Job Discussion Forums

CathyM · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Atlanta, GA USA

I want to teach English in Costa Rica and am wondering what the best way to get my TEFL Certification is?

I saw a program called TEFL International - they have a school in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. You get 120+ hours of classroom time and up to 9 hours of Observed Teaching Practice. It costs US$1595 for the 4-week program and about $300 for accommodations.

Does this sound reasonable? Is anyone familiar with this program?

CostaRicaTEFL · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

Hi Cathy,

Glad to see you've applied to the TEFL Int program. Hope to see you here soon!

As you know, TEFL Int. is one of the top three TEFL/TESOL course providers. We are externally validated. Our program is rigorous, but not so much that you don't have some time to explore the local wonders. We're just outside of the Manuel Antonio national park, and will be taking our trainees there for a guided tour this weekend.

We run our program differently. While some programs leave you with virtually no personal time, we want you to be able to enjoy where you are - and believe the two goals are not mutually exclusive. We give you the best possible chance of success, rather than running a program of attrition. No grading on a curve. You're graded on your own merits. That is not to say that it's easy. The trainees, course after course, are surprised at the workload. Not everyone gets through the course.

We take the view that we can train you very well to go out and teach effectively, but that overloading you with pressure and work actually dimishes your ability to process meaningfully the experience. We also feel that leaving here with solid pedagogical tools is important, but that developing a personal philosophy toward teaching is equally important.

As to your questions, I believe that the insurance here is relatively inexpensive. Also, we (we meaning TEFL Int. - Manuel Antonio) provide homestays for trainees whenever possible. One of the trainees in the current course is housed in a homestay situation and at least one from the next course will be, also.

Additionally, we are developing a very special program at this site that involves working closely with a local foundation that works with disabled and/or poor children. We are going to be teaching English to a group of children with disabilities as part of our Teaching Practice (observed teaching in the classroom). We hope to expand this to opportunities for interested trainees to do community service teaching additional English classes or other types of volunteering. To our knowledge, we are the only TESOL certificate course in the world to have such a program. (Our main branch in Thailand also has a program that works with the poor in Thailand - Rural Thailand Project, I believe.)

So, there's a lot going on here. Come join us!

Killian O'Brien
Academic Director
TEFL International - Manuel Antonio

ck921 · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2

I was extremely excited about this program too, but have become a little worried about it. I have filled out an application and have tried numerous times over the last month to get in touch with someone affiliated with the program. The website says they guarenteed a 5 minute response, but I fiqured that was too soon. It sounds great ,but is hard to make a decision when they can't get back to you with basic questions about the program. Has anyone else had a problem contacting this school? Can anyone recommend a program in Costa Rica?

Thanks,
Crystal

CostaRicaTEFL · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

Hello Crystal,

Perhaps there is some mix-up? The company referred to in this thread is TEFL International, i.e., www.teflintl.com. If you were replying to TEFL International, how were you trying to reach us? Via phone or via the internet? Were you trying to reach the international offices or the Costa Rica office in Manuel Antonio? Regardless, sorry for your troubles.

To contact us directly here in Costa Rica, call country code 506 - 777-4057 or e-mail us at [email protected]. The address for the international office is [email protected].

You can e-mail me directly at [email protected].

I look forward to hearing from you,

Killian O'Brien
Academic Director
TEFL International - Costa Rica

ck921 · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2

Hello Killian,

Thank you so much for replying. After posting here, I decided to go on the website one more time. The website had changed formats. So, I applied again. This time as soon as I applied I received an email saying they had received my application. I'm assuming that there were some problems with the website since it was under contruction. One quick question. I live in Korea, but I put my US address on the application. I also put both my phone number in Korea and my US number. How will I be notified if I'm accepted and if there is an opening when I'd like to attend the program? Is it by email, phone, or letter? Thanks again for replying to my post. I'm once again excited about the program. Smile

Thanks,
Crystal

CostaRicaTEFL · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 10

Hi Crystal,

You should be getting a response via e-mail that tells you how to go about registering and paying your deposit. Once your deposit is paid, we are notified of your registration. You will hear from us via e-mail. We (the actual site you request) do not recieve any info about trainees until they have applied AND paid their deposit. However, you can always contact us directly if you have any questions about the program in genenral or our site specifically.

Hope this helps,

Killian

Musica · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Costa Rica

woodersn · Joined: 11 May 2004 Posts: 26 Location: Quepos, Costa Rica

I'm not really sure, Musica. But it would be interesting to hear the response because I was planning on attending this very school. Maybe I can let you know afterwards?

My theory is, it's a bit like a disclaimer. Not everyone passes. Rigorous coarse-load. I'm not tooting my own horn here, but I usually think of myself as a cut above the average Joe, so I figure I can handle it. Anytime I have doubts I just say to myself, "Self, maybe it is those doofs on Jerry Springer who are the real average Joes." But who knows? I guess I'll find out!!

As far as the 4-week course structure, I haven't seen any other formats in my searches. I suspect it may have something to do with the "worldwide standards," perhaps the external-accreditation body is more responsible for this. But then, I'm just speculating here.

Brandon

Musica · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Costa Rica

Cdaniels

Are you planning to teach in Costa Rica or elsewhere? So far I've heard that CELTA and Trinity programs are the only ones very widely known and long established, but if you're teaching in Latin America, maybe that's not an issue? It turns out that www.institutobritanico.co.cr offers CELTA in Costa Rica, so you might want to look into it.

EFLtrainer · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 30

I am the poster formerly known as CostaRicaTEFL. For my views on the subject, see the link below.

KTCAMP · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject: CELTA at Instituto Britanico

I took the CELTA class at Instituto Britanico in Costa Rica in August 2004 and had a fantastic experience. The training I received was specific, practical and demanding. By the second day we were teaching students in a classroom setting, so everything that we talked about in theory in the morning we were able to put into practice in the classroom in the afternoon.

They also taught us how to teach using the same methodologies that they were teaching us. We were never lectured and we were never sitting in our chairs very long. The 8 hour days flew by. We learned the methods by experiencing them instead of just talking about them in theory.

Don't expect that you'll have a lot of free time during this course. My days and evenings and weekends were consumed by the class for those four weeks. It's intense, but not unreasonable.

IB's next CELTA course is in October 2005. Instituto Britanico is located in San Pedro, an eastern suburb of San Jose, which is home to the University of Costa Rica and a number of other private universities, so it's a good place to look for a job after taking the course.

EFLtrainer · Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 30

KTCAMP · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 4:34 am Post subject: Requesting clarity

EFLtrainer, I just read and re-read your post and I'm not sure I understand your point. First, are you saying that you were the Academic Director of Instituto Britanico? Or a different institute? The current director of the English program at IB is a highly compentent teacher trainer as was her predecessor.

I'm also not sure why you're quoting me. In this discourse, my goal is only to get the word out about a solid, reliable teacher training course at IB, not to compare to another program I don't know anything about. Quality does vary quite drastically among teacher training courses and people interested in taking these courses should do their research ahead of time.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

As per above: Get a Celta or a Trinity.

Anything else, whatever it may called this week and whether or not it is 'externally validated' (by whom, the director's cousin? the neighbours cat?) will have zero international recognition except by the issuing authority.

Of course a few people fail their CELTA. If nobody could fail then their would be no point in attending th ecourse; just hand over a couple of thousand $s and receive your 'certificate' in the post.

To be honest the CELTA is not so much difficult as intense. And if you fail you probably shouldn't really be looking to work as an EFL teacher anyway.