Dorian Fonseca
Teacher and Copy Editor
Studies:
- Bachelor Degree in Spanish Philology, Universidad de Costa Rica.
Languages: Advanced English
- Background / Experience:
- Proofreading (thesis, articles, 2008 – currently
- Spanish teacher as a second language: Costa Rican Language Academy, 2008 – currently
Specialization:
- Spanish at all levels
- Medical Spanish
- Legal Spanish
- Costa Rican culture and history
- Spanish for children
Skills:
- Deep interest in cultural diversity and strong social commitment. She integrates in her classes these topics through the analysis of the Latin American culture.
- Sports and Latin American popular dancing passionate.
- Great ability to work with children, teenagers and seniors.
- Dynamic and enthusiastic. Constantly searching for new materials and new ways to facilitate the students´ learning process.
- Specialized materials designer for children and teenagers Spanish learners.
Marianela Ballar
Teacher
Studies:
- Bachelor Degree in Spanish Philology, Universidad Autónoma de Centroamérica.
- Master Degree in Spanish as a Second Language (attending), Universidad de Costa Rica
- Languages: English Intermediate, Mandarin Intermediate
Background / Experience:
- Jury member for beginners test in Philology, UACA University, 2010
- Currently, Spanish teacher as a second language: in several schools and Costa Rican Language Academy, since 2001
Specializations:
- Spanish at all levels
- Advanced grammar for high Spanish levels
- Latin American and Costa Rican Literature
- Medical Spanish
- Costa Rican history and culture
Skills:
- Deep interest in cultural diversity, Eastern Philosophy and veganism.
- Knowledge in alternative medicine and martial arts.
- Great ability to work with seniors and people with special needs.
- Dynamic and enthusiastic. . Constantly searching for new materials and new ways to facilitate the students´ learning process.
Abraham Calvo
Teacher and Copy Editor
Studies:
- Bachelor Degree in Spanish Philology, Universidad de Costa Rica
- Languages: Advanced English
Background / Experience:
- Proofreading (thesis, articles, advertisements), 2000 – Currently
- Language and literature tutor, Universidad estatal a Distancia, 2000 al 2001
- Spanish teacher as a second language, Costa Rican Language Academy, 2001 – currently
Specializations:
- Spanish at all levels.
- Advanced grammar for high Spanish levels.
- Latin American and Costa Rican Literature
- Medical Spanish
- Legal Spanish
- Costa Rican culture and history
- Business Spanish
Skills:
- Linguistic researcher.
- Deep interest in cultural diversity.
- Highly interested in sports and encourages his students to get involved.
- Text and materials designer for teaching Spanish as a second language.
- Great ability to work with children, teenagers and seniors.
Ana Lorena Vásquez
Teacher
Studies:
- Spanish teacher as a second Language, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica
- Librarian and Learning Resources Specialist, Universidad Estatal a Distancia.
- Language: Intermediate English
Background / Experience:
- Spanish teacher as a second Language: Costa Rican Language Academy, 2009 – currently
Specialization:
- Spanish at all levels
- Medical Spanish
- Costa Rican culture and history
- Spanish for children
Skills:
- Deep interest in cultural diversity.
- Great ability to work with children, teenagers and seniors.
- Very creative. Constantly searching for new materials and new ways to facilitate the students´ learning process.
- Dynamic and enthusiastic.
Gabriel Álvarez
Teacher
Studies:
- Spanish Philology, Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Languages: Intermediate English
Background / Experience:
- Spanish teacher as a second language, Costa Rican Language Academy, 2007 – currently
Specializations:
- Spanish at all levels
- Medical Spanish
- Legal Spanish
- Costa Rican culture and history
- Spanish for children and teenagers
Skills:
- Deep interest in cultural diversity strong social commitment.
- Active member of non-profit organizations that encourage leadership through the young population to positive strengthen and increase help in their communities.
- Deep interest in history and arts. Active participant in cultural activities.
- Great ability to work with children, teenagers and seniors.
- Dynamic and enthusiastic.
Irán Barrantes
Teacher
Studies:
- Master in Education with Emphasis in University Education, Universidad Nacional.
