Una aproximación al perfil del profesorado de español como lengua extranjera en línea

This paper presents the results of an ongoing research, whose objective is to outline the profile of online teachers of Spanish as a foreign language (SFL). The analysis carried out relies on quantitative and qualitative data collected through an online questionnaire that was distributed through social networks (Facebook and Twitter), discussion forums and distribution lists about SFL. Despite the limitations of the sample, the results provide a picture of the profile under study and confirm that this group of professionals is largely configured by females, between 35 and 45 years old, that choose the online and distance teaching modality in combination with face-to-face courses, due to the flexibility that it implies in terms of time and space management. Data also indicate that this modality requires adopting new strategies in order to promote one-self on the Net and get a large number of students. Moreover, there is a need to reflect about providing adequate training and adapted materials for these professionals.