Costa Rica In-Person TEFL Course

Class Hours: Students should expect to be present at the school for the majority of the day from Monday through Friday. During this time, you will engage in grammar instruction, discussions on teaching methodology, and learn about various teaching activities applicable to ESL classrooms. Additionally, you’ll have opportunities to work on your lesson plans and receive guidance and feedback from your trainers.

Student teaching sessions are scheduled in the afternoons and evenings, depending on the day. Throughout the course, you will conduct a total of six teaching sessions. You will receive your practicum schedule on the first day of class.

Class Assignments: Alongside attending classes and participating in student teaching, you will be assigned various homework tasks, including creating lesson plans, reflections, essays, quizzes, and written assignments.

As for sightseeing, due to the intensive nature of the schedule, it’s advisable to plan most of your sightseeing either before or after the course. However, there is a tour available on the Sunday preceding Day 1 of the course, and you will have the opportunity to visit the beach during the first weekend of the course.

ALUMNI TIP: “Keep up with the readings, assignments, and lesson planning. Make the most of the provided time so that you won’t find yourself trying to catch up on weekends (as I did during the second week). You don’t want to feel stressed throughout your time in Costa Rica.”

Yes, we teach all the verb tenses and important grammatical structures in the course. For those who haven’t studied grammar extensively, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with grammar concepts, especially verb tenses and parts of speech, before the course starts. We highly recommend completing the Grammar Module before the first day of class and conducting additional grammar review on your own. 

Tip from a graduate: “Focus on grammar, stay engaged, and make the most of this fantastic opportunity. The instructors are ready to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them!”

The Practical Teaching classes include ESL students from the local community, spanning a wide spectrum from at-risk teenagers to working professionals with different English proficiency levels.

Alumni Advice: “It’s certainly intense, but it’s incredibly worthwhile. The extra day given on the first weekend is there for a reason, so make sure to use it. And consider taking part in the pre-course trip they offer the day before the program starts. It’s a great way to meet people in advance and ease any first-day jitters.”

Here are the technology requirements for the course:

• Laptop: Students must have a laptop with a minimum of 4 hours of battery life. Tablets, Chromebooks, and mobile devices are not suitable replacements for a computer.
• Flash Drive: Students should have a flash drive that is compatible with their computer.
• Zoom: Some classes will be conducted virtually via Zoom to help students prepare for virtual teaching.
• Word Processing Software: It’s important to have reliable word processing software on your computer, such as Microsoft Word. Assignments can also be submitted in PDF format.
• Google Drive: It’s recommended to be proficient in using Google Drive as you’ll want to save your assignments there rather than just on your computer’s desktop. If you’re not familiar with Google Drive, you can find a quick tutorial, as well as many others, on YouTube.

Before you arrive, make sure to read up and gather information about the course and Costa Rica. 

Start preparing your resume materials in advance, like updating contact info and talking to your references. This will make the process smoother when you’re here.

While we don’t recommend completing assignments before the course, it’s a good idea to refresh your grammar knowledge.

To get ready for your time in Costa Rica, brush up on some basic Spanish phrases, especially if you haven’t studied it before. Learning common phrases for politeness and getting around will make your stay more comfortable. You can use free apps like Duolingo or websites like www.studyspanish.com.

ALUMNI TIP: “Work hard and get ahead! Staying organized is key. If you find grammar challenging, try to study a bit each day; it will make the last week easier.”

Because the course is very intense, it’s best to stay near the course. We can help you find a homestay in Barva if you’d like.

Do you recommend housing or arrange it?

We suggest staying with one of our welcoming homestay families for the four weeks in Barva. This way, you’ll be near the school, receive three meals a day, and have laundry taken care of. With the course keeping you busy, not having to worry about these things is a big help!

ALUMNI TIP: “You get what you give! Putting your heart into what you do will bring meaning to your life and to the lives of the people you teach. That definitely applies to this course. Put in the effort, and not only will you succeed, but the people around you will too!”

Arrival Time: Students should arrive at the school by 8:30 AM on Day 1.  We are located 50 meters north of the BCR in Barva, Heredia.

• A monthly planner
• TEFL Course Book (if you pre-purchased it)
• Notebook
• Laptop
• Pen
• Lunch: If you don’t have a host family providing lunch on Day 1 or are not staying with a host family, you’ll have extra time to eat at various options in Barva. The school also provides a refrigerator, microwaves, and a toaster oven for your use.

ALUMNI TIP: “Don’t fall behind because you won’t have the opportunity to catch up. Stay on track.”