From Croydon to Streatham and Eltham: Bryana's Journey of Passion and Growth with El Recreo Spanish

“Una fecha que por siempre quedará grabada en mi corazón…”

With these words, Bryana reflects on a life-changing moment—the day she embarked on her journey with El Recreo Spanish. A journey that began with passion and a bit of fear, but one that ultimately led to fulfilling her dream of teaching Spanish and sharing her culture with others.

A Journey Across Three Cultures

Bryana’s story is one of resilience, determination, and a deep connection to her roots. Born in Colombia, Bryana moved to Spain at the age of six, and by the time she was 18, she had relocated to England. These moves shaped her identity, leaving her with a profound love for three different cultures, but also with a sense of not fully belonging to any of them.

“Al criarme en otro país que no era el de mis padres ni en el que nací, tuve problemas de identidad,”** Bryana shares. “En España no me sentía Española, ni en Colombia me sentía Colombiana, ni en Inglaterra me sentía Inglesa.”

It wasn’t until Bryana embraced the richness of all three cultures that she found her true identity as part of a multicultural family. This realisation fuelled her passion to help others, especially children, navigate the complexities of multicultural identities through language and culture.

A New Chapter: Motherhood and a Mission

Three years ago, Bryana became a mother—a role she cherishes above all others. Motherhood deepened her connection to the Hispanic community in England and highlighted a shared desire among Spanish-speaking parents: to pass on their language and culture to their children.

“Me ha llevado a conectar con hermosas familias hispanohablantes con la misma necesidad y anhelo que es de pasarles nuestra lengua española a nuestros hijos y enseñarles sobre cultura,” Bryana explains. She also noticed a growing interest among English-speaking families who wanted to introduce Spanish into their homes, recognising the value of raising bilingual children.

Discovering El Recreo Spanish: A Perfect Fit

A year ago, Bryana met Milena, the founder and director of El Recreo Spanish. From their first meeting, Bryana felt an immediate connection to Milena and the community she had built.

“Hace 1 año tuve la oportunidad de conocer a Milena (fundadora y directora de El Recreo Spanish) y su hermosa comunidad en la que enseguida conecté y quise formar parte,” Bryana recalls. “De enseñar nuestra lengua española y cultura, poder transmitir a nuestros niños el amor por nuestro idioma, enseñarles que somos muchas las familias multiculturales y que amen a cada una de las culturas.”

This connection led Bryana to open her first El Recreo Spanish school in Croydon and Streatham. Driven by her passion for teaching and her desire to spread the love for the Spanish language and multiculturalism in her students, Bryana quickly established her school as a cherished part of the community.

Bryana is now the director at El Recreo Spanish Croydon and Streatham as well as partner in El Recreo Spanish Eltham. Looking for Spanish classes in Streatham and Croydon please check here

A Heartfelt Thanks to the Community

As Bryana reflects on her first year with El Recreo Spanish, she expresses deep gratitude to the Croydon and Streatham communities.

GRACIAS querida comunidad de Croydon y Streatham por darme la oportunidad de sembrar la semilla del amor por el Español a sus pequeños,”she says. For Bryana, teaching Spanish is more than just a job; it’s a labor of love and respect. Seeing her students grow and learn is not just fulfilling—it’s an honor.

If you’re inspired by Bryana’s journey and are considering starting your own El Recreo Spanish franchise, we’d love to hear from you. Start a Franchise in Putney, Chelsea, Wimbledon, Forest Hill, Dulwich and more territories available. 

Ready to take the next step? Visit www.elrecreospanish.com/franchise  to learn more about how you can join our growing community and start your own journey of bringing Spanish language and culture to your community.