TEFL Certification with Guaranteed Job Placement in Costa Rica

TEFL Certification with Guaranteed Job Placement in Costa Rica

Location
  • Costa Rica
    • San José
    • Playa Blanca
Length
150 hours
Training Type
Classroom

Program Details

Teaching Practicum
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Certifications
TEFL TESOL
Housing
Apartment Host Family Hotel

Pricing

Price Details
Airport pick-up
Program and safety orientation
Walking tour
Official TEFL Certificate
Letter of recommendation
Lifetime job-finding assistance
Tandem Conversation Program
Office-wide WiFi and computer lab
Salsa dance classes
Cooking classes
Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
Institute is open 7 days/week
Emergency contact number 24/7
Lifetime Job Finding Assistance
What's Included
Activities Airport Transfers Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Oct 07, 2025
Jul 02, 2026
61 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Become a certified English teacher by earning a TEFL certification with Maximo Nivel on the beach in Manuel Antonio. TEFL Certification is your passport to living and working as English teacher anywhere else in the world!

The 4-week/150-hour certification program includes more than 15 hours of practical English teaching and observation of experienced teachers.

The TEFL Program consists of 14 modules:
1. Approaches to Learning & Teaching
2. Critical ESL Techniques
3. Class Management
4. Lesson Planning
5. English Grammar Review 1
6. English Grammar Review 2
7. Teaching Grammar
8. Teaching Vocabulary
9. Teaching English with Games
10. Teaching Speaking & Writing
11. Teaching Listening & Reading
12. Assessing Learners
13. Introduction to International English Exams
14. Practical Teaching

Maximo Nivel is internationally accredited and the Maximo Nivel TEFL Certificate is accepted by institutes, language schools, and universities around the world.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This TEFL program in Manuel Antonio offers intensive, hands-on training with passionate instructors who provide strong support and job assistance.

Program Highlights

  • Accredited certification accepted worldwide
  • 15 hours of practical teaching and observation
  • Teach real ESL classes
  • Guaranteed Job Placement
  • Lifetime job-finding assistance

Travel Grants Available for a Limited Time!

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

At Maximo Nivel, we deeply value diversity in all its forms. We maintain an open-minded approach, recognizing the significance of varied perspectives, intelligent discourse, and the transformative power of a positive mindset. We warmly welcome and respect individuals from all backgrounds, irrespective of politics, gender, gender identity, age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Whether it’s volunteering, Spanish immersion, TEFL certification, international internships, university courses, or GAP year experiences, members of the LGBTQIA+ community are wholeheartedly invited to participate in our programs.

Impact 🌎

At Maximo Nivel, we work in close partnership with our local communities in Latin America to ensure that volunteer projects align with genuine local needs, fostering meaningful and relevant impact. We emphasize sustainable initiatives designed for enduring change, rather than short-term interventions. By promoting cultural sensitivity, we facilitate enriching exchanges rooted in mutual respect, and our commitment to local employment further integrates and supports the communities we serve.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 268 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.4%
  • 4 rating 5.6%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Benefits 4.9
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.25
  • Facilities 4.3
  • Safety 4.7
  • Instruction 4.95
  • Support 5
  • Value 4.8
  • Academic Rigor 4.6
  • Job Assistance 4.8
Showing 145 - 152 of 268 reviews
Zoe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience!

The TEFL course through Maximo in Costa Rica was one of the best experiences for me. Audra was incredible and made the course engaging and enjoyable. She taught bus so much in such little time, my classmates and I got stressed a few times, but Audra helped us to feel overwhelmed. Audra did a great job of making sure all of the students accomplished all the work and pushed us to be great teachers.When I finished the course I felt very confident in teaching and knew I would be able to find an amazing job doing what I am inspired to do.

One of my favorite memories from this course would be getting extremely close to the other students in my class and making life long friends. We struggled through and stressed about the course together, but we also finished and graduated the course together, which was such an amazing feeling to graduate TEFL with your new best friends. I never would have thought I'd get so close and share such amazing memories going to the beach and going to class with people I've only known for a month. Overall, this was one of the best experiences of my life and I couldn't have asked for anything different!

109 people found this review helpful.
Abigail
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Time of my life

TEFL through Maximo in Costa Rica was a life changer for me. My teacher, Audra, was incredible. She was extremely engaging and made the class not only fun, but we learned SO much, I read the reviews that said to be prepared for a lot of intense work – but even knowing that, the class at times felt like a roller-coaster. Through it all, Audra did a great job of affirming the students in her course, and also pushing us to see that we could do the work and be successful. I finished the course, and came out feeling like I had learned as much about what I could achieve as I felt confident in teaching. I am already using the certification to teach in a TEFL classroom in Costa Rica, and it is through what I learned from Audra that I am doing so well with my students.

