Working In Costa Rica As An American

If you are considering Spain as a location for teaching English, you certainly won't be alone as it has long been one of the most popular destinations in Europe. However, before you buy a plane ticket why not take a look at Latin America as many teachers find that this amazing region is actually a better option for them. For many people, the opportunity to learn a new language is one of the great benefits of teaching English abroad. When it comes to learning Spanish, the assumption that Spain is the best place to do so is certainly a common one. However, in reality the type of Spanish used in Spain actually uses accents and slang terms that are vastly different to the language spoken in other Spanish speaking countries. In fact, many native Spanish speakers from outside of Spain...  [Read more]

Costa Rica is particularly well known as one of the top destinations in the world for ecotourism. It is also popular with ESL teachers as there are plenty of opportunities waiting for experienced or first time teachers at anytime of the year. One big attraction is that a university degree is not always required to secure a good teaching position. The majority of jobs are usually found in the Central Valley area and in particular the capital city of San Jose. Teachers are not usually drawn to Costa Rica, or Latin America in general, by the salaries as they are typically lower than in other parts of the world. The average monthly income is around $600 to $1,000, although teachers with a degree, TESOL certification and some previous experience might be able to earn considerably more. To...  [Read more]

Latin America attracts a large number of teachers from all over the world who are looking for fun and adventure. Across the region there are a wide variety of opportunities available in a diverse range of countries. By doing your own research and following a few simple tips, most people should have no trouble finding a good teaching job that will lay the foundation for a trip of a lifetime. The Latin America region typically has less restrictions on teachers than any other part of the world. There is generally no requirement for teachers to have a degree or previous classroom experience which makes it a perfect choice for first-time teachers. One thing that most employers will expect however, is for you to have completed a reputable TESOL training course. In many cases an online...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad continues to grow in popularity and salaries are on the rise in many parts of the world. Your potential for earning big salaries depends on several factors including your level of qualifications, previous teaching experience and the region or country where you choose to work. When evaluating the salary offered by any particular teaching job it is important to consider both the figure itself and the cost of living in the specific country where you will be living. A monthly income of $1000 in Peru would be enough to provide a very comfortable lifestyle, while the same amount in a major city such as Rome would probably not be sufficient to provide the kind of lifestyle you were hoping for. Any additional benefits included in your contract are also worth...  [Read more]

Latin America contains several countries such as Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico that are well known destinations for teaching English abroad. However, there are a few other countries across the region that are starting to challenge the dominance of these traditional teaching markets. Ecuador is certainly one of these as it boasts a wide range of extraordinary environments to explore, from the Andean Mountains to the Amazon rainforest. Big cities such as Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca, all have plenty of potential job opportunities, although there are many smaller towns and cities across the country to look at if you want to stay off the beaten track. The average salary for a foreign teacher in Ecuador is generally quite low when compared to many other popular destinations around the...  [Read more]

If you find that your everyday 9 to 5 grind is dragging you down and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, one popular option is to get TESOL qualified and start teaching English overseas. This unbelievable adventure is open to anyone who has a good understanding of English, whether they are a native or non-native speaker. Simply complete a high quality TESOL certification course with ITTT and you will have everything you need to get the ball rolling. The only question is where do you want to live and work as an ESL teacher? One of the biggest benefits of completing a TESOL certification course is that your qualification will be accepted by schools, colleges, universities, language centers, and a range of other employers in almost every country on the planet. No matter where...  [Read more]

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere it is likely that you have endured many years of cold, dark winters. If you would like the opportunity to experience living in a climate that is warm all year round, why not complete a TESOL certification course and start a new life living and working as an English teacher in the exotic tropical zone? Thousands of people every year take advantage of this opportunity and very few end up regretting their decision. All you need to do is decide which tropical country is right for you. Costa Rica is small in size, but it has a very large market for TESOL qualified teachers. Most teaching jobs are found in private language centers that are located in most of the larger towns and cities. Private tutoring of English students is also a popular way to...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad can be a rewarding experience for retirees who are looking for a new challenge and adventure in their life. Many countries welcome older individuals with open arms to teach English as a foreign language. As a retiree, you bring a wealth of life experience, maturity, and wisdom to the classroom, which can greatly benefit your students. One of the first steps to teaching English abroad as a retiree is to obtain a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. While not always a strict requirement, having a TEFL certification can improve your job prospects and give you the necessary skills and knowledge to be an effective English teacher. There are many online TEFL courses available that cater to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, making it...  [Read more]

If you choose to take an online TESOL course you will have the luxury of choosing exactly where and when you study. You can work through your course at home in the evenings and on the weekends, or you could fit in what you can during your lunch break or when traveling to and from work. This kind of flexibility is one of the main reasons why our online courses are so popular. However, if you choose to attend one of our training centers to complete an in-class TESOL course, you will also have plenty of options. Our in-class course is currently available in a number of different countries, in most corners of the world. You could choose the training center that is closest to your home location, or you could choose one that is located close to where you would most like to live and work...  [Read more]

  TEFL International offers one of the best TEFL training courses in all of Brazil. Located in Natal, our center’s facilities are ideally located for you to begin your teaching career. All course participants will gain from great job support, so finding a paid position after you complete your course shouldn’t be an issue. Whether in Brazil, South America, or nearly anywhere else in the world, we’ll help you secure a great TEFL job that will have you feeling like the world is your oyster. Opportunity to find work in Brazil is almost as big as the country itself. From urban areas to Brazil’s rural countryside, a teacher certified through TEFL International should be able to find work relatively easily. Working in a rural area offers some distinct advantages over working in a...  [Read more]

