María Noriega-SánchezView profile
Professor
Prof María Noriega-Sánchez is Professor of Spanish and Translation Studies at the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics, and a Fellow and Director of Studies in Modern and Medieval Languages at Sidney Sussex College. She has been teaching at Cambridge since 2008, specializing in Spanish language instruction from ab initio to advanced levels, translation studies, and contemporary Hispanic culture. Her research centers on innovative approaches to language pedagogy, particularly the role of translation as the 'fifth skill' in language acquisition. Prof Noriega-Sánchez has pioneered methods that integrate translation into language learning processes, challenging traditional approaches that often exclude translation from foreign language teaching. Her work explores how new technologies can enhance collaborative learning environments and develop effective language teaching materials. Prof Noriega-Sánchez's scholarly output reveals significant trends in translation pedagogy and multimodal communication. Her publications demonstrate a consistent exploration of how translation functions as both a teaching methodology and cognitive process in language acquisition. She has been instrumental in establishing translation as an essential component of language learning, bridging theoretical insights with practical classroom applications. Highly Commended in the Innovative Teaching category of the Cambridge SU Student-Led Teaching Awards (May 2023) As Director of Studies at Sidney Sussex College since 2009 and former Undergraduate Tutor (2015-2020), Prof Noriega-Sánchez has guided numerous students through their academic journeys. She has developed innovative Spanish language curricula at Cambridge, created interactive teaching materials for the Open University, and contributed to the 'Spanish at Your Fingertips' project developed by the University of Cambridge Language Centre in partnership with BBC Worldwide. Prof Noriega-Sánchez co-founded the Cambridge Conversations in Translation research group at CRASSH (2015-2018) and serves as Co-Convener of the Cambridge Translation Studies Network. Her collaborative work with Ángeles Carreres and other scholars has significantly influenced translation pedagogy both nationally and internationally, establishing her as a leading voice in the field of language education and translation studies.









