Instructor Backgrounds
Turrialba
Sonia Gomez (School Supervisor)
Sonia Gomez is a native of Costa Rica/Venezuela.
She has been a director of the school in Turrialba
for more than 4 years. In 2003 she became the
official supervisor for all the school campuses.
Sonia's experience in the realm of education began in the early 1990's. Prior to working with the school. She was employed at another school location from 1994 thru 1998 as the Director of the Registration and Information department.
During the same time period, she acquired her Bachelors in International Relations (Relaciones Internacionales) at Universidad, Costa Rica in 1995. Later, she continued her education and received a Masters in International Relations & Diplomacy, with an emphasis in International Business (Master en Relacion Internacionales y Diplomacia, con un enfasis en Negocios Internationales) at Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica in 1998.
After acquiring her Masters degree she relocated to Venezuela to work with Benton Vincler as an assistant to production management and then continued her experience as Regional Coordinator of the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce (VENAMCHAM).
In 2001 she made her way back to Costa Rica and
became the Director at the school in Turrialba.
Her experience and knowledge has made the school
a quality organization that it is now. As the
company has grown she has directed, guided, managed
and helped to maintain the essence of Adventure/Education.
Nora Gomez (Academic Supervisor)
Nora Gomez is the Director of Academics for all
the campuses. A native of Costa Rica, she has
considerable experience in education. Currently,
she holds a degree in Bachillerato en la Ensnanza
del Espanol at the Universidad de Costa Rica.
She has committed 14 years to teaching Spanish
as a Second Language. She has been with the school
three years and counting.
Doctor Jose Roberto Ulloa Gonzalez (Turrialba Medical Profesor)
Doctor Jose Roberto Ulloa Gonzalez is a Costa
Rican that has recently joined the language programs
team.
He traveled to Honduras for medical school from
(1994-2002) at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma
for Medico y Cirujano. He is currently awaiting
approval from the government of Costa Rica to
practice medicine in the country. In the interim,
he dedicates his time to being involved with language
programs as a full time Medical teacher.
Dominical
Alexandra Espinoza (Dominical Director)
Alexandra Espinoza is a Costa Rican who has many
years of experience in education. As the director
of the Dominical Campus, she has helped the school
grow by utilizing her creativity, ideas and skills.
The significant improvement in identity and curriculum
and the evolution of the school as a quality educational
institution is a reflection of her hard work and
efforts. Her experience alone is a blessing for
the school.
The majority of her experience has been in the realm of education. In the early 90's, she taught Technical English for Airlines and Hotel Management. Afterwards, she transitioned to teaching 7th and 8th graders at Saint Benadict High School, San Jose. From 1995-2001 she was the Supervisor for the English Department in Instituto Universal de Idiomas, San Jose. During this period she also worked part time with the same company as a EFL teacher for two years. In 2002 she worked as a Academic Director for centro de Idiomas, Universidad Magister, San Jose. Then after, she was employed by the school and ever since has made a big difference on campus.
Mayela Herrera Zuniga (Dominical Administrative Assistant )
Mayela Herrera Zuniga is the assistant administrator
for the Dominical campus. She is a local Costa
Rican that has wide ranging background in different
fields. In 1995-1998 Mayela worked for Corporacion
Supermercado Unides C.S.U. as an Asistente Tesoria.
Then, in 1998 she wanted to expand her skills
by learning the cultures of United States. She
moved to the US in North Carolina working for
Petsy Ayken as a Supervisora Departamento Computer.
She then moved over to Proctor & Gamble where
she became Seminario Recursor Humanos. After a
few years of working in the US, she decided to
move back to Costa Rica, where she filled a position
with the school in Dominical. Mayela has assisted
students in locating the information they need,
setting up tours, driving the students to various
locations, and many more duties.
Jose Carlos Sanchez (Dominical Tour Coordinator)
Chapy, as he is known by the staff, students, and community and has been working for language programs almost one year now. He is the tour coordinator for the school, and he guides most or if not all the tours in Dominical. A local Costa Rican, with a great personality, and very easy going with life, Chapy's experience with the students has always been positive and they get to know him very well.
La Fortuna
Gabriela Gomez (La Fortuna Director)
Gabriela Gomez is the sister of Sonia Gomez. She is the director of the La Fortuna Campus which opened in March 2004. Gabriela has been in training for almost a year under the guidance of Sonia. As her experience continues to grow, she will give the campus a unique orientation, distinguishing it from the other campuses.
