TEFL Courses & Certification in South America

I came to Máximo Nivel excited to improve my Spanish and earn my TEFL certification. I hoped it would be a rewarding opportunity to learn and meet people from different backgrounds. Instead, parts of my experience left me feeling unwelcome, overlooked, and disappointed. I’m Filipino, and English isn’t my first language. BUT I’ve also lived and worked in several international settings: I worked in South Korea, studied in Singapore, worked in Switzerland, Oman and spent nearly ten years as a First Class flight attendant in Dubai- UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, and am now Canadian citizen. I’m familiar with multicultural environments, so I was especially troubled by how uncomfortable I sometimes felt at a school that promotes cultural exchange. My experience at the International Office: I often felt uncomfortable approaching Maia for help. When I tried to talk about difficulties I was having, I felt judged rather than supported, and her manner came across to me as cold and dismissive. I also noticed what seemed like a change in her demeanor when a white person entered the office while she was helping me. She appeared warmer and more accommodating. I can’t know what she intended, and I can only speak to my own experience, but the contrast left me wondering whether my ethnicity affected how I was treated. My interactions with Reese, also working at the international office, also left me feeling uneasy. Over time, I found myself hesitating to approach the International Office, even though supporting international students is its purpose. I’ve also encountered people (especially Americans) who made assumptions about my education or abilities because I had worked in Dubai. Those experiences made it all the more important to me to be treated with respect and without cultural stereotypes. I did have positive experiences with Gabby, the head of the International Office, and Rico, who is from South Africa. Both were welcoming and helpful. Questions about the teaching program: During my TEFL course, our instructor, Sean, asked us to apply for a Máximo Nivel teaching program with opportunities in Costa Rica and Guatemala. I submitted my application before some of my American and British classmates, but I never received a callback or meaningful follow-up. My application stated that I’m Filipino. I can’t know whether my nationality played any part in the outcome, and I understand that applying early doesn’t guarantee selection. Still, given how I had already felt at the school, the lack of communication left me with questions. I wasn’t expecting a guaranteed position. I did expect clear information about the selection process. If passport eligibility, visa rules, or other hiring requirements affect who can participate, I believe those requirements should be explained upfront—especially when an institution invites its students to apply. My Spanish classes: My experience in Tania’s group Spanish class was also disappointing. I was the least proficient speaker in the group, which was exactly why I had enrolled. Instead of feeling encouraged, I often felt overlooked. At times, class started about five minutes late. Tania would sit down, turn the fan toward herself, and sometimes apply face powder during class. I also felt that too much of our four-hour class was spent hearing about her personal life, including her dog, or doing seatwork rather than practicing conversation. I had hoped for structured lessons, patience, and plenty of speaking practice. Instead, I left feeling that the class didn’t give me the support or engagement I needed to learn. The people who made a positive difference Not everyone at Máximo Nivel disappointed me. Sean was a professional and capable TEFL instructor, and Nelly, my private Spanish teacher, was excellent. Gabby and Rico were also approachable and helpful. Their conduct showed me the kind of teaching and support I had hoped to experience throughout the program. Final thoughts: My main disappointment is the gap between the school’s message about international exchange and how I felt during parts of my time there. Students should be able to ask for help without feeling intimidated, and language learners should feel supported rather than embarrassed about where they’re starting. I’m sharing this especially for Filipino and other Asian students considering Máximo Nivel. I can’t speak for anyone else, and others may have a different experience, but I want prospective students to know about mine. I didn’t expect special treatment. I expected courtesy, professional instruction, fair consideration, and respect—regardless of my nationality, appearance, or language level. Being a non-native English speaker doesn’t make someone less educated, experienced, or deserving of respect. For the cost and the expectations I had, my overall experience was deeply disappointing. Based on it, I wouldn’t recommend Máximo Nivel. I hope the school takes concerns about cultural sensitivity, communication, recruitment transparency, teaching quality, and staff professionalism seriously.

I was scared to do this program but Sean is a very cool and nice teacher made me feel comfortable and confident, I loved having Sean as a teacher he made sure I was understanding all the concepts and took time to guide me.

