Location
  • Peru
    • Cusco
    • Machu Picchu
Length
150 hours
Training Type
Classroom

Program Details

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

Pricing

Starting Price
1395
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
What's Included
Activities Airport Transfers Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
May 16, 2023
Feb 20, 2024
31 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Become a certified English teacher by earning a TEFL certification with Maximo Nivel in Cusco, Peru. 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.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

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

Ethical 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 Highlights

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

Popular Programs

Hybrid TEFL

The Hybrid TEFL certification program is perfect for people who have less time to travel, but still want the benefit of onsite coaching and in-person practical teaching experience. The Hybrid TEFL is a thorough introduction to Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). During the 150-hour course you study the same modules as the standard, onsite, 4-week TEFL program. You complete the first half of the course through guided self-study online and the second part on site in Cusco.

Program Reviews

4.97 Rating
based on 64 reviews
  • 5 rating 96.88%
  • 4 rating 3.13%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Benefits 4.9
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.35
  • Facilities 4.55
  • Safety 5
  • Instruction 5
  • Support 5
  • Value 4.7
  • Academic Rigor 4.45
  • Job Assistance 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 64 reviews
Default avatar
Izzy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience in Cusco

I’m so glad I decided to study for my TEFL in Cusco!! The city is amazing and feels super safe, full of history and some amazing restaurants and landmarks to see. We were here for carnival and it was so much fun. Sean was the best teacher I have ever had and was so engaging and made every lesson enjoyable for the whole month. It was amazing that we had real life experience with the students and practical teaching lessons twice a week. All of the staff at Maximo are super helpful and the host families are amazing. I can’t recommend Maximo enough and very specifically doing your TEFL here with Sean, he’s the best!!!

What was your funniest moment?
Every lesson and class we had so much fun and laughed the whole way through!!
Pros
  • Making good friends and meeting so many people
  • Becoming qualified and enjoying every moment
Cons
  • The third week is super hard work and intense but worth it!
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing experience

What a life changing experience!! Sean was by far the best teacher I have had, the course was very intense however Sean’s teaching style made everything a bit easier.

For sure the most rewarding experiences I have ever had in one of the most beautiful & safest city’s Iv been too Cusco - Maximo were a pleasure to deal with, very organised and transparent company along with offering an incredible opportunity to teach in your last week of the course along with offering potential roles with them in Cusco, Costa Rica and Guatemala

What was your funniest moment?
Henlee
Pros
  • The people !
  • Sean was incredible
5 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Beth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best decision!

I had done a lot of research into in-person TEFL certification courses before I chose Maximo. Their consistently good ratings are completely deserved. You are teaching actual English students starting in week 1! The Peru TEFL teacher, Sean, is a teacher’s teacher. I learned so much and he really went above and beyond for our entire class. I was really nervous about relearning all that grammar, but it was really Ok. It is a rigorous course, to be sure. I am so happy I chose this course, it was 100% worth the time and money.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I stayed in an Air B&B while completing my TEFL at Maximo Nivel in Peru. As an older student I thought a homestay might be awkward. The Air B&B was a good choice for me.
Pros
  • Teaching my own class the last week.
  • Teaching English learners my first week.
  • The support from the instructor, Sean.
24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madelyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent TEFL Course and Teacher

The TEFL Trainer, Sean, is amazing, and the techniques he teaches truly work and are easily applicable to a classroom setting. This program is especially beneficial because you get hours of practical teaching experience before you graduate. The course is rigorous and not easy, but overall I had a very good experience. The course and knowledgeable teacher can answer every question brought up through an understanding of real-life experience. Outside of the TEFL course itself, Maximo Nivel was able to place me with a wonderful host family to experience the culture of Peru during my time here. Would recommend this program to any age or professional experience level.

Pros
  • Good teaching techniques
  • Hours of practical teaching experience
  • Professional development
19 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing TEFL Month in Cusco at Maximo Nivel

I am so sad to be leaving Cusco and Maximo Nivel. This learning institute is such a warm place, with incredible resources, and very friendly people. I loved the TEFL program and teachers, they were very knowledge with lots of professional teaching experience. My teachers, Wayne, Annabelle and Sean did not hold back from sharing they're expertise and always gave helpful feedback. They were funny and kind. The international office staff and academic office staff were incredibly helpful with whatever resources I needed or confusion I had. Cusco is such an amazing place to be, there is so much culture, the nature and archeology are amazing, and the surrounding towns and cities are lovely. I also loved my Quechua classes, what a unique privilege to learn with Nellie. I can't wait to use my TEFL in another amazing country!

