About
us!
Christopher
Howard has resided in Costa Rica for over twenty years and
is a Costa Rican citizen.
Mr.
Howard has an extensive foreign language background, having
earned a B.A. in Latin American studies and a Master's degree
in Spanish from the University of California. He also has
credentials to teach Spanish at all levels from California
State University, San Francisco.
Howard
was the recipient of scholarships for graduate study at the
University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico and the Jesuit
University of Guadalajara, Mexico in conjunction with the
University of San Diego, California. He has written three
foreign language books including the original Costa Rican
Spanish Survival Course. In 1985, he founded a successful
language institute in San José, Costa Rica.
Mr.
Howard has had the opportunity to do extensive research in
the field of the Spanish language while living in Costa Rica.
When he first came to the country, he became fascinated by
the way the Costa Ricans spoke their particular brand of
Spanish. Although he had an excellent foundation in Spanish,
it proved difficult to understand the locals. Consequently,
the author began to dissect the local language and all of
its nuances. The collection of expressions in this book is
the result of Mr.Howard's efforts and research. At present,
the author writes columns titled Learning the Language for
the Association of Residents of Costa Rica's magazine La
Voz and Short Cuts for learning Spanish for
the newspaper Costa Rica Today. A witty Costa Rican
expression is included at the end of each column. Hundreds
of people have improved their basic Spanish Survival skills
by reading these columns.
Due
to his expertise, Christopher Howard. is frequently called
on to give seminars on the subject of learning Spanish as
a second language. He can be found lecturing at the Association
of Residents of Costa Rica's monthly seminar for newcomers.
Mr.
Howard has also worked as a paid consultant for National
Geographic Magazine; and published numerous articles
for various newsletters about living in Central America.
He has also has also written the perennial best-selling, The
New New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica, Living
and Investing in the New Cuba Living
and Investing in Panama and Living
and Investing in Nicaragua.
Finally,
since 1997 Christopher Howard has conducted one-of-a-kind
monthly Relocation
and retirement tours to Costa Rica. Since then
he has personally introduced 1000's of people to Costa Rica
through his monthly tours, seminars and private consultation
services. |