Under her capable direction, the school will further expand to meet the needs of its students. Her experience began in Venezuela when she first started to work for a Bank as an Financial Analyst from 1995-1996. Soon after, she worked as an Administrator for a restaurant for two years. Then she switched over to Supervisora de Linea Aerea for another two years. In 2000 she worked as Encargada da Panaderia. In 2002 she decided to move toCosta Rica to start training to be the Director of La Fortuna campus. We would like to wish Gabriela much luck as she starts her new campus at the end of March, 2004.
Osvaldo Gonzalez Valenciano (Academic Director Arenal)
Osvaldo is native to Costa Rica
and has plenty of experience with teaching languages.
In 1999 he received his degree in University of
Costa Rica in Filologia Espanola. After receiving
his degree, he then continued on with his education
in Latin America Literature for his Masters. His
experience started in 1998 while working for a
High School in San Jose as a teacher. During this
time, he was faculty assistant in Education for
University of Costa Rica. Two years later, he
branched out to teach foreigners Spanish at Costa
Rica Language Academy. In 2002, he then went on
to teach at International University of San Isidro
Labrador, San Carlos as a professor of Costa Rican
and Spain Literature. Osvaldo is now a family
of AEC, and he runs the Academic Department of
the Arenal Campus. He makes sure that the quality
of education is being met, and that students achieve
the proper education they need.
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Administrators
Guest House San Jose
Walter Garrison (Office Supervisor of Guest House)
Walter Garrison is part owner of language programs,
and has numerous years of experience in the Adventure
industry. As a river guide at the Grand Canyon
he brings special nowledge and a wide range of
skills to the Adventure program in Costa Rica.
He has guided the growth of language programs
in recent years by overseeing its finances. Walter
has rafted since 1975 and from 1985 - 1992
he worked full time for a Grand Canyon guide company.
Since then, he has made his way to Costa Rica and worked with several Rafting companies. Walter began his involvement with language programs as the concept of Costa Rica as an adventure/education destination gained momentum. Every year for two months he returns to Grand Canyon to run the rivers.
Francini Salas (Office Manager)
Francini Salas has been working for the company
at least four years as an Office manager. She
is a native of Costa Rica and her experience and
education has been an immeasurable help with regards
to the smooth running and maintenance of the organization.
Her kind personality and her willingness to help
make each student's transition to Costa
Rica a much smoother process. Francini is Bilingual
and has had plenty of experience from teaching
Spanish to working as an administrative assistant.
Her education goes back from 1983 when she was
acquiring her Baciller in Liceo San Rafael where
she received a Bilingual Secretary diploma in
1987. or 8 years. She then expanded her education
to learn English in United States for two years.
She worked as an Administrative Coordinator at
the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center in Lawrence,
Mass. After that, she acquired a travel agent
certification. In 1996 she relocated back to Costa
Rica and In 2000 she started to work for the company,
and represents us extremely well.
Carlos Cambronero (Transportation Service)
Carlos Salas is our private/taxi driver. He is
a native of Costa Rica and has been working for
the company for more than 3 years now. When people
first meet Carlos, they already feel at home.
He has an amazing personality and his courteous,
friendly attitude makes each students first contact
with Costa Rica a positive one. At the beginning
of your trip, he'll educate you a little
bit about Costa Rica. Depending on your schedule,
he can also direct you to a bank where you can
change your money before you start your adventures
in Costa Rica.
Tour Operators
Explonatura
Ronaldo Bottger (Tour Operator)
Ronald is part owner of Explonatura. He is originally
from Peru and has lived in Costa Rica since the
early 90's. Ronald has plenty of experience
with tourism from when he lived in Peru. Surrounded
by adventure everywhere he goes, he always finds
time to make sure that all safety requirements
are met. In the effort to continually strive for
better tours, he constantly makes sure that his
guides are educated and properly trained and up
to speed on the latest information.
Massimiliano Devoto (Tour Operator)
Massi, as he is nicknamed, is one of the owners
of Explonatura. He is of Costa Rican descent
and most of his work experience has been in the
tourism industry. He has 6 years experience in
rafting, canyonering, repelling, ziplines, mountain
biking, and many other tours. He brings an attitude
which encourages an air of diversity and fun.
