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WHAT TO
EXPECT

FROM YOUR TEFL CERTIFICATION

Maximo Nivel’s TEFL Certification program is an intensive, university-level course that certifies you to teach English anywhere in the world! Our internationally-accredited TEFL is a life-changing experience—it is fun, intense, and one of the best learning experiences of your life! The TEFL program focuses on practical teaching, classroom management, and lesson planning with lots of opportunities for aspiring teachers to hone their skills.

TEFL programs are intensive—you are doing a semester’s worth of work in only 4 weeks. To successfully complete your TEFL program, you should be emotionally and physically prepared to work hard, both inside and outside of class. The most common feedback we hear at the end of the TEFL course is, “I didn’t realize how intense the course would be.”

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Life as a “TEFLer”

Arrival Day

Airport pick-up is included in your TEFL program fees. Maximo Nivel’s professional drivers meet you outside of baggage claim as you exit the airport—just look for the yellow smiley face flag. You receive a Welcome Pack detailing your accommodations, orientation time, and all emergency contact details. Depending on your time of arrival, you come directly to the Maximo institute or you go directly to your accommodations.

First Day

We have a lot to do on Day 1, so we expect you at the institute first thing in the morning. Orientation begins at 9:00AM sharp. Orientation is very important because we cover specific details about your TEFL program, a health and safety review, dos and don’ts, cultural activities and tours that are available, and a short walking tour to be sure you are familiar with the area around the Maximo institute. During your orientation, you take a Spanish placement exam. We strongly recommend you sign up for Spanish classes at Maximo Nivel—this helps you better understand second language learners and also makes finding a job easier.

During the Course

Your TEFL course is programmed from 9:00AM to 4:00PM Monday-Friday with additional work after regular class hours and assigned reading each night. As part of the course, you begin teaching right away, and every Friday and Monday are reserved for teaching practice, which takes place in 20-minute mini lessons, including feedback from your TEFL Trainer.

Week 1: Critical ESL Techniques | Learning &Teaching Theory | Introduction to Teaching Methodology | Lesson Planning | Classroom Management | Error Correction | Observation of Experienced Teachers | Mini Lessons

Week 2: English Grammar Review 1 | English Grammar Review 2 | Vocabulary Workshop | Job-Finding Workshop | Foreign Language Lesson | Mini lessons

Week 3: Methodologies in Teaching Grammar | Teaching Vocabulary | Teaching Speaking & Writing | Teaching Listening & Reading | Teaching Phonology |Written Assignment #1 | Mini Lessons

Week 4: Tasked Based Learning | Lesson Planning |Methodology for Teaching with Games | Assessing Learners | Review of all Teaching Methodologies | Review of Critical ESL Techniques | Introduction to International English Exams | Practical Teaching Week |Written Assignment #2 | TEFL Portfolio

Weekends

TEFLers have most weekends free to go sightseeing, traveling, or trekking. You can arrange tours with Maximo Nivel’s on-site travel partner or pool together with other TEFLers and head out on your own. If you are traveling, please be sure your host family knows where you are going and when you plan to return. If you decide to stay with your host family on the weekends, you are welcome to get involved in their family routine, go to church with them on Sundays, and in general spend quality “family time” together. Be sure to take advantage of the many free activities we have at Maximo Nivel including salsa classes, cooking lessons, Tandem Conversation Program, and more.

TEFL Graduation

In the evening of the last day of your TEFL course, we celebrate graduation with the very important “TEFL Toast.” You, your TEFL Trainer, and the Directors of Maximo Nivel enjoy good food, and drinks together in an intimate setting where everyone reflects and talks about their TEFL experience. The toast wraps up with official TEFL certificates handed out to everyone.

Departure Day

Departure day is always bitter sweet. You are probably excited to go home and share your experience with family and friends, but you also realize you are going to miss your new friends and colleagues in Latin America. Remember, you are always welcome to extend your stay!

On the last day of your course, make sure you come to Maximo Nivel to check-out, collect your “I Lived it” t-shirt, get your reference letter, and leave us your feedback card. Client service is very important to us and we take your feedback seriously—this helps us improve the TEFL program and ensure a great experience.

On your last day, you are welcome to stay at your accommodations until 11:00AM, and breakfast is included. We are always happy to help organize a ride back to the airport.

Who Studies TEFL

WHO STUDIES TEFL?

Maximo Nivel’s TEFL participants come from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. Many TEFLers are young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 who have recently graduated from university. Our younger learners are looking to make their way in the world, learn new languages, travel, and get international work experience. We also have a number of TEFLers between the ages of 35 and 50, and still others who are between 55 and 70. Our mature learners are often taking time off from their regular jobs to travel internationally, while others have left their previous careers and are seeking new challenges.

TEFLers come primarily from English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom; as well as Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. We also have people join us from countries like Belgium, Chile, Germany, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Note that if you are a non-native English speaker, you must pass our English placement exam before being accepted on to the TEFL program.

There are lots of very good reasons to get TEFL certified and to start teaching English abroad, here are just some of them…

Get international experience: Are you “international” enough; are you a global citizen? Living and working abroad shows you have global perspective. It shows you are flexible and able to adapt. It demonstrates you can effectively live and work cross-culturally with people of all backgrounds.

Teach and learn: Teaching abroad is also about learning abroad. While you teach English, you immerse yourself and integrate into the culture where you are working; and in your free time you can study a second or third language.

Make an impact: Inspire others to learn English as a second language. Be the teacher who helps young people pass international exams like the TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and GMAT. Help people improve their professional and academic opportunities. Change people’s lives!

Travel: All who wander are not lost, especially if you are TEFL certified. Remember, traveling is the one thing you buy that actually makes you richer. Go create your international story—see the world, work, live, study, and fall in love.

Earn money: Travel, teach, and get paid. One of the perks of working abroad is that most countries’ tax systems offer tax-free eligibility for income earned overseas (yes, even the IRS in the United States).

Develop your career: The experience you gain by teaching English abroad is valuable and applicable to a number of fields. ESL teachers follow-on to careers in education, tourism, journalism (travel writing), law, human resources, college admissions, and government work. You also build an important global network of friends and colleagues.

Change your life: Find your life’s passions. Gain self-insight, renewed perspective, and build your positivity and optimism.

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