My experience at the Buenos Aires TEFL Institute was amazing! The course is challenging and intensive, and I was initially worried about the workload, but it turned out to be completely manageable and absolutely worth it. The instructors are great, knowledgeable, supportive, and genuinely committed to helping you become a confident English teacher. Studying in their beautiful vintage building, where I was told a Netflix series had been filmed, was such a cool surprise! I also visited two other English schools for teaching practice, which gave me valuable real-world experience. I especially loved that the program is in person rather than online because you get hands-on practice and real interaction. Overall, it was a rewarding experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to earn their TEFL qualification and start teaching English in Buenos Aires!

I came to Buenos Aires right after graduating college in the US, and taking the TEFL course at Buenos Aires TEFL Institute was seriously one of the best decisions I could have made. I wanted something hands-on, not another online course where you're just watching videos and taking quizzes. The instructors were super knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely cared about helping us become confident teachers. The teaching practice with real Argentine students was probably my favorite part. You actually get to apply what you're learning instead of just reading about it. I also loved how personal everything felt. Our group really connected, and the whole experience was way more interactive than I expected. The job placement assistance was another huge plus, especially coming straight out of college and figuring out my next move. And honestly, getting to live in Buenos Aires while earning my TEFL certification made the experience even better. If you're a recent college grad looking to travel, gain real teaching experience, and open up opportunities abroad, I'd definitely recommend Buenos Aires TEFL Institute!

The 120-Hour TEFL Certification was an excellent learning experience. The course was well-structured, informative, and comprehensive, covering important areas of teaching English as a foreign language. I particularly appreciated the practical strategies, clear explanations, and useful resources that can be applied in real classroom settings. The course helped strengthen my understanding of lesson planning, classroom management, teaching methodologies, and effective ways to engage learners with different needs and abilities. I found the flexibility of the course especially helpful, allowing me to work through the material at my own pace while still gaining substantial knowledge and practical skills. Overall, this certification has added value to my professional development and increased my confidence as an educator. I would definitely recommend the 120-Hour TEFL Certification to anyone interested in teaching English or expanding their teaching qualifications.

I experienced an eye-opening job coaching session with Emos. The information that he provided on the job opportunities that are available in various countries, and his personal experiences, were really helpful. I have started my teaching journey already and I look forward to a more rewarding teaching career. Thanks, Emos & Premier TEFL!

As an experienced teacher, I found my TEFL Institute journey both rewarding and enriching. The course was well structured, engaging, and practical, offering fresh ideas and strategies that have enhanced my teaching practice. The webinars and tutorials were a standout feature, providing valuable insights, practical techniques, and excellent support throughout the course. A special thank you to Laura for her encouragement, and unwavering support, which made a real difference to my learning experience. I would also like to thank Olivia for the wonderful opportunity to lend my voice to the course. I highly recommend TEFL Institute to both aspiring and experienced teachers looking to develop their skills through a supportive, professional, and high-quality learning experience.

Premier TEFL offers a solid 300-hr course and the lessons are very educational—I went from knowing hardly anything about teaching language to feeling like I could actually organize English lessons someday. And I did indeed land a job while I was still working on my TEFL certificate to teach Spanish, because some of the principles of teaching English generalize to teaching other languages. One thing that really makes this TEFL program stand out is the amount of support you get. Anytime you have questions or doubts, you can e-mail the staff and they are very responsive. The tutors, Anya and Laura, are available once a week for a live Zoom session, but you can e-mail them anytime and they will answer all your questions, and if they don't have an answer, they will direct you to another staff member who does. The support staff, like Olivia and Lisa, are also very helpful for your course needs and even check in to see how you're doing. Overall, I was very pleased with the value of this course and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning how to teach English.

The instructor, Sean was focused and creative, providing a learning atmosphere for each and every TEFL student. We had a great time and appreciated the training and support. Cusco is a great location.

