 Ian
Hart - University Student (contact
me)
"Personalized Spanish was an amazing experience,
the whole operation is run professionally to help maximize the learning
process. Gaby is a 100% committed and dedicated to seeing her students
learn and understand as much as they can. I would recommend this school
to anybody, over any other Spanish school. Personalized Spanish has a
beautiful atmosphere along with a delicious lunch, excursions to some
of San Jose historic locales, and an overall immersion into the culture."
 Jennifer Lowenherz - School
Psychologist, New York (((contact
me)
When I arrived in Costa Rica, I was very nervous about learning Spanish and
staying with a local family. I had had six weeks of learning Spanish in the
U.S. and had difficulty learning. At Personalized Spanish, I was very happy
with the way that grammar is taught and I became very excited about learning
the language. I also became very comfortable with my Tica family and have since
made a strong bond. After three weeks of study, I am able to communicate with
people using present, past and future tenses and have already made plans to
return during my winter break! Read full recommendation
 Mark
Cerniglia - VP of Partnership Initiatives
Lutheran Family Services ((contact
me)
I have studied at Personalized Spanish on several occasions and have always
received a very warm embrace by all the staff at the school and the families
with whom I've stayed. Gaby Cerrate and the other professors do an excellent
job of assessing each student at his or her level and providing just the right
instruction to increase skill levels. They manage to make the learning both
challenging and fun. I have seen great improvement each time I attend. Read
full recommendation.
 Julia
Davis - School conselor in Denver Colorado
My experience at Personalized Spanish was outstanding and I would immediately
recommend it to anyone wanting to learn the language! I was fortunate to have
a five week program tailored to meet my interests and needs. The staff were all
professional, super friendly and shared all sorts of information with me, as
well as going out of their way to accompany me to many cultural activities. My
wonderful Tico family also helped me learn Spanish and included me in many of
their daily activities. After my lessons, Gaby made recommendations and reservations
for a mini tour around the country, which was the perfect ending to an unforgettable
trip
 Thomas
Roussin - ESL Teacher (((contact
me)
As an ESL teacher, I've always had some difficulty communicating with
my student's parents. Now, I am able to better understand and communicate
some of the basics with them. Personalized Spanish was a great experience.
The classes were small and quite challenging. The groups changed as
the needs of the students changed. I highly recommend Personalized
Spanish to anyone who is interested in learning Spanish. "
 Heather
Schwersinske - Internal Auditor of a Multi-national
Products Company (
In only a week of private classes, I reviewed almost everything I had learned
in high school.The instructors were unbelievably impressive, and I was very
pleased with the teaching methods employed. They focused on my business needs
and language weaknesses which was very important to my goals.
My host family was incredible and still keeps in touch.
My Spanish improved to the point I was able to give an opening meeting
in Spanish in Colombia the following week and perform the entire audit
in Spanish with minimal translation assistance. I cannot speak highly
enough about my experience at Personalized Spanish, and I would encourage
it for anyone at any level with a desire to learn Spanish!"
 Mike
Bertram - Pastor of a Catholic Church ((contact
me)
As the pastor of a Catholic Church in a heavily Puerto Rican community, I was
interested in getting some Spanish experience in order to relate better to
the Latino members of his congregation. Personalized Spanish provided me with
very specific lessons and vocabulary which have allowed me to reach out to
the large Spanish population and even hear confessions given in Spanish!
At Personalized Spanish I received more than just classes, I participated
in a complete program built specifically for me which even included a
trip to rural Costa Rica to do volunteer work with Catholic Friars in
the area. My experience went above and beyond what I was expecting!
 Riitta
Jonsson - Fundraiser for Swedish Cooperative
Centre
If you are looking for a personal, efficient way of learning
Spanish, then Personalized Spanish is just right for you.
I loved going to school every single day in four weeks. It
was incredibly rewarding and I felt like I was entering into
a whole new world with my increasing Spanish skills.
The atmosphere and the lectures at the school were open and friendly,
but at the same time demanding. The time at the school is an investment
for your life. I trained both my written and spoken skills and the topics
were chosen with preference to my international aid work as a fundraiser.
I had two families; the school and my "Tico” family and I
loved them both. They have enriched my life a lot! I truly recommend
the Personalized Spanish with all of my heart.
 Adam
Raffkind - Healthcare Professional (
I arrived to Personalized Spanish with zero Spanish. Working
in a busy children’s
hospital in Colorado, I found it difficult and disheartening not being able
to communicate well with Latino parents about serious matters concerning their
children. After an intensive 6 week course, even taking lessons on the weekend,
I progressed drastically with my Spanish speaking ability. Not a night goes
by where I don't use my Spanish. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to be
able to communicate with these families. I feel victorious when I walk out
of a room!
Matt
Hastings - Director of International Membership
Development, Edison Electric Institute (
With very rusty high school and college Spanish I was unsure how
much I would learn at Personalized Spanish. With the quality and
dedication of Gaby and her staff I was able to make amazing progress,
far beyond my expectations. By Wednesday I could deliver a 15 minute
speech on American politics! Anyone who wants to expand their grasp
of conversing and reading Spanish would be well-served at this school.
The staff was polite, supportive, helpful and challenging. The homestay
program was wonderful and greatly helpful in the learning process.
The school is in a beautiful part of San Jose and the learning materials
were interesting and useful. I've used the Spanish I learned at Personalized
Spanish with clients in South America and Spain, and with Latinos
here in Washington. I plan to return next year. My only complaint
is that the time went too quickly.
Marit Befring - Reporter,
National Broadcast Corporation of Norway(
I wanted to refresh my Spanish, and after two weeks in a private class
I felt that I had reached my goal: to be able to make an interview
in Spanish. I had the most wonderful teacher. She reviewed almost
all the grammar I had learned at the University and inspired me to
speak Spanish from the first day. My two year old daughter stayed with
my "Ticamother" while I was at school.
Before I arrived at Costa Rica I was a little bit worried about that, but my
host family were wonderful and my daughter loved it. She still speaks some
spanish words!
Jeg onsket aa friske opp spansken min, og etter to uker med privatundervisning
syntes jeg at jeg hadde naadd maalet mitt: aa klare aa intervjue noen
paa spansk. Jeg hadde en fantastisk laerer. Hun repeterte nesten all
gramatikk som jeg hadde laert på universitetet og inspirerte meg
til aa snakke fra dag en. Min to aar gamle datter var sammen med min
Tica-mor mens jeg var paa skolen. Jeg var litt bekymret for dette mens
jeg var i Norge, men hun var bare helt fantastisk. Datteren min elsket
det. Hun kan ennaa noen spanske ord!
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