- Language: High Intermediate English
Background / Experience:
- Currently, Spanish teacher as a second language: several schools and Costa Rican Language Academy, since 1994.
- Spanish teacher at the University of Mississippi, Olemiss, 2007-2013
- Post-degree professor at the Universidad Nacional, 2014-currently.
Specializations:
- Spanish at all levels
- Medical Spanish
- Legal Spanish
- Costa Rican culture and history
- Business Spanish
- Spanish for teenagers
Skills:
- Spanish Certified Evaluator A.C.T.F.L.
- Deep interest in educational research and specialized reading methods.
- Constantly, integrates in his classes his passion for Latin American cultural, political and economic topics.
- Great ability to work with teenagers and seniors.
- Dynamic, enthusiastic and patient.
Olga Zúñiga
Teacher and Painter
Studies:
- Bachelor in Political Science, Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Master in Latin American Literature (attending), Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Languages: Advanced English, Basic Japanese
Background / Experience:
- Spanish teacher as a second language in several schools and in Costa Rican Language Academy, 1996 – currently
Specialization:
- Spanish at all levels
- Advanced grammar for high Spanish levels.
- Latin American and Costa Rican Literature
- Costa Rican culture and history
Skills:
- Deep interest in cultural diversity.
- Knowledge in Costa Rican and Latin America history and art.
- Passionate analyst of Latin America cinema.
- Great ability to work with seniors.
- Classic music and speech verbalization formation.
- Great interest in popular music and singing.
Stephanni Cruz
Teacher
Studies:
- English Bachelor, Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Bachelor in Education (attending), Universidad Estatal a Distancia.
- Languages: Advanced English
Background / Experience:
- Spanish teacher as a second language, Costa Rican Language Academy, 2000 – currently.
Specialization:
- Spanish at all levels
- Advanced grammar for high Spanish levels.
- Medical Spanish
- Legal Spanish
- Costa Rican culture and history
- Spanish for children
Skills:
- Deep interest in cultural diversity
- Great ability to work with teenagers and seniors.
- Text and materials designer for teaching Spanish as a second language.
- Dynamic and enthusiastic. Constantly searching for new materials and new ways to facilitate the students´ learning process.
Karla Rojas
Teacher
Studies:
- Spanish Philology, Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Languages: Intermediate English
Background / Experience:
- Spanish teacher as a second language, Costa Rican Language Academy, 2006 – currently
Specializations:
- Spanish at all levels
- Medical Spanish
- Legal Spanish
- Costa Rican culture and history
- Spanish for children
Skills:
- Deep interest for diverse topics of the Latin America culture.
- Great ability to work with children, teenagers and seniors.
- Encourage learning through dynamic activities and teamwork.
- Very creative, involves students´ interests and needs through original activities within the class.
- Dynamic and enthusiastic.
Mariana Zumbado
Academic Director
Teacher and professional dancer
Studies:
- Bachelor in Spanish Philology, Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Professional Degree in Spanish Philology, Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Master in Linguistics, Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Languages: Intermediate English
Background / Experience:
- Text editor, 2000 – currently
- Language and literature tutor, Universidad estatal a Distancia, 2001 to 2003.
- Spanish teacher as a second language, Costa Rican Language Academy 2001 – currently
- Delivery speaker for oral expression, strategies to class development and pragmatic analysis.
Specializations:
- Spanish at all levels.
- Advanced grammar for high Spanish levels.
- Latin American and Costa Rican Literature
- Medical, legal and business Spanish
- Costa Rican culture and history
Skills:
- Linguistics researcher. Deep interest in pragmatism, Latin America literature and comparative grammar.
- Researcher and activist of the indigenous and afro Costa Rican cultures.
- Great analytical ability for multicultural related topics and language teaching. Deep interest in cultural diversity.
- Highly interested in sports and encourages his students to get involved.
- Text and material designer for learning Spanish as a second language.
- Costa Rican folklore knowledge
- Knowledge in modern and contemporary dance.
- Great ability to work with seniors and people with special needs.
LEARN SPANISH & LEAVE A POSITIVE FOOTPRINT
CRLA students have the opportunity of contributing to make a tangible difference in our world and to leave something positive for future generations.