One of the many benefits of teaching English abroad is the unique opportunity it provides for learning a second language of your own at the same time. If you want to improve your Spanish language skills or start them from scratch, there are several great destinations to choose from. Around half a billion people speak Spanish as their first language spread over twenty countries worldwide, and many of these have a decent market for foriegn ESL teachers. For many people who want to immerse themselves in the Spanish culture and language, the obvious choice might well be Spain itself. The country is well known for its historical sites, stunning beaches, and its relaxed attitude to life. Jobs are also easy to find in most major cities and popular tourist resorts, although the largest...  [Read more]

If you have already graduated from one of our TEFL certification courses and have yet to decide on where you would like to teach, or you are thinking about signing up for a course and are looking for an insight into the most popular teaching destinations, then the following guides might provide some welcome inspiration. Below you will find dozens of countries from all corners of the world where there are plenty of good opportunities for teaching EFL. Click on the countries that interest you to access a wide range of travel tips, country facts and other useful information. Living and Teaching English in France - Habits, Customs & Curiosities Living and Teaching English in Spain - Habits, Customs & Curiosities Want to see more infographics on TESOL and TEFL? Check...  [Read more]

We take great pride in presenting our popular in-class TESOL certification course across a range of international locations. This mode of instruction enjoys significant popularity for its inherent benefits. Specifically, many students find face-to-face engagement with experienced teacher trainers to be more impactful than navigating course content on their own. ITTT's in-class TESOL courses are structured to last four weeks, generally requiring attendance from Monday to Friday. Each day is packed with a variety of input sessions, and some days feature hands-on teaching practice. Weekends are usually set aside for leisure, offering you the opportunity to discover the local area, socialize with classmates, or simply relax and recharge for the week ahead. One of the standout advantages of...  [Read more]

The list of potential teaching destinations for 2022/23 is long and exciting, with something to suit all preferences. The most important factor when choosing where to teach will vary from one person to the next as we all have different priorities. The most important factor for some is the salary on offer, while others are drawn by cultural attractions or even nightlife. We should also acknowledge the ever increasing popularity of teaching English online that has become even more prominent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the possible options have pros and cons, so take a minute to read through this brief guide to the most common TESOL destinations. The simple answer to this common question is Asia. The Asian continent is vast in size and diversity and it is also home...  [Read more]

When you enroll with ITTT for a TEFL or TESOL training program, the choice is yours regarding the title on your certificate - either TEFL or TESOL. Both terms are synonymous in the world of English language teaching. If you have set your sights on a particular region or country, a quick review of local job listings may indicate a preference for one acronym over the other. For instance, if job advertisements in a region tend to request TEFL qualifications, then it would be prudent to choose that title. Conversely, if TESOL appears more frequently, then that would be the better pick. After successfully finishing your course and obtaining your certificate, the next adventure awaits - finding a teaching role. Numerous opportunities beckon from countries around the world. Let's explore some top...  [Read more]

In some countries where teaching ESL is popular there is a clear path for obtaining a work visa or permit that allows you to live and work long term, while in others the process can be overly complicated, expensive or simply nonexistent. However, as the demand for teachers is so high in many countries, the need for a work visa can often be ignored by employers. The truth is that thousands of people are currently working as ESL teachers in countries worldwide without a formal work visa or work permit. In two of the most popular ESL teaching destinations in Europe, Italy and Spain, it is very common for Americans and other non-EU nationals to start work as teachers with nothing more than a tourist visa in their passport. A standard tourist visa is valid for 90 days and there is no...  [Read more]

  The ITTT TEFL course in Colombia gives you the opportunity to learn how to teach English in one of Latin America’s brightest stars and the gateway to South America. Colombia is a country filled with unique landscapes and innovative cities, cultural and gastronomic delights, and villages surrounded by imposing mountains. It is a country of diversity with places that only exist in Colombia. For lovers of nature and extreme sports, the three mountain ranges of the Colombian Andes are an excellent setting for climbing or walking trails. For water sports, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Coast offer some of the world’s best surfing and snorkeling, and our lakes and reservoirs in the interior of the country are great for fishing and rafting. Colombia has everything; Caribbean...  [Read more]

Yes, the opportunity to learn a new language is one of the highlights of teaching English abroad for many people. It?s a well known fact that being fully immersed in a foreign culture and continually surrounded by the language is the best way to learn it quickly. During your time teaching in a particular country you will inevitably have daily opportunities to practice and develop your new language skills. While you will probably pick up a certain amount of the language in your day to day life, you should also find that local language courses are available at more affordable rates than in your home country. Another benefit is that the language you will be exposed to on a daily basis will be the real language used by local speakers rather than what you might learn from a textbook. By...  [Read more]

ITTT is dedicated to assisting you throughout your TESOL training and to providing you with a means of support during your ensuing teaching career. If you have any questions regarding our courses, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section below. Our TESOL FAQs should be able to answer most of your questions, but if you have any other queries do not hesitate to contact us by submitting them using the form at the bottom of this page. What does TESOL mean?   The acronym TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The term is commonly used when referring to certification courses that provide the skills necessary to teach the English language to non-native speakers in your own country or abroad. Read more What is the difference between TESOL...  [Read more]

The simple and straightforward answer to this question is: No, you do not need a degree to take a TESOL course or to land a teaching position abroad. While it is true that having a degree means you will have a wider choice of job options, those without one still have plenty of great options available in a wide range of countries across the world. Whatever your academic background, teaching English in your home country, overseas, or online is still a very realistic option. Whether a degree is required to teach English is usually determined by the authorities of each individual country. Some countries where ESL teaching is very popular have imposed restrictions on foreign teachers that insist they have a degree in order to qualify for an official work permit. In these situations,...  [Read more]