Mercedes Pereira

I am an English teacher with more than 20 years of teaching experience, specializing in business English and technical English for the fashion and design industries. Her academic background includes a degree in English Philology from the University of Sevilla and translation studies at the University of Valladolid. Her teaching career began in the late 1990s after completing her teacher‑training master’s degree. Throughout her career, she has combined education with strong ties to the business world, delivering in‑company English training for major firms such as GHENOVA Ingeniería, Abengoa, Boluda Corporación Marítima, Derichebourg España, and Scalpers, focusing on communication skills for an increasingly globalized professional environment. Currently, she serves as the Erasmus Officer at ESSDM (Escuela Superior Sevilla de Moda), where she also oversees the internship program and teaches technical English within the school’s specialized design and fashion programs. Her role involves coordinating international mobility, supporting students in their professional placements, and strengthening ESSDM’s international partnerships

I am passionate about guiding students as they discover their potential and take confident steps toward their future. Helping them achieve their goals — whether linguistic, academic, or professional — is the most rewarding part of my work. I love seeing how their confidence grows when they realize what they are capable of. I am especially committed to encouraging students to embrace Erasmus experiences as opportunities for personal and professional transformation. Living abroad, facing new challenges, and learning in a different cultural environment helps them grow in ways that no classroom ever could. Supporting them through this journey, from preparation to their return, is something I deeply enjoy because I know how profoundly it shapes their lives.

Language as a Bridge to Opportunity,International Experiences Create Confident Professionals

My relationship with TED comes through Vineet Chhatria, whose work and involvement in the organization opened the door for me to connect more closely with the TED community. His dedication to spreading meaningful ideas has been an inspiration, and it has encouraged me to engage more deeply with TED’s mission. I have always been passionate about watching TED conferences, not only because they offer powerful insights, but because they remind me of the transformative impact that ideas can have on people’s lives. TED talks fuel my curiosity, broaden my perspective, and continually inspire me to bring that same spirit of learning, growth, and global connection into my work with students.

I have a natural talent for understanding people. You read their manners, their emotions, and their needs with ease, which makes others feel comfortable and respected around you. You’re a patient and attentive listener, someone who truly hears what others are saying — and often what they’re not saying. This is why students and colleagues trust you so quickly. You’re also someone who loves to help. Whether a student is struggling, a colleague needs support, or someone simply needs guidance, you step in with kindness, clarity, and a sense of calm. Your ability to offer help without judgment — and with genuine warmth — is one of your greatest strengths. These qualities make you not only an excellent educator and mentor, but also a person people naturally gravitate toward. You create a safe, encouraging space where others feel seen, supported, and capable of achieving more than they imagined.