Pros
  • Free coffee all day everyday
  • Practical teaching week in an actual language institute
  • Incredible resources and curriculum design
62 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cusco, Peru TEFL @ Máximo Nivel: Go, do it, you won't regret it

Traveling is usually great, but traveling and coming back with a new skill is better! At the Máximo Nivel TEFL course in Cusco, Peru, I had a terrific time, met some great people, enjoyed the city and all of history and majesty surrounding it. The best thing, however, was the amazing TEFL course itself: wonderful instruction, teaching beginning on the second day with real non-English speaking students, Practical Teaching Week, the extra help that's always available, the dedication of the TEFL team and the support from the entire Institute. Our teachers, Sean and Wayne, were incredibly kind, generous, knowledgeable and experienced. There's a lot of work, but I feel prepared to take my first step and begin a new career as a teacher now, and I can't imagine feeling ready without everything I learned in classes, observations and practical teaching. I cannot emphasize enough how dedicated and professional this course is. If you really want to learn to teach, then go to Máximo Nivel, where they will put you on the path to become the best teacher you can be. I stayed for a few extra weeks and taught classes after my TEFL program ended, and I will be going home from Cusco in April with both an excellent education and real teaching experience. I've fallen in love with my students, and it's hard to imagine that others won't do the same thing.

Pros
  • Academic Rigor: This is NOT an easy course, but it will certainly prepare you to teach. Even if you're retired and starting a new phase of life, you'll be prepared when you graduate.
  • Small classes and personalized attention. There was never a moment when I felt unsupported.
  • Cusco is close to a wealth of historical sites, sacred places and beautiful things to photograph.
Cons
  • People from the US should remember that Cusco is not a US or European city, so the wealth of choices may not always be available. I recommend thinking about this before leaving, so you will be mentally prepared and ready to enjoy.
  • Take some Spanish lessons! Either before your class starts or add a couple of extra weeks after. Máximo offers Spanish classes, and you will need some Spanish if you're going to live in Cusco for at least a month.
  • Showers are not always hot or even warm. But if you have a cold shower, let the international team know and they will fix your situation!
63 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nick
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Legitimate program, great experience

I just finished the 4 week program and it's been a good experience. Cusco has been a great city to live in and I will be staying around to work for Maximo Nivel as a teacher after being certified. The staff is very friendly and there is so much to do and enjoy in Cusco and the rest of Peru. I enjoyed my time in the program and the instructor was very good. Because the course is condensed into 4 weeks there is a lot of work you have to do, especially towards the end. The TEFL certificate is a legitimate international certificate you can use to work anywhere in the world.

Pros
  • legitimate
  • good experience
  • friendly staff
Cons
  • somewhat disorganized
79 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brenna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL - An Amazing Opportunity!

I completed the TEFL course in Cusco, Peru in May of 2022. The experience was absolutely incredible! I was given the flexibility to take half of the course online back home and the in-person portion right after school ended. I was impressed with the instructor, Sean Barter and the way he integrated the ESL techniques to the actual course. He and the staff provided support throughout and after the course. I highly recommend taking the course in-person as you are fully immersed and learn so much by teaching regularly. The feedback and tasks throughout were helpful and provided guidance to continue growing in the course. I highly recommend taking this course. You also have the chance to work in Peru if you choose. Not only do you get to learn but you get to meet new friends and explore the city! Cusco was overall safe and fun with so much to do! Highly recommend Máximo Nivel in Cusco for the TEFL program!

Pros
  • Support
  • Instructor
  • Fun activities
83 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Hello! Our TEFL course is 150 hours total. This includes 100 hours in class, 6 hours observing other teachers, 6-8 hours practical teaching, 37 hours assigned reading, lesson planning, and Grammar Paper and Personal Development Paper. Please note that the course is intensive and tends to be the participants' main priority. Most students find that they dedicate the majority of their day to the...

Here's the link to the website page that breaks down housing by week and price! http://maximonivel.com/tefl-tesol/prices/

You can find all of the program dates here: http://maximonivel.com/tefl-tesol/program-dates/

The cost is $1700 but if you volunteer with the Maximo Nivel program before or after the TEFL course you can receive a $700 discount. Classes are offered once a month and start around the third week of the month.