TEFL / TESOL CERTIFICATION COURSE
IN HEREDIA, COSTA RICA

TEFL / TESOL COURSE OVERVIEW

Please Note: The Costa Rica TEFL Course will be held online until further notice. Please check out our online TEFL course page for further information.

Earn an internationally recognized and accredited TEFL Certification at our Costa Rica TEFL training center conveniently located just outside of the capital of San Jose in the historic city of Heredia. Known as "Ciudad de las Flores" (City of Flowers), Heredia is famous for its magnificent landscaping, laid-back lifestyle, and beautiful colonial architecture. Heredia is a quick drive from downtown San Jose and essentially the nearby beautiful suburb.

Founded in 1704, Heredia provides an ideal combination of all that Costa Rica has to offer from an array of cultural and natural attractions to exciting nightlife, a safe environment, and convenient access to some of the nation's most notable landmarks, including the Poas Volcano, the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Barva Volcano, just to name a few. Many locals and visitors alike prefer living in Heredia over San Jose because of its tranquil nature and reputation for safety.

All students and graduates receive lifetime Job Search Guidance in Costa Rica and worldwide. Our local staff has years of experience working in Costa Rica and is very well connected with local schools many of which seek out graduates of this course. These services and resources include personal assistance from expert advisors; contact information for tens of thousands of schools worldwide; referrals to top recruiters around the globe; hundreds of pages of information and links for getting jobs virtually everywhere; and much more.

You don't need to hold a degree in education or have prior teaching experience to teach English in Costa Rica, which represents one of the largest job markets for teaching English abroad in the world. However, earning an accredited TEFL certification will provide you with the skills you need to provide professional-level English language instruction and a qualification that thousands of schools and language institutes seek when they hire English teachers.

TEFL / TESOL Class Details

LENGTH OF TRAINING:

4 weeks full-time.

TEFL COURSE DATES & AVAILABILITY:

We recommend enrolling at least 90 days prior to your course start date. More information here.

DAILY SCHEDULE & INTENSITY:

Students should expect to be in class from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm (with breaks, of course), Monday-Friday. Weekends are primarily free for sight-seeing and relaxation, but some homework is required. For further details, see our FAQs below.

COURSE LOCATION:

The training center is located in the historic town of Heredia, which offers a reputation for safety, colonial charm, and is within easy access of the national capital of San Jose.

CLASS SIZE & FACILITIES:

Class sizes are limited to 14 students. 

TEFL / TESOL Course Content

This TEFL certification course has been specially designed to provide all course graduates with the tools to succeed as professional English teachers.

PROFESSORS & LIVE PRACTICUM:

Like all ITA TEFL classes, this TEFL course is taught by highly experienced professors and includes live practice teaching with local ESL students and young learners.

ACCREDITATION:

All ITA-operated courses are externally monitored & approved at a Level 5 Ofqual accreditation by TQUK. Our certificates are recognized worldwide at the highest level for TEFL certification. Further Details.

HERE IS A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS COURSE:

• Basic principles of teaching
• Grammar
• Classroom Management
• Error Correction
• Lesson Planning
• Use of Visual & Audio Aids
• Teaching group classes: beginner, pre-intermediate, intermediate, advanced
• Conversational English
• Teaching grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation
• Language Awareness
• Private Tutoring
• Teaching Business English

Tuition & Costs

The Cost of the TEFL Class is $1,799 USD
($600 Deposit + $1,199 Balance). 

TUITION INCLUDES:

• TEFL course tuition
• Assistance with making housing arrangements (housing costs not included)
• Job search guidance in Costa Rica and lifetime job guidance advice online & worldwide

TUITION DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Coursebook (purchase upon enrollment)
• Housing costs are not included (we can help with making housing arrangement)
• Personal Expenses
• International Flights
• Airport Pickup. However, a pickup at Juan Santamaría International Airport can be arranged for $45 USD. This includes a personal driver at the airport with the student's name on a sign, a connection via WhatsApp, and a ride to the school.
• Visa & Insurance

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES:

• Free Latin dance lessons during week 1
• Optional cooking classes during the course to learn how to make Costa Rican cuisine
• Weekly soccer games with ITA Costa Rica grads and English students
• Graduation night party and ITA Alumni meet-ups

There are also a number of great attractions near the school: Barva Volcano, Cafe Britt Coffee Tour, Monte Campana adventure park, movie theaters, malls, and bars.

Enrollment & Eligibility

IMPORTANT! Before enrolling for any International TEFL Academy TEFL course, it is imperative that you speak to an Admissions Advisor.

Your advisor will answer your questions and assist you with matters such as your eligibility & enrollment; course costs & logistics (such as housing); and your options for employment as an English teacher once you complete your TEFL Class.

TO SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR:

• Please call 773-634-9900 or fill out a contact form. 

TO ENROLL FOR THIS COURSE: 

• Visit our Dates & Tuition section to view course dates, any available discounts, and enroll.

NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS:

• You must submit a written essay to verify your English skills.
• Read more: Non-native English Speakers & TEFL.

FURTHER DETAILS:

Please visit our Registration Procedures Page & Review our Terms & Conditions prior to enrolling.

Housing Arrangements

Housing is not included with tuition, but once you enroll for your course, the onsite course director can assist you with making housing arrangements for the duration of your Costa Rica TEFL Course. Typical options include (availability & prices subject to change):

Homestay - Great way to experience Costa Rican culture first hand and practice Spanish. You can choose to be the only student in the homestay or to be placed in a homestay with other TEFL students. Cost: $775 for 28 days (includes 3 meals/day, private room, amenities, cleaning, and laundry). Additional weeks: $180/week. Additional days: $25/day. Guests and pets are allowed upon approval from the homestay family and are subject to additional cost. 

The Student House (Limited Availability) - Student housing allows those who feel that making friends and bonding with their classmates is a big attraction to living abroad. While allowing students who wish to get the most out of the social aspect of the course, there is a "lights out/quiet time" at 10:30 pm on weeknights. This housing option is cheaper than the homestay option because it does not include meals. Cost: $600 per month (15-minute walk from school, includes Wi-Fi, housekeeping, help with laundry, fully furnished and private bedroom with shared bathroom and fully equipped kitchen). Additional days: $20/day. Pets and guests are not allowed. 

Independent Housing - Students have the option of locating their own housing via Airbnb or other websites during the course. International TEFL Academy Costa Rica does not offer assistance for students who wish to arrange their own housing.

Pricing is subject to change at any time. Students are free to make their own housing arrangements as long as they are able to attend class on time each day.

Make sure to enroll at least 90 days in advance to guarantee housing accommodations.