Teachers Latin America Internships Abroad

  Costa Rica

Rural Areas

Term: Throughout the year 

Description: Costa Rica is world famous for drawing tourists from all over the world to admire and enjoy its tropical beauty. It is country actively engaged in wildlife conversation and allows students to explore the tropics with minimal damage. Mostly coastline, Costa Rica offers students some of the best beaches and surfing in the region.

Highlights: An Internship through Teachers Latin America is a unique program that may be better suited to certain participants than longer term employment. An Internship may be recommended if you:

- Are taking the TEFL Online certificate course
- Have a TESOL, CELTA, or TEFL certificate but no experience teaching
- Are looking to enhance your resume/CV for job seeking back home
- Are looking to stay less than 8 weeks in Latin America
- Are interested in experience and not paid employment

Internships are designed to be flexible programs that connect to other activities. There is no charge for the Internship program, but it cannot be selected alone. For example, if you have enrolled in the TEFL Online course, and have no other experience teaching, your Advisor will likely recommend a 2 or 4-week internship before taking up a paid TEFL position in the same city. The only cost is the TEFL Online course.

Another example: You have already completed a TESOL, CELTA, or TEFL course, but have no experience teaching abroad. Your advisor will recommend using the Job Placement Assistance Program and an Internship. This may see you complete an internship of 2 or 4 weeks in your country/city of choice, immediately followed by starting in a paid TEFL position in the same country/city. The only cost is the Job Placement Assistance Program.

Internships are often themed, meaning, you may select from available internships in language schools, universities, companies, or specific industries where English teachers are at work.

Volunteering as a TEFL teacher is a very rewarding experience. Without doubt, there is great need for volunteers in the field of education in many rural and undeveloped areas of Latin America.

Teachers Latin America does not formally offer volunteer programs to its participants, but can connect you to other organizations working on a local level if you wish.

Qualifications: Most internships are based in TEFL - teaching English as a Foreign language. Many internships begin with TEFL and expand into other fields, particularly hospitality, business, childcare, and tourism. No experience in teaching english is necessary. We do ask that an intern have taken at minimum a TESOL/TEFL/CELTA course, although applicants without may cite life experience for consideration.

It goes without saying, but an intern in Latin America must be open-minded and ready to work in a different culture, and in the developing world.

In most cases, Spanish proficiency is not necessary. Some internship posting require a working knowledge of Spanish.

Cost in US$: vary between $250 and $800

Ground support offered by staff as well as the host internship provider.

Salary / Pay: up to $400/month

Experience Required: no

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

Teachers Latin America's Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide creative opportunties for study and work abroad, primarily in languages. Teachers Latin America program participants will find programs to meet many needs, including TEFL training, English teaching jobs in Latin America, short term internships in a variety of fields, and foreign language programs. Find out why quality is the first word that comes to mind when people talk about Teachers Latin America. There's a good reason why we stand out from the rest.

Year Founded: 2000