Program Reviews

I had an AMAZING experience during the TEFL course at Maximo Nivel in Antigua, Guatemala!

I came to Guatemala on vacation and had not wanted a job so that I could decompress and reflect. However, a week and a half before the course started I fell into a teaching position somewhat arbitrarily. I hadn't yet volunteered in Guatemala so I felt that teaching achieved this because of the difference in pay that I had been accustomed to.

I had also wanted to apply myself to some activity, have fun, and contribute to society. After a week of teaching English for the first time, the administrators told me that I needed a TEFL certification. This course allowed me to achieve these goals!

I decided to take the TEFL course at the last minute and I'm very glad that I did! Karen Wilke was my instructor and she proved to be the best teacher that I've had in my life. That's saying quite a lot given that I'm 39 and have had many academic and professional instructors.

Karen had an excellent blend of "art and science" and she helped me draw ideas from her varying methods to develop a hybrid teaching approach of my own.

Karen also made the course fun, which was essential given it's rigorous nature. Several of us students said that we would have been completely miserable if the course hadn't been fun.

I spent 5 weeks in Manuel Antonio volunteering with Maximo Nivel. I did both the Teaching English project and the childcare project and found them both an amazing and rewarding experience. Getting to know the locals in this way opened my eyes to a new culture and feeling like I was helping the lives of these kids was my reason for coming. With the English teaching, you are set up in a classroom with support from other volunteers that ran the class with you, it was an awesome way to bond with the other volunteers because we researched and planned the lessons together. Similar with the childcare, there were three volunteers and we would often split up with the kids and do different activities. The girls at Maximo Nivel were super helpful and accommodating with any query or concern I had and getting to know them was a highlight of the trip.

Coming to Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel turned out to be more than I thought it would. When I had decided to move abroad, I always told people I was leaving to work on my Spanish and to take a break from the US politics of education. What I didn't expect was to gain an additional set of skills and strategies that would forever change my life as an educator. For the first time in years, I was given real time, critical feedback about my teaching. Additionally, I was receiving a personalized style of learning and guidance from Maximo Nivel. My TEFL instructor, Audra, has been a professional mentor to me and also a personal guide to learning how to thrive down here.

The course was rigorous - come prepared to work! I knew what to expect at all times, they guided me in finding a job by helping me to build a resume and make connections, they also hosted weekly free events and I received a tandem at no price from Quepos to practice my Spanish.

Without Maximo or this course, I would not have been able to land on my feet here. Thank you!

Volunteering with children for 5 weeks in the beautiful Costa Rica has got to be one of the best things I've ever done. I made lifelong friends through Maximo Nivel and will never forget the amazing memories I made in such a beautiful tropical rainforest with a vibrant, unique culture. Travelling from Zimbabwe, I had never spoken Spanish, so was completely thrown in the deep end but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Being fully immersed in a culture has to be the best way of exploring and learning a new language. I was so lucky to have a lovely, kind - hearted family looking after me (who I know I will continue to stay in contact with) and a house full of volunteers & Spanish students from all corners of the world whom I can call best friends. I was so lucky to work with special children from all walks of life, making saying goodbye to them very hard. If anyone is thinking of doing this, I whole - heartedly recommend stepping outs of your comfort zone and embracing a different way of life.

First off, I have to make it clear that I went into this program blind. Being in my final year of undergrad, with graduation fast approaching, where I wanted to go in the future seemed so up in the air and this seemed like an impulse thought on a quick fix hoping something would come out of it...and boy did it. This course was so much more than I thought it was going to be, in the best way possible. This course challenged me and showed me who I am as a teacher, where my strengths and weakness lie, and gave me the opportunity to see if teaching English is something I truly want to pursue (which, now more than ever, it is). Our teacher, Audra, is by far the best instructor I've ever had for any course I've been enrolled in. She is charismatic, outgoing, and whole-heartedly cares about the growth and success of her students - such a refreshing change for once. The staff at Maximo Nivel are exceptional at their jobs and are sweetest group of people. If you are looking at where to enrol, I'd say Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Who wouldn't want to stare out at the beautiful views every morning at school or be less than 5 minutes away from one of the world's most beautiful beaches?

