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Skype user: If you are interested in being part of this exclusive team of professionals, please Contact Us. Besides Spanish teachers, we are also continually hiring people passionate about customer service, tourism, sales, marketing, human resources, SEO, social media, management in general and other areas. If you have what it takes to be part of the best of the best, what are you waiting for?
Habla Ya School's Directors
School Director - Lorena Pitti
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2005
- Civil Status: Single, 1 child
- Hometown: Boquete
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in English
- Interests & Hobbies: Spend time with her son, taking him out all she can
- Place in Panama you can't miss: The Panama Canal
- Favorite Food: Fried Chicken and Sancocho
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Horseback Riding & Hot Springs
- Spanish Learning Advice: Be patient, don't give up and persevere
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: The Flower and Coffee Festival in Boquete
Academic Director - Janeth Martinez
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2007
- Civil Status: Married, 2 children
- Hometown: Los Algarrobos
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Rock Climbing, Exercising, Reading, Hiking
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Boquete
- Favorite Food: Mexican
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Rock Climbing
- Spanish Learning Advice: Be Constant, Work Hard and Don't be Afraid to Practice
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: November 28th
Customer Experience Director - Swan Bozzi
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2009
- Civil Status: Single born in 1986
- Hometown: David
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelors Degree in English
- Interests & Hobbies: Sleep and Meet People
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Lost & Found Eco-Resort
- Favorite Food: Pasta and Italian Food
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Whitewater River Rafting
- Spanish Learning Advice: don't be afraid of making mistakes, the only way to learn is to practice!
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
Volunteer Director - Julie Caron
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2011
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: Montreal, Canada
- Languages Spoken: Spanish, French and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Interests & Hobbies: Reading, Music, Dancing
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Santa Clara, Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Boquete
- Favorite Food: Everything except sushi
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Dancing Latin Music at the Local Clubs
- Spanish Learning Advice: get a Spanish speaking boyfriend... or girlfriend
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Boquete Coffee and Flower Festival
Co-Owner, Co-Founder & General Manager - Carlos Raúl Cabrera
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2005
- Civil Status: Married, 2 cats, born in 1981
- Hometown: David
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Industrial Engineering
- Interests & Hobbies: Martial Arts, Sports and Reading
- Place in Panama you can't miss: the Chiriqui Gulf
- Favorite Food: Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Hiking and Surfing
- Spanish Learning Advice: don't wait, JUST DO IT!
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: New Years in Bocas
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Our team of Directors lead the path by example everyday. Several of them are Spanish teachers as well so they perfectly know what it takes to be the best of the best. If you need literally anything, they will be there for you.
Spanish Teachers & Academic Department
Academic Coordinator - Ericka Tapia
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2005
- Civil Status: Married, 1 children
- Hometown: Volcán
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Hiking and Cooking
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Boquete
- Favorite Food: Italian
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Hike & Camp to the Volcán Barú
- Spanish Learning Advice: Be Patient and Persevere
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
Spanish Teacher & HR Manager - Arelis Mendoza
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2008
- Civil Status: Married, 2 children
- Hometown: Volcán
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Romantic Music, Movies and her Family
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Panama's Beaches
- Favorite Food: Barbecues
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Zipline Canopy Tour
- Spanish Learning Advice: Practice makes Perfect
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
Spanish Teacher & Quality Control Manager - Mónica Vargas
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2008
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: David
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Read, Watch TV, go out to Dinner with Friends, Collect Key-chains & Coins
- Place in Panama you can't miss: The Miraflores Locks and the Exhibition Center there
- Favorite Food: Pasta with White Sauce and Shrimps
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Hiking
- Spanish Learning Advice: Have Fun while you Learn
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: The Parade of the 1000 Polleras
Spanish Teacher & Academic Assistant - Ismenia Pérez
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2008
- Civil Status: Married, 3 children
- Hometown: Renacimiento
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Reading, Listening to Music, Chatting
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Boquete
- Favorite Food: Fried Chicken, Lentils, Rice, Fried Plantain
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Go to all the Fairs you can
- Spanish Learning Advice: Have Fun while you Learn
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: New Years
Spanish Teacher - Malkidia García
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2009
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: Dolega
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Reading, Exercising, Ice Cream
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Parque Internacional La Amistad
- Favorite Food: Chicken with Rice
- Recommended Activity in Panama: a good Coffee Tour
- Spanish Learning Advice: Always practice, be patient and commit to work hard
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Festival del Manito y de la Mejorana
Spanish Teacher - Minerva Rodríguez
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Married
- Hometown: Puerto Armuelles
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Reading, Dancing and Learning something new each day
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Chiriqui's Beaches
- Favorite Food: Corn based foods
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Hiking
- Spanish Learning Advice: With Habla Ya you can learn it fast!
