Our Mission Statement: 

To equip individuals, organizations, businesses and communities to reach their fullest potential through increased cultural awareness, language education and fun, innovative activities.

About KOSA, Inc.'s History

VISIONARIES

KOSA, Inc. was formed in May of 2007 by Jorge and Sandra Brenes. The idea of KOSA, Inc. began simply to teach Spanish. Jorge and Sandra collaborated to create a textbook/workbook that would make it simpler for one to understand and speak Spanish.  They had their first class in 2005.  

PIONEERS

After much success and over 150 alumni from their classes Jorge and Sandra incorporated and KOSA, Inc. was born. KOSA, Inc. continued offering Spanish for Beginners and introduced Spanish Express, Spanish Conversational, and Inglés Expreso (English Express). 

A RESOURCE

In 2008, KOSA, Inc. became an unique resource to communities and businesses by creating additional programs (i.e. soccer, Spanish for kids) and providing services in cultural counseling, document translation, and interpretation that would help bridge a cultural gap. 

In 2009, KOSA, Inc. increased cultural awareness in the business world. They have worked with companies that employ a majority of Hispanics. These companies have seen an increase in employee motivation, improved corporate culture and productivity. 

They continued their classes and tutoring with the help of José Barriga.

In 2010, KOSA, Inc. continues to work with local business, schools and communities to bridge the gap between two cultures/languages. KOSA, Inc. began plans to expand into other venues and other languages in the next year.

In 2011, KOSA, Inc. partnered a little more closely with communities to put together for the first time a KOSA Soccer Community League. Their first season consisted of 125 kids, 11 teams, 13 coaches, 3 locations and 7 communities. 

Sandra also began the creation of a 29-week Spanish for Kids curriculum that will be executed for the first time during the 2011-12 school year. Classes will meet once a week from Oct. - May in six local areas.  

We are blessed to share our cultures, languages and life experiences with you. Stay connected with KOSA, Inc.

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About José Barriga

José Barriga was born in La Paz, Bolivia. He has traveled through South America, Europe, and the United States learning languages and cultures. He came to the U.S. in 2007 to marry the love of his life, Beth. José has been working in various venues while continuing his education in Human Biology at Minnesota State University Mankato. He resides in Mankato with his wife, Beth and son David.

LANGUAGE

Growing up in Bolivia, his primary language is Spanish, but living so close to Brazil he managed to pick up Portuguese too.  He was mandated to learn English in school, but it wasn’t until he began to talk with English speakers and translate English songs into Spanish that he was intrigued with the English language.  While growing up, his mother had taught him some French, but he realized he was far from mastering while on a trip to France.  It was during this same time after he graduated from high school that he also lived in Germany doing volunteer work.  During this time in Germany he managed to learn the language.  He is currently taking classes to perfect and obtain credit for his German and French at MSU in Mankato Minnesota.

SOCCER

José loves soccer. He grew up playing every chance he got, whether it was in a soccer field, parking lot, or in the streets with other kids. As he got older, he played for teams, including a professional team in his hometown La Paz. He brought his passion for soccer along with him as he traveled and is now playing in Mankato in a recreational league, where he discovered Jorge Brenes and KOSA.

KOSA

In 2009 José joined KOSA to help with coaching soccer and teaching Spanish in cities throughout southern Minnesota. He has proven to be a great asset to the KOSA team through his passion and dedication to his work. He and his wife, Beth, recently became part of the future plans of implementing specific programming to help busy adults and kids learn Spanish more conveniently and naturally, as well as working to build a German for Kids program.

Hola - Hello - Olá - Hallo - Bonjour

About KOSA Spanish Instructors

•  Our instructors are personable, friendly and knowledgeable.

• Our instructors are flexible to teach you at your level.

• We will teach pronunciation and proper sentence structure so that when you have completed our courses you will be speaking confidently and fluently.

• You will receive helpful tips.

• We have fun teaching and you will fun learning.

• Your instructor will be a continued language reference and resource even after the course has been concluded.

• Our instructors are a available to you to answer specific questions regarding any aspect of the language.

• Our instructors will be an encouragement to you as you learn the language.

• Our instructors will help you build confidence so that you can speak naturally.

About KOSA Soccer Coaches

• Our coaches LOVE Soccer.
• Our coaches are trained to coach any age and competition level.

• Our coaches are trained in a variety of techniques incorporating different games for different skills.

• Our coaches are fun and friendly.
• Our coaches are patient and flexible.
• Our coaches promote fair play.

• Our coaches teach good sportsmanship & respect.