Tips and tricks for TEFL jobs in Costa Rica
If you have considered teaching English in a foreign country, you should think of a position in Latin America. Costa Rica is one of the best countries in Latin America to look for a teaching position. It is the most affluent country in Central America, and there's also astounding biodiversity across the landscapes of the beach, rain forest, and volcanoes. Costa Rica is also admired for its stability and serenity. It is a great place for tourists, especially if you are into ecology. There are several things that you should take into consideration before you really look into a teaching position in Costa Rica.
What qualifications are necessary for one of these teaching positions?
To be qualified to teach English in Costa Rica, you have to, at the bare minimum, possess a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, as well as a bachelor's degree. You should also be a native English speaker. You should also try to learn as much Spanish as possible before you move to Costa Rica. This is generally not a requirement for most teaching English jobs in Costa Rica, as you will be communicating with your students in English; however, employers will definitely view it as an advantage. Also, you would be able to more effectively communicate with your students, as well as the other people that you encounter in Costa Rica, as Costa Rica is a predominantly Spanish-speaking country. You should, at the very least, learn a few basic Spanish phrases.
What kind of pay rate can I expect as an English teacher?
The general salary can vary a great deal, based on the type of position and your qualifications. The typical range is 300,000-600,000 Costa Rican Colones (€460-€920). It is true in many Latin American countries that you can make more money for your time with private tutoring. This is particularly true in Costa Rica; even though monthly salaries for contract positions are fairly modest, you can make good money as a private tutor. in fact, you can earn 10,000-17,500 Costa Rican Colones, or €15-€27, per hour. In a contract position, you can probably expect to be teaching around 20 to 25 hours per week; the standard length of a teaching contract is one year or less.
What benefits are included, other than the salary?
It is rare for employers to provide you with reimbursement for airfare, living accommodations, or health care. However, some employers do offer paid holidays.
What are the visa requirements for one of these positions in Colombia?
To live in Costa Rica, there are a few different options in terms of visas. Citizens from countries such as the UK can enter the country without a tourist visa, although they can only stay for up to 90 days. Many teachers choose to work in Costa Rica without a visa, but they have to leave the country every 90 days in order to gain entry for an additional 90 day period; many people do this, although it is illegal. Alternatively, you can choose to secure a tourist visa. To obtain the documentation required to work legally in Costa Rica, you should first secure a contract with a legitimate school. Then you can enter the country with all of the documentation that you are told that you need. The school will then help you apply for a work permit, and then you will apply for a temporary residence permit. Once this is obtained, then you can apply for an official work permit.
What kinds of jobs can I expect to find teaching English in Costa Rica?
There are many options for teaching positions in Costa Rica. You can teach at an ESL private language institute, a university language program, or even a summer camp. Many people opt to become private tutors as well, since they can make substantially more money per hour this way than within the formal teaching contract. There are actually a few people who do very well working exclusively, and full-time, as freelance tutors in Costa Rica.
Are there any resources that I can consult in regards to teaching positions in Costa Rica?
There are a few different known resources that you can use for this purpose. The following are a few examples: Idioma Internacional, Intercultura Language and Cultural Center, and Pro-English. You can find a wealth of information on every one of these resources online.
What qualifications are necessary for one of these teaching positions?
To be qualified to teach English in Costa Rica, you have to, at the bare minimum, possess a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, as well as a bachelor's degree. You should also be a native English speaker. You should also try to learn as much Spanish as possible before you move to Costa Rica. This is generally not a requirement for most teaching English jobs in Costa Rica, as you will be communicating with your students in English; however, employers will definitely view it as an advantage. Also, you would be able to more effectively communicate with your students, as well as the other people that you encounter in Costa Rica, as Costa Rica is a predominantly Spanish-speaking country. You should, at the very least, learn a few basic Spanish phrases.
What kind of pay rate can I expect as an English teacher?
The general salary can vary a great deal, based on the type of position and your qualifications. The typical range is 300,000-600,000 Costa Rican Colones (€460-€920). It is true in many Latin American countries that you can make more money for your time with private tutoring. This is particularly true in Costa Rica; even though monthly salaries for contract positions are fairly modest, you can make good money as a private tutor. in fact, you can earn 10,000-17,500 Costa Rican Colones, or €15-€27, per hour. In a contract position, you can probably expect to be teaching around 20 to 25 hours per week; the standard length of a teaching contract is one year or less.
What benefits are included, other than the salary?
It is rare for employers to provide you with reimbursement for airfare, living accommodations, or health care. However, some employers do offer paid holidays.
What are the visa requirements for one of these positions in Colombia?
To live in Costa Rica, there are a few different options in terms of visas. Citizens from countries such as the UK can enter the country without a tourist visa, although they can only stay for up to 90 days. Many teachers choose to work in Costa Rica without a visa, but they have to leave the country every 90 days in order to gain entry for an additional 90 day period; many people do this, although it is illegal. Alternatively, you can choose to secure a tourist visa. To obtain the documentation required to work legally in Costa Rica, you should first secure a contract with a legitimate school. Then you can enter the country with all of the documentation that you are told that you need. The school will then help you apply for a work permit, and then you will apply for a temporary residence permit. Once this is obtained, then you can apply for an official work permit.
What kinds of jobs can I expect to find teaching English in Costa Rica?
There are many options for teaching positions in Costa Rica. You can teach at an ESL private language institute, a university language program, or even a summer camp. Many people opt to become private tutors as well, since they can make substantially more money per hour this way than within the formal teaching contract. There are actually a few people who do very well working exclusively, and full-time, as freelance tutors in Costa Rica.
Are there any resources that I can consult in regards to teaching positions in Costa Rica?
There are a few different known resources that you can use for this purpose. The following are a few examples: Idioma Internacional, Intercultura Language and Cultural Center, and Pro-English. You can find a wealth of information on every one of these resources online.