite Piece of Advice

Input is king, but progress only comes if you notice actively—without noticing, you won’t advance as quickly or as much. Mistakes are part of the journey, so don’t be afraid of them; toddlers don’t care, and that’s their superpower. While vocabulary and grammar rules are key, don’t overfocus on them: learning in chunks is just as important. Pay attention to how natives use their mother tongue, and if you want to take your fluency to the next level, pick an accent and go for it.

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Forum Comments (2)

Spanish speakers, what are some funny Spanish phrases?

There are many funny Spanish phrases; here are a couple that come to mind.

éramos pocos, meaning there were few of us (said ironically). Actually, you're saying that this is overcrowded, but we just say, there were just a few of us in a sarcastic way.

y parió la abuela, but the grandma had a kid.

cepilla antes a un mentiroso que a un cojo, meaning you're going to catch someone who's a liar more quickly than you would catch someone with a limp (saying that you're chasing after them).

What are some other ways to say "Hi" in Spanish?

So in response to hola, you can say,’ buenas’, which is like a shortened, informal way to say ‘good’, like in the phrases ‘good morning’, ‘good afternoon’, etc.
You can say, ¿qué tal? You know, ‘how are you doing?’
You can reply:
¿cómo andas? Or ¿Cómo estás? Meaning ‘how are you?’
¿Qué haces? Meaning ‘What are you doing?’
¿Qué pasa? Meaning ‘What’s happening?’
¿cómo te encuentras? Meaning ‘How are you feeling?’ Though this would be more if someone were having an issue.

Co-authored Articles (9)

What Does Torta Mean on TikTok and Social Media?

How torta came to be a slangy insult toward women Lately, people on TikTok have been using the Spanish slang word torta as a derogatory way to describe large Hispanic women. The term recently started to gain traction onl...

What Does Mamacita Mean? Using the Spanish Term Appropriately

Is it okay to call a girl "mamacita"? "¡Ay, mamacita!" You might hear guys yelling that to women walking by, but is it supposed to be a compliment? It's usually a positive word, but the exact meaning depends on who says...

How to

Say Hello in Spanish

Even if you've never taken a formal Spanish class, you probably know that "hola" (OH-lah) is the word for "hello" in Spanish. But in Spanish, just as in English, there are a number of different words and phrases that yo...

How to

Say How Are You in Spanish

You may already know to say ''hola'' to greet someone in Spanish. Typically, after that greeting, you would ask "How are you?" The most common way of asking "How are you?" in Spanish is “¿Cómo estás?” (koh-moh ehs...

Toxica Meaning in Spanish Slang and Urban Culture

Is it possible that you're friends with/dating a tóxica (or even one yourself)?The slang term, “tóxica,” has become popular in recent years, bridging the cultural gaps between Spanish and English. Traditionally, it...

What Does Papacito Mean?

Discover the different meanings of “papacito,” “papito,” & “papi chulo”Spanish speakers have many terms of endearment, some of which charmingly toe the line between poking fun and paying a compliment. “Papa...

How to Address a Letter in Spanish

A guide to writing addresses in Spain & Latin AmericaPostal addressing in Spanish-speaking countries is different from the addressing systems in the US and other English-speaking countries. Spain has different convention...

How to

Say Good in Spanish

The basic word for "good" in Spanish is "bueno" (boo-EHN-oh). Even if you don't know much Spanish, you may already be familiar with this word. ''Bueno'' is an adjective. Use the word ''bien'' (BEE-ehn) when you need a no...

80+ Sweet and Romantic Spanish Terms of Endearment

Plus, other cute & quirky nicknames for loved onesSpanish speakers are known to be very colorful when coming up with terms of endearment. Understandably, trying your luck in a new language can be confusing and intimidati...