Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
4 week TEFL Course
- Fully accredited
- 15 hours practical teaching and observation
More info





Deposit Refund Guarantee
We're confident in the quality of our training: If you complete the course and don't pass, we'll refund your deposit.
Fully accredited
Training recognised and accepted worldwide, exceeding international standards.
What's included?
4 week, 150 hour course
9 hours of teaching practice
6 hours observing experienced teachers
Pre-course support, including visa advice
Expert tuition from certified vocational trainers
Lifetime job support
Accommodation assistance
Job placement guarantee *
- Save $100 with our February offer
Lifetime job support (in addition to the partner centre job support)
Deposit refund guarantee
FREE add-on Grammar Course
FREE lesson plan subscription
FREE starter pack of resources
Costa Rica is one of the most active job markets for TEFL teaching in Latin America, and is one of our most popular destinations. After taking your TEFL course on the Pacific coast, you’ll find abundant job opportunities across this most beautiful of countries.
Whether you decide to stay in Costa Rica or not, our accredited, 4-week TEFL course qualifies you for thousands of English teaching jobs worldwide, and comes with expert job support.
The course
This is a full-time, intensive course, involving a commitment of time and work. Most trainees find the course immensely rewarding and attest to an enormous sense of achievement when they complete it. Please read What can I expect? and our FAQ below to learn more about what’s involved.This course is provided by our partner centre in Costa Rica, Maximo Nivel. Read more about how we work with partner centres.
The training centre
The training centre is just minutes from the beach, in the village of Manuel Antonio, between the town of Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. Quepos, just down the road, has shops, restaurants, a marina, nightlife, and an open-air market at weekends. The training centre has open-air classrooms, a large terrace overlooking the Pacific coast, indoor and outdoor common spaces with a “beach” feel, and a snack bar.Class size
The average number of students on the course is 8-20. Courses tend to get fully booked up to three months before the start of the course.Schedule
The course runs for 150 hours over 4 weeks. You can expect to be in class, or observing, planning and teaching lessons for 7-8 hours a day, Monday to Friday. The practical component of 15+ hours of teaching practice and observations is spread over the 4 weeks. There is also 20-30 hours of required reading, and written assignments to be done outside of the classroom hours. Please see What can I expect? for more detail about the “day to day” of the course.Manuel Antonio is on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The area embodies “Pura Vida”, signifying the pure life and vibrant spirit of the Costa Rican lifestyle. Right on the doorstep is Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s largest protected rainforest, an extraordinary sanctuary of biodiversity and lush landscapes, where you’ll find sloths, iguanas, howler monkeys and over 350 species of birds. On the other side, just a short walk from our training centre, are tranquil white-sand Pacific beaches, with stunning snorkeling.
The town of Quepos, with a population of 22,000, is just a few kilometres away. Here you’ll find plenty of shops and eateries with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, a weekend market for a slice of local life, a bus station, vibrant marina, as well as a lively nightlife.
With a hot tropical climate year-round, and average temperatures of around 28-30°C, Manuel Antonio offers an incredible opportunity to take your TEFL course surrounded by coastal rainforest and tropical beaches, before exploring the rest of this beautiful, stunning country.


What can I expect?
Before the course
Once you’ve enrolled, we’ll get in touch with our partner centre, who will look at your application before confirming your place on the course.
(If for any reason we or the partner centre are unable to offer you a place on the course, you’ll receive a full refund of your deposit payment.)
The School of TEFL team and partner centre will keep in close contact with you until the course starts, providing information and advice about visas and documentation, arranging your accommodation and other practicalities, and answering any questions you have.
You’ll pay the balance payment directly to our partner centre approximately 60 days before the course starts. (If you enrol closer to the start date though, that’s no problem).
Our partner centre will meet you at the airport (or bus station) and take you to your accommodation. Then your TEFL trainer will see you on the first morning of the course, ready to start!
Day to day on the course
Theory
During the 4 weeks of the course you’ll gain a solid foundation in the principles of successful English language teaching. You’ll have input sessions for 7-8 hours a day, Monday to Friday. The typical schedule is: Class from 9am-1pm, lunch break from 1pm-2pm, class from 2pm-4/5pm. These sessions cover a range of topics: You’ll learn about the language itself, teaching skills and techniques, classroom management strategies and much more, giving you a strong grasp of the theory behind Teaching English as a Second Language. You’ll also be expected to complete 20-30 hours of required reading.Practice
Practical teaching is the heart of the TEFL course, and you’ll leave the course with invaluable hands-on experience. You’ll give lessons both to your peer group and to real English learners, observed by your trainer. You’ll start with teaching mini-lessons in the first week and continue throughout the course, building up to taking over a live English class with real, non-native students in week 4, where you’ll teach 60-minute lessons each day. You’ll have plenty of feedback, guidance and coaching from your trainer throughout this process, allowing you to reflect on your teaching, increase your self-awareness and improve your techniques.In addition to this, there are various short workshops where you’ll be able to practice specific teaching techniques and strategies. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe 6 hours of real classes by experienced teachers. In total, you will have 15 hours of practical teaching and observation during the course.
