TEFL / TESOL CERTIFICATION COURSE
IN HEREDIA, COSTA RICA

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TEFL / TESOL COURSE OVERVIEW

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, Barva Volcano, and Inbio Park 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 can range from 14 - 22 students. When the class size exceeds 14 students, students are split for the instruction portion of class.

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:

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 $40 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:

TO ENROLL FOR THIS COURSE: 

NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS:

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/bathroom, with shared and 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.

Housing Options are not included in The Heredia TEFL Course we'll help you with housing arrangement for Heredia TEFL Course

TEFL Course Dates & Registration

Before enrolling in any International TEFL Academy courses, we recommend that you speak with an advisor who will answer your questions, review your employment prospects for teaching English abroad, and assist you with enrollment. 

We strongly recommend enrolling in your Costa Rica TEFL course at least 60 days in advance due to its popularity and to secure housing. We also invite you to read our registration procedure and terms & conditions. Note that all students will be charged a small processing fee per course/program purchased.

 

 

Job Opportunities for Heredia TEFL Students 

All students and graduates from the Heredia TEFL Course receive hands-on job placement assistance from the local staff in Heredia in addition to lifetime, worldwide, and online, job search guidance from ITA's expert team of advisors. 

Read our Costa Rica Country Profile to learn about the local job market for teaching English in Costa Rica & watch videos of ITA alumni teaching in Costa Rica.

AS SEEN IN

TEFL Certification in Costa Rica
TEFL Certification Course in Costa Rica
Heredia, Costa Rica TEFL Certification Course
International TEFL Academy Costa Rica TEFL Class
Costa Rica TEFL Class
Costa Rica TEFL

Heredia, Costa Rica TEFL Course FAQs

How many hours will I be spending in class and on course work during the course? Will I have a lot of free time to see Costa Rica?

  • Class Hours: Students should plan on being at the school for the majority of the day Monday through Friday. You will be learning grammar, discussing teaching methodology and learning activities that you will be able to use in your ESL classrooms.  You will also get time to work on lesson plans and get guidance and feedback from your trainers.
  • Student teaching is in the afternoons and evenings, depending on the day. You will teach a total of six times throughout the course. You will receive your practicum schedule on the first day of class.
  • Class Assignments: In addition to class and student teaching, you will have a number of homework assignments.  These include lesson plans, reflections, essays, quizzes, written assignments, etc.  
  • What about sightseeing? Because of the intense nature of the schedule, you should plan to do most of your sightseeing either before or after the class. That being said, we do have a tour available for you on the Sunday before Day 1 of the course, and you will get an opportunity to visit the beach during the first weekend of the course.

ALUMNI TIP: “Stay up with the readings, tasks, and lesson planning. Use the time that they give you constructively, so that you're not having to catch up on the weekends (like I did during the second week). You don't want to be stressing the entire time because you're in Costa Rica and should enjoy it! Also, don't be afraid to ask questions, Melanie and Luke are readily available and willing to give feedback. Finally, relax, you'll get through it!"

Will grammar be taught during the course? Are there additional grammar resources in the course materials?

Yes!  We teach all of the tenses and major forms during the course.  This can be a bit overwhelming for students who have not studied grammar previously, so we recommend studying grammar before the course starts. Start researching tenses and parts of speech.

TEFL students are highly recommended to complete the Grammar Module before the first day of class but should also do their own further review of grammar.

Students have the option to purchase International TEFL Academy's grammar book, Grammar Fundamentals for Teaching English as a Foreign Language: A Teacher's Reference, but it is not required.

ALUMNI TIP: "Pay attention to grammar, be involved and enjoy every second of this amazing opportunity. The instructors there are so helpful, reach out to them! THEY ARE THERE FOR YOU!"

Can I buy the textbook at International TEFL Academy?

Yes!  We have copies of the book available for purchase so you don't have to bring it in your suitcase.  The book can also be purchased in advance, but please allow at least 4 weeks to allow for printing and delivery time.  Books can be purchased here.

What kind of ESL students will I be teaching during the practicum?

The ESL students that participate in our Practical Teaching classes are all locals, and they range from at-risk teens to professional adults of all English levels.

ALUMNI TIP: "It is definitely intense. But well worth it. There is a reason you get an extra day the first weekend to travel, so take advantage of it. And do the trip they offer the day before the course starts. You get to meet people the day before and it relieves a lot of "first day" anxiety."

Are there any specific technology requirements for the course?

  • Laptop - Students are required to bring a laptop with long battery life (at least 4 hours). *Tablets, Chromebooks, and mobile devices cannot be used in place of a computer.*
  • Flash Drive - Students will need a flash drive that is compatible with his or her computer.
  • Zoom - Some classes will be virtual via Zoom to prepare students for virtual teaching.
  • Word Processing Software - Students should have a reliable word processing system on their computer such as Microsoft Word.  Assignments can also be submitted as PDFs.
  • Google Drive - We recommend having a good understanding of Google Drive as you will want to save your assignments here and not just to your computer's desktop.  If you are unfamiliar with Google Drive, check out this quick tutorial.  Many others can be found on YouTube.

