The President of NELC, John Power, likes the Earl Grey Tea: “no milk, no sugar, just as God intended”. Born in London, John visited Barcelona for the first in 1990 and decided to move here in 1994. He’s been teaching English for 23 years.

What do you like most about teaching at NELC?
Meeting new people. Every student has their own story.

What NELC features are not offered by other language schools?
The quality of its teachers and the fact they put the students at the centre of the learning process.
A story of something that happened to you in class.
I once gave students a roleplay where some students were doctors and others patients. In one situation, the patient had to ask for something to improve their “performance” in an intimate situation. But I’d forgotten that one of the “patients” was, in real life, a Jesuit priest!

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from your students?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s how we learn and not just learning languages.

Tell us your favourite English word.
Cuddles.

What’s your least favourite?
Bill (as in invoice).

What word or phrase you use most often?
Oh, for God’s sake!!!! (or versions of the same that can’t be published).

What song do you play to motivate yourself?
In the Navy by the Village People.

Could you recommend a book?
Collins Field Guide of European Birds.

And a movie?
Carry on Camping.

What dish from your country do you miss most?
Christmas Lunch. English food may not have the best reputation but the food at Christmas is excellent.

What is your favourite local dish?
Paella.

Your favourite place to get lost in Barcelona.
The Liceu.

What do you do on a Sunday morning?
Sleep.

What do you always carry in your bag?
A book, usually a novel of a history book.

Who do you think should appear on a 20-euro note?
Jessye Norman.

What super power would you like?
Teletransportation.