Fernanda Vargas

Educator/Teacher, Philanthropist, World traveler

I studied a Bachelor's degree in Languages focusing on English language teaching and translation. I also specialised in teaching and translation at the University of Hildesheim in Germany. I have experience teaching English and Spanish language to children, teenagers and adults in Mexico, China and the United Kingdom. Currently I'm working as a free-lance teacher and translator. I provide private tutoring through Zoom and other teaching platforms, teaching English and Spanish to learners of all ages focusing on those with special educational needs. I regard teaching and translation as a valuable, inspiring and rewarding profession.

I am passionate about traveling and meeting new people and cultures. As a teacher and translator I've had the opportunity to work in diverse educational and multicultural contexts in Mexico, China and the UK, where I was given a new perspective of different cultures and languages.

In order for a quality education to progress in Mexico, the issues concerning special education should be acknowledged.

I joined the TED Translators community in September 2022, as a way of helping translating talks from English into Spanish so they can be a form of education and awareness-raising and be accessible to the Spanish speaking community. I have mainly translated TED talk videos related to inclusion and special needs, such as autism, trauma and any form of disability.

My passion about helping causes that contribute to inclusive education and social justice, led me to participate as a volunteer in nonprofit organizations fundraising projects. I have mainly supported health and education-related nonprofit organizations affected by COVID-19 and in need of volunteer translation assistance from English to Spanish. Nonprofits such as Photo Start, which delivering education to young people in under-resourced communities in Latinamerica through photography lessons, was possible as I helped translating school programmes. Additionally, I supported The Shadow Project, providing translation for school programmes addressed to students with learning challenges, including autism, dyslexia and trauma. Currently, people with disabilities can travel more independently around London as I am supporting AFK Charity, translating Travel Training Toolkits. My contribution to different causes and organizations, such as The Ladder Alliance, MOSTe, Project 4031, Coosa Riverkeeper and Photo Start, has helped saving a total of $99,372 USD to make a difference in students’ education and in people’s health.