Who am I?
I am Irene Díez and I am the founder of Bilingual Compass.
I encourage families to navigate the challenges of raising multilingual children while preserving cultural heritage and fostering linguistic proficiency.
I want you to feel confident in your capabilities, to make informed decisions, and to create a long-lasting plan that preserves your cultural roots wherever you are, whatever languages you speak.
My work life
I hold a degree in Spanish Philology from Spain, followed by a Master’s in International Hispanistik in Germany. Additionally, I completed a Postgraduate program in secondary school teaching, specializing in second language acquisition.
My teaching journey began in St Andrews, UK, and extended to several high schools and international schools in Germany, Scotland, and Switzerland. Over the years, I have deeply studied the language acquisition process, gaining hands-on experience with students of all ages and learning how to thrive in multicultural environments.
When I became a mom, all the knowledge I had acquired over the years took shape as I began to apply it within my own family. I made mistakes, prepared activities, and personally experienced the importance of our language being part of our culture.
Drawing from my extensive academic background and hands-on experience, I specialize in guiding families through the complexities of raising bilingual children. I’m here to offer practical solutions and personalized support to help your family succeed in a multilingual world.
Migrant, expat, multilingual mom
I live in Switzerland now, but it’s my fourth country—who knows if it’s the last one. My journey abroad started as I sought work opportunities denied to me at home, and since then, I’ve moved from place to place, following my family’s career. Now, I thrive in a vibrant community of expats, sharing daily life while navigating the reality of speaking at least two other languages besides my own.
At home, we juggle the dynamics of a multilingual family: two languages at home, German at school, and English in our social circles. This firsthand experience has given me a deep understanding of the challenges families face when moving abroad. I know the struggle of preserving the language that ties us to our roots while equipping our loved ones with the right multilingual tools.
I’ve been fortunate: my studies, knowledge, and experience have given me the skills to make informed decisions, craft effective family bilingual plans, and understand my family’s needs. After helping friends and others in similar situations, I’m here to offer you my guidance on this fascinating journey.
Let’s go!