Teach Abroad for Summer in Guatemala

Overall it was fine, though the volunteering left something to be desired at times and they definitely could've provided more resources. The staff were extremely nice and helpful though! Overall, a pretty okay experience.

I really like my whole experience with Maximo! I was here for 5 weeks and didn’t know what to expect but it was so much fun overall. I worked in childcare at CETEE school. You can really tell how much the staff cares for the kids and I felt so welcomed! Maximo was very helpful with everything:)

Taking this course was one of the best decisions I have ever made. This course stands out because of the practical teaching week. I had so much fun with the high basic English class that I taught and gained so much practical teaching experience. My teacher toolbelt is so much fuller now, and I feel ready to attack anything that EFL teaching shows at me!

I had an amazing time! I thought that my host family was very sweet and accommodating, and loved the way that they handled everything. The school was fantastic, and the kids were able to stay engaged the whole time.

Great experience here. Had amazing support from Maximo Nivel staff and the host family. Kids were lovely at the school I taught at and it was great to meet the children and form bonds with them. I would definitely recommend Maximo Nivel!

I was incredibly fortunate to have taken the TEFL class at Maximo Nivel in Antigua Guatemala. What a fantastic class! It was rigorous in a way that you wanted to learn and work hard. The teacher, Rebecca, was one of the best I’ve ever had. She made the content so engaging and hands-on, and modeled her teaching in a way that showed us the engaging ways to teach our English students. The practical teaching we were able to do with Guatemalan students was so fun and so helpful and I learned so much. I highly recommend this course.

My TEFL program with Máximo Nivel Guatemala was a fantastic experience. I learned so much throughout the course and really valued the strong practical element that helped me build real classroom confidence. The lessons were engaging, well-structured, and supportive. The instructors, Becca and Claudia, were excellent—knowledgeable, patient, and always encouraging. Their guidance made the whole experience enjoyable and truly rewarding. Highly recommend this program to anyone considering teaching English abroad!

I had a fantastic experience completing the TEFL program at Maximo Nivel in Antigua. It was truly a wonderful opportunity to develop valuable skills and learn so much in such a short period of time. I’m incredibly grateful for the amazing staff and the quality of the course, it’s been an unforgettable experience. Keep in mind, though, the program is quite intensive and requires real commitment, so only go for it if you’re ready to take it seriously

I honestly feel super prepared to teach ESL. The class is hard, but it is super rewarding and you learn valuable and relevant things to teaching ESL. Just be prepared for a lot of homework! If youre going to get a tefl, máximo is a great place to get it.

I had an excellent experience earning my TEFL certification and have no doubt that I've been provided the knowledge and experience to be a successful teacher to students learning English as a second language. The Maximo-Nivel TEFL program uses a suite of techniques to teach English to students in an immersive manner that does not require the teacher to use or know the student's native language. Of particular significance is that these techniques are used at every opportunity in TEFL certification courses to teach said techniques. This double exposure will mean that you will have the experience and knowledge to be teaching a week of real ESL classes in the fourth week of your course. My benefits of attending Maximo-Nivel's TEFL program were tripled by having Wayne Summerbell as a teacher. He is immensely supportive and helps you zero in on your strengths and weaknesses with laser precision. Wayne has made a big difference in my journey to being an independent ESL teacher.

I loved earning my TEFL certification in Guatemala through Maximo Nivel. Wayne was an incredible teacher and trainer and I feel so prepared to go out into the world and continue teaching. Antigua is also an incredible city where I felt more than safe!

I completed the TEFL course at Máximo nivel Antigua Guatemala in July 2023. An experience like no other. Taught by tefl instructor Mackenzie, there was never a dull moment. His support spread beyond the class room and helps every step of the program. The workload is fairly intense but completely manageable. I’m such a beautiful city it was a pleasure to study here!!!!

