Language is Life.

Pura Vida! Pure Life!

The ability to communicate in a foreign language is paramount.

— Henry Alfaro, Founder

About Henry

I'm was born in Costa Rica and moved to Dallas, TX, in 1999. When I was in my mid-20’s, I was working for Intel Computers. This gave me the opportunity for extensive travel.

With Costa Rica being a popular travel destination, I met people from all over the world. I started intently listening to their Spanish, some good and some not so good. I found myself helping them with the language. This ignited my passion and my path to teaching!

Since my time in Costa Rica, I have become fluent in English.

Experience:

1995 - 1998 Spanish teacher for language school in Costa Rica
1999 - 2003 Spanish teacher for Berlitz Language Center in Dallas, Texas
2004 - Spanish teacher for Dallas International School in Dallas, Texas

Training:

Hispano-American University, Business Administration, San Jose, Costa Rica
Spanish Instructor Training Program, San Jose, Costa Rica
Pakuranga College, Auckland, New Zealand - Completed intensive English program in 1994.

Companies & Professionals

COMPANIES

Dallas Cowboys Marketing

Dallas Police Department

Santa Fe Railroad

Vista Properties Realtors

Sherwin Williams

DMAC Enterprises

MineARC Systems

PROFESSIONALS

Disney, Director of Sales

CHANEL, National Account Manager

SPCA of Texas, Board of Directors

What People Are Saying

Henry was excellent to work with. He drilled my husband and me on verbs which I was having difficulty with. Conversations were done in Spanish. We worked on my medical language skills as I work in the county hospital in Dallas. He was very patient and always prompt. I found the homework to be helpful and his manual effective. He recommended good resource books as well.

I wish we had more time for his tutoring, but we will hire him again soon.

— BLAIR

The ideal teacher. Our experience with Henry was excellent. Here is my impression:

- Focused on teaching - uses time efficiently
- Varies the approach well (translate, drills, read, cards, etc.)
- Always on time
- Very likable
- Highly effective in his approach

We highly recommend Henry. You will be very happy with his service.

— NICK

A creative teacher with affective educational approach.

I have been fortunate to be acquainted with a devoted teacher Henry for the past 3 months. He is always observant on my weak areas and works until I come to a complete understanding. He has an excellent approach to balancing all elements of language learning. Every lesson he will cover reading- pronunciation, dictation, vocabulary memorization, grammar, quiz, homework and spends 1/3 of time in conversation. He speaks beautifully and clearly, very easy to understand. I have lived in 5 different countries in my life. I find his teaching very unique and professional. I recommend him very highly.

— Sachiko

Henry has been FANTASTIC!

We have loved having Henry as a professor! We have a class of about 10 Dallas Cowboys employees and he has been able to customize our lessons to fit our different skill sets. We are planning to have Henry back for another semester. He is highly recommended in our book!

— ANGELA

Henry is an excellent teacher with a very unique method of teaching and a great sense of humor. He adapts to your knowledge level, speed and requirements for learning.

My partner and I wanted to get back into Spanish after both having been away for a number of years. We chose to start off at the beginner level again and we quickly accelerated to grammar and conversations.

Henry gave us the confidence to test ourselves on a trip to Puerto Rico and we did amazingly well.

We would not hesitate to recommend Henry and will very likely be going back to him for some more advanced help after we do some self study.

Thanks Henry!!!

— DOUG

Henry is an amazing instructor for anyone willing to learn Spanish at any level. He is always early, thinks of creative ways to help you learn and goes above and beyonD in trying to adjust to your type of learning and even researches specific subjects that you are interested in learning. Henry has done everything to help me from sending me recommendations on English/Spanish Electronic dictionaries to researching specific technical vocabulary used only in the Journalism field. He has helped me improve in my reading, writing and speech. I am now more fluid when I speak and much more comfortable with my grammar when I write. If you are considering a Spanish teacher, he is the perfect choice. I have recommended him to my father who is also interested in learning Spanish. This class is not intimidating, if you put in the work you are guaranteed to see results. Not only that, but he teaches you about the Latin culture and even throws in a couple of jokes so you are more immersed in the language. I highly recommend Henry to anyone, even if it isn't already, Spanish will soon be your favorite subject to study!

— ALEXA

Very pleased with Henry's professionalism and good-nature

I am very satisfied. My vocabulary is much larger and I am more confident in my ability to carry on a conversation in Spanish as well as write in Spanish.

— R.REIM

UNO

It does not take an enormous amount of time, only consistency.

DOS

Learning a language is great for your brain! It increases creativity, brain activity & stretches our most important muscle. Learning language has been connected with improved focus, better problem-solving and can delay onset memory decline.

TRES

It increases human connections and opens up the world around you.

CUATRO

Spanish is the 4th most spoken language in the world!

English (1,132 million speakers)
Mandarin (1,117 million)
Hindi (615 million)
Spanish (534 million)
French (280 million speakers)

CINCO

Cinco de Mayo gets a little more interesting if you speak Spanish while you celebrate this super fun holiday. Tequila may be involved.

SEIS

Impress your friends! Let’s face it, when people start rattling off a foreign language, it makes people happy and is, at least a little impressive.

SIETE

Expand your media options with a world of Spanish with streaming media like TV, Music, Podcasts, Sports and loads of content.

OCHO

It is therapeutic. Working on a new language is relaxing, motivating and builds confidence.

NUEVE

There are many advantages to being multi-lingual in business AND adding a second language to your resume can really help you career!

DIEZ

It’s fun! It’s like a hobby or anything new, challenges are rewarding and progress are exciting.

Did you know? ¿Sabías?

There are MANY benefits to learning a foreign language!

10 REASONS TO LEARN SPANISH

The most spoken languages in the world, BERLITZ