Coursework and assessment
In addition to the practical component, you’ll be completing coursework and assessments throughout the four weeks. This includes two focused written assignments. You’ll also be assessed on your overall progress and growth as a teacher during the course.The assessment process is designed to prepare you for real-life teaching scenarios you’ll encounter when you start paid employment.
You can expect to spend some time outside of the classroom on assignments, observations and planning your lessons. Throughout the course you’ll be challenged and encouraged to think creatively and analytically, both during input sessions and with your teaching practice and assignments! By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and practical experience you need to confidently pursue a career in English language teaching.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn everything you need to start teaching English: skills and methodology, how to manage a class, teaching theory and much more. Here’s a summary of the main areas you’ll cover on the course:
- Language awareness (learning about how the language works, including grammar and phonology)
- Lesson planning and lesson structure
- Approaches to learning and teaching
- Critical teaching techniques
- How to teach grammar and vocabulary
- How to teach speaking and writing
- How to teach reading and listening
- Classroom management
- Teaching English with games
- Teaching group classes
- Teaching one-to-one
- Testing and assessment of learners
- Preparing learners for English language tests
- How to find and develop materials and resources
- Job-finding skills and strategies
Accommodation
There are a number of accommodation options:
Host Family
Most participants stay with a pre-approved Costa Rican family in the Quepos area of Manuel Antonio. Our families live 10-25 minutes walking or by bus from the training centre. You can choose a shared or private room. For shared rooms, you are placed with 1-3 other people of the same gender and age group. Breakfast and dinner are included seven days a week. You’ll have a key to the house and are free to come and go as you please, but you must respect the routine and house rules of the family.Student residence
Shared or private rooms are available, with breakfast and dinner included seven days a week. For shared rooms, you are placed with other people of the same gender.Apartment
Apartments are within a 30-45 minute walk or bus/taxi ride from the training centre. They are private (not shared), fully furnished including linens, towels, kitchen utensils and Wifi. Please note that meals are not included with apartments.Hostel / Hotel
Hostel and hotel rooms are within a 10-60 minute walk or bus/taxi ride from the training centre. Hotel rooms are private; hostel rooms can be shared or private. For shared rooms, you are placed with other people of the same gender. Please note that breakfast is included with hostel and hotel rooms, but not other meals. Most hostels have a kitchen.Typical accommodation costs for 4 weeks *
Host family – Shared room: $760
Host family – Private room: $950
Student residence – Shared room: $1005
Student residence – Private room: $1310
Apartment: $795
Hostel – Shared room: $945
Hostel – Private room: $1620
Hotel: $2565* Prices are representative and may vary slightly.
A bus ride to the training centre costs around $0.60. Taxis are more expensive. We recommend budgeting about $5 per day for transport.
Whichever accommodation option you choose, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to get from your accommodation to the training centre on the first day!
After the course
What can I do with my TEFL certificate from School of TEFL in Costa Rica?
The School of TEFL course trains you to teach in Costa Rica or anywhere in the world. If you decide to stay in Costa Rica, you’ll find opportunities teaching all age groups, in private language institutes and public schools.
Our partner centre’s job support includes a specialist job-finding workshop in week 2 of the course, CV preparation, and introduction to their Latin American contacts and network of recruitment partners. They also hire two to three of their TEFL graduates each month to work at their language institute in San Jose.
Where can I teach?
Most teaching opportunities are in San Jose, teaching business and tourism professionals, students, kids and teens. Private language institutes recruit year-round and ask for a commitment of 6-12 months, whereas public schools follow the North American academic year, and hire mainly in June and July, asking for a commitment of 1-2 years.
Costa Rican students tend to take their studies seriously, while maintaining their “pura vida” outlook, and they place high importance on friendliness and appearance. This makes for an enjoyable and professional location to start your teaching career.
If you decide to leave Costa Rica, there is quite literally a whole world of possibilities open to you, with teaching jobs in just about every country on every continent.