Some things, however, to note: Our host family spoke 0 English, so communication with them was very difficult. I thought that our host family would know some English due to having previous students stay with them, however, this was not the case. So, if you know some Spanish, that is fantastic! As well, during the course, you are provided with the best support (from Audra especially) in finding a job as soon as you graduate. If I did not have to head back for my last year of undergrad, this is something I would have pounced on (keep in mind, Audra keeps in contact with us so even in the future when we are looking for a job, she is there to help!). Also note, course work isn't quick and easy! You'll definitely have your down time for the first 2 weekends, however, prepare to be very busy for the following ones, so don't plan any excursions before hand! In terms of bus fare home (specific to those looking into Manuel Antonio), if you have a flight in the morning, the last bus ride to San Jose (about 3 hours away from Manuel Antonio) is 4pm the day before (the first one to leave in the morning is at 5 am, however, our flight was at 11am but there was a high chance that it could be delayed as it is a public bus and we could have missed our plane). If you have a flight in the morning, you will have to take the 4pm bus ride the day before and stay the night in San Jose (this is something me and my roommate wished we had known before hand as we already paid for a night in a hotel room in Manuel Antonio only to have to leave the day before, losing out on about $200 as we also had to spend a night at a hotel in San Jose). These are just a few things I wished I had seen just before heading off to embark on this amazing experience!

Other than that, if you are on the fence about getting your TEFL certificate through Maximo Nivel, just do it! This course compared to an online TEFL certificate is like no other and will exceed your expectations, I promise you. It will be the best choice you make!

The TEFL course is truly amazing. Although there is a decent amount of work, it is a lot of fun and the weeks will fly by! The course content is organized and you will leave with valuable skills you will use when teaching abroad. With 5 hours of practical teaching experience, you are able to become confident as a teacher and use the feedback given to grow. Audra is an amazing instructor. She teaches the content well, is encouraging, gives useful feedback and is always willing to help you succeed. Perfect course for young people who aren’t sure where they want to go or what they want to do. If you want to travel on a budget, this course is a great stepping stone to visit many countries while teaching English. Don’t worry, you will not leave disappointed.

I loved my experience with Maximo Nivel, I felt like I was really immersed into the culture and the town where I lived. Our host mom was such an amazing cook who taught me her recipes so I could practice at home for my family! The other volunteers in my house became my best friends and amazing adventure buddies. As far as my project goes, it was my first time teaching English abroad after being certified and it was an incredible experience working with all ages and skill levels. I got really close with all my students and found it very hard to leave after making such progress with them. Living by the beach and exploring the parks were also an amazing way to spend my free time. Anyone who is interested in practicing their Spanish while living in and learning about another culture, should experience Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel!

I have never traveled outside of the United States, and I was a bit anxious yet very excited about this trip. I was very impressed with the staff and accommodation, everyone is very understanding, helpful and kind here. There is a staff member that brings you to your placement, shows/tells you everything you need to know and I felt very confident in what I was doing. My host family is super welcoming, despite the small language barrier, that did not stop us from enjoying my experience. My advice: live in the moment, step outside your comfort zone, take each opportunity that comes to you, and make the most of this experience.I have never traveled outside of the United States, and I was a bit anxious yet very excited about this trip. I was very impressed with the staff and accommodation, everyone is very understanding, helpful and kind here. There is a staff member that brings you to your placement, shows/tells you everything you need to know and I felt very confident in what I was doing. My host family is super welcoming, despite the small language barrier, that did not stop us from enjoying my experience. My advice: live in the moment, step outside your comfort zone, take each opportunity that comes to you, and make the most of this experience.

Before I came here I was really nervous and had not done anything like this before, so it was all new to me. From when I first arrived until the end of my program the staff at Maximo were really supportive and helped in any way that they could. On your first day at your project, one of the field managers will come with you and introduce you to the staff and children, so you're not thrown into the deep end. Overall. I had the most amazing experience here and I highly recommend Maximo Nivel. Before I came here I was really nervous and had not done anything like this before, so it was all new to me. From when I first arrived until the end of my program the staff at Maximo were really supportive and helped in any way that they could. On your first day at your project, one of the field managers will come with you and introduce you to the staff and children, so you're not thrown into the deep end. Overall. I had the most amazing experience here and I highly recommend Maximo Nivel.

Costa Rica is an amazing location to obtain the TEFL certification. The friendships that one makes with their fellow classmates are unforgettable and long-lasting. Sometimes I asked myself if all of the TEFL classes became as tight knit as our particular class had become. Everyone in our class meshed really well and I felt a different type of connection with each student and with each teacher. It is impossible not to feel proud of your classmates when you see how much they have grown from that first day of class. The times of vulnerability, stress, and triumph create and unforgettable experience amongst the class. There were only positive vibes here! I do not know if it was because of the wonderful people or because of the positive rainforest energy in Manuel Antonio.