Next beginner class begins:
Wednesday, April 1 from 4pm to 6pm,
It will meet once a week at the same day and time.
Additionally, another beginner class begins on Thursday, April 2 from 4pm to 6pm,
It will meet once a week at the same day and time.
Enroll by e-mailing felipegarces8a@gmail.com or call 415.505.6449
A Spanish Language Learning Center
Spanish in Downtown San Rafael is a Spanish language learning center founded in California in August 2013. The founder is Felipe Garces. He taught foreign languages in Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia and in the local American-Colombian binational center in Medellín and in Bogotá for many years. He has also taught Spanish to adults in the San Francisco bay area for the past ten years. The Spanish language learning center offers group classes, one-on-one lessons and immersion courses. There are no more than ten students per class. It is located in downtown San Rafael on 1299 4th Street, Suite 209 B. There is plenty of parking in the five-story city garage next door. Students get a one-hour validation ticket in every class.
The instructor
Felipe Garces first taught foreign languages at eighteen years of age when he returned to his home country of Colombia after spending a year as an exchange student in the United States. In his early 20’s, he combined teaching English at the local American-Colombian binational center in Medellin, Colombia and doing promotional work for the Coca-Cola Company (as an employee of Jack Russell Co., Inc.) throughout the world. He also taught English as a Foreign Language in the School of Education at Bolivariana University in Medellin in 1993 and 1994. Felipe received a degree with Honors from Bolivariana University in Modern Languages (Spanish-English) in 1993. He received an MBA and a Master of Science from the University of Miami in 1996. He moved to California and started teaching Spanish in 2008. He received a Credential in Spanish in 2009 and an Authorization in Bilingual Education in 2010 from the state of California. His effectiveness and success as a Spanish teacher encouraged him to open his own Spanish language learning center in downtown San Rafael in 2013.
Felipe Garcés
Teacher´s Degrees
“Felipe I hope you do it realize what a really excellent teacher you are because no matter whether it's in person or on zoom you motivate people and you do it with a sense of humor and you make the classes very enjoyable and also you are no nonsense at the same time.Which can be a difficult combination and you use every minute and don't waste any time and I'm pretty sure all your students enjoy your classes and Zuzana agrees she can hear you in the background and she also says what a good teacher you are"
Mike W. (Miguelito)I've been studying Spanish with Felipe Garces for several years now, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it! His classes are small, cordial and friendly. Felipe supportive style of teaching makes everyone feel comfortable and engaged. What a change from studying foreign language in school! I highly recommend it!
Don NichollsFelipe Garces is a talented teacher, bringing the gifts of his humor, patience, and diligence to the classroom every week. In Felipe's class, it's not only about instruction on proper grammar and pronunciation. I am also inspired by his devotion to learning, his passion for the Spanish language and culture, and his intellectual curiosity.
Mira SchwirtzI don't think I can say enough good things about Felipe Garces as a teacher. His class is organized and challenging, yet tailored to each students level. We carry on conversations in class, we read, get homework and have a lot of fun learning. It's a high point of my week and I wouldn't miss it.
Victoria Pflugradt