Again, the School of TEFL team and the specialist staff at our partner centre will provide you with advice and support, and we take this commitment to you very seriously. We’ll help you create a CV tailored to the job market’s requirements and work with you to explore prospects with language schools and other potential employers.
Requirements
Minimum 18 years of age.
Proficient in all aspects of English.
Secondary education to pre-university level and able to complete an intensive university-level course.
Clear understanding of professional conduct, punctuality, cultural sensitivity and the ability to get along with others.
Upcoming dates
Dates | Spaces | Deposit | Enrol |
---|---|---|---|
Enrol now, choose dates later | $448 $348 | Enrol | |
17th Feb - 14th Mar 2025 | Last few | $478 $378 | Enrol |
19th Mar - 15th Apr 2025 | Limited | $478 $378 | Enrol |
21st Apr - 16th May 2025 | Limited | $478 $378 | Enrol |
19th May - 13th Jun 2025 | Available | $478 $378 | Enrol |
18th Jun - 15th Jul 2025 | Available | $478 $378 | Enrol |
21st Jul – 15th Aug 2025 | Available | $478 $378 | Enrol |
20th Aug – 16th Sep 2025 | Available | $478 $378 | Enrol |
22nd Sep – 17th Oct 2025 | Available | $478 $378 | Enrol |
22nd Oct – 18th Nov 2025 | Available | $478 $378 | Enrol |
24th Nov – 19th Dec 2025 | Available | $478 $378 | Enrol |
FAQ about the course and Costa Rica
Course FAQ
How much does the course cost?
The course costs $1495 USD. You’ll pay a deposit of $448 when you enrol and the balance directly to the partner centre approximately 60 days before the start of the course.
Please note:
These prices may be lower if you see an offer listed on our site or have a discount code.What's included in the course price?
Included in the price of the course are:
– 4 week, 150 hour course
– 10 hours of teaching practice
– 5 hours observing experienced teachers
– Pre-course support, including visa advice
– Expert tuition from certified vocational trainers
– Lifetime job support
– Accommodation assistance
– Job placement guarantee (See “How does the job placement guarantee work?” below)
– Deposit refund guarantee
– Add-on Grammar Course
– Lesson plan subscription
– Starter pack of resourcesHow easy/difficult is the course?
This is an intensive, university-level course that requires dedication and hard work! It’s not a ‘shortcut’ TEFL course. However, with your commitment, you’ll emerge from it well-prepared and highly motivated to start your teaching journey.
Will I teach actual students on the course?
Yes, you’ll teach actual local ESL students for 5 or 6 hours. These students will be in small groups or individuals.
How will I be assessed?
You’ll be assessed on your practical teaching and complete two focused written assignments and a final portfolio. You’ll also be assessed on your overall progress and growth as a teacher during the course. You’ll receive detailed feedback and coaching from your trainers throughout the course.
Who is the course suitable for?
The course is suitable for motivated individuals of all ages and backgrounds who want to teach English in Costa Rica, around the world or online.
How early should I book?
The course tends to get fully booked up to two or three months in advance, so it’s best to book as early as you can.
How many other people will be on the course with me?
There is an average of 8-20 trainees on each course.
What should I bring/wear for the course?
A laptop for lesson planning is required. You can dress casually and comfortably for your TEFL input sessions. For mini-lessons, and practical teaching in week 4, you’ll need to dress professionally (smart trousers, skirts, shirts or blouses, and smart shoes). As it will be hot, shorts and sandals are ok for teaching in Manuel Antonio, but you should still maintain a professional appearance. Our partner centre will send you a recommended packing list prior to the course.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the course?
We would recommend taking our add-on Grammar Course (free when you enrol). You’ll learn grammar on the course, but this will give you a head start.
Our partner centre has two required texts for the course: How to Teach English (New Edition) by Jeremy Harmer, and Understanding & Using English Grammar (5th Edition) by Betty Schrampfer Azar. These will be available to you digitally at no cost. You can also purchase print versions yourself or through our partner centre. If you purchase them through our partner centre, you’ll receive them on arrival.
Other good options (though not required) to familiarise with some of the terms and concepts before starting the course are Learning Teaching by Jim Scrivener and The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer.
Do I need to speak Spanish to take the course?
No – TEFL courses show you how to teach without needing to know the language of your students. If you go on to teach in an English speaking country, you’ll probably have classes of mixed nationality/first language, so using the students’ first language isn’t an option anyway!
What kind of job help and support is provided?
Our partner centre provides lifetime job assistance. During the course you’ll have a job-finding workshop, and you’ll receive help and guidance with preparing your CV and introductions to the partner centre’s Latin American contacts and network of recruitment partners. Our partner centre also hires two to three of their TEFL graduates each month to work at their language institute in San Jose.
