AMIDON STUDIOS
ABOUT AMIDON STUDIOS
About Us
At Amidon Studios, we help adults, kids, and families feel confident speaking Spanish and English in real-life conversations. Our focus is on practical communication, cultural understanding, and building the confidence you need to use language naturally.
MEET THE FOUNDER & LANGUAGE COACH
Jackie Amidon Donaldson
I help adults who understand Spanish but struggle to speak it feel confident using the language in real conversations.
My teaching is conversation-first, supportive, and practical. I believe in real communication over perfection, and confidence over memorization. My goal is to help you feel comfortable speaking Spanish (or English) in the moments that matter most.
Who I Help
Adults, kids, and families who want to speak Spanish or English with confidence.
What I Believe
Language is for connecting. Mistakes are part of the process. Confidence changes everything.
What Makes Us Different
Our conversation-first approach gets you speaking from day one in a supportive and encouraging environment.
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MY JOURNEY TO LANGUAGE TEACHING
Started teaching English in Lima, Peru where I managed an English language institute.
Worked and studied in Mexico, deepening my understanding of language, education, and culture.
Founded Amidon Studios in 2017 in Chula VIsta, California and began teaching Spanish and English to student locally and online.
Now based in Richmond, Virginia area, serving students locally and online around the world.
Over time, I saw that conversation—not memorization—is what truly helps people connect.
EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS
Education
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Master's degree in Applied Anthropology
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Certificate in Intercultural Education and Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Bilingual Education - the Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Mexico City
Professional Experience
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15+ years of teaching Spanish and English
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Founder of Amidon Studios
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Former manager of an English language institute in Peru
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Published research on second-language teaching
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Teacher certifications in Spanish and English
Languages
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English (native)
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Spanish (fluent)
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French (conversational)
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Portuguese (basic)
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Italian (basic)
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Lifelong language learner
WHO WE'VE HELPED
We've worked with individuals, families, and organizations who need language for real-life, real-world communication.
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Healthcare professionals (nurses, occupational therapists, and more)
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Firefighters
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Educators
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Nonprofit leaders
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Business owners
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Logistics & trucking professionals
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Families & homeschoolers
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Travelers & expats
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Professionals relocating abroad
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Heritage speakers
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Adults preparing for international work or volunteer opportunities
Our students have included employees from organizations such as Eaton, along with teams from manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, education, nonprofits, and more.
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
We've taught students from across the United States and around the world, including Latin America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Teaching learners from many Spanish-speaking countries has deepened our understanding of regional vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural nuance—helping our students communicate with confidence in any context.
OUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Conversation over memorization
Confidence over memorization
Practical language for real life
Supportive, encourange environment
Making mistakes as part of learning
THE AMIDON METHOD
The Amidon Method is our conversation-first approach designed to help you move from understanding Spanish to actually using it with confidence.
It combines real conversations, guided repetition, cultural insight, and personalized feedback so you can speak naturally in the situations that matter most.
MEET OUR TEACHERS
Lilia Medina
Spanish & English Teacher
From Lima, Peru, Lilia has a strong background in language instruction and cross-cultural communication. She's completed teacher training at Institute Cervantes London and lived in London for several years.
Speaks: Spanish (native), English (fluent), French, Italian (conversational)
Teaching Style: Engaging, thoughtful, and supportive
Paulina Sáenz
Spanish Teacher
From Guadalajara, Mexico, Paulina holds a Master of Fine Arts from Florence, Italy, and has a deep love for culture and meaningful communication. She's lived in Florence and San Diego.
Speaks: Spanish (native), English (advanced), Italian (fluent)
Teaching Style: Enthusiastic, encouraging, and culturally insightful
WHY STUDENTS CHOOSE AMIDON STUDIOS
Conversation-first lessions
Experienced & caring teachers
Personalized instruction
Students worldwide
& locally
Flexible online learning
Real-world language for real conversations