Program Reviews

I loved volunteering with Guarderia Obras! I helped with small tasks around the classroom like passing out supplies, cutting and gluing, and overall supervising the kids. There was a language barrier for me since my Spanish is not very advanced, plus the kids are young so it was difficult to understand them. Overall, the environment is pretty chaotic but the kids are really sweet so it’s all worth it. I would recommend this program for people who have a lot of patience, specially with children and previous Spanish knowledge.

To be honest, my only complaint about this trip is that I wish it was longer. The food was great, and everyone I interacted with, including the staff at Máximo Nivel, the workers at Cat Cafe (where I volunteered for animal care) Jessica and her whole family (my homestay), all the locals and vendors I met along the way, fellow travelers, as well as fellow volunteers from Máximo Nivel. The city of Antigua itself was beautiful, and I only wish that I could stay longer and explore more of the country. Will be coming back!

Host family was great. Project was fulfilling and my Spanish improved a ton. I always felt safe and at home. 5 stars all around. The food is great and the city of Antigua is very walkable. Within a few hours I felt like I know my way around everywhere. I never needed a GPS once and was fine without cell service. There is a lot of support through the program and lots of activities to do while taking breaks from volunteering and Spanish classes. I would recommend anyone wanting to improve their Spanish to visit regardless of fluency. I only spent a week here and my fluency improved loads. I met so many great people and the city itself if beautiful.

Embarking on a career transition in one's sixties can be a daunting yet ultimately fulfilling endeavour, particularly when fuelled by a desire for change and a latent passion waiting to be ignited. The shift from a long-standing career in finance, specifically as a Senior Bookkeeper/Accountant, to the realm of Teaching English as a Foreign Language represents a significant departure, driven by burnout and a yearning for a more stimulating and personally rewarding professional path. I found all this, beyond expectation, when I took the TEFL online course. I found the course material to be comprehensive and the manner in which it was presented, made learning so much easier and a lot more fun than one would expect from doing an English teaching course. My personal trainer, Sean Barter, who is stationed in Peru, was immensely patient, extremely helpful and was more than happy to have me listen in on others' classes. The online teachers gave me invaluable advice and during my practical training, Sean guided me through with unstinting advice , not just on the teaching but also how to better use the Zoom platform. This is the best thing I have ever done and I look forward to my new life as an English teacher.

The clinics were very well ran and every educational for all. I appreciated the independence of each station and the education that was given to us. All the excursion were very fun and always a smooth time. I appreciated the drivers for getting us everywhere safely, even in all the early mornings. Everyone in the program was very friendly and accommodating to make it enjoyable for all. The provider we were with was very educational and enjoyed teaching as he saw each patient. Everyone was very helpful with the language barrier and was always willing to jump and and help one another.

I had such a great time this week with Maximo Nivel! The trips were fun and so were the clinics! The first day we went to a clinic in San Miguel Duenas and learned how the clinics run and saw some beautiful views then after went to the Mayan ruins of iximche! On the second day, we had a clinic in Ciudad Viejo did a lot of lice treatment, and went to the volcano! the next day we had a full clinic day near Santa Ana and played some games with the kids which was very fun. The next day we went to the beach which was really fun and then we finished out the week in pair last clinic in a more rural area!

As an educator with many years of practical and academic experience in education, I highly recommend the Maximo Nivel TEFL program in Cusco, Peru. The course was rigorous and serious. But my classmates and I received a lot of support from the instructors, Sean and Christina. There was a good balance between seat work, where we learned the theory, and practical work (mini-lessons and classroom teaching) where we practiced what we had been taught. Besides the content, the program (and instructors) build a strong community among my classmates that added to the learning. I would recommend the program without qualification.

Everything exceeded my expectations! The city is beautiful and the weather was amazing. The food was unique and excellent. The staff were all very friendly and supportive and answered any questions. The host family was very sweet and accommodating. Their house was beautiful and they had a very sweet dog. Lorena was the host! The place we volunteered at (cat cafe) was an awesome fulfilling experience. Everyone who worked there was very patient with us! It was the perfect experience for me and my girlfriend Brooke Doyle.

Completing the TEFL certification has been an incredibly rewarding and transformative journey. This program has not only enriched my understanding of teaching methodologies but also provided me with the practical tools necessary to excel in an ESL classroom. The structured framework of the course offers a comprehensive insight into effective teaching strategies, ranging from classroom management to lesson planning. It ensures that educators are equipped to adapt their approach to meet the diverse needs of students. Moreover, the hands-on experience gained during the course builds confidence, enabling teachers to create engaging and impactful learning environments.

The methodologies and skills acquired through TEFL training are invaluable for any ESL educator. These techniques empower teachers to bridge language barriers and inspire students to achieve fluency in English. By fostering interactive and student-centered learning experiences, the methodologies help create a supportive environment where students feel motivated to participate and grow. Above all, the course equips educators with the ability to guide students in developing not only linguistic skills but also the confidence to use them effectively in real-world contexts. For anyone considering a career in teaching or looking to enhance their skill set, TEFL is a step worth taking.

Wonderful experience with very helpful staff. The staff both at Maximo and the cat care were so nice and helpful. I really felt like I made a difference. I love animals, so this program was perfect for me. My boyfriend ended up loving the program even though he was not initially excited for it. Maximo was also great with organizing excursions for us and with education us on/providing transportation. This was a vacation inside of a great volunteer experience. I would definitely recommend this to a friend.