Program Reviews

This was an excellent TEFL certification course overall! The first two weeks were quite relaxed, allowing students to gradually adjust to the teaching concepts and methodology. However, the final two weeks became extremely intensive - expect back-to-back assignments, lesson planning tasks, and teaching practicum preparations. While challenging, the workload ensures you're fully prepared for real classroom teaching. Our instructor was fantastic - patient, engaging, and always available to clarify doubts. The course materials were comprehensive and practical. Just be warned: you'll need strong time management skills during those final weeks. Despite the intensity, I finished feeling confident in my teaching abilities.. Definitely worth the effort for anyone serious about teaching English abroad!

I highly recommend the TEFL course with Maximo Nivel in Cusco to anyone considering teaching English abroad. The program is exceptionally well-organized and offers a comprehensive mix of theory and practical application. Sean Barter and the entire Maximo Nivel team are professional, trustworthy, and genuinely committed to the success of their student teachers. Their hands-on approach, constructive feedback, and supportive environment make it an ideal place to train. You’ll leave feeling confident, prepared, and inspired.

The online course was engaging and thorough, and I feel truly prepared me to start teaching. I had to create a variety of different lesson plans and even write a research paper on a grammar topic. I was able to pace myself and complete the work in the evenings after my full-time job.

As a math teacher, there is a lot that was transferable from my experience, and there was even more that I needed to unlearn. My trainer, Sean, was very patient and helpful, as I navigated this new discipline. He gave me actionable feedback and helped me to improve after each lesson I taught during my practical teaching experience.

Volunteering in Antigua, Guatemala for two weeks with Maximo Nivel was an unforgettable experience. I worked in a local school, helping children with English and daily activities. The staff at Maximo Nivel were incredibly supportive, and the cultural immersion was both eye-opening and rewarding. Antigua’s charm, combined with the meaningful work, made every day fulfilling. I left feeling inspired, grateful, and connected to a beautiful community. Please please do this even if you’re on the fence!

I participated in this program to try something new and learn more about Latin American culture. I btw am learning Spanish and am barely conversational - at all times, I was able to get help when I needed it.

I had a wonderful experience and time teaching English to children in the the village of San Juan del Obispo. This is a village I would never found /visited on my own,

If you are looking to expand your frame of reference/world view, I would highly recommend a Maximo Nivel volunteer experience. Just be prepared to go with the flow and get out of your comfort zone.

I recently completed my TEFL course and I have to say, it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The content was well-structured and covered everything I needed to feel confident in the classroom—from grammar and lesson planning to classroom management and teaching strategies.

What really made the course stand out, though, was my tutor. He was incredibly supportive, always available to answer questions, and continued to offer guidance even after I completed the course. I felt genuinely encouraged throughout the process.

This course gave me the foundation I needed and more. I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of teaching English abroad or online!

I am incredibly happy I chose complete my TEFL at Maximo. I not only learned so much, but was able to practice and receive feedback while completing the course. Christina was one of the best teachers I have ever had, in any type of school. The amount of care and thoughtfulness she puts not only into her lesson plans, but into her students was immeasurable. Christina always did, and continues to care about my growth and offers support emotionally and professionally. I don’t think I would’ve been properly prepared to teach in a foreign country without her and Maximo’s guidance. Everyone from my teachers, the international staff and academic staff played a positive role in my pursuit to be TEFL certified.

This was such a life changing experience that had a big impact on me. The staff was incredible and bender over backwards for us. They were super helpful with translating and giving us the tools we needed to succeed! Each of the cities we went to had a different experience that I was able to learn from. Additionally, the communities were grateful for our help and I will never forget it. I would recommend Maximo Nivel to anyone that is looking for a well organized and thoughtful volunteer program.

Having been to other countries here in Central America to observe differences in healthcare, I think being in Guatemala was the most fulfilling experience because I got to interact with the communities and the people and understand their backgrounds while also using the skills I have to help them to the best of my ability. I really think it also helped me work on my communication skills with patients as I know that will be extremely important when I enter the medical field. I also enjoyed working with other people for collaboration.

I have never taken a course or class where I applied everything that I was learning. It has been a good experience. I feel that I am prepared to teach an English class. The practical teaching was very helpful to make the idea of teaching a class not seem so daunting. I really enjoyed getting to teach adults and help people learn as I learned myself.

We practiced the techniques that we were being taught, as well as preparing for future jobs through job hunting advice that was helpful. Understanding the world ESL program and what they look like in different countries was helpful.