Olga Gallego Smith

I’m Olga Gallego-Smith, founder of Linguasol. I was born in Spain and spent my formative years in Venezuela. After a fulfilling career as an Applied Linguist at the University of Michigan, I retired and, since 2015, have enjoyed life in Vieques, Puerto Rico, with my husband, Doug.

Translation is both my specialty and my passion. While machine translation has its uses, it simply cannot match the depth, nuance, and cultural understanding a human brings. Translation is far more than finding the right words. It’s about capturing the subtle cultural cues, the unspoken meanings, and the context that only a human can recognize. Those fine details make all the difference, and they are something no algorithm can replicate.

My teaching is focused on helping learners who have struggled in the past find success. I work with people who may have tried to learn before but never felt they truly achieved their goals. My aim is to build their self-confidence and help them overcome the obstacles holding them back. I create a supportive, encouraging environment where students can rekindle their love for learning and reach the milestones they once thought were out of reach.

To make this possible, I use several proven strategies. First, I focus on building trust and rapport, creating a safe space for students to share concerns and challenges openly. I design personalized learning plans tailored to each individual’s needs and learning style. I emphasize positive reinforcement to boost confidence and celebrate every small victory. Finally, I integrate engaging, interactive activities to make learning enjoyable, relevant, and motivating, so progress feels both rewarding and sustainable.