About Us
Some Words About pelican
Hola, hello
I am Pelican, founder and lead-teacher at Soulful Spanish.
My journey as a Spanish teacher started in the year 2000 in Havana, Cuba. I had just finished studying Fine Arts at the University of Havana when I decided to venture into teaching. Many tourists were visiting Havana from all over the world and there was a curiosity for Cuban art and culture so I decided to step in. I started taking tourists on cultural tours along the city and soon realized that my knowledge of the Spanish language was also very welcomed and needed, so the classes began. My students were coming from all over the world but mainly from Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, England, and Japan. They would start classes knowing only “hola” and would leave after some weeks living in the country with the confidence to move along the city using Spanish in different settings and situations. I had discovered a sense of purpose: connecting people from different cultures by creating bridges for understanding and collaboration based on respect and curiosity for other ways of living life. Learning language was the catalyst and I was the facilitator.
In 2003 I moved to the United States and continued working as a language teacher; this time in the heart of South Beach located in the very international city of Miami Beach. I worked at a language school there for more than a decade and again, taught students from all over the world. Currently, I live in Costa Rica and maintain an online stream of students from different parts of the world as well as local ones. Fortunately, technology has been an amazing tool for teachers and students alike and we can enjoy classes from wherever we live. I even have some of my original students from Miami Beach, who have been with me for over a decade – continuing to learn together and keeping their language skills active.
Being a language teacher is a very humanistic endeavor. I have the honor to sit with people from all different walks of life and facilitate the accomplishment of some of their goals, aspirations, curiosities and joy for life. I get to accompany them through a journey of expansion of their comfort zones: Learning something new is courageous and adventurous.
Every time a new student starts, a new Universe opens up for both of us; therefore, every class or course is different and unique. Even though we use a book to ensure we follow a structure aimed to progress through the different stages of language acquisition, each course is tailored to the specific needs of the student, his or her pace and style of learning.
Like my students, I am committed to continuing my learning education so that I can continually improve the knowledge of my craft; in that pursuit I have taken courses with the Instituto Cervantes, the leading organization for promoting and teaching the Spanish language across the globe. By putting myself in the place of my students, it allows me to deeply connect with the learning journey; remain honest to them and to my profession at large.
f.a.q.'s
What are the benefits of learning a second language?
Learning a new language open doors and cross bridges by allowing us to be active members inside a diverse global community, it can enhance our work portfolio, expand our circle of friends, and elevate our relationships to a more meaningful level, all of that by also providing a boost of healthy exercise to our precious brain.
Why Soulful Spanish?
At Soulful Spanish, you can co-create the course content with your teacher. You can make your interests and style of learning lead the path and rhythm of the classes.
What is our approach?
We offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced Spanish classes. Our lessons are holistically tailored to the individual student. We support the learning process with the use of different types of materials. Online classes use digital books powered by leading online educational platforms (Blinklearning.com) and in-person classes use a combination of digital and printed material. To learn more visit www.blinklearning.com.