Program Reviews

We (husband & I) had a great time teaching English to youngsters and teens for 3 weeks in 2 diverse projects. I have already recommended IVHQ & Maximo Nivel to several friends who want to volunteer. We really can't fault the organisation & support MN gave us. Once we were shown the ropes for each of the projects, we were left to manage how we undertook the teaching. We built great relationships with the kids and it felt great to be putting back into these communities. Muchos gracias, Maximo Nivel!

I really enjoyed my experience here in Guatemala. However, I would recommend for the future that a more detailed list specific to dentistry be provided for volunteers coming because they can then bring supplies that they know the clinic they will be working at doesn’t have. Additionally, it would’ve been helpful to have a translator at the clinic, but I know this is a harder ask. You guys are doing great things here & I hope the work continues and improves to reach more and more people!! I am very glad I came!

The IVHQ program was easy to register for and complete all the predepartute steps. In country orientation provided the details needed and reinforced information shared in the program.gude. My host family was welcoming and flexible with meals based on the volunteer schedule. The staff at Maximo was energetic, fun and led by example, creating great experiences. Everyone was very patient with my limited language skills, it was much apprecitaed! I look forward to my next adventure with IVHQ & Maximo and would recommend this program to others.

I had a great experience in Antigua, Guatemala through Maximo Nivel. The services are great, the people are wonderful and they have a 24/7 service too. Antigua city is just an adventure on its own, there are lot of beautiful and advantageous places to visit. Great placed to hike, they have many volcanoes and the view is just awesome. I volunteered at a healthcare facility called Virgen Del Socorro and it was the best experience I’ve ever had. Loved interacting with the patients, they were so nice and welcoming. I got a different perspective of the medical field and it was a great experience….

Annabelle is an amazing TEFL trainer !
She is supportive, funny and her energy is so high! The certification itself was difficult but everyday, Annabelle would motivate me, help me, and help me have the confidence to be an esl teacher.
The program was intense but passed so quick thanks to her and her passion for training people to be esl teachers.
The program included a lot of practical teaching, it was not only theory, so every week we could progress and learn from our mistakes. It was so fun
Thank you Annabelle !

Annabelle is an amazing instructor. The course is very rigorous and challenging but she is available for support and is always trying to help students in whatever ways she can. She’s so fun and a really genuinely caring person, not to mention extremely organized. I couldn’t have imagined a better trainer than her, seriously. I highly recommend getting your TEFL certificate through her program at Máximo. Manuel Antonio is also the perfect location for this course — loved going to the beaches and partying at the nearby Selina hostel and the Villa Roca. Both had great pools and service and were very fun alternatives to the beach.

I had done a lot of research into in-person TEFL certification courses before I chose Maximo. Their consistently good ratings are completely deserved. You are teaching actual English students starting in week 1! The Peru TEFL teacher, Sean, is a teacher’s teacher. I learned so much and he really went above and beyond for our entire class. I was really nervous about relearning all that grammar, but it was really Ok. It is a rigorous course, to be sure. I am so happy I chose this course, it was 100% worth the time and money.

Nice course, enjoyed it and would recommend. I studied really hard and learned a lot. It's an intensive course. There are many modeles which need to be completed, but it's an awesome induction to the esl world. The course lasts a month. Is set in a valley between volcanoes, and has a beautiful backdrop for study. I am really pleased that I decided to do my course at Maximo Nivel,. I learned so much because the course is rigorous and thorough. If you are considering a tefl course, ho for it. Worth it. Don't hesitate to give it a go. I am glad I now have my certificate.

The TEFL Trainer, Sean, is amazing, and the techniques he teaches truly work and are easily applicable to a classroom setting. This program is especially beneficial because you get hours of practical teaching experience before you graduate. The course is rigorous and not easy, but overall I had a very good experience. The course and knowledgeable teacher can answer every question brought up through an understanding of real-life experience. Outside of the TEFL course itself, Maximo Nivel was able to place me with a wonderful host family to experience the culture of Peru during my time here. Would recommend this program to any age or professional experience level.

If you are interested in teaching or developing your teaching skills, I highly recommend this program. I can't begin to explain how many useful things I've learned in this program. If I had taught ESL without this program, I wouldn't have even known where to begin. The progress I made through this program was significant. For me personally, I found the workload to be heavy but you get a lot for your money.

Having the opportunity to get hands-on experience teaching with detailed feedback allowed me to know what to improve on. One of the biggest highlights from the course has to be my TEFL program teacher Wayne Summerbell. This course wouldn't have been half as enjoyable without his high energy and patience. He is hands down one of the best teachers I've ever met. He gave us constant encouragement and support during the program. As a class, we were extraordinarily lucky to have him as our teacher. I am very grateful for what he has taught me. If he ends up being your teacher, I'm jealous of you.

I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to explore teaching as a career or if you want to develop your existing teaching skills for teaching ESL.