Ms Maria Gonzalvez Dominguez
María José Gonzálvez teaches Spanish language and literature at the University of Westminster and the Cervantes Institute in London. She has extensive experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language at both university and secondary levels across the UK. Her teaching spans grammar, oral communication, and cultural studies, with a focus on inclusive, communicative pedagogy.
She is an accredited examiner for DELE (A1–C2), A-level, and GCSE Spanish, and has served as an official examiner since 2017. With deep expertise in CEFR-aligned instruction and assessment frameworks in both the UK and Spain, she brings over 25 years of experience in language education, curriculum development, and learner-focused methodology.
Currently, María José is pursuing a PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Alcalá (Spain). Her research explores African literature written in Spanish, focusing on themes of diaspora, space, and migrant identity through decolonial and intersectional lenses. This academic work directly informs her teaching practice and supports a more critically reflective and culturally diverse approach to curriculum design.
In parallel with her academic teaching, she has developed a strong profile in educational innovation and digital pedagogy. Holding postgraduate degrees in both Hispanic Literature and Computer Science, she has led projects in digital content development and blended learning across higher education institutions in Spain and the UK. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Beyond the university, María José is actively engaged in professional and cultural networks. She is a long-standing member of ELEUK (the Association for the Teaching of Spanish in UK Higher Education), where she has served as webmaster and co-led the Materials Team within the Special Interest Group on Decolonising Spanish Language Education (SIG-Des-ELEUK). In this role, she collaborates on the creation of critically engaged teaching resources and advocates for inclusive, reflective pedagogy in Spanish language education.
She is also a member of Casa África, a Spanish public institution that fosters dialogue between Spain and the African continent through cultural diplomacy. In addition, she collaborates with Fringe/Urban Fringes, an international platform dedicated to artistic and intellectual exchange around diasporic experiences, migration, and urban narratives. These affiliations reflect her ongoing commitment to bridging academic research, public engagement, and socially conscious education.
Qualifications
PhD research in Comparative Literature (2022–present), University of Alcalá, Spain
MA in Hispanic Literature, University of La Rioja, Spain
Postgraduate Certificate in Education, University of Murcia, Spain
MA in Computer Science, University of Alicante, Spain
BSc in Computer Science, University of Alicante, Spain
Accredited DELE Examiner (A1–C2), Cervantes Institute, UK
A-level & GCSE Spanish Examiner, UK
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK
María José's research explores the intersections of literature, language, digital humanities, and intercultural studies from a decolonial and intersectional perspective. Her current doctoral work examines African literature written in Spanish, with a focus on themes of diaspora, space, and migrant identity. Through this research, she aims to amplify underrepresented voices in Hispanic literature and contribute to more inclusive and globally aware approaches to language education.