I had been looking for a TEFL academy for a while, and I couldn't have chosen a better place than Maximo Nivel in Cusco. Sean is an amazing trainer. The course was challenging, but he always made it feel manageable with his guidance and support. The school is beautiful, and one of the best parts is that you get to teach real students in an intercultural environment. Everyone on the staff is incredibly kind and always willing to help. They provide all the materials you need for your lessons, from markers to unlimited printing, so you can focus on becoming a better teacher. Cusco is also an amazing place to do your TEFL. The food is great, the people are friendly, and it's easy to get around the city. The Practical Teaching Week was my favorite part of the course. I absolutely loved it! The students are so kind and motivated to learn English, and teaching them was such a rewarding experience. Of course, there were some challenging moments, but Sean was always there to support me and help me improve. I also met wonderful people who share the same passion for teaching, and I made great friends along the way. As a non-native English speaker, I always felt supported and encouraged. Maximo Nivel is an amazing place to earn your TEFL certification, regardless of whether English is your first language. They truly help you build the confidence and skills you need to become a successful English teacher. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I can't recommend Maximo Nivel highly enough to anyone thinking about getting their TEFL certification!

The study materials were straight to the point, rich in content and easy to grasp. The support staff member, Laura, responded to messages promptly. My practical course sessions with Michelle Benson gave me the kind of experience and heads up that I needed to improve my one-on-one and whole-class teaching skills. It has been a very rewarding journey for me.

My instructor, Karen, was amazing! I have nothing negative to say about her or the course. When I initially signed up, the partner company I booked through didn't provide much information about the institute, however, I have no regrets about coming here and doing my program with Maximo Nivel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course! The content was relevant and my instructor, Sean, was very knowledgeable and personable. He was encouraging and have honest feedback. While the course seemed intimidating at first (a full semester's worth of work in one month), I was able to make it through and I've never felt more accomplished!

My experience with the TEFL Institute of Ireland so far has been excellent. From enrollment and access to the course materials, to having a tutor available as well as scheduled check-ins, the support and overall offering have been fantastic and of an exceptionally high quality. I have also had a few queries, and the customer support from Lisa Flynn has been exemplary, helping to resolve my issues quickly so I could continue enjoying the course. If you are considering taking an online TEFL course, I cannot recommend the TEFL Institute of Ireland highly enough.

I have not been there in person, but I did sign up for their online course. Everything about it feels professional, and the sessions come across as really interactive. The language they use is simple and easy to follow. It was honestly the right fit for me. Right after I registered, Annelies emailed to welcome me, and it instantly put me at ease. They also made it clear that they will be guiding me throughout the course and that they will be there whenever I need help.

I have just finished the 120 hour TEFL course and I really loved it. Everything is explained so clearly in the modules, and the material is packed with useful information while still feeling very manageable, so progressing through it was straightforward. I would definitely recommend it to other people, and I cannot wait to put what I have learned here to use in the future.

I ordered a Hard Copy certificate and it took longer than expected to get sent out. I could not get through to anyone on the phone or by email, which I am putting down to COVID Lockdown and the office being closed. As soon as I used the Chat, Kate was very helpful and told me the status of my order straight away. I have given 4 stars purely because contacting them by phone and email was so hard, but the chat feature is excellent, so try that first if you need help.

Taking this course has made me feel confident enough to start applying for TEFL roles overseas. I found the platform really straightforward to navigate and it was packed with useful resources, and the modules were informative, clearly well researched, and backed up with detailed bibliographies so I could keep exploring topics on my own. I would absolutely recommend this company.

I’ve just finished the 10 Hour Advanced Certificate in TEFL Classroom Methodologies Course and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone thinking about signing up. Everything was clearly structured, well planned, and really straightforward to follow. I was a bit anxious at the beginning, but Kate had me, and everyone else on the course, feeling comfortable almost straight away. We started with a few warmers so we could get to know each other, and I honestly think that made it easier for everyone to relax and fully take part in every part of the course. Kate stayed professional throughout, but she also made sure it was enjoyable and never too heavy, so it didn’t feel like being overloaded with information you could not keep up with. I genuinely can’t rate this course highly enough for anyone interested, it is excellent and completely worth doing.

My experience with TELF, the online language school, was fantastic. Everything they shared was really helpful, easy to follow, and explained in a way that made sense right away. Huge thanks to advisor Killian Bukulin for walking me through every program, taking the time to respond to my 1000 questions, and staying so friendly the whole way through. I would absolutely recommend TELF to anyone who wants to learn not only how to teach english, but also the methods behind teaching any new language.