Anna Ruth

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Anna Ruth is from South Carolina in the United States. She was in Costa Rica participating in the TEFL program in August 2013 and loved it. She loves the Central American culture and has been growing ever since the experience. She learned a lot from the teachers at TEFL and enjoyed being by the beach for the course. After graduating, she went to Nicaragua to teach elementary school and then found herself back in Costa Rica teaching first and second grade and high school ESL. She loves the beach and is hoping to get back to Guanacaste.

Why did you decide to take a TEFL course with Costa Rica TEFL?

I decided to take the TEFL course because my College degree is Early Childhood Education. I have also been interested in Spanish and using my minor and major combined in teaching ESL or Spanish. The certification also helps me bolster my resume for future job opportunities. I chose Costa Rica because I wanted to be in Central America after my intern year was finished in Arizona and Costa Rica is the safest country in CA. It is also in a very desirable area by the beach.

What made this teach abroad experience unique and special?

I think there were many different aspects but for sure the location made it attractive and special because we could go to the beach during breaks if desired. The atmosphere and fact that we were in class and teaching with the same group of people for a month also was important because we were able to build friendships and a bond.

This was helpful not only for the social aspect but helping each other with plans. I also appreciated that we had to teach the different levels because although beginners were my favorite, it was a good experience to have to come up with activities at higher levels and be able to have enough knowledge and skill set in order to adapt to the different levels and ages that we had in the classes.

How has this experience impacted your future? (Personally, professionally, academically, etc.)

This experience has impacted me a lot because now I have the knowledge in order to teach ESL. I am currently teaching first and second grade in a school in Heredia. However, I am also teaching two ESL classes to two groups of high schoolers and in each of these classes there are different levels of English that I'm working with. I am also able to use some of the resources that I got from the course in my elementary classroom.

This experience also has wanted me to maybe explore teaching adults rather than kids sometime. In addition, the location has made me want to return to the beach where the course was because it was beautiful and the atmosphere of the town was like no other beach town that I have been to.

What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering teaching abroad in Costa Rica?

I would say do it for sure. The country is nice with different climates and environmental areas to enjoy traveling when there are chances. The people are very helpful and nice. I would definitely seek some sort of community environment especially when adjusting to the culture at first in order to seek advice and guidance as well as having social outings together.