How can I prepare for the course? Can I begin working on my assignments prior to the course?

Arrive informed. Read as much as you can.  Student Affairs sends lots of resources about the course and Costa Rica.  Read our articles on our website to prepare yourself mentally and to see what our grads have to say about our course and teaching ESL in Costa Rica.

You can also prepare your resume resources. We will spend time during the course looking at and working on your ESL resume, but talk to your references, update contact info and start putting everything together so the process is easier once you get here.

Due to the requirements of the assignments, we do not recommend that our TEFL students complete any assignments prior to the course start date. However, we do recommend brushing up on grammar. See question 2 above.

To prepare for your time in Costa Rica, brush up on your Spanish. We encourage you to make an effort to learn some phrases before coming to Costa Rica if you've never studied it before.  Knowing some common phrases to be polite and to help you get around will make you feel more comfortable during your stay here.  Check out free apps like Duolingo or websites like www.studyspanish.com.  

ALUMNI TIP: "Work hard and get ahead! It definitely pays off to stay organized. Study grammar a little all the time if you have a hard time with it! It'll make the last week that much easier."

My commute is over an hour away. Will that be okay?

Because of the intense nature of the course, we recommend staying closer to the course. We’re happy to help you arrange a homestay in Barva.

Does ITA recommend housing or arrange it?

We recommend staying with one of our wonderful homestay families during your four weeks in Barva. You'll be close to the school, and you'll get three meals a day plus clean laundry.  You'll be very busy during the course, so not having to worry about these things is a lifesaver!

ALUMNI TIP"You get what you give! Putting your heart into what you do will bring meaning to your life and to the lives of the people you teach. That definitely applies to this course. Put in the effort, and not only will you succeed, but the people around you will too!"

Read more: Housing Arrangements

What do I need to bring on the first day of class?

Arrival Time: Students should arrive at the school by 8:30am on Day 1.  We are located 50 meters north of the BCR in Barva, Heredia.

Items to Bring: Students should plan on bringing with them the following items on the first day of class:

  • Monthly Planner
  • TEFL Course Book (if you pre-purchased it)
  • Notebook
  • Laptop
  • Pen

Lunch: If you are not with a host family or your host family does not send a lunch with you on Day 1, you will have extra time to eat at one of the many options in Barva. We also have a refrigerator, microwaves and a toaster oven for your use at the school.

ALUMNI TIP: "Don't get behind because you WILL NOT have time to catch up. Stay on top of things."

Who should I contact if I have more questions about the International TEFL Academy Costa Rica TEFL Class?

Our experienced Student Affairs Department is dedicated to helping our students prepare for their TEFL class & to succeed in achieving their goal of teaching English abroad.  All members of our team have lived, worked & taught English abroad and they all possess years of experience in the field of TEFL.

Heredia & Costa Rica TEFL Course Comparison

Heredia TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • In-Person 4 Weeks, Full-Time
  • OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation from TQUK
  • University-Level Instructors
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • 6-10 Hours Live Practice Teaching
  • Small Class Sizes

Online TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • 170-Hour Online Certification
  • 4-Week Full-time/ 11-Week part-time
  • OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation from TQUK
  • Live Office Hours with Your Instructor & Peer-Participation with Classmates
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • 10 to 20-Hours Live Practice Teaching
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Why Our Alumni Love Us!

Angela Bailey

Heredia TEFL Course Grad

Angela Bailey

The course was great. It was really intensive and strenuous, but the instructors and our class as a whole were fantastic. The experience and feedback from the practicum were extremely helpful, and they had a really amazing group of students who we were happy to get to know. ITA Costa Rica did a great job of making us feel comfortable, and the staff and instructors were always available to answer any questions and help us with whatever we needed.

Bekka Burton

Heredia TEFL Course Grad

Bekka Burton

I didn't feel comfortable teaching English without having a certificate. I had never taught anything before and had no idea how I would teach English grammar without first learning it myself. I think if you want to teach English as a second language, it's absolutely worth it to get certified to do so. It gave me a lot more confidence. I chose the International TEFL Academy because I found that their website had a real wealth of information on all of the ins and outs of teaching English abroad. Also, they were in constant contact with support for any questions I had.

Jennifer Maneja

Heredia TEFL Course Grad

Jennifer Maneja

Having a TEFL certification seemed like the base requirements for the schools, and I definitely needed a refresher on grammar, so it was well worth the money spent. The course was amazing. Luke and Melanie are tenured vets at teaching, and they passed on a lot of wisdom. I learned SO much in those four short weeks. I can't believe how much information they fit into that small amount of time. It was a lot of work, but it paid off. I literally use their methods in my current ESL classes.

Visit the ITA Blog to read more articles and stories by our alumni about their experiences getting TEFL certified with International TEFL Academy, and teaching English online and around the world.