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This tiny jewel nestled in the middle of Central America and called the little Switzerland of Latin America embraces all cultures and peoples with its warm hospitality, temperate climate, excellent living conditions, and highly educated population. Pura Vida (Life is Good) is this country’s relaxed and easy going motto which is expressive and highly indicative of the pace of life you will be immersed in. Its’ democratic and stable environment is quite appealing to foreigners; and, as the age of the worldwide web reaches all corners of the world and English is the language of international communication, and competitive socio-economic advancement, Costa Rica is rapidly becoming not only a preferred tourist spot, but a haven for large, successful businesses such as Mircosoft and Texas Instruments, to name but a few.
In Costa Rica, knowing how to speak English is an excellent way to advance a career and has become a priority not only among students, but among businessmen as well. There are plenty of TESOL/TEFL jobs in Latin America and opportunities for employment abound; but most offer poor working conditions and do not pay airfare. If you are interested in teaching English in Costa Rica, you can be well assured that you will have an enlightening, positive and interesting experience and the majority of employers will offer free Spanish lessons to help you acclimate to your new culture and language.
Taking a position overseas is not for the faint of heart, it is for the adventurer and the traveler and the explorer. The web is an efficient way to begin your search and there are some excellent sources that will help you begin researching ESL employment in Costa Rica. Another very useful and informative site is the State Departments’ English Language Office at the U.S. Embassy in San José, the nations’ capital. Be aware that schools will be closed in December and January, as that is their summertime.
You do, however, need to become familiar with what Costa Rica has to offer before making your decision. There are many great websites that provides a comprehensive informative overview of this relatively modern country offering a plethora of links to every aspect of living in Costa Rica imaginable from weather, ecotourism, rentals, dental services, shopping. I highly recommend a you read up on ex-pats experiences, preferably one with a good sense of humor.
A State-funded, compulsory system of education was established in 1869 and Costa Rica rightly takes pride in its 96% literacy rate. Currently there are over 60,000 University level students. The Costa Rican Ministry of Education publishes an 88 page document loaded with information specific to curriculum and government educational policies.
Unlike many countries, Costa Rica does not require certification in TEFL or TESOL, a Bachelor’s degree is sufficient. However, keep in mind, that if you apply from your home country, most schools will require certification. The best approach to landing a job in Costa Rica is to set up interviews and go. Your chances of being hired on the spot are quite high if you are a native speaker. Besides, once there, you can enjoy this tropical paradise, do some apartment hunting and get to know the friendly local people of this comfortable, laid-back country. To help in your search, an established local English newspaper, The Tico Times is an excellent source of general information and has a reliable up-to-date classified section.
Living conditions in Costa Rica are among the highest and best in Latin America. You can easily get an informative report about the cost of living in Costa Rica. The avarage per capita income is about U.S. $5,100, and the unemployment rate is around 4.6%. Between 30,000-50,000 private American citizens including many retirees, reside in the country and more than 700,000 American citizens visit Costa Rica annually. San José is more cosmopolitan and cultural than other Central American capitals and one can find world class restaurants that offer gourmet delicacies alongside typical eateries serving traditional Tico treats. Museums, theatres, cinemas and shopping malls are found throughout the city and at night, the city becomes even livelier with packed bars, live music and vibrant nightclubs.
There are many other positive considerations about living in Costa Rica, the public transportation system is reliable, extensive and inexpensive and, their universal health care is world class and considered one of the best healthcare systems in Latin America. It is very reasonably priced and many doctors speak excellent English and have studied abroad in Canada or the US.
There are a variety of settings to choose from for those teaching in Costa Rica from elementary schools and universities to businesses and private corporations. Once you’ve landed the job, don’t forget to contact the US Embassy and secure visa and resident permits, and get your passport and work visa ready. While surfing this site, link on to the Consular Affairs Publications, which contains information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, will usually provide maps, brochures, and helpful hints for preparing you for your Pura Vida teaching job in beautiful Costa Rica.
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Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Jobs perspectives for foreigners: social security system, job hunting, work permits, hours, salaries, regulations.
Language Corps in Costa Rica
Job prospects and pay, salary charts
Lots of Job Opportunities
Great introductory article to familiarize yourself to teaching conditions and job opportunities and connects to other informative links.
When and How to get a job
Covers every aspect involved in teaching in Costa Rica from when to look to how to look. Relevant direct links to help narrow your search and better inform you.
English Language Office US Embassy
Links you directly to the English Language Office in the US Embassy that supports and promotes teaching institutions and activities between the two countries.
Working in Costa Rica
Important information about working hours, salaries, labor requirements, holidays, etc.
