Our Staff

Gaby Cerrate - Founder of Personalized Spanish

learnmore@personalizedspanish.com
Gaby has taught Spanish classes since 1989 working for a number of different Spanish language schools in both Costa Rica and Perú, her native country. She received her Master's degree in Linguistics from the University of Jarkov in the Ukraine in 1989. Her studies were focused on understanding the methodologies for teaching second languages. She received her Bachelor's degree in education, with certification to teach Russian.

Gaby lived in the Soviet Union for 8 years, spending 3 years traveling throughout Europe. She has experienced, first hand, what it's like to learn a new language and to travel in countries where she doesn't know the language. She has lived in Costa Rica since 1990.

Welcome from Gaby!

"Bienvenido. It is a pleasure for me to work with people that want to learn Spanish. After having experienced learning a second language myself, I realized that language students need more than a traditional teacher, they need someone that can understand their needs, emotions, and frustrations. I love getting to know my students and supporting them through the sometimes emotional process of learning a new language. For this reason, I am committed to my students and always finding new ways to enhance their learning."

Amanda Rossi - Executive Assistant

amanda@personalizedspanish.com

Amanda Rossi is from New York and graduated from Siena College with her Bachelor's degree in Spanish and International business.  She then went on to study for her Master's degree in Spanish at the University at Albany.  Amanda’s interests are in second language acquisition and intercultural exchange.  She has lived in Costa Rica for the past three years working in both the academic and administrative parts of foreign language schools.  Amanda enjoys traveling, reading, and eating chocolate. 

“Hola.  ¿Qué tal?  I love to work with students who are eager to learn and experience another language and culture.  I’ll match you up with the perfect program for your needs, and of course, your homestay family. I can relate to all your questions being a foreigner in Costa Rica myself.”

Alejandro Cordero – Professor and Cultural Activity Coordinator

Alejandro is a poet and studies literature and linguistics. He has participated in various international festivals and meeting. Alejandro has lead many literary workshops for all ages. He published "Habitación del Olvido" (Ediciones Andrómeda 2003). Alejandro's work also appears in the anthologies "Lunadas Poéticas, poesía costarricense actual" (Ediciones Andrómeda 2005), "Sostener la Palabra, antología de poesía costarricense contemporánea" (Editorial Arboleda 2007), in the poetry collection, "Mono a cuadros" Volumen I (poesía, Editorial Arboleda 2006), in the "Colección de Poesía" (Ego Group Inc, Miami, USA 2008). Alejandro has also collaborated with other national and international magazines. Alejandro likes music, movies and to play the guitar. He loves the ocean and nature. Bienvenidos. My greatest wish for you, besides learning Spanish, is that you get to know and enjoy our country and culture. That you enjoy this place where we still dream in color, where we still believe in magic and ghosts, in our grandmother's stories, and that solidarity is an investment, not expenditure. Immerse yourself in the ocean and mountains, in the city and the volcanoes; discover all of the possibilities, happiness and sadness, of our Latin American magic realism.

Sergio Moya – Professor

I’m a Classical Philologist.  I am currently studying Spanish Philology and a Masters in Linguistics from the University of Costa Rica.  I’ve also studied contemporary dance and percussion with an emphasis in Jazz at the UCR.
I’ve taught Spanish as a second language and classical languages such as Latin and Greek for many years in different institutions around the country.
I love extreme sports, to read, and languages as much as I love to drink coffee, which is alot. I really like philosophy, literature, music and politics.
¡¡Hola hola!! ¡¿Qué tal?!  I hope that you enjoy learning Spanish in my lovely country.  It’s a pleasure to work with foreigners because it’s like traveling without traveling and also because when I teach I always learn something new that helps me to become a better person and professional.  I hope that we can share aspects of our culture and grab a coffee together soon.

Noemi Monge - Cleaning

"¿Cómo están chicos?  I’ll be preparing fresh natural juices, coffee, and snacks for you.  I look forward to introducing you to new fruits and Costa Rican dishes.”

Marcos - School Driver

Marcos will be your first personal contact in Costa Rica. Marcos will wait for you in Juan Santamaria airport, then he will take you to your homestay family. At this moment you will be introduced to your Spanish immersion program... Do you know what we mean?