Maximo Nivel Review

I finished my TEFL course at maximo Nivel in Manuel Antonio two weeks ago and have only positive things to say about the entire program.

Firstly, my housing situation was wonderful. I did the host family option and was set up in an awesome lady’s house. She was lovely and was also a professional chef who ran cooking classes at the school so every meal she made was absolutely delicious. The house was very clean and just a short walk away from the bus stop which took me right outside the institute. My “host mom,” as we call it, demonstrated such patience with me as I came to Costa Rica speaking no English at all. She cleaned the house very often and she was always lenient when I would have to have breakfast/ dinner at a different time due to schooling conflicts.

Next up, the institute itself has the most beautiful scenery and view that I have ever seen at a school. Learning in an environment like this manages to keep the students motivated even when the course got very stressful and difficult. It was also right next door to some awesome cheap places to get food during the day. I probably ate at the 1000 colones pizza place right next door at least 20 times during my one month course. The open concept layout created such a warm and welcoming environment and made the work not seem like work at all. The many dogs that would be constantly walking around the institute was an awesome bonus.

It was incredible having such awesome workers in the school who were constantly checking in to make sure we were doing well and had everything we needed to be successful. Karen, DJ, and Valeria were some of the kindest people I’ve met so far in Costa Rica and that is saying a lot considering how friendly everyone is here. I felt extremely supported by the staff here and they helped me with everything I needed.

Starting this program as a 20 year old, I was extremely nervous to come as I thought I wouldn’t be able to connect with my classmates because of the age differences. That is honestly hilarious to think about that now because this group has become my second family. There is a 30 year age gap between me and the oldest person in the class, but I created such a deep and special bond with each and every one of my classmates, many of who I know I’ll be friends with for life. I’m currently travelling through South America with two of my friends that I made in the class. I seriously could not have asked for a better group of people to spend every moment of this month with. We laughed together, struggled together, partied together, and I watched every single person turn into a wonderful ESL teacher in such a short time period. My advice to anyone debating getting TEFL certified with maximo… you’re never too young, and you’re never too old to do this program. Everyone shares the same goal and you’ll all come out as best friends in the end.

The last and most important person I would like to discuss is my incredible TEFL trainer, Jackie. Jackie finds a way to keep 11 adults motivated and engaged in a classroom for 7 hours a day when the sunny, beautiful beach is just minutes away. She is kind, caring, sweet, intelligent, motivating, fun, hardworking, passionate, committed, and every other adjective that describes a perfect teacher. She teaches in the same way that she teaches us to teach in our ESL classrooms, so we’re constantly engaged to good habits and she managed to turn us all into teachers in one month. She is certainly loud and intense at times, but it is always in the best interest of her students. She truly cares about us so much and created a very warm and friendly environment for us all to grow as friends, as teachers, and as people overall. Anyone who has the privilege of getting TEFL certified from Jackie is in for a real treat.

Thank you for everything Maximo🎉🎉🎉