Bio

I’m Rai Franco, a linguist, Spanish teacher, and activist committed to anti-racism and anti-colonialism. I am an AFAB non-binary, autistic, and VAST (a non-ableist term for ADHD) person. I grew up in a coastal city in Peru and moved to Lima as a teenager to pursue university studies. This experience exposed me to an elite academic environment, prompting deep reflection on the social and racial divides that separate my communities from structures of power.
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My research in linguistics with Indigenous peoples has allowed me to explore power dynamics and the invisibilization faced by us—Indigenous-descendant and racialized communities in Latin America. This has been a cornerstone of my academic journey.
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I currently live in Argentina, where I have been involved in sustaining a community kitchen and teaching at the Marcelina Meneses Popular High School—both self-managed initiatives led primarily by racialized migrant women. It was in Argentina that I discovered I am neurodivergent and began training in inclusive education for neurodivergent people.
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My experience in academia, activism, and teaching has shaped my approach to Spanish learning. My classes go beyond language—they are socially and politically aware, inclusive, and rooted in linguistic justice. I believe language is a powerful tool for empowerment and inclusion, and I bring that vision into every lesson I teach.