List of Language Schools in Costa Rica
Comprehensive list of English language schools. Great resource for potential jobs.
Complete Ed PDF
Provides an 88 page overview of the vision, philosophies, programs, curricular objectives, structure, teaching strategies and the legal foundations of the Costa Rican ministry of education. Policy 16 on p. 23 promotes the teaching of ESL.
Business English Teaching
Teaches English in the growing businesses and company classes.
Language Corps in Costa Rica
Year-long programs - providing training, job placement, and support Includes a TESOL training and certification course, local language training, guaranteed placement in a paid EFL teaching position (typically for 6 to 12 months).
Reduce Poverty and Injustice
Magnanimous program aims to reduce poverty and injustice by educating less advantaged people in rural areas.
TESOL Certificate Course
Small town in rural Costa Rica is a great environment provides workshops, lesson planning, teaching, observation and feedback sessions.
TEFL Costa Rica
Courses, training and practice teaching with local EFL/ESL students, trainees. Job placement assistance with local language schools.
TEFL Job placement in Costa Rica
Jobs at a glance and TEFL country specific facts.
Intercultura
Teach English to children through seniors, ages 13-50, in small classes of 6 to 8 people. Offers free Spanish classes and prefers a year-long commitment.
Business English
English-language consulting firm needing English language training teachers for customized business, document translation and editing.
National Conference for Teachers of English in Costa Rica
offers opportunities for ESL/EFL employment.
The Swane English
Looking for Native English Teachers, part and full time. Offers excellent pay, training and Free Spanish Classes.
The Latest News in Education
The latest on Costa Rica Education news and related links.
American-Costa Rican Cultural Center
Go to “Links” and get online teaching resources and information about programs offered.
Online Teacher Resources
Covers LRSW, idioms, pedagogy, activities and games, technology and the internet. Complete consolidation of resources.
Sarapiqui Conservation Conservation Center
Non-profit whose mission is to link communities with conservation through education and ecotourism. Salary and volunteer.
Cross Cultural Volunteer
Make a difference in someone’s life, and learn the language and culture.
Workcircle jobs
Good site if you have plenty of time to surf.
Visit Costa Rica
Beautiful visual site showing you everything Costa Rica has to offer and great links to explore more.
Daily Life
A veritable cornucopia of information about living in Costa Rica. Provides lots of links to give as many details as you like.
Just Landed
One page loaded with information.
Humor!
Hilarious and first hand perspective about being an American living amidst the culture and language in Costa Rica.
Teaching Abroad in Costa Rica
An incredibly packed website with links for every imaginable aspect of living in any town in Costa Rica.
The Real Costa Rica
Thoroughly covers the basics of living in CR, including the costs of owning or renting a car, renting apartments, utilities, health, buying food and a table of the most recent prices of food items complete with a metric conversion table.
The Advantages of Living in Costa Rica
Article naming stability, weather, low cost of living, business opportunities, adventure.
Travel Abroad
All the information you need to move and live overseas.
Escape Artist
Explains pros and cons to the volunteer approach.
Tico Times English
Central America's leading English-language newspaper covering news, business, real estate, travel and cultural events in Costa Rica and Central America, since 1956.
English Online Newspaper
online newspaper, find daily information about employment in the classifieds, be up to date on the exchange rate, daily calendar of local events, rentals, etc. Classified advertising in all employment categories is free
Nacion
National Spanish language newspaper, but it’s worth looking at to get a local feel.
All About Banks
How the system works and links to 12 specific ones.
Cell Phone Info
Requirements, coverage, cost, etc.
All You Need to Know in One Day
A One day seminar informing you of what you need to know about living in Costa Rica: moving, customs, banking, laws, insurance, health system. One source to get questions answered.
Expert Help at your Fingertips
Offering expert 24/7 help and information for anything related to living in Costa Rica.
Be Safe
Great tips for safety on the road, walking in the streets, sea and river safety, emergency contact numbers.
All About Taxes and Cheeseburgers
All about money, banking and taxes.
Frommers Club List
13 options, all rated by Frommers.
Bus Itineraries PDF
Compete list of schedules, fees, emails and important phone numbers and how to use them, plus travel precautions.
Where in Costa Rica
Events: concerts, theater, sports, ballet, traditional festivals and more.
Cost of Living
A comparative table includes cost comparisons with $US of the basic expenditures one would have on a monthly basis.
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Information shown on this website is the result of a collaborative effort by Dr. Rod E. Case and the EDS491/691 Special Topics in Teaching English
as a Second Language Class, Wintermester, 2007. |
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