Also, the location and setting of Maximo in Manuel Antonio was incredible. The people at Maximo and around the town were friendly and helpful. The scenery and wildlife were breathtaking – from oceans to monkeys to mountains to waterfalls, I felt like I was in a little paradise.

109 people found this review helpful.
Kathryn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing!

This course completely changed the direction of teaching I want to go in. I have an elementary certification and always thought that I would want to teach children, however after teaching ESL and teaching adults I realize how rewarding and exciting this area of education is. The course itself is fun and engagin and I learned SO MUCH. Audra is an amazing instructor and gives amazing feedback to ensure that we are prepared to teach once the course is over. I initially thought that sitting in a classroom for 8 hours in a day would be overwhelming considering I haven't been in school for a long time, however the time flew by everyday! I just finish this course last month and I'm so excited to start applying for ESL teaching jobs and travel the world. Thank you Audra and thank you Maximo nivel!

109 people found this review helpful.
Heather
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Serious Fun

This class was far more in-depth and effective than I could have ever imagined. While I did get a chance to enjoy the beach and rainforest, this was an intensive course that prepared me to teach English language learners. I already hold a master's degree in education, and I have about a decade's experience working in schools. But this course taught me techniques I've never before even touched upon. Audra is an incredible trainer. Her energy is unmatched, as are her wit and ingenuity. She and her assistant, Nicole, take the time to meet with trainees individually on a regular basis. She was incredibly clear about what she needed from us in terms of our assignments and practical teaching, and more importantly, she knew what we needed to do to best teach our learners. Finally, she made the course fun! If you are having trouble deciding where to get your TEFL certificate, the team at Manuel Antonio is the one to work with. Plus, the view from the school is beautiful (Pacific Ocean and mountains)--a toucan flew right up to me while I was on the school's patio! I can't believe this course was only four weeks long; it was such an immersive experience.

100 people found this review helpful.
Grant
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great course

I had a really good time in manuel antonio. The course isnt easy, and you will spend lots of time doing work on assignments, leason plans, and teaching prep, but it is worth it. The course gives you 2 three day weekends we used to travel, and on other weekends hungout around the town or at the beautiful beaches/natural parks. Our instructor Audra was a blast, and really fun person who kept the class fun, interesting, but also laid back. She understood that this experience is about fun too! Overall, had a great time and will miss manuel antonio. If you want the best burger in town, go to the burger joint next to express burrito. Fabian will hook it up with an ultra.

What would you improve about this program?
Maybe more free time for traveling
95 people found this review helpful.
Shaefer
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFLawless Month!

I enrolled in the TEFL certification course as a way to travel after college. But I ended up learning so much in just four, short weeks. For anybody interested in TEFL, Maximo Nivel in Manuel Antonio is the place to do it. The staff is amazing and Audra, the instructor, is the best! The class is challenging, mainly because of the great view from the building. There is a lot of work involved but you will have free time to enjoy the beach too.

91 people found this review helpful.
Shaefer
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I am leaving a smarter person

This month has been amazing and I learned more than I ever thought possible. I came in with little knowledge about TEFL and teaching and I am leaving with so much new information. I am blessed to have spent the month with Audra absorbing all of the new information and then the opportunity to have a week of practical teaching was amazing. The people that I spent the course with made everything so fun, even grammar week, and taking the course while in the jungle of Costa Rica was a huge bonus.

88 people found this review helpful.
Natalie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I had the time of my life! And I owe it all to them.

This course was very challenging but so worth it. It was a crazy four weeks but I learned so much. The staff is amazing and the environment is so welcoming. Even during rainy season in Costa Rica, they kept us busy with activities and opportunities to do fun things. I have truly enjoyed my time here in this tiny tropical jungle of a town. I made so many connections here and they will last a lifetime. I can't wait to see where life and TEFL will take me.

What would you improve about this program?
They are currently updated their textbooks and teacher references and supplies and I think this alone will vastly improve the program and how they teach English.
105 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Apart from what the others have already suggested, I would also advise that any travel you intend on doing, you are prepared to leave until you've finished or to start beforehand. Manuel Antonio is a beautiful place, and you will certainly have beach time. But don't be fooled! The classes are intensive and require outside-the-classroom prep time. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks so much for your reply. I'd love if you could connect me with them! I'm going to be studying at Maximo in January 2017 and am very keen to teach :)

I would definitely recommend a laptop. You'll need it to work on assignments and lesson plans out of class. The building can get pretty hot, so being able to relocate to cooler locations is a must. Regarding clothes, I wore decent shorts and collared shirts for the classes. For interviews, I would recommend something more business casual.

The cost of the program varies by location and what type of stay you prefer (apartment, hostel, or homestay). I have added a link to the estimated program costs below that you may find helpful. In general, the cost will be somewhere between $2000-$2500, not including your flight. http://www.maximonivel.com/tefl-tesol/prices/