~ The geographically gorgeous and politically stable country of Costa Rica is situated between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with a string of towering volcanoes on the central plateau—creating a unique tropical paradise with 11 climate zones.
Teaching English in Costa Rica
The nearly perfect picture of political democracy, economic stability, and natural beauty, Costa Rica is a great place to visit and to live. English language proficiency is a valued skill in a country which puts great stock in its tourism industry as does the small but attractive nation of Costa Rica. EFL students here range from school children to university students to adult professionals.
TEFL teachers will find that jobs are easiest to come by in San Jose and the surrounding areas. And because the capital and its environs are less touristy than other parts of Costa Rica, they often have a lower cost of living, allowing an English teacher’s salary to provide a satisfying lifestyle. Teachers can also take on private EFL students to supplement their income in order to save money or to travel the stunning and friendly nation of Costa Rica in their time off.
Costa Rica TEFL Facts:
Your English Students K-12 University Students Business Professionals Adults
Best Time to Get Hired September and January
Length of Commitment 7-12 month contracts
Typical Teaching Schedules Part time
Average Pay and Benefits $400 - $700 USD per month
Average Cost of Living $400 - $600 per month depending on lifestyle
Requirements Bachelor’s degree TEFL certification (TEFL Online accepted) Native speaker or fluent in English
Costa Rica Overview
Volcanoes, rainforests, coral reefs and beautiful beaches are just a few of the elements that make up this country's incredible and diverse landscape. A small nation located on a land separating the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Costa Rica can be traversed coast-to-coast in less than four hours by land or 45 minutes by air. Each coast features beautiful beaches and ports with advanced infrastructure, both of which are important assets to Costa Rica's economy which depends on tourism, electronic exports, and agriculture (especially bananas and coffee).
Characterized by social and political stability, high educational levels, modern services, and a dedication to protecting the environment, Costa Rica’s society is as impressive as its scenery. Costa Rican natives and residents are known for their laid-back, friendly attitude and their fondness of "pura vida" or "pure life."
Antonia Sarah McInerney, USA Teaching in Costa Rica
"I teach young children from Spanish-speaking households in a private one-on-one setting. My students are wonderful and so eager to learn. I love the laid-back nature of Costa Rica and the people are so appreciative and kind and eager to learn English. My favorite thing about teaching English is being able to help somebody learn to communicate with another culture.
TEFL was a good excuse to go to Costa Rica, a new country, and experience the culture while getting certified. If I didn’t have a TEFL [certificate] and teaching experience, I would not have the wonderful job [I have now]. I would definitely recommend the experience to others!"
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The TEFL Life Shangai, China
Capital: San José
Population: 4,331,000
Currency: Costa Rican Colon
Language(s): Spanish
Literacy Rate: 96%
Life Expectancy: 79 years
Costa Rica means “Rich Coast” in Spanish.
The Arenal volcano in Costa Rica is one of the most active in the world.
About 4 percent of the world’s known plant species can be found in the tiny nation of Costa Rica.
The world’s largest marine turtle, the Leatherback, comes to Costa Rican shores every year to lay its eggs.
The city of San Jose is known as the “Big Pineapple” because its streets and avenues are laid out in the shape of a giant pineapple.
Because it is a tropical country, Costa Rica has little variation in temperature throughout the year. The rainy season starts in May and ends in November. The "warm" dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight.In the Central Valley, where the main centers of population are located, the average temperature is 72°F (22°C). Temperaturesalong the coast are hotter, averaging 89ºF (32ºC), although they are tempered by sea breezes. The highland areas are warm during the day and can be quite cool at night.
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