Location
  • Costa Rica
    • San José
    • Playa Blanca
Length
150 hours
Training Type
Classroom

Program Details

Teaching Practicum
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Certifications
TEFL TESOL
Housing
Apartment Host Family Hotel

Pricing

Starting Price
1495
Price Details
Airport pick-up
Program and safety orientation
Walking tour
Official TEFL Certificate
Letter of recommendation
Lifetime job-finding assistance
Tandem Conversation Program
Office-wide WiFi and computer lab
Salsa dance classes
Cooking classes
Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
Institute is open 7 days/week
Emergency contact number 24/7
Lifetime Job Finding Assistance
What's Included
Activities Airport Transfers Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Sep 07, 2023
Aug 21, 2023
35 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Become a certified English teacher by earning a TEFL certification with Maximo Nivel on the beach in Manuel Antonio. TEFL Certification is your passport to living and working as English teacher anywhere else in the world!

The 4-week/150-hour certification program includes more than 15 hours of practical English teaching and observation of experienced teachers.

The TEFL Program consists of 14 modules:
1. Approaches to Learning & Teaching
2. Critical ESL Techniques
3. Class Management
4. Lesson Planning
5. English Grammar Review 1
6. English Grammar Review 2
7. Teaching Grammar
8. Teaching Vocabulary
9. Teaching English with Games
10. Teaching Speaking & Writing
11. Teaching Listening & Reading
12. Assessing Learners
13. Introduction to International English Exams
14. Practical Teaching

Maximo Nivel is internationally accredited and the Maximo Nivel TEFL Certificate is accepted by institutes, language schools, and universities around the world.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

At Maximo Nivel, we deeply value diversity in all its forms. We maintain an open-minded approach, recognizing the significance of varied perspectives, intelligent discourse, and the transformative power of a positive mindset. We warmly welcome and respect individuals from all backgrounds, irrespective of politics, gender, gender identity, age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Whether it’s volunteering, Spanish immersion, TEFL certification, international internships, university courses, or GAP year experiences, members of the LGBTQIA+ community are wholeheartedly invited to participate in our programs.

Impact

Ethical Impact

At Maximo Nivel, we work in close partnership with our local communities in Latin America to ensure that volunteer projects align with genuine local needs, fostering meaningful and relevant impact. We emphasize sustainable initiatives designed for enduring change, rather than short-term interventions. By promoting cultural sensitivity, we facilitate enriching exchanges rooted in mutual respect, and our commitment to local employment further integrates and supports the communities we serve.

Program Highlights

  • Accredited certification accepted worldwide
  • 15 hours of practical teaching and observation
  • Teach real ESL classes
  • Guaranteed Job Placement
  • Lifetime job-finding assistance

Program Reviews

4.96 Rating
based on 235 reviews
  • 5 rating 95.74%
  • 4 rating 4.26%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Benefits 4.9
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.25
  • Facilities 4.3
  • Safety 4.7
  • Instruction 5
  • Support 5
  • Value 4.8
  • Academic Rigor 4.6
  • Job Assistance 4.85
Showing 33 - 40 of 235 reviews
Default avatar
Andy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent TEFL trainer and experience!

I am very happy that I chose to complete the 4 week 150 hour TEFL course at Maximo Nivel in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. I found the trainer Jackie Bira to be excellent in delivering the course content. She is knowledgeable, passionate and well experienced and went the extra mile to ensure that students completed the certification whilst gaining the relevant, hands on skills to be able to teach ESL after completion. She was available to help around the clock and maintained student interest throughout. The course itself is intensive but extremely worthwhile. A good level of face to face teaching experience, online teaching and constructive feedback throughout meant that after completion, I felt equipped to teach ESL.
Although the course comes with a good level of time commitment and workload, I found time to enjoy the beaches, and visit local attractions such as Nauyacha waterfall as well as learning to surf with some 3.5 day weekends. It was also a great bonding experience with fellow TEFL students and I have gained some long term friends.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone aspiring to gain the TEFL qualification and I fully intend to utilise my newly gained skills in the near future.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Embrace the experience and be willing to put yourself outside of your comfort zone.
42 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Deborah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Course Dec 2021 Maximo NIvel Manuel Antonio

I was impressed with the approach, in the way the training led to the whole experience of becoming a TEFL teacher. Both the academic and practical teaching were geared to lead the pupil from knowing very little to knowing everything you would need to launch into immediate capability of teaching. It was great to leave with the ability to teach both in classroom and online. The fact that the final teaching week was with actual paying students on their way to being taught English was challenging but certainly brought a sharp focus to the process! We were privileged to be taught by Jacqueline Bira who is incredibly skilled in delivering the program with a unique blend of experience, a LOT of commitment, and the sheer force of a dynamic, yet approachable personality. Whilst the course itself was illuminating and value for money, being part of the process under the tutorship of Jackie was probably an equally illuminating educational opportunity into what a skilled teacher can impart! The course was tough, and requires absolute commitment and focus.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Sitting in front of a computer and being faced with a class, live and in real time, as their teacher, for the first time. Preparation and understanding of the topic, and the process was key, plus the "just do it" and launching oneself in to the unknown!
48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Charlie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing month!

