Bucerias Bilingual Community Center

What the Bucerias Bilingual Community Center Means to Me

Re:  Teaching English Classes

Good Morning

My husband and I have been to the BBCC several times.  In fact, it was the community centre that encouraged me to take my TESOL certification.  I am now a qualified teacher and would like to volunteer my teaching skills at the BBCC.  We have been very impressed each time we visit the BBCC.

My husband and I arrive next Friday for a four month stay.  I am hoping that you have room for us to volunteer our services.  My husband is quite handy and I am sure would be happy to assist.

Please let us know if you have room for us to volunteer.  I will bring my credentials with me to show that I am a qualified TESOL teacher.  We are both very excited to be spending four months in Bucerias.

Happy New Year,

Gary & Kathy Hotrum

Re: Jorge Soria's Spanish Classes

1/13/12:  from Sandi Millar:

If you want to learn Spanish,  I have found Jorge to be an exceptional teacher.  Prior to starting classes with Jorge, I had had at least 5 beginner to intermediate conversational Spanish courses.  The instruction for these classes was in English. I found that it was impossible to develop an ear for Spanish when I was being taught in English.  Hence the switch to Jorge.  Jorge conducts a placement interview in which you and he converse.  I was very nervous going in but soon forgot it was a placement interview as we talked about family and living in general.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Jorge placed me at the intermediate level.  I have been taking classes with him since last March ( I returned home to Canada  from June to November) and my Spanish has improved greatly.  His classes are a lot of fun.  He will only speak English if he has to and often uses drawings to convey his meaning. (He is a talented artist)  He has us play games like tic-tac-toe using Spanish verbs and varying the tenses.  He makes us sit in what he calls “la silla electrica”  (electric chaair) where we must answer questions using words we have just learned.  He has us question each other about day to day events like what we did over the weekend and what we had for dinner last night. We do role plays where we become a diner in a restaurant or a lady getting a pedicure, situations that occur in living here in Mexico. Jorge is extremely patient and stays with a concept until we understand it. My vocabulary and confidence in using Spanish have increased immensely.  I enjoy his classes very much and highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in learning or improving their Spanish.

from Julie Lee:

I have been taking lessons in a small class of 3 with Jorge Soria Gutierez and I don't know when I have enjoyed learning as much. He interviews you and puts you into the appropriate classes with people that are at your level. His lessons are about communication and so enjoyable with the cartoons and the games that the 1 1/2 hour sessions seem to fly and many times we run over. We are never embarrassed to speak or ask questions and we don't proceed until we all fully understand what we are doing. I am having so much fun that I am going to take another course and so are the rest of our group as far as I know. Again Thank you Judy and Jorge. - Julie Lee

from Elizabeth Salvesen:

This was a wonderful class and Jorge is a gifted and patient teacher.

Re: Flor Hernandez and The Regional Cooking Class

The historic information was great and the cooking information and class is wonderful. - Judy Church

Mago and Florelisa

Mago and Florelisa were both wonderful and charming. Their warmth really came through. Nicholas Lederer, Visitor San Francisco, CA

Dave Bracker

A very friendly place with a great instructor and I "learn't someting".

From Children and Adults in Alison Doncaster's English classes:

"A school that make me feel like an otter house because there are the more nice teachers (Alison); where when I don't know something they explain me very well... they are the best teachers and they always have time for you." - Horacio/George Age 10.

"The Bilingüe Academy represents to my (me) one of the best options to interchange not only different languages but also unknown cultures and thoughts rarely known to Mexicans. It also represents a way to get to know people and make friends." - Laticia Martinez Moreada (Mother of George /Horacio)

"I come to the BBCC deouse (because) I have Canadian friends. I would like to mix and chat more with them. I do not want my husband to have to translate for me. Also the cost and the class is to comfortable for me. Thank you to the BBCC"! - Francisca, Age 47.

"... Alison is an Excellent teacher with her patience she make the difference. Because teach is not easy work. About the School, it's a new concept to me, I talk about the payment, because to me is important speak the English language, first of all for this Zone, is specially expensive; but in BBCC I find an Exelent option to think, write and speak in English." - Miriam Camberas, Adult Student.

"I thing (think) this is a very good opportunity for all the people in Bucerias to come here to learn english." - Martha Elva Hernandez Salas, Adult.

"I come to school to learn English because when I am older I am going to need it and it will help me to work a Hotel as a boss!" - Erick Brian Rodriguez Gomez, Age 12

From Selected Teachers

"One of the greatest privileges and joys of my life is working with all the dedicated staff at BBCC helping prepare the youth of Mexico to meet the challenges and opportunities that are rapidly developing around them." - Reta Ross, Retired Teacher

"This is my second year of volunteering to Teach English as a Foreign Language at the Bilingual Center, and I enjoy it more with each class. The primary credentials for this important service are one's enthusiasm and a desire to communicate with our Mexican hosts. Plus, it's a great way to improve one’s Spanish! I highly recommend this opportunity to everyone." - Brus Westby, Retired School Administrator

From the Founder

"We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of student and volunteer participation at the BBCC this year. However, it is the sense of ownership in the BBCC evidenced by all parties…teachers, volunteers, students, and the larger community that means the most to me, because community ownership nurtures the linguistic and cultural exchange we so cherish." - Judi Conrad