In addition to the job help provided by the partner centre, School of TEFL provides lifetime job guidance and support. Before, during and after the course we’re on hand with expert advice on preparing your CV, applying for jobs, succeeding at interviews and building your TEFL career, for as long as you need us, and we take this commitment to you very seriously. To access this support, all you need to do is send us an email or give us a call at any time, and we’ll give you one-on-one, personalised support.
What else can the partner centre help with / provide?
Our partner centre will meet you at San Jose airport and take you to the bus station for a public bus trip to Quepos (included in the cost of the course). Depending on the time of your arrival, you may stay the first night in San Jose before taking the bus to San Jose. When you arrive in Quepos, you will be met by your host family or one of the partner centre team and taken to your accommodation. You’ll receive full details about airport pickup prior to the course. If you are arriving overland, the partner centre team will also organise pickup and transportation.
Our partner centre and their on-site travel partner can also advise you on activities around Manuel Antonio (scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, horse riding…) and further afield (volcano exploration, visiting the cloud forest, coffee farm tours…), buying a local SIM card and more.
How does the job placement guarantee work?
If you meet the following requirements our partner centre in Costa Rica has a teaching position waiting for you:
– Native English speaker or native proficiency (C2 CEFR)
– Bachelor’s degree
– Pass-Good or Pass-Excellent on the TEFL Course
– Flexible with location, including online positions
Costa Rica FAQ and practicalities
What are the requirements to teach English in Costa Rica?
To teach English in Costa Rica you'll need:
- a TEFL certification or 3+ years of teaching experience
- a Bachelor's degree (strongly preferred by employers but not a strict requirement)
- to be a native English speaker, or a non-native speaker with a native levelWhat type of visa do I need to teach English in Costa Rica?
Most nationalities don't require a visa to enter the country, and you'll automatically receive an entry stamp at immigration valid for 90 days. For some nationalities this is 30 days, and for a few nationalities a visa IS required - please see our visas page for more information. Your passport needs to be valid for 6 months from your entry date into Costa Rica, and you may need to show proof of onward travel and funds sufficient for the duration of your stay.
At immigration, you should state "tourism" as the purpose of your trip. If you state "study", you may have to pay for a special visa, which is not necessary, as our TEFL course falls under the category of Educational Tourism.
You can extend your stay beyond 90 days by making a short trip to Nicaragua or Panama, which are easily accessible, and then returning to Costa Rica.
If you work in Costa Rica after the course, your employer will help you with the work visa process - this will depend on the length of your contract and the benefits provided.What paperwork do I need to bring to teach English in Costa Rica?
You'll need:
- a passport valid for 6 months after your entry date into Costa Rica
- a printed copy of your onward travel information showing that you will leave Costa Rica within 90 days (but see the question on visas above)
- proof of funds sufficient for your stay in the countryCan non-native English speakers teach English in Costa Rica?
Yes, it is possible to teach in Costa Rica as a non-native speaker.
What is the hiring period for teaching English in Costa Rica?
Private language institutes recruit year-round. Public schools recruit mainly in June and July.
What are the typical working conditions when teaching English in Costa Rica?
In private language institutes, you'll typically teach 20-30 hours per week, and you'll need to commit to a contract of between 6 and 12 months. In public schools you'll work 30-35 hours per week, with a commitment of 1 to 2 years. At language institutes you may teach business and tourism professionals, university students, kids and teenagers. Costa Rican culture places high importance on friendliness and appearance, and you should be prepared to meet employers and teach classes in professional attire.
What types of teaching jobs are available in Costa Rica, and where are they?
Most teaching opportunities are in San Jose, teaching business and tourism professionals, students, kids and teens, in private language institutes and public schools. Private language institutes recruit year-round and ask for a commitment of 6-12 months, whereas public schools follow the North American academic year, and hire mainly in June and July, asking for a commitment of 1-2 years.
Is accommodation provided with teaching jobs in Costa Rica?
This depends on the employer, and is normally stated (or negotiated) during the job interview process.
How much will I earn teaching English in Costa Rica?
An average teacher salary is between $750 and $1000 per month, depending on the school and the location. You can supplement income with private tutoring.
What is the cost of living like in Manuel Antonio / Costa Rica?
The average cost of living is between $700 and $850 per month.
Our support for Room to Read
We believe everyone should have access to the education and future opportunities they need to thrive. That's why for every TEFL course we sell in 2024, we're donating £5 to Room to Read via Work for Good.