Job Discussion Forums

PuraVidas · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject: San Jose EFL Job --

Hello All,

I am a North American who has been living in San Jose, Costa Rica for many years and has legal residency �libre condition.� After working for a couple of years in the outsourcing industry, I am really tired of being on the phone and looking to change career paths into teaching English. Can anyone suggest a good language school and what salary I can expect as a first year teacher? I have contacted a few of them and they sound more than willing to hire an educated legal gringo starting in January, regardless of the fact that I have no TEFL certificate. I am also considering getting TEFL certified through www.i-to-i.com in order to make the job transition easier, so any advice you may have on online certification will be appreciated also.

Thanks for the help,
Pura Vidas

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

Before you decide to go with an online program, check out the general discussion and newbie boards on this subject.

As you've discovered correctly, there are a lot of places that will hire you with no quals. The same ones will hire you with an online cert. To get the jobs that require qualifications though, i to i usually won't cut it.

And the jobs that don't need qualifications may not be the jobs you want most!

If you're interested, there's an excellent SIT TESOL certificate course not far from where you are.

Best,
Justin

PuraVidas · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject:

How much does the SIT TESOL certificate course cost? Where are classes held? And how long does it take? Sorry to bombard you with so many questions.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject:

It's a four week intensive- I know the lead trainer on the course in CR, but honestly don't know too much about the site.

You can find it at:

http://www.tesoltrainingcostarica.org/

And

http://www.sit.edu/graduate/5191.htm

Specific course info at:

http://www.sit.edu/graduate/tesol_loc_la_lafortuna.cfm

No probs on the questions, though I don't know too many answers.

Best,
Justin

PuraVidas · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info, but two grand is going to be a little over the top for me. I've been down here for over 3 years and work on a Tico salary of about $800 per month. Do you have any idea how much a first year teacher makes?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject:

In CR, honestly no idea. I've heard it's a great place to live but not too great an earner...I'm sure there's a CR regular around here somewhere.

Best,
Justin

dhsampso · Joined: 17 Jun 2009 Posts: 44 Location: Virginia

PuraVidas,

I got my TEFL certification at Maximo Nivel in San Pedro. My experience was amazing. Nothing but great people there. I currently work for them as well. I signed up a month in advance, so it cost me around $1,400. It's a four-week intensive course. The TEFl trainer is awesome and the school is very supportive. I highly recommend it. If you browse the discussion threads, you'll find a bunch of other schools that are recommended. I suggest getting onsite training. It costs more (I do not think you are going to find a place less than $1400), but the certificate is better thought of than something done online.

As to salary for a TEFL teacher, it depends. Some places pay by the class, others pay a montly salary for a set amount of hours. I earn around $700 per month and teach four classes and have tutoring hours to fill in a schedule of 32 hours per week. So, roughly $5.50/hour. Nothing glamorous, but enough to get by and even save a little if you live cheaply. Private schools will pay more and since you are a resident with a working visa, that is a nice option. Hope this helps.

ofonda · Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 13

Puravidas, I agree with DHSampso. I took the TEFL course at Maximo Nivel a year ago and was extremely happy with the course, teacher, and staff. Cost is about $1400 and English teachers make anywhere from $5.00 - $8.00 an hour, depending on experience. You may not get a job at Maximo, but the staff will help you find work. I believe their website is www.maximonivel.com. I hope this helps. Good luck.

PuraVidas · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:36 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info. A private language school said they are interested in hiring me, without the certificate, after seeing how I perform in front of a test class. They suggested that on-line training would make the job easier, so I'm going to spring for that after seeing how the test class goes. $1,400 is just too much for me to pay right now. It's good to know that a first year teacher earns enough to survive down here.

Pura Vida guys...

e&p · Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 13 Location: USA

I have to defend online training. I teach TEFL with local certification in the US. The online course I took really helped me with my classroom organization, lesson planning and fun teaching techniques. I received tons of lesson plans, game ideas and other resources along with contacts for schools worldwide. True, one can find a lot on the web, but the more the better.

jprimm · Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 91

I too have an online certification. I have been teaching here for over 3 years and never had a problem getting a job. My cost was around $300 dollars. Also factor in room and board in addition to the $1400. Check out Bridge Linguatec, located in Denver an excellent company. Maximo uses their material I believe. Right now the job market is tight and the best you will make probably is $8.00, so I hope you have some saving....