Job Discussion Forums

byoung · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

Hi. This summer I'm going to be taking my TEFL Certification class in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. I was curious about other people's experience teaching here. Is it difficult to find a job placement if you don't speak spanish? Is San Jose a dangerous place to work? I would love any input on teaching in Costa Rica. Thanks. Very Happy

krobmaine · Joined: 14 May 2007 Posts: 8

When will you be there? I'll be taking the class in August, same school.

From what I hear, jobs aren't hard to come by if you're willing to be proactive and to take a salary that's much lower from what you may be used to in other countries. Crime exisits in San Jose, but it's mostly petty theft. Those who a vigilant in guarding their valuables and who don't wear pretty jewelry or expensive watches should fare fairly well.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

San Jose is an excellent city and not one where you're likely to get shot, though petty crime, as krobmaine points out, is quite normal. If you're a native speaker, getting work will be no problem, though it may take between 1-3 months depending on where you work before your schedule gets filled up, so don't spend all your money in MA. You'll pay between 150 and 250 bucks a month for a decent place to stay, sharing an apt seems to be a lot cheaper.

Obviously the salary is lower, and the living standards will be different from what you're used to, but hey - I live and work in San Jose and I like it a lot. And if I can handle going from Norwegian salaries to Tico salaries, you should be able to do the transition from US to Tico salaries!

Not speaking Spanish isn't an issue in 99% of the jobs, it's actually a plus, since you'll be forcing the students to speak English.

Don't believe everything the Costa Rica Lonely Planet guide tells you.

Enjoy MA, I did my TESOL there and it was very nice.

byoung · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the input.

Ecrivain · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 37 Location: Ohio (for now)

I don't speak Spanish either. The main difficulty I had in finding a job was getting past secretaries and receptionists at English schools who don't speak English. But if you can manage to contact the academic coordinator or director of the school, you'll be fine.