Costa Rica TEFL

Costa Rica TEFL is one of the best experiences I have ever chose to embark on. I learned new things about myself and what different things I am capable of that I would have never known before. All the teachers are so delightful and willing to help with whatever you need as well as just being very amazing people. The students that you teach are children all the way to elderly people. I loved this aspect of learning to teach a wide range of students as well as being able to meet the most kind and determained people ever. I also met some great friends that I will now have for life thanks to TEFL!

During the December graduation celebration, I experienced sexual and racial harassment from fellow participants. Unbeknownst to me at the time, issues had already been occurring prior to the event, including gossip, slut-shaming, and the program-recommended homestay host sharing my personal whereabouts with my primary harasser without my knowledge or consent. I made multiple attempts to resolve my concerns privately, including providing detailed accounts of the nature of the harassment and the three individuals involved. Despite those efforts, one of my primary concerns remains unaddressed. I am reinstating my original review after previously removing it in good faith following private outreach from Costa Rica TEFL.

I’ve lost trust in this program because it continues publicly promoting someone I identified as having played a role in my harassment, despite knowing my concerns. My issue was never personal friendships, but rather the organization’s decision to continue featuring this person. I explained why this was deeply troubling to me, letting them know several times that the people an organization chooses to feature publicly communicate who represents that organization, whose presence is valued, and who is given the benefit of the doubt and grace. Yet the content that prompted my original review in the first place remains available. In addition, this individual appears in other videos, one of which is pinned.

I was told Costa Rica TEFL took steps in response to my harassment, including updating its Code of Conduct and privacy procedures. I appreciate those efforts, but they are difficult to reconcile with its continued promotion of someone they are well aware is tied to my harassment. I was also told the program now discourages “personal” relationships during the course, likely due to the role it played in my own harassment. I find this interesting because preventing harassment should focus on addressing harmful behavior early on and holding people accountable, rather than suggesting students can avoid harassment by avoiding relationships. Another participant reportedly raised concerns about my primary harasser and later told me staff allegedly said, “no one at Costa Rica TEFL likes them anyway.”

Based on my experience, I no longer trust Costa Rica TEFL to consistently demonstrate the allyship I expected as a Black woman, particularly when doing so may conflict with their personal friendships, popularity, or professional connections within its community. I gave the program the benefit of the doubt and removed my original review. Ultimately, I feel the program failed me by allowing the individual I identified as the primary source of the harassment to behave unhinged throughout the duration of the program and again in how my concerns about the harassment were addressed afterward, with its continued promotion of someone I believe played a role in what happened that evening.

An inclusive program should not be judged only by the positive experiences of the majority. It should also be judged by how it responds when a student reports serious harm. I expected more from an organization that promotes supporting women and cultural sensitivity. I am sharing my experience again so prospective students can make an informed decision. I sincerely hope Costa Rica TEFL does better for future students.

I no longer wish to engage further with Costa Rica TEFL, as I clearly explained my concerns in great detail. I do not need or want well wishes from Costa Rica TEFL, and I will not be using their TEFL certificate because I no longer want to be associated with a program I do not trust. I also found it concerning that Costa Rica TEFL provided students with assistance during our final exams, as though we were not capable of completing the assessments independently. I was told by the CEO that they are apparently "no longer giving students suggestions on corrections during the assessment." I hope that is the case moving forward. I am asking that Costa Rica TEFL remove any photos or videos of me from its social media pages, including group photos or videos in which I appear with other individuals. I have included screenshots of my original review and the program's response to that review for context.

I have only great things to say about CR TEFL. As the Founding Director of Intercultura Costa Rica, I had the pleasure of working closely with Barbara for many years during her time as English Department Director. The professionalism, leadership, and commitment to quality education that I saw then are clearly reflected in every aspect of her work today with CR TEFL.

Barbara has a deep understanding of language acquisition, effective teaching methodologies, and teacher development. She upholds high academic standards while also fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for both students and staff. Her ability to mentor teachers and create engaging, well-structured programs set her apart as an exceptional educator and administrator.

With her two Masters, in TEFL Training and International Education, Barbara is uniquely qualified to train ESL teachers. Her CR TEFL training program is a natural extension of these strengths. It reflects her extensive experience in the classroom and also her dedication to preparing future teachers for real-world success. The program is thoughtfully designed, balancing theory with practical application, and emphasizes the skills that really matter for teachers —adaptability, cultural awareness, and confident classroom management.

I can personally attest to the fact that her graduates receive extremely thorough, high-quality training as well as ongoing support after graduation. So much so, that of all the schools in Costa Rica, CR TEFL is the only one from which we consistently hire applicants for our English classes, with excellent results. We have teachers with us to this day that got certified through CR TEFL, taught with us at our campus in Heredia, and then continued teaching for our online courses once they left Costa Rica.

I highly recommend her school to anyone serious about becoming a well-prepared and effective English teacher. This is an owner-run school, and the difference in personal attention and real care for her students is immediately apparent. It is not a chain-school franchise where students are often just a number - groups are small, and both Barbara and her excellent teacher trainers have close one-on-one relationships with each student, and the group as a whole forms a cohesive support unit during their studies.

And one last thing - the location! Where else can you study steps from the beach with year-round warm ocean waters; have an instant community friend group, and explore one of the most beautiful beaches in the world; and where you see monkeys pretty much every day on the block between school and the beach?! Whether you are travelling by yourself, and whether you are 21 or 65, you will fit in, feel right at home, have fun while you learn, and you will (in my opinion, as someone who has worked with graduates from many different TEFl training schools) receive the most comprehensive TEFL training possible in Latin America.

Barb and the whole team provide an incredible experience in the beautiful beach town of Samara, Costa Rica. From teacher training to practical teaching practice with friendly local Tico students I can't recommend this course enough!
From the first day all of us TEFL trainees were made to feel at home with the brilliant TEFL staff offering guidance and a welcoming atmosphere! We learned so many valuable teaching methods from experienced teachers and then applied these ourselves when teaching locals from Samara.
As well as teaching in the TEFL school, we also experienced everything Samara and Costa Rica has to offer. From the beautiful beaches to zip-lining to amazing restaurants , we experienced the trip of a lifetime all while making friends for life from all over the world in the process!
Once we completed the TEFL course, Barb provided so many opportunities to teach all across Costa Rica and even further as her TEFL school is renowned and so many people seek her assistance in finding new TEFL teacher graduates!
I loved the whole experience and couldn't recommended Barb and the Samara school enough!

An amazing experience from start to finish. The teaching was excellent, informative and they were all so supportive throughout. Lots of laughter, fun and the opportunity to meet not only fellow travellers but also build friendships amongst the local community. A great jumping off point to start teaching either in Costa Rica or further afield in a breathtaking setting. Currently continuing my travels in Costa Rica and loving every minute of it. It's not an easy course but so worth it by the end of the month!