Where to begin? Advice for starting your studies…

A few of Academia Tica’s most experienced instructors offered advice on how to begin the rewarding process of learning Spanish. With 65 years of teaching experience between them, we thought it worthwhile to share these kernels of wisdom with the world. Enjoy!

“The number one must for new students is simply wanting to study. Step two is actually studying, then studying, studying and studying some more. Finally, don’t just practice in the classroom, practice anytime you can with whomever you can, at the supermarket, with friends, colleagues or your host family.” -Elizabeth Gamboa

“If you want to learn you have to have an open mind, be willing to be surprised and not rationalize everything according to what you are already know. Really open your mind and admire what you are learning. Feel the language, feel the rhythm and let it flow.”  Santiago González

It is very important to practice after class. You don’t even need another person to do this. Use a mirror and talk to yourself if you need to. Practice the structure and the grammar. It is not enough to only practice in class because you will forget things.” – Mireya Mora
The experts agree: hard work, openness and a good attitude are at the heart of learning anything new. But immersion might be the closest thing to a magic bullet for learning a language, along with committed teachers who actually care about your progress. 

Graduación y despedida de Hiroshi

El pasado viernes, luego de 6 meses y 750 clases en Academia Tica, nuestro querido estudiante Hiroshi recibió su diploma terminando así su estadía con nosotros.

Hiroshi realizó una presentación muy emotiva con la que se despidió del cuerpo académico y administrativo de nuestra escuela, así como de sus otros compañeros que también terminaron lecciones ese mismo día: Johannes y Jenny.

A todos les deseamos mucha suerte en su futuro y esperamos que usen mucho el español que aprendieron en Academia Tica. ¡Felicidades y gracias por estudiar con nosotros!

Hiroshi dando su presentación.
Hiroshi dando su presentación.
Johaness dando las gracias a Academia Tica.
Johaness dando las gracias a Academia Tica.
Jenny recibiendo su diploma.
Jenny recibiendo su diploma.
Cena de despedida estilo japonés.
Sushi de despedida de Hiroshi.

Last Friday, after 6 months and 750 Spanish lessons with us, our dear student Hiroshi received his diploma and so, finishing his stay in Costa Rica and at Academia Tica.

Hiroshi made a very emotional presentation, saying goodbye to his teachers, the school staff and the other students that also had their graduation that same day: Johannes and Jenny.

We wish them all the best of luck and that they can put the Spanish learned here to good use! Congratulations and thanks for studying with us!

Catching lunch in Coronado

Up the hill from Academia Tica Coronado a cozy little place by the side of the road serves up about the freshest trout imaginable, Tico style.

At this family-run “trucheria,” (trucha means trout), you can catch your own lunch from a backyard pond. Luckily professionals take over from there. Have a seat in the rustic dining room as the fish is seasoned and grilled to perfection, then served with rice, fries, plantains and salad. To find this authentic cultural gem, take the bus to Las Nubes to the very last stop in Cascajal, then keep going up the road by foot. This 3km walk wends through beautiful pastures with sweeping views of the Central Valley. Look for reassuring signs that say “Bella Vista Trucheria, XX metros.” You have arrived when a sign in a driveway on the left that says, “Bienvenidos” with a giant fish painting. Open weekends and holidays.

 

This sign spells out the philosophy at Bella Vista Trucheria in Coronado.
This sign spells out the philosophy at Bella Vista Trucheria in Coronado.
Fresh trout served at a homespun restaurant near Academia Tica Coronado.
Fresh trout served at a homespun restaurant near Academia Tica Coronado.

 

 

Goodbye Susanna

This Monday morning we started the week with a feeling of emptiness in our school. After more than 5 months of intense work, Susanna has finished her intership at Academia Tica.

Auf Widersehen! u_u
Auf Widersehen! u_u

Last Thursday night we had a goodbye dinner party in San José. The day after, the rest of the teachers and staff got a chance to  listen to a presentation she had prepared about her experience in Costa Rica and Academia Tica. We felt sad but also proud. After the presentation we had some “tres leches” for a sweet farewell.

We are greatful for her outsanding work and we congratulate her for the amazing advance in her Spanish language skills. The best wishes for your future!

Susanna giving her presentation.
Susanna giving her presentation.
On our trip to the Coronado mountains.
On our trip to the Coronado mountains.
Making new friends never was a problem.
Making new friends was never a problem.
Tres leches de coco :)
Tres leches de coco 🙂
Goodbye dinner party.
Goodbye dinner party.

Este lunes comenzamos la semana con un vacío en nuestra escuela. Después de más de 5 meses trabajando intensamente, Susanna ha terminado su pasantía en Academia Tica.

El jueves pasado, en compañía de otros estudiantes, fuimos a despedirla y disfrutar de una cena en San José. Al día siguiente el resto de los profesores y miembros del equipo pudimos escuchar una presentación que ella misma preparó sobre su experiencia en Costa Rica y en Academia Tica. Nos sentimos tristes pero al mismo tiempo orgullosos. Después de la presentación compartimos un “tres leches” para una dulce despedida.

Le agradecemos su esfuerzo y la felicitamos por su sorprendente avance en el español. ¡Los mejores deseos para su futuro!

 

Spanish teacher training course in Jacó Beach

A quick update to share some pictures. These ones are from last Friday when we gathered our “dream team” of teachers at the Academia Tica Jacó campus for a training day. This is part of our plan for continuous development, for sharing ideas and learning new teaching techniques. Also a chance to enjoy some lunch, brownies and coffee with teachers from both our campuses together.

Although not all of our teachers could join, it was fun! Thanks to all the teachers for their participation and their inputs and to Gabriela for organizing the workshop and the amazing brownies! See you on the next one!

This training day is not to be confused with Academia Tica’s Spanish for Spanish teachers course 🙂

Spanish teachers training course - games
Some Spanish card games spice up the day
Spanish teachers dream team
Familiar faces? 🙂

Una actualización rápida para compartir unas fotos. Éstas son del viernes pasado cuando reunimos a nuestro “equipo de ensueño” de profesores en el campus de Academia Tica Jacó para una capacitación. Esto es parte de nuestro plan de mejoramiento continuo, para compartir ideas y nuevas técnicas de enseñanza. También es una oportunidad para disfrutar de un almuerzo, brownies y café con los profesores de ambos campus.

Aunque no todos nuestros profesores pudieron llegar, ¡fue divertido! Gracias a todos los profesores por su participación y sus aportes, a Gabriela por organizar el taller ¡y por los increíbles brownies! ¡Nos vemos en el próximo taller!

Este día de capacitación no debe confundirse con el curso para profesores de Academia Tica 🙂