Program Reviews

I have been in the ESL field for many years and joined this four-week in-class course with this amazing instructor. The TEFL-ers came from different countries and different backgrounds. Our instructor was fun and full of knowledge and he guided us gently on a road full of exciting techniques to improve our STT in our classrooms. I've always had a great rapport with my students, but now I have learned to increase my STT to a higher level and the results are amazing. My students love the new techniques I've learned and I feel proud and happy after each class! Well done Maximo, and thank you for making me a better teacher!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Maximo Nivel taking the TEFL course. We had a lot of good times in class. There was lots of laughter and conversation. Sean was the best trainer, teaching by example, always there to help us, super supportive and encouraging. He is an excellent teacher and I learned a whole lot more than I ever thought I would. I'm forever grateful for the good memories and practical ESL teaching skills I gained at Maximo Nivel. I'm also grateful for their continued support in finding the right ESL teaching jobs. I know I can always count on them to help me find the right job.

Maximo Nivel's On-site TEFL course is so enriching! The course is challenging and so valuable. The TEFL trainers are highly trained and experienced ESL teachers and will teach you all the skills you have to have to be an excellent ESL teacher while using these same skills during your classes to teach you. Ever since the first few days practical teaching experience was present on the curriculum of the course and you experience teaching according to the EFL methodology. Lewis Murphy is an excellent trainer and all the people at Maximo Nivel are just as excellent, from Karen, the director, to all the people working at the front desk and all the staff. If you are serious about being an ESL teacher and want to be challenged and become the best teacher you can be, Maximo Nivel is the way to go!

Going to Costa Rica for the TEFL course has been one of the best decisions of my life so far. And the facilities here are absolutely life-saving, especially during the practical teaching week. The pool and cafeteria area are the best places to hang out during your break between classes. You can get a tan, and have some laughs with friends you make within the institute! Within Maximo Nivel, there are other programs that invite volunteers to also hang out! The staff helps accommodate your commute to and from the airport and they also assist with your living arrangements! Traveling abroad for an English teaching course can be scary but with the staff's support and the best instructor there is, you're in great hands coming here. Come and enjoy yourself and live the Pura Vida lifestyle while getting a really useful certificate that can help change not only your life but non-native speakers as well.

I love Maximo Nivel!

Before I began my TEFL journey, I had high expectations. When I discovered the course, I was learning Spanish for three months at the same institute and had never heard of the certification beforehand. After hearing about it, I only knew it was a teaching certification. But, throughout the three months, I had friends and peers come and go as they had completed the course and I learned more. I heard about the difficulties and triumphs, some of the material they were learning, and how they all seemed to earn the certification at the end of the month.

During my second month, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and volunteer with the institute teaching English at a rehabilitation home. Throughout my three weeks of volunteering, I grew a passion for teaching. I loved how fulfilled I had felt afterwards and more importantly how I had positively affected the people I was teaching English to. I wanted to teach English more. Once my volunteering and Spanish program was completed I decided to follow my friends and get my TEFL certification.

After taking the course I felt confident in my abilities to teach and I had learned crucial teaching techniques, methodologies, and skills that have helped me become a teacher and effectively teach English and make an impact on my students.

Over my time at Maximo Nivel, I have gotten to know the amazing staff, new friends, and the fantastic facilities. I feel like I can call Maximo Nivel Manuel Antonio, home. I will miss it very much.

I loved my time here! I met wonderful people and learned so much. The teacher created an engaging classroom and supported us through our course load. I have gained so much confidence in teaching. I learned many new techniques in teaching English as a second language. I was able to teach group classes to wonderful locals around the area. I am excited for a new job opportunity where I can practice my new techniques. I have been staying with a host family in a student residency. I was able to live with a classmate which helped us motivate and support each other.

This was a huge decision for me, trying to decide what TEFL course to take. I researched this as much as I could, but in the end you just have to decide. Well I chose absolutely right with Maximo Nivel- their 150-hour TEFL course was an incredible experience, and just as they promised, they placed me in a TEFL job in Costa Rica, starting about two weeks after the course ended! I didn't have to start working this soon after the course but I wanted to. Maximo Nivel was great from the very beginning- the first person I spoke to on the phone was extremely knowledgeable and answered all my questions. You should absolutely research this choice thoroughly, as there is a real range of program quality. But I can tell you this program is absolutely top quality!

I enjoyed my time in the TEFL course, specifically my instructor Lewis, he made the whole course engaging, fun and memorable. I feel like I am now confident and given all the resources I need to flourish as an English teacher! I jumped off a waterfall, I seen monkeys, I had an awesome time with my roommate. My class had 9 students in it and every single one brought something awesome to the table. We shared so many laughs and have memories that will last for a lifetime. I also enjoyed our rooms which had AC.

I found this to be a very rewarding experience all around. The host family I was set up with made me feel right at home, the staff at the school were very friendly and were incredibly helpful during the rigorous course Maximo Nivel had to offer. During the course, you get to get real experience teaching the locals and meeting some amazing people during the month you stay in Quepos. The school itself was incredibly nice, it was always very clean and well-kept, and they offered constant assistance for anything you may need. The pool was a wonderful surprise coming to the schools as well. I recommend to anyone looking to further their education in a new country, to consider Maximo Nivel.

A great and rewarding experience with amazing staff, peers, students, and teachers. I stayed with a sweet family with children and grandchildren. My host mom was named Carmen who lived about 15 minutes walking from the institute. She was helpful, friendly, and I loved her food :). The school was comfortable with everything we may need to become a teacher. I loved coming to school every morning, drinking the coffee, and chatting with the staff. There were also lots of students taking Spanish classes who I made friends with. I had an overall great experience!