Choosing to go get my TEFL certification in Guatemala really took me leaving my comfort zone from the start. I went in with hopes that I would not be wasting my money on a course that wouldn't really give me the information I needed. I left Máximo Nivel feeling like I could step into a classroom the next day if I needed to. I left with confidence, life long friends who also have the same career goals as I, and with the security of knowing I have an instructor who goes the extra mile to make sure I get the job I want. I really would like to say thanks to my instructor MacKenzie, and thanks to God for allowing me to do this.

I loved getting my TEFL in Antigua, Guatemala. Everything about this place was great, from the food to the people, the clubs, and the history. Specific to the TEFL program though, everything ran super smoothly. My teacher, Mackenzie was exceptional. I am fresh out of high school and used to the all too common "I speak you listen" techniques from teachers. Not only did Mackenzie confer the learning substance, but he did so in a way that would also put it into action. For example, as a TEFL teacher, you should never resort to explaining. Instead, you should draw the answer out of the students, and help them find their way to the answer because that's how they really learn. Before I even go to learn that fact Mackenzie was already using those tactics on us. With anything we learned I was able to look back and draw an example from his teaching. I have no cons to his class. I did not expect to be able to learn so much in 4 weeks. I know you're supposed to balance out a raving review with a suggestion for improvement but I truly can not think of any. Highly recommend this program to anyone.

Getting TEFL certified was hands down the highlight of 2022 for me! It has opened doors for me allowing me to continue teaching at Maximo in Guatemala as well as supporting my plans to travel to Indonesia this summer through online teaching :) Mackenzie was great, one of the best teachers I have had and he really supported me through the most challenging aspects of the course and made the whole experience enjoyable. He made every aspect enjoyable and fun through his teaching techniques, many of which I use in the classroom now. 10/10 would recommend!

What an intensive month, yet amazing at the same time. There’s a lot to take in within a space of a month but trust me the TELF trainer makes it so easy ! With observing classes to get an insight of the teaching to the mini lesson where we get to teach for 20min this was the best way to prepare us for the biggest week ahead. I had a chance to take over a class for a whole week. Best experience ever, my skills were enhanced within that week, great rapport was built with students it was epic ! All the sweat with preparing lesson was all worth it ! The list exciting part was the job workshop, the requirements for different countries, salary, how to apply ect And I got a TELF TRAINER FOR LIFE !! Teach online or on-site. You can do it all !

Lots of practical teaching time in front of paying clients. Mini lessons to get rid of teaching jitters and practice lesson planning. Improvisational teaching to show the value of being prepared. Academic writing assignments to ground understanding of English grammar. Rigorous program with a semesters worth of work in four weeks. Excellent feedback and engaging instruction. A skill gained for life and travel. MacKenzie carried the show being available and helpful everyday. Antigua is a beautiful place to study.

Before I started TEFL I was warned about the intensity of it, and boy were they right! Coming straight out of high school I didn’t know what I was expecting. Even though it’s extremely intense, it’s also very rewarding, and all the practice you but into it will make you feel great. Overall, it was a great program and I was able to make friends with all my classmates.

I took my TEFL class with the institution Maximo Nivel. I have some serious complaints about Maximo Nivel itself. Such as, the "behind the scenes" economic greed shown by this institution. However, the individuals who are on the ground working for this company are great people. Most specifically, my teacher, Mackenzie Tucker. I spent 12 years in the public education system, and 4 years going through college education. Out of 16 years of formal education, Mackenzie Tucker was the most helpful and most knowledgeable teacher I have ever had. No matter what problem you are facing, Mackenzie will not stop until the resolution is found.

I loved every minute of my time in Guatemala and with the TEFL program with Maximo Nivel. Antigua is the city to wander, explore and fall in love with, and spending a month for the TEFL course allowed me to do that, and more. The culture, food and people of Antigua are incredible and will easily have you fall in love with all that the city and country has to offer. Karen was my TEFL instructor and was filled with an abundance of knowledge, passion and guidance throughout the course. As an education major, I felt that I was challenged but still learning more than I had ever before. Karen was easily one of the best professors I've had! Although rigorous at times, Karen facilitates the course with support so that you have a balance of learning and also having an incredible experience. I could not recommend this program more!