TEFL Courses & Certification in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

I spent 4 weeks on the TEFL course in Quepos, Costa Rica. This is a relatively intensive course including multiple opportunities for practical teaching and theoretical assignments. This is not a cheap course, but you pay for what you get. Lewis is an excellent instructor. His lessons are high quality, thorough and very engaging. You will not be bored! For the first two weeks our class had only myself and one other, which was not what I had been expecting. However, this allowed for a more personal lesson environment, which was very nice. There are frequent feedback opportunities and the learning curve is appropriate. You are not jettisoned right into full teaching right away. Things build up nicely so that you are fully prepared for full class teaching. There is no stress, But do expect to work hard and dedicate time away from class to prepare for lessons and complete your assignments.

Embarking on a career transition in one's sixties can be a daunting yet ultimately fulfilling endeavour, particularly when fueled by a desire for change and a latent passion waiting to be ignited. The shift from a long-standing career in finance, specifically as a Senior Bookkeeper/Accountant, to the realm of Teaching English as a Foreign Language represents a significant departure, driven by burnout and a yearning for a more stimulating and personally rewarding professional path. I found all this, beyond expectation, when I took the TEFL online course. I found the course material to be comprehensive and the manner in which it was presented, made learning so much easier and a lot more fun than one would expect from doing an English teaching course. My personal trainer, Sean Barter, who is stationed in Peru, was immensely patient, extremely helpful and was more than happy to have me listen in on others' classes. The online teachers gave me invaluable advice and during my practical training, Sean guided me through with unstinting advice , not just on the teaching but also how to better use the Zoom platform. This is the best thing I have ever done and I look forward to my new life as an English teacher.

Sean and Christina were welcoming, instructive, flexible, and accommodating. I could not have imagined a better facilitating team. Great people, great teachers, and as we would say in Maine: A1 FINEST KIND! All in all, very enjoyable experience.

It was amazing, Americo and Isa are both super kind people. I saw a lot, they also showed us nice places. The food was also very nice and I liked that there were also people from the other project. And I liked the work.

I had such a wonderful time with the TEFL course in Cusco, Peru. I learned so many fascinating facets of language while developing an amazing friendship with my fellow TEFL-er! Sean was an incredible instructor who made each day fun, engaging, and enjoyable. I left ignited with a newfound passion for teaching I didn’t even know was inside of me! I’m very excited to share it with the world :) Thank you Máximo!!

I loved my Spanish classes here! I learned a lot really quickly and they have tons of resources to help you out. Highly recommend! It is hard work but so worth it and I really enjoyed my teacher, Tatiana, she was very conversational and explained things in detail which was very helpful!

If you are looking for an amazing adventure and want to dip your toes into teaching into another country this is the place for you. You will gain lifelong friends and learn a few new things. The food is amazing the staff is helpful and kind. It is safe and fun. Come to Costa Rica!

I had the best experience doing the program with Maximo Nivel. I love how the stuff is dedicated to getting the students to become the best teachers, the program was intense but we had the best instructor (Karen Wilke). For me she was more than just my instructor, she was my counselor and friend. I absolutely loved how she would constantly come up with ways to make every lesson more fun and less stressful. I would highly recommend Maximo Nivel to everyone that's thinking of getting their TEFL certificate, they truly are the best.

My goal before this course started was to begin my teaching English career. I had gotten a TESOL certificate online in 2014 and I had never done anything with it. I had gotten a Master of Science degree online with Full Sail University and I had not done anything with that degree too. Finally, in July, I had decided to try to volunteer teaching abroad in August. I thought the first thing I needed was to volunteer teach to see if I liked teaching English and I would also be able to gain teaching experience. I signed up for a volunteer teach English program with IVHQ in San Jose, Costa Rica. A little bit before I arrived in Costa Rica, I learned that IVHQ partners up with Maximo Nivel to deliver their volunteer programs. I learned that Maximo Nivel would be putting me in a volunteer position and would be taking care of my housing. I was very excited. I found out that Maximo Nivel was awesome right from the get go because everything about my arrival to Costa Rica went smoothly. Once I started my volunteer teach program with Fundacion Mujer, I had a field manager who told me about the Cost Maximo Nivel Manuel Antonio TEFL program. On my third day of volunteer teaching, I decided to sign up for the TEFL program with Cost Maximo Nivel in Manuel Antonio. With my online TEFL program certificate, I could teach English, but I did not have the experience and I felt uncomfortable teaching with very little teaching experience. Once I started my volunteer teach English program in San Jose, I knew I needed more training from an onsite TEFL program. This program has been perfect for me because I am getting first hand teaching with basic English students and with my teacher guiding me. When I was teaching at Fundacion Mujer, I gained a lot of experience, but it was with advanced English learners and I could teach mostly from a provided model. I made articles using Wikipedia articles to hand out to the class, have them read it, and then after go over the vocabulary. I learned once I started this TEFl course and got to teach the basic English students that a pulled and provided model works best. I learned how to use the EPA model into my teaching. I also learned to create many CCQ questions. I think this experience has been very valuable and I hope to be able to teach in San Jose, Costa Rica in the future.