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: November Festivities
Spanish Teacher - Aráliz Veliz
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: Boquete
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in English
- Interests & Hobbies: Languages, Computing, Nature, Reading, Shopping and Culture
- Place in Panama you can't miss: The Panama Canal
- Favorite Food: Fruits, Deserts and Healthy Food in General
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Volunteering
- Spanish Learning Advice: Always stay positive and learn from your mistakes
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: November Festivities
Spanish Teacher - Rubén Coba
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Single, 1 child
- Hometown: Bugaba
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in English
- Interests & Hobbies: Extreme Sports & Parties
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Bocas del Toro
- Favorite Food: Fried Chicken
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Hiking the Volcan Baru
- Spanish Learning Advice: Spanish is a very exciting language, so why not learn it?
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Christmas
Spanish Teacher - Leidys Pitti
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Single, 1 child
- Hometown: David
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Read, Dance, Cook, Sleep and Visit New Places
- Place in Panama you can't miss: The Panama Canal
- Favorite Food: Roasted Pork and Arroz con Guandú
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Horseback Riding
- Spanish Learning Advice: Spanish is a very beautiful language that will definitively boost your professional career
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Patronales and Fairs
Spanish Teacher - Christopher Clark
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: David
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in English
- Interests & Hobbies: Parties & Salsa Dancing
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Cangilones de Gualaca
- Favorite Food: Carimañolas and Yuca Frita
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Clubbing in the local bars
- Spanish Learning Advice: Spanish is romantic... girls like it... learn it!
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
Spanish Teacher - Yaira Muñoz
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: David
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Reading and Traveling in Panama
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Boquete
- Favorite Food: Barbecues
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Beach Hopping
- Spanish Learning Advice: Practice makes Perfect
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
Spanish Teacher - Katterina Cuesta
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2011
- Civil Status: Single, 2 children
- Hometown: Santiago de Chile
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in English / Spanish Interpretation
- Interests & Hobbies: Make crafts, travel, learn about other cultures
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Bocas del Toro
- Favorite Food: Choclo Cake
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Beach Hopping
- Spanish Learning Advice: Don't be shy: SPEAK!
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: November 28th
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When choosing a Spanish school, teachers are the single most important element to consider. Well trained, experienced and passionate Spanish teachers make the difference between learning the language or not.
Customer Service Department
Student Welcoming & Extra Activities Coordinator - Calan Rodríguez
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: David
- Languages Spoken: Spanish, English and German
- University Degrees: Business Management
- Interests & Hobbies: Play the Guitar, Read, Horseback Riding, Compose Music, go to the Beach
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Playa Venao
- Favorite Food: Mediterranean
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Snorkeling in Bastimentos
- Spanish Learning Advice: Do it! Spanish will change your life forever!
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
Host Family Coordinator - Julio Armando Martínez
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2011
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: David
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Biology
- Interests & Hobbies: Read, Music, Swim, Basketball, Weights, Walks
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Boquete
- Favorite Food: Fish
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Restaurants
- Spanish Learning Advice: Read Novels and the Newspaper
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals and Fairs
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With so many students to attend to, our School Directors need the valuable support of our coordinators. Together, as a team, they make sure that everything is taken care of during your stay with us and that you have the time of your life outside of the classroom!
Language Travel Consultants
Evelyne Meyer - Head of Consultants
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2009
- Civil Status: Married, 2 cats
- Hometown: Luxemburg
- Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Dutch, German and French
- University Degrees: Bachelors Degree in Foreign Languages applied to Business and Trade (Universite Lille 3, France), and a Masters degree in International and Public Affairs (SIPA, Columbia University, NY) with a focus on International Security Policy.
- Interests & Hobbies: Cooking, Politics, International Conflicts, Music and fashion
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Boquete
- Favorite Food: Thai and Sushi
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Horseback Riding
- Spanish Learning Advice: leave your grammar books at home. What you need to do is TALK.
