Program Reviews

This was my first time being out the country since I was 5 years old and it was super fun. There where a few things that was different and through me through a loop like cold showers, not being able to flush toliet paper, walkers not having the right away, and of corse not speaking spanish well enough to have a conversation. However, the food, attractions, businesses, people, etc. was super important and amazing. I learned a lot of about Costa Rica and even some things about myself that keep with me forever. My only critique would be to not have orientation right after scholars come off a flight and tour around. I was too tired and jet lagged to catch everything that was said.

Good classes, well organized and flexible to personal needs. Home stay comfortable, family friendly, good food. Nice facilities, love the coffee. I did not have any concerns with the classes. The professor was helpful and deferred from the rigid textbook lay out when I expressed the limited time I had to learn specific things for work. The school is near the center of Cusco for you interests in shopping, food or excursions. The tandem conversations were about as helpful as the actual classes. Would recommend.

I had an incredible time in Manuel Antonio and thoroughly enjoyed the TEFL course! The staff at Maximo were very helpful and always prepared to answer any questions I had. The course is intense! You do have to put in work outside the classroom, so do keep this in mind when choosing a programme. This being said, I had an excellent TEFL trainer who was extremely supportive and delivered the content in a fun and engaging way. I would highly recommend the course for anyone who wants to teach English abroad, or even those who just want to learn a new skill.

Manuel Antonio
I was pleasantly surprised at how academic and professional this course was. As an elementary teacher for the past 6 years, I wasn't expecting to learn as much as I did! We had a balanced schedule that gave us time to complete assignments and lesson plans, and lots of class time where we learned and could practice our new skills. We had an amazing trainer who knew her stuff and shared many insights as to what a TEFL teacher entails. This course is definitely beneficial whether you are an elementary/high school teacher who has newcomers at various levels of english in your classrooms back home, or you are wanting to teach English abroad.

Máximo Nivel was a great school the attend. It is very structured to help you succeed. The staff is friendly and kind. The TEFL instructor, Mackenzie is very dedicated. He’s made my experience during TEFL a great experience. He also helped me make my international resume which helped me find a teaching position with the school. The school was such an amazing school that from the moment that I got there it was my dream to work there. The school made that possible! I would recommend this school !

I am so sad to be leaving Cusco and Maximo Nivel. This learning institute is such a warm place, with incredible resources, and very friendly people. I loved the TEFL program and teachers, they were very knowledge with lots of professional teaching experience. My teachers, Wayne, Annabelle and Sean did not hold back from sharing they're expertise and always gave helpful feedback. They were funny and kind. The international office staff and academic office staff were incredibly helpful with whatever resources I needed or confusion I had. Cusco is such an amazing place to be, there is so much culture, the nature and archeology are amazing, and the surrounding towns and cities are lovely. I also loved my Quechua classes, what a unique privilege to learn with Nellie. I can't wait to use my TEFL in another amazing country!

I loved my Maximo Nivel tefl experience. The course is well structured to make learners progress and be better teachers from the get go. Already in week 1, we got to practice teaching techniques with real students.

I wanted to do tefl in person because I felt it would be more motivating and I would get support. This is exactly what I got from my experience. I also think that doing the program with Maximo allowed me to become a better teacher because of the support I had along the way: By the tefl trainers, the other learners, academic directors, etc.. I would recommend this experience to anyone who would love to teach English as a foreign language.

Traveling is usually great, but traveling and coming back with a new skill is better! At the Máximo Nivel TEFL course in Cusco, Peru, I had a terrific time, met some great people, enjoyed the city and all of history and majesty surrounding it. The best thing, however, was the amazing TEFL course itself: wonderful instruction, teaching beginning on the second day with real non-English speaking students, Practical Teaching Week, the extra help that's always available, the dedication of the TEFL team and the support from the entire Institute. Our teachers, Sean and Wayne, were incredibly kind, generous, knowledgeable and experienced. There's a lot of work, but I feel prepared to take my first step and begin a new career as a teacher now, and I can't imagine feeling ready without everything I learned in classes, observations and practical teaching. I cannot emphasize enough how dedicated and professional this course is. If you really want to learn to teach, then go to Máximo Nivel, where they will put you on the path to become the best teacher you can be. I stayed for a few extra weeks and taught classes after my TEFL program ended, and I will be going home from Cusco in April with both an excellent education and real teaching experience. I've fallen in love with my students, and it's hard to imagine that others won't do the same thing.

I cannot recommend the TEFL course at Maximo Nivel in Antigua enough. It has been such a fantastic experience. Challenging yet fun. I have made some great friends, in the classroom and outside of the classroom. The TEFL was taught so well by our TEFL trainer Mackenzie with endless amounts of support and guidance to get us through and prepare us for the teaching world. The school is a wonderful learning environment. All the teachers are great people and offer support themselves. Definitely do it.

Maximo Nivel provides optimum support to not only make the greatest impact possible in my community volunteer experience, but they also provide the best ways possible to experience the culture for both personal enjoyment and growth. I spent a week teaching English in an after-school program for underprivileged children. I believe I had an impact on the children, but they also had a tremendous impact on me. In between the volunteer work, I was able to take in the culture through a coffee plantation tour, a walking tour of San Jose and a Volcano tour, all of which were worth it!