I decided to put all of my eggs in one basket and take a shot at following my dreams. I wanted to travel the world, and teaching English seemed like a viable option to sustain that lifestyle. I was not sure what to expect. I had never considered teaching before. Even before I signed up, Maximo Nivel offered online assistance to any questions that I had. They told me all about the options and different types of programs that they offered. Throughout the process, I only needed to ask, and they instantly responded with the help that I needed. I chose the program to get my International TEFL/TESOL Certification in Cusco, Peru. Included in the program was everything that I needed to make my dreams come true! They constantly stayed in contact with me to ensure my comfort and confidence with my decision. From picking me up at the airport, my included private apartment as housing, the friendly staff and faculty, amazing teachers, to even helping facilitate my sightseeing, they ensured that I did not need or want for anything! The one month here absolutely flew by as I received one of the best educational courses of my life! My last week of practical teaching solidified that I want to do this from now on. By the end, I was confident that I could go out into the world and actually teach. I have found pure joy and happiness in a rewarding new industry! Without a doubt, this was the best experience I could have asked for! I can not say thank you enough for changing my life and opening doors for me!

I hope to give some details on my personal experience, and on things that I was looking for in a review before I did TEFL. I only wish that I would have jumped into this opportunity & experience sooner than I did. I found out about TEFL about 3 years ago, and dreamed and planned...and dreamed & planned. The desire came back around a year ago as well, and for all of life's reasons it wasn't my time to go yet. THEN, November 2018 became official--I was on a plane to Costa Rica, had a homestay set-up in San Jose for my first night, where I woke up to find 3 lovely other students that would be on my journey with me. I would then travel off to Manuel Antonio to take my TEFL course with Maximo Nivel/COSI. Our instructor Audra was hands-down INCREDIBLE. She was not only very knowledgeable and educated but also extremely easy to learn from and get along with. I said it then, and I'll say it again, this course could have been real dang dry and boring, but not with the lovely, energetic, & hilarious prof. Audra in the room! Grammar & literally everything else was 'Fun, Fresh, & Frisky!' My 8 other cohorts and I effortlessly bonded with one-another and sometimes laughed 'till tears in class. This made it easy to retain the information we learned and it kept us engaged in the sometimes grueling 8 hour class days. I'm not going to lie, the course isn't for the faint of heart. It is solidly 150 hours of learning, 40 hour weeks of in-class work, time studying outside of class and a whole week of practical teaching that you will be so grateful for. IT IS SO WORTH THE WORK AND THE TIME. I've never been a big lover of school, but this is the most motivated and best effort that I have given to formal learning--it's the best kind. You will come out the other end alive, and more knowledgeable and experienced than when you went in. Audra doesn't let you go down without a fight (or you know, AT ALL). I came to this course being shy, hating public speaking, not even sure if I wanted to teach, and not a clue with what I wanted to do with my life. I made it through, I made incredible friends, enjoyed my local Tico Family, loved the heck out of beautiful Costa Rica and I am so grateful that I had Audra and the entire Maximo team on my side, for support & encouragement throughout my month with them. It's very organized, goes like a breeze and there's always a staff member on the ground ready to help you & answer all of your questions. If you're debating on this, and mulling over whether or not you should dive in and do it, my advice to you is JUST DO IT! And do it with the lovely Maxmio! Do it for me, but most importantly do it for yourself--chances are you won't regret it once you get past any fears you may have. And as they say....'You can do anything for 30 days!'

I had a great time studying and learning in the TEFL class in Cusco. My classmates were amazing and the course itself was challenging and very rewarding. Our instructor Sean made the course fun and interesting. He was always available, always willing to help and I couldn't imagine a better teacher. Sean lives for it and you can see that through his dedication. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in languages, teaching, or travelling. What an adventure it was. I had a blast throughout the whole course, and you will too!

I would like to start this by saying that I had a lot of fun. Karen Wilke will always be important in my life. Karen is the most amazing teacher I ever had in my life. It was a pleasure to be in your class, Karen. Thanks to Maximo Nivel for such a nice service. Thanks, Maximo Nivel.

