CELTA San Jose - TEFL Course in San Jose, Costa Rica

TEFL Certification in San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, literally meaning Saint Joseph, is situated in the mid-west of Central Valley and considered the largest city in Costa Rica. Obtaining a CELTA in San Jose opens you to a sea of opportunities as the city is considered to be the capital and economic brainbox of the country. As you study, you can explore the several golden beans plantations for which the city is known or soak in the vibrant nightlife of the famous village inspired El Pueblo.

Our CELTA course in San Jose is run by tutors with years of experience in training teachers from different backgrounds so you know you’ll learn a lot not only on teaching skills but also tips to develop professionally.

During your 4-5 weeks of training in San Jose, you will learn to plan and teach English classes to adults effectively through real-life practice teaching. With our critical feedback and evaluation after each teaching practice session, you will be able to learn from your mistakes and work through them with your tutors for optimal improvement.

We have observation sessions where our trainees watch experienced tutors practice the teaching skills and methodologies they teach in the classroom. This way, trainees get an idea of how to implement these skills practically and ultimately complete their training with proven tips for improving your classroom practice. Some of the skills cover aspects such as classroom management, lesson planning, gathering materials, and lesson delivery.

San Jose Course Highlights - A Quick Glance

A minimum of 120 contact hours at our center, with additional hours spent outside class for self-study: background reading, lesson planning and assignment writing.
Trainees are involved in lesson planning, language analysis, observation of peers and experienced teachers, reflection on their teaching practice and feedback from trainers.
6 hours of assessed teaching practice along with peer observation.
6 hours of observation of live lessons taught by experienced ELT professionals.
On-going job support, suitable assistance and continous professional development services.

Dates, Fees Apply Now

San Jose Course Dates

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the CELTA courses continue to be delivered Online. However, both Mixed-mode and Face-to-face courses are being conducted depending on the interest. Please contact us to inquire about the specific course formats available.

Note that, an Online CELTA holds the same value as the Face-to-face course, and is equally recognized by ESL employers worldwide.

San Jose Course Details

Entry Requirements

You should be 20 years old by the commencement date of the course (trainees can be accepted over 18 at the center’s discretion).
While the course itself does not require you to have a degree, you should have a standard of education equivalent to that required for an entry into primary or higher education.
Have a strong command, awareness of English language with equal skills over verbal and written English so as to follow the course and complete the assignments.

Course Syllabus

Some of the main units of learning are:

Learners and teachers and the teaching and learning context
Language analysis and awareness
Language skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing
Planning and resources for different contexts
Developing teaching skills and professionalism
Classroom observation and management skills
Teaching practice and guidelines

Assessment

You will be continually assessed throughout the course and there is no final examination. The two types of assessment are:

Teaching Practice
Written Assignments

CELTA course trainees will always be kept informed of their progress during the course and an external assessor, appointed by Cambridge English, moderates each course.

Teaching Practice

Teaching Practice, Observation

Teaching practice is an integral part of the course where trainees work in groups to plan, observe and give feedback to each other.

Six hours of assessed teaching practice with real students in real classes.
Detailed oral and written feedback of your teaching practice.
Observation of both peer and qualified ELT teachers for six hours.

CELTA Training Center in San Jose

Our San Jose teacher training center began as a reputable language school in Costa Rica in 1987. The center, located in the quiet suburb of San Pedro at Av 14, Calle 59 y 61, Montes de Oca, Roosevelt, San Jose, is five blocks away from the University of Costa Rica.

The center is also close to a number of bars and restaurants and lively night hubs offering live music, and a spectacular nightlife of relaxation to our CELTA trainees.

Besides the strategic location that gives you access to other parts of the city, we have a unique combination of facilities with standards second to none. Our classrooms are exclusive and purpose-built, spacious and very conducive.

There is a library with updated reading materials and a garden with a terrace where teachers can relax, get great views of the surrounding and interact with other trainees within a calm environment.

Job Support and Placement: San Jose, Costa Rica

We offer support to our CELTA candidates in finding job placements after their training either they choose to remain in San Jose or prefer to go further afield to develop in their career.

We have a good connection with language schools within the city and provide avenues through which our teachers can connect with potential employers.

Additionally, we have tutors who are dedicated to helping our teachers by providing career advice, CV writing support, and tips on the best ways to approach potential employees.

Once you land your first job in the city, we would be available to offer bureaucratic and legal advice and support you with interactions with your employer till you can settle down and handle issues on your own.

Why Choose CELTA in San Jose?

A CELTA in San Jose gives you time to explore your surroundings and delve into a busy but fascinating city at the same time. More than this thrilling lifestyle however, the capital city of Costa Rica also offers a wealth of opportunity to teachers with a CELTA certificate, especially in the private tutoring field.

A lot of Costa Ricans understand that being able to speak a second language especially the English language helps them get better-paid work and higher positions, therefore they usually seek the services of qualified English teachers.

Beyond private tutoring, our CELTA graduates can find some opportunities to teach in private language institutes and Costa Rican universities. San Jose and San Pedro account for the highest number of jobs for English teachers in Costa Rica. There are only very few jobs along the coast and those areas are mainly suited for your relaxation during the holidays.

Salaries for English teachers with a CELTA in Costa Rica range from 300 USD to 1,000 USD a month depending on where you teach and the hours you are contracted for. This usually comes with benefits like work visas, paid holidays, airfare and health insurance. Teachers who get appointments in international schools may enjoy free accommodation as well.

Although the salary is low compared to lots of European countries, the cost of living is equally very low. With a salary of 1,000 USD as an English teacher, you can live comfortably in Costa Rica and save. A dormitory room or a room in a shared apartment is likely to cost in the range of 300 USD to 600 USD. Local transport is easily accessible and a good way of keeping costs low, and as always shopping and eating locally will also help you to save some money.

Things to do in San Jose, Costa Rica while taking a CELTA

San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica is the most populous city in the country. The city is full of little historic neighborhoods to wander around, museums to explore, stunning parks to unwind, delicious cuisines to try, buzzing markets to window shop and people-watch and a host of other interesting things to see and do during your stay as a CELTA candidate.

Visit Barrio Amon where art galleries are housed in converted colonial mansions or take a stroll along the downtown Paseo Colon for a view of the most beautiful architectural buildings in the city. Then, proceed to the Teatro Nacional where the majority of Costa Rica national opera and ballet events occur.

Your adventure in Costa Rica will be incomplete if you do not try the coffee so as you explore the grand interior of the neoclassical Teatro Nacional building, remember to order some traditionally brewed costa Rican Coffee at Alma de Café, located at the ground floor of the Teatro.

A visit to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum locally called the Museo Del Oro Precolombio is one you shouldn’t miss. Learn the history of gold at the museum located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura where you can also find the Casa de Moneda and The National Coin Museum.

Just like its remarkable museums and parks, San Jose has lots of amazing treats to offer when it comes to food. Describing the eclectic cuisines as delicious will be an understatement and you can only try the food to appreciate the exceptional taste.

Stopover at Barrio Escalante or La Oveja Negra, both famous for exceptional traditional Costa Rican culinary delights. You can also check out the city’s farmers' markets like Feria Verde de Aranjuez for some more food tasting! Some food to try include Casado, the traditional lunch of the locals made with rice, beans and salad, Arreglados, meat-filled sandwiches and rice with milk called Arroz con Leche.

Begin your CELTA training in San Jose. Enjoy some live music at Parque Sabana, trips to the La Paz waterfall gardens and relaxing baths in the hot springs, as you obtain your ticket to professional English teaching across the world.

Dates, Fees Apply Now