However, he is extremely professional, and always
seeks be sure that work and safety needs are always
at the on top of his list. He ensures that he
and his staff are updated on new equipment and
techniques. Massi is always pursuing educational
growth and applying for certifications in his
specialty.
Methology
Spanish for Medical works closely with various language programs to ensure a quality Spanish education and Adventure experience. The school has a permanent staff of professors with a high level of specialization in teaching Spanish as a Second Language and who coordinate each other's efforts to ensure a cohesive learning process. Teachers must participate in continuing education and training on a regular basis. By doing so, this ensures a solid educational structure to facilitate and meet the progression and learning level of each student.
The teaching staff is composed of native Spanish
speakers and practically all of them have a degree
in Education.
There are four parts to learning Spanish: reading, writing, speaking, and hearing.
All these elements are emphasized within the program. Immersion learning is the focus of each campus and taking advantage of the host family option makes the immersion process that much stronger. The communication skills of each student are accelerated by being constantly surrounded in a Spanish-speaking context.
Schools introduce each student to the country via educational Half-day tours such as snake farms, coffee plantations, butterfly farms, cow bow for a day, and many more. These tours are presented in Spanish where they are able to listen to different voices and annunciations plus gain an understanding of some of the everyday work occupations, values and assumptions of typical Costa Ricans and Latin Americans.
In addition to the tours there are classes offered such as cooking classes, where students are introduced to local cuisines, and dance classes. Typical foods like Gallo Pinto, Casados, Arros con Pollo, Costa Rican Style Rice, Pork Chop dinners, Green Bean Casserole, Seafood Stew, Cocktails, Ceveche, Bocadito, and various styles other cooking may also be taught. Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, and aerobics are just a few of the dances that school offers. As students interact with locals, they are taught how to move to the Spanish rhythm of Latin dancing.
Sunday is the day students make their way to the town and the school. This is where each student is given instructions on how to get to the campus for Monday classes. New students should arrive that first Monday a half an hour earlier than they would for their regularly scheduled classes (see below) for evaluation and placement.
Each student is given a written evaluation and some verbal examinations to determine their level of Spanish. Class times are as follows: Turrialba (8:00 am -12:30 pm), Dominical (9:00 am- 1:30 pm), La Fortuna (8:00 am - 12:30 pm). Technical classes like Medical Spanish are held in the afternoons. In the High season, classes may shift to different hours to meet each students needs.
The school uses materials that were originally
developed by them, as well as standard University
textbooks. During regular classes, the materials
used are the schools own developed and enhanced
books.
Years of experience and adaptations made from that experience have made books that are easily understood by beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Students may write on the program books directly to take notes or to do homework. For technical classes like Medical Spanish, the school uses textbooks such as from the University of Texas.
This textbook serves as a useful resource reference
for students to integrate their immersion learning
process with typical academic coursework, particularly
if the student desires to gain academic credit.
Class sizes may be composed of up to four people. This helps instructors give more attention to each student, and gives plenty of time for question and answer periods. All instructors are trained to speak nothing but Spanish.
However, if a student is occasionally having a difficult time with a topic, an adjustment can be made to better teach the student. As the student progresses, he or she advances to a higher level where the school monitors their changes. The language directors attempt to stay abreast of instruction and classes in order to maintain standards. If a particular classroom does not suit the student, private tutoring can be arranged for a special price.
Community, as mentioned before, is the second part of a student's introduction to immersion training. Dance class, cooking class and half-day tours are all very important. Host families will help to vastly accelerate the student's ability to speak Spanish.
In order to achieve that goal, one has to be able to confront the fear of speaking. Families in Costa Rica are typically very friendly and inviting...not to mention patient.
They take the time to correct the student's
Spanish wherever it's needed. Many families
enjoy sitting at the dining table with a coffee
at hand and having conversations about everything
and anything. Sometimes a good piece of gossip
comes into play...
Once a student feels comfortable with speaking, he or she is encouraged to walk about the town to introduce themselves to the community and get to know the culture. Avoiding tourist spots can help the immersion process. For example, students can go to local Costa Rican owned bars and have a conversation in Spanish. Some places in Dominical, where many of the business are "Gringo" owned or foreign owned, make the community quite a bit different from Turrialba or La Fortuna.
As a suggestion, we recommend avoiding the tourist sections. One needs to find a place where there are hardly any tourists so that you can put your newfound skills in Spanish to the test.