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: New Years
Lucho Trombetta - Language Travel Consultant
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: Panama
- Languages Spoken: Spanish, English and a bit of Portuguese
- University Degrees: Bachelors Degree in Music
- Interests & Hobbies: Music, Reading (poetry, philosophy, esoteric literature), Travel and Play Live Music
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Lost & Found Eco-Resort
- Favorite Food: Steak covered in breadcrumbs, Mash Potatoes, Rice with Cocunut and Beans
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Go to places that don't appear in travel guides
- Spanish Learning Advice: don't speak ANY other language while you're studying Spanish
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: November Celebrations
Melissa Aissa - Language Travel Consultant
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2011
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: Cambrai, France
- Languages Spoken: French, Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Bachelor Degree in Economics, Masters in Management
- Interests & Hobbies: Reading, Music & Fitness
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Chiriqui Gulf National Park
- Favorite Food: Patacones
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Beach, Beach, Beach!
- Spanish Learning Advice: PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND PRACTICE EVEN MORE!
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
Co-Owner, Co-Founder, Head of Marketing & Sales - Julio Santamaria
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2005
- Civil Status: Married, 3 children
- Hometown: Panama City
- Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
- University Degrees: Engineering in Electronics & Telecommunications
- Interests & Hobbies: Reading, TV Series, Movies, Surfing, Cycling, Hiking
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Azuero
- Favorite Food: Hamburgers
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Island Hopping in the Chiriqui Gulf
- Spanish Learning Advice: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND GIVE A...
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
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Traveling to a foreign country can be challenging... that is why our team of Language Travel Consultants are here to assist you 7 days a week to answer any questions you have, help you plan your trip and make sure you get here safe and sound.
Maintenance & Cleaning
Cleaning - Natalia Araúz
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2008
- Civil Status: Single, 2 children
- Hometown: Boquete
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Listen to Music
- Place in Panama you can't miss: Volcán Barú
- Favorite Food: Chicken with Rice and Beetroot Salad with Potatoes
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Hiking
- Spanish Learning Advice: Study Hard and Practice
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Each Town's Fairs
Maintenance - Ronald Gutiérrez
- Habla Ya Member Since: 2010
- Civil Status: Single
- Hometown: Boquete
- Languages Spoken: Spanish
- Interests & Hobbies: Play Baseball and Listen to Music
- Place in Panama you can't miss: San Blas
- Favorite Food: Rice with Shrimp
- Recommended Activity in Panama: Island Hopping in the Chiriqui Gulf
- Spanish Learning Advice: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND GIVE A...
- Panamanian Tradition or Party you can't miss: Carnivals
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Without the silent and discreet help of our Cleaning and Maintenance Staff Habla Ya wouldn't be as nice as it is. They make sure everything is nice and clean and in working order, and for that, we are all very grateful.
Former Habla Ya Staff
Irma Changmarín Isaza
Irma Changmarín, an industrial engineer that discovered that teaching was her vocation. She had 5 years of experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language in Panama City when she went to Sevilla and took the renowned course for teaching Spanish as a foreign language at the famous institution CLIC IH Sevilla in Spain. After that we hired her. Irma trained several of our current teachers in the Communicative method for language teaching and together with the rest of our teachers she set the foundations to design and built our initial level system and course syllabus.
- Joined Habla Ya in 2006 during 1 year
- Engineering in Industrial Engineering
- Masters in Business Administration
- Diploma for teaching Spanish as a foreign language in Spain
Lucía Alvarado Cantero
Lucía joined Habla Ya on a temporal contract during 3 months to do the training of our first teachers. Our first teachers had Spanish degrees from local universities but no previous experience in teaching Spanish to foreigners.
- Joined Habla Ya in 2005 during 3 months.
- Degree in philology in 2003 from Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José.
- Previous experience at Costa Rican Language Academy, Forester Instituto Internacional and WAYRA Instituto de Español.
SIGN UP & REGISTER TO LEARN SPANISH AT PANAMA'S LEADING SPANISH SCHOOL »
Panamanian Spanish Schools are very recent in comparison to their counterpart in Costa Rica. In Costa Rica you can find more than 80 or 90 language schools throughout the country and several of them have been around for more than 30 or 40 years. In Panama you will not find schools with more than 15 years of experience in teaching Spanish. This is why we decided to import Lucía's experience from Costa Rica.
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