TEFL Certification with Guaranteed Job Placement in Costa Rica

I went into this program as a mousy 18 year old with no teaching experience whatsoever. I knew it would be a good way to get out of my comfort zone, but I had no idea what was ahead of me. While I did underestimate the workload (this is an INTENSIVE course - don't think you'll get off easy and be able to go to the beach every day), more importantly, I underestimated how incredible this experience would be. I met and worked with some of the most amazing people who I got closer to in 4 weeks than I ever thought possible. I had the two most wonderful teachers, Karen Wilke (we love you our ubuntu queen!!) and Courtney Miville, who were always so supportive and made class fun, dealt with breakdowns like champs, and gave invaluable feedback that helped me become a better teacher. All of those people made the hard work well worth it. I would highly recommend this program to you, even if you don't plan to become a teacher, although it might just turn you into one :) Through it all, I grew so much as a teacher and as a person - in my confidence, in my willingness to open up and be vulnerable in front of others, and in my understanding that no matter what, there is always someone going through it with you. "I am because we are." Thank you to all of my ubuntu people for this truly incredible experience.

To say that I loved the program is an understatement. I wanted to travel with a purpose, and thanks to this program, I did just that. It was nice to travel and have something to do while I was there. It was intimidating at first to travel alone as a petite woman, but I overcame my fears and had the time of my life in a wonderful place with wonderful people! It was honestly as safe as most places I've been to. I have to be equally careful no matter where I go, and I didn't feel in danger in Manuel Antonio/Quepos at all. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to travel, but still get something out of it. This program opened so many new doors for me; I'm excited to see what career opportunities await me now that I have my TEFL certification!

My biggest question prior to coming on the programme was whether I could teach English as a second language without knowing the mother language of the students. The ESL techniques, methodologies and practical experience imparted have all confirmed that it is not only possible but it can become a reality in one month.
This programme is no walk in the park. It is intense and rigorous at times but also fun filled and enjoyable. I had the pleasure of being tutored by the dynamic duo of Karen Wilke ( lead trainer) and Courtney Miville. These ladies created a learning environment that was nurturing, supportive, challenging, fun filled and dynamic. I also had the pleasure of interacting with seventeen of the finest people from all over the world.
This has been the best investment in self and my best birthday present to me.

I am a 32 year old woman with a few years of university professional experience under my belt. I did not need a TEFL certificate, but I was excited about the professional development and alternative doors that could open.

This experience was by far one of the the most beautiful surprises - it has changed me (for the better) as a person, professional aside. I grew into a more whole human being through this program, my instructors, and my peers. I am not sure all programs are like this, but there was magic within our group throughout.

For starters, this program is intense. There are high expectations and you end up learning SO MUCH. If you are not ready for that, then don't come until you are. You need to have a level of maturity or drive to sustain the intensity. That said, this program attracted people who were ready and wanting this challenge. We were a diverse group in many of our identities, yet we all left our egos at home. We flourished day in and day out - there was no competition within the group, just support, love, and everyone giving it their best selves. I have never felt so good about being myself and confident in who I am when working with a group and I think many of my peers would echo this feeling.

This tone was set by our instructors, lead instructor Karen Wilke and support instructor Courtney Miville. These two are literally born to do this work and it shows - they are creative, passionate, wise, fun, and literally give us 200% every day of the week. If you have a chance to work with them, do it. Your life will be better because of this decision.

As for the program itself, the Maximo Nivel staff who work in MA are fabulous. They are calm, cool, collected, supportive, and always go out of their way for all of us despite the many demands of their job. The amount of logistics they coordinate behind the scenes paired with the needs of all their students in real-time, is astounding. I suppose the astounding part is you would never know. They don't complain and they are so top-notch and calm.

I do not usually review, but I couldn't not review this experience.

Thank you,
Kayleen

Stop thinking about it. Do it! Get TEFL certified! Now, wherever my global travel takes me, I can teach! My host family, TEFL teacher extraordinaire, Audra, and my ESL students inspired me to give 100% to this effort every day. This program requires commitment, tenacity and passion for the work and students. The location was a short ride to beaches and public parks. Public transportation was easy and frequent. Housing accommodations were amazing. Everyone on staff was an absolute rock star! The school is hot, but if your TEFL class is small, the lessons are held in an air-conditioned room. The one area for improvement is assistance with job placement. Use the resources provided to do some research on your own. You will find your perfect TEFL job fit!

From exploring the jungle to experiencing the culture and meeting many new people, these last four weeks have been incredible. I came into this program somewhat blinded and hoped for the best. I quit my job back home in order to travel and the TEFL Certification was the first stop along the way. The little expectation I did have was completely blown out of the water. I have enjoyed every bit of the experience here in Manuel Antonio. Audra is a magnificent TEFL Trainer as well as a good-hearted person. Yes, these days in the classroom are intensive, (don't underestimate these comments) but Audra is not your average teacher. She brings her dynamic personality every day and it allows for easy engagement in every lesson. I never saw myself as a teacher, but I thought why not try it. Now, I can confidently say that I have the knowledge to do so and I can't wait to teach more. I am thankful for the key Maximo has provided me to unlock more opportunities in other's lives.

TEFL Time is what we called our regular classes at COSI with our amazing instructor, Audra. I so looked forward to TEFL Time every day because I knew I was going to learn more and have fun doing it. Outside of class, there was lots of homework, but none of it useless. The program was crafted to build EFL teachers, and it built them well. I have a MA in Bilingual Ed, but I never felt ready or excited about teaching English till now. Despite the main goal, getting that TEFL Certificate, I was also encouraged and supported to go out and explore...hiking to Nauyaca falls and along the RetoMAE, sea kayaking and snorkeling, looking for sloths and other animals on the many trails of the National Park, etc.

I recommend staying with a host family (with WiFi) and having a room of your own, and bring your laptop and cell phone--you'll use them every day and late into the night. Having a host family to take care of you, preparing meals, washing your clothes, helping you figure stuff out, speaking Spanish with you, and maybe even allowing you to practice teaching English lessons on them is priceless. The ties you make will make it hard for you to leave, and the skills you learn will open the door for you to go anywhere. Welcome to TEFL Time!

I got my TEFL certification in Manuel Antonio with Audra Wooldridge and it was an amazing experience. If you are taking this program be prepared to work but also be prepared to learn and have some fun along the way doing it. The program is very intensive but also very effective, by the end I truly felt prepared to teach wherever my path takes me. Audra had a way of making the course quite fun as well and I’m sure other TEFL trainers will be similar, I cannot count how many times I heard or saw either myself or my fellow TEFLers smile or laugh. A couple of suggestion is first to bring a laptop, you will for sure need one as otherwise you’ll have to do all your work at Maximo nivel when with a laptop you could be working anywhere you felt like. Also don’t be afraid to have fun, the program is very intensive but don’t let that keep you from having fun on the weekends or evenings every now and again, Manuel Antonio/Quepos have a lot of fun things to do, don’t miss out on them completely!