Maximo Nivel in Antigua was absolutely amazing and hands down one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. My peers, all I learned and our incredible instructor Karen changed my life and ignited a passion for education I never knew I had. The program is extremely well organized, supported and surrounded by creative and kind people who share a common interest for changing the world through educating and communication! I could not recommend this program enough to anyone and everyone in all walks of life! More than anything, I cannot say enough about the character and dedication of my instructor Karen and how worth while and WONDERFUL she made this experience! Go TEFL and Go Maximo Nivel!!! The experience of a lifetime!

Audra is a remarkably good instructor! Great personality, engaging, and gets the most out of her learners. The curriculum is well thought out and will definitely set you up to succeed after the class. And boy is it a beautiful location! I couldn't be happier!

Getting my TEFL certification in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica was one of the most incredible experiences I have had thus far. When I first got here, I was terrified. I was homesick and didn't think I could stay abroad. However, on the VERY FIRST DAY, my instructor (Audra) noticed I seemed upset. She asked if I was okay and then asked me to go in her office. I started crying to a person I didn't even know, yet I felt perfectly comfortable doing so. She reassured me on EVERYTHING I was feeling stressed about. I felt so much better knowing I was in a place where everyone genuinely cares about you and your successes. I have never felt more supported in my life until I got to Maximo Nivel. Audra was the best instructor anyone could ever ask for. She taught us so much and made it fun in the process! I looked forward to coming to class every day, because I knew I would enjoy myself and I would grow as both a teacher and a person. If you are even considering doing this program, JUST DO IT! There is always going to be something holding you back from an experience as new as this one. But I promise, you will not regret it. If anything, you may regret not doing it. Take it from someone who was absolutely terrified and unsure if they even could do this. Let me tell you, you can do this and you will be so happy you did! Thank you Maximo Nivel for the memories, job opportunities, friends, and growth I have experienced while being here! Pura Vida :)

The TEFL program at Maximo Nivel is worth every single penny. You are greeted with friendly faces from the staff, and that support continues throughout your stay in Peru. They go above and beyond to make sure you're comfortable, and have all the resources you need to succeed. I would confidently recommend this program to anyone. If you are interested in pursing a TEFL degree - PICK MAXIMO!! You will not regret it, and you will also fall in love with Cusco, Peru.

It's hard to imagine a more effective TEFL trainer than Audra Wooldridge. She was able to support our class and maintain high engagement throughout this intensive course. She was an excellent model for the strategies and techniques being taught both in the TEFL classroom as well as the ESL classroom. She also was available to offer useful advice and recommendations for job searches around the world. With her support, I was able to secure a job in Guatemala with a start date immediately after my certification. Additionally, Karen and the rest of the staff at COSI were always kind and super responsive to student needs. The building was clean, with a beautiful view, and some of the rooms had air conditioning. The large iguana that lives outside the school also provided some visual entertainment during long classes. Overall, this was a wonderful experience and I am glad that I choose COSI Manuel Antonio to get my TEFL certification.

Audra is on her game! She is extremely high energy, funny, knowledgeable, and makes the information palatable even when you have been sitting in class on those very long grammar days. There were a lot of handouts and it would have been very useful for the school to have the foresight to organize those into a bound notebook for each student upon arrival. The view from the school in Manuel Antonio is amazing and although the free time is not exactly what I thought it was going to be, you will have enough time to enjoy the beaches and surrounding towns. I encourage you to do your due diligence before arriving and ask specific questions, especially if you are staying in student housing (is there hot water, is the internet/water reliable, which houses have air, etc). Or, simply look for something on air bnb (but ask the same questions and don't pay everything up front). Overall the experience was one that I would recommend!

This was a very challenging course! Audra could not have done a better job at teaching us the necessary information and pushing us to go further. She is truly an excellent TEFL trainer and ESL teacher as well! Her assistant Laura is also delightful! The rest of the COSI/Maximo Nivel staff here in Manuel Antonio is also very friendly and willing to assist at all times. I will say that the conditions for learning in the COSI/Maximo Nivel building in Manuel Antonio are less than optimal. Make sure to bring your own laptop as the internet is very spotty on the computers here at the school. Also if all computers could directly access the printer it would make everyone´s life easier as we have a lot of printing to do during the course. Lastly, it would also be nice if the large classroom we held our course in would have been air conditioned as it tends to get warm during the day. With all that said, this has been a very challenging but enjoyable course, Audra is a very effective teacher and I highly recommend her! Ian Wiggins