I had an amazing month here in Costa Rica. The TEFL trainer was amazing, lively and energetic. It did not feel like you were taking academic classes. We worked in an air conditioned room which was lovely given the hot weather outside.

There was a large practical teaching element at the end, where we took control of an English class for an hour a day, for five days. It was great to gain practical experience. We received feedback after each lesson which helped us acknowledge our weaknesses and strengths.

The location is perfect. Very close to the beach and the national park. I stayed with a host family in Quepos which was a 15 minute walk, followed by a 15 minute bus ride (which only costs $0.50). An amazing month!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
In Manuel Antonio National Park, I saw a monkey open my bag, search through my stuff, take out my stuff and throw it on the ground. Quite suprising.
41 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
TOM
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Nivel TEFL Certification

I cannot say enough good things about Maximo Nivel, and in particular about my TEFL Trainer Jacqueline Bira. If passionate, dedicated, knowledgeable and scary smart is a 10, Jackie is a TWELVE. She gives 100% to her students, 24/7. Jackie knows how to praise and when to give tough love. Her professional expertise is deep and wide, born of her own TEFL teaching experience. She has that unique ability to combine academic rigor with crazy fun. Her classes are NEVER boring, always enlightening. I highly recommend Maximo Nivel generally, and Jackie Bira especially.

42 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rachael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

MUST GO, MUST DO

Moving to Costa Rica and joining the TEFL program at Maximo Nivel was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made. The TEFL trainer Jackie is an incredible human and so insanely good at her job. This course taught me everything I need to know to be a successful ESL teacher. Before committing to the program I asked to speak with Maximo Alum who have finished the course, with the three people I spoke to I not once heard a bad thing about the program and now that I have received m certification I can say with confidence that this is a superior program to choose.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice for anyone that goes through this program would be to stick with it, work your hardest, and know that you will not be perfect but you can learn from the mistakes you make and become an even better ESL teacher.
37 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
George
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing program!

This program is perfect for anyone looking to get TEFL certified while enjoying the beauty of Costa Rica. The program itself is packed with valuable information that future English teachers will definitely benefit from. The practical teaching component was also very useful to those without any prior teaching experience. Our trainer Jackie was amazing and very knowledgeable. We always looked forward to our classes as it was fun even if some days were challenging. The location in Manuel Antonio is close to the beach so that's also a plus! Highly recommended!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Just do it! This course will give you all the information and real experience you'll need as a new ESL teacher.
40 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexander
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful program!

The Maximo Nivel TEFL program in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica was an amazing experience. Our TEFL trainer Jackie was honestly the best teacher I have ever had in my career as a student. She was extremely thorough in her lessons and was an amazing and supportive resource throughout the whole class. Not only was the Maximo location a beautiful place to get certified, but the program was also filled with beautiful people who made the whole trip a truly enriching experience. I highly recommend getting certified here! Pura vida!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers that take this course is to really embrace the whole experience! You get what you put in. Show up ready to learn and ready to work hard and you will have an amazing experience. This program will help you grow in many more ways than just becoming an ESL teacher.
37 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Nivel Costa Rica

Maximo Nivel Costa Rica (Manuel Antonio) was such an amazing experience and I could not recommend you attend more! The teacher Jackie is by herself worth every penny, but on top of that you get an incredible view, intensive knowledge, and continuous support. I did the Maximo course with my husband (25 and 28) and not only did we learn so much it also truly pushed us to become better human beings!! I know finding a TEFL certification can be difficult in a sea of information, but are truly so grateful we chose Maximo!!! Don’t think about it just do it!!!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Practical teaching week was the most important and beneficial experience I’ve had all year!
54 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Apart from what the others have already suggested, I would also advise that any travel you intend on doing, you are prepared to leave until you've finished or to start beforehand. Manuel Antonio is a beautiful place, and you will certainly have beach time. But don't be fooled! The classes are intensive and require outside-the-classroom prep time. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks so much for your reply. I'd love if you could connect me with them! I'm going to be studying at Maximo in January 2017 and am very keen to teach :)

I would definitely recommend a laptop. You'll need it to work on assignments and lesson plans out of class. The building can get pretty hot, so being able to relocate to cooler locations is a must. Regarding clothes, I wore decent shorts and collared shirts for the classes. For interviews, I would recommend something more business casual.

The cost of the program varies by location and what type of stay you prefer (apartment, hostel, or homestay). I have added a link to the estimated program costs below that you may find helpful. In general, the cost will be somewhere between $2000-$2500, not including your flight. http://www.maximonivel.com/tefl-tesol/prices/