Maximo Nivel

My whole experience with my host family, the maximi team, and the teachers and children at the Ositos day care has been incredible. Everyone was so nice and so helpful and has helped made this experience easier and enjoyable for me. The kids are so happy and so appreciative to have the volunteers come in and play with them. I definitely want to come back. My only challenge was the language barrier. I could only understand and speak a little bit of spanish so the next time I come back, I’m going to make sure that I am fluent in it. Other than that, I had the best time!

The native Spanish program at Maximo Nivel was awesome!! My teacher Evelyn was so great, and very patient with me when I made errors. Antigua is my 2nd home and I encourage everyone to come check it out! The staff at Maximo Nivel was so kind and helpful whatever I had questions. I didn't have any issues at all while I was there, but it was great knowing that Maximo was available 24/7. Go! Study Spanish! I 100% recommend this program.

It was everything I hoped it would be and more. After taking a 100 hour online TEFL program with a prestigious university, I still didn’t have the confidence or skill set to go into a classroom. Today I leave Manuel Antonio a teacher. If you have ever wanted to teach English abroad taking the hands-on TEFL course in Manuel Antonio is the place to do it. The beach is wonderful and offers a great balance to all of the hard work in store for you.
When I first came across the opportunity to take the TEFL course in Costa Rica I was sceptical of the overwhelmingly positive comments and almost didn’t take the opportunity because of it. I am so glad I did though. The course is top notch and Audra, the TEFL trainer in Manuel Antonio, is nothing short of spectacular. She is a force to be reckoned with. No sugar coating here, but she will take you under her wing until you are ready to fly yourself. Failure is not an option. For me, she exemplifies what it means to be an educator a mentor and a friend. You will just have to meet her to understand. Pura Vida!

The last four weeks at Maximo Nivel have been some of the best of my life. Not only is Manuel Antonio a beautiful location with amazing people, but it also welcoming and culturally rich. Ticos are warm, friendly, and helpful. Taking the TEFL certification course in a beautiful place only made the experience even more magical. The actual TEFL course was intense, fun, challenging, interesting, and useful. Audra Wooldridge is an amazing teacher and person. She cares for her students and teaches with genuine enthusiasm and passion. It obvious that she is committed to her work and loves her job. The course is a whirlwind and every moment is used wisely. Every lesson, observation, writing assignment, and discussion is purposeful and meaningful. There is no fluff. It's all real. Even having been a high school Spanish teacher, this course has challenged me and taught me so many useful techniques and skills that I am ready to use and implement. Thank you, Audra and Maximo Nivel for making my dreams come true!

I really enjoyed my experience volunteering with Maximo Nivel. The staff was very helpful but the accomodation was not as good as I would have it to be. I was placed in the Casa Esperanza home, a special needs placement. I loved it but after my roommate left I was the only volunteer so it was kinda tricky. The people that live at the home and the staff members were lovely and so sweet. I am going to miss them so much. I would love to come back eventually to see them. I still had a great time though. I had a terrific time and I can definitely see myself coming back.