Program Reviews

I loved the activities provided, from the salsa to the cooking classes! I also thought the staff were lovely, and I had a very good time spending time in the city. The volunteering was wonderful, and I had a lovely time hanging out with the other volunteers. In the evenings, I really enjoyed going out with the others, and it was always super super easy to find new people to hang out with. I would recommend the experience to a mate for sure - I had a very good time, and will miss everyone at Maximo very much

I had a great experience with the Maximo Nivel Online TEFL Course. I completed it in 3 months and I thought the content was engaging and excellent at teaching lesson planning. I enjoyed all of the classroom observation exercises and my favorite parts were writing the grammar paper and the online practical teaching with students from Peru, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

The biggest reason I would recommend this online course is because you receive an advisor and up to 10 hours of "1 on 1" support. Having a live person to connect to while completing a self-paced online course was EVERYTHING and helped keep me motivated to keep going and finish the course. Also, having Sean there was really invaluable during the practical teaching segment, when I was feeling anxious and needed the most support, coaching, and feedback.

I very much enjoyed completing my TEFL course with Maximo Nivel. There are many providers out there, but this is simply one of the best. Right from the start, I was thoroughly impressed with the support provided by Maximo. The administration was faultless and I was very impressed with the quality of the on-line teaching materials. Feedback on-line is prompt and helpful and I felt well prepared for my practical experience in Antigua. The support whilst teaching was excellent and I was so impressed with the professionalism of both Claudia and Sean as tutors. They have both given me so much good advice and prepared me well for teaching English both on-line and abroad. Thank you to the whole team!

My experience has been incredibly enriching, meaningful, and a lot of fun! The volunteering work through the “Construction and Renovation Program” exceeded my expectations. Proyecto Abraham is an inspiring and ambitious initiative, and I feel truly proud and grateful to have contributed to its mission. The people I’ve met—both volunteers and locals—have been absolutely amazing, making it incredibly hard to say goodbye after just two weeks. I’ve learned so much, created unforgettable memories, and formed real connections. Costa Rica has definitely captured my heart, and I already know I’ll be coming back very soon!

Maximo Nivel offers the opportunity to take a hybrid course, with two weeks in person and two weeks online at your own pace, or four weeks in person. I chose Cusco, Peru for its proximity to Machu Picchu and Maximo Nivel’s mini adventure program. I also wanted to be immersed in the Spanish Language. I chose a personal room accommodation with a host family. This allowed me to live in the community and learn how to get around Cusco. Maximo Nivel’s staff puts your safety as a priority. They are always available for support. Traveling solo in a new part of the world, these were things I really appreciated. The TEFL program was excellent. The online curriculum was easy to navigate and informative. My instructor, Sean Barter, was an excellent teacher. I received clear instruction and helpful feedback. The hands on practical teaching was invaluable for preparing me to teach English as a Foreign Language.

I recently completed the TEFL course at Maximo Nivel in Quepos, Costa Rica, and I can’t speak highly enough about the experience. It was one of the most rigorous and rewarding academic programs I’ve ever taken part in. The coursework was intense, covering a wide range of essential teaching strategies, grammar knowledge, and classroom management skills. Our instructor was phenomenal—engaging, clear, and genuinely invested in our success. What made the experience even more special was the warmth and kindness of everyone I encountered, from my fellow trainees to the local community. This program truly prepared me to teach English with confidence, and I would recommend it to anyone serious about teaching abroad.

The TEFL program at Maximo Nivel was an amazing program. While the course was extremely intense, I highly recommend it. Lewis, our instructor, was absolutely amazing. His knowledge was only surrpassed by his personality. Come to Costa Rica and do this course!

This class really changed my view of how to teach. I have been a teacher for more than a decade but this course has really opened my eyes to how to be a better teacher. The students we worked with were all amazing and the practical teaching experience was so fulfilling.

I loved the TEFL program with Lewis. He prepares you well for practical teaching with English learners. The program is intensive but engaging and enjoyable. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to teach English. There were a lot of opportunities to teach real students during the course. We had a lot of fun as a group, and it made a full day of classes bearable. This class will give you the most effective way to teach English as a second language. Maximo is also super helpful with housing and many other things necessary to take the class.

The site was great! The kids were welcoming and eager to learn and the teachers were helpful, we had a great time 😊 the baby room was a bit overwhelmingly. Don’t be afraid to talk to the kids and jump in to help if you think you can help with something. The home stay was comfortable and the family was welcoming and accommodating. At least a basic level of Spanish is helpful. There are some great Italian restaurants in town, try el ancor. If you’re looking for souvenirs, eñe is a nice shop near el parque national.

I took the 4-week TEFL course with Maximo Nivel, and it was amazing. I learned SO much in a short period of time and I got practical teaching experience with real, paying clients. My trainer, Karen, was the best part of this program. She is full of knowledge and experience and high energy. She helped me with any questions I had, stayed with me before class, and after class, and was a huge supporter. I am very grateful to have had this experience at Maximo.

I also took private Spanish lessons, which Maximo was good at accommodating my busy schedule so that I could do both. My teacher Sandra was great. She’s so funny and easy to talk to. I am missing Maximo Antigua already.