TEACH ABROAD PROGRAM IN COSTA RICA
with Guaranteed Job Placement ✅

$2,099 $1,699
with TEFL course bundle
(Excluding TEFL class tuition)
Cultural Orientation & Teacher Community Network
Hands-on Pre-Arrival & In-Country Support
Personalized Job Placement Services

→ HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

The Ultimate Job Placement Program for Teaching English in Costa Rica

Are you interested in teaching English in Latin America but unsure about matters like visas, finances, and how to actually get a job?

Take the guesswork out of getting a great teaching job in Costa Rica with this full-service TEFL job placement program.

Our program guarantees job placement for all qualified applicants as an English teacher in Costa Rica, where you can experience the "pura vida" lifestyle in one of the most beautiful and welcoming countries in the world.

Known for its misty rainforests, pristine beaches, and volcanic landscapes, Costa Rica represents one of the most dynamic and open job markets for teaching English in Latin America.

Teaching English in Costa Rica isn't just a job; it's a chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of your students. With the rising demand for English language education, Costa Rica offers competitive teaching salaries and a welcoming and supportive teaching community.

From interviews and visa paperwork to in-depth cultural training, our program provides the end-to-end support & guidance you need to enjoy the experience of a lifetime teaching English in Costa Rica.

Our TEFL Jobs Program in Costa Rica provides the following:

Guaranteed English teaching job placement with a competitive salary.
60% of TEFL certified participants secure their positions prior to arrival in Costa Rica. Those who take their TEFL course in Costa Rica typically gain employment once in-country.
We'll be able to match you with a school that most closely meets your preferences, but we cannot guarantee that all preferences can be met.
Placements available year-round
Interview arrangements & coaching from our experienced team
Personalized Pre-departure Support
One-week comprehensive cultural orientation
Regular social meet-ups with fellow ESL teachers
Free access to future job placements in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam & Thailand (based on eligibility)
If you are not TEFL-certified, you can bundle one of ITA's award-winning TEFL courses with your teaching placement in Costa Rica & SAVE $400

End-to-End Personalized Support

From pre-departure arrangements to job interviews and post-placement support, our team has your back.

Top Job Market

With a thriving economy and a significant demand for English education, Costa Rica is a top job market in Latin America.

Competitive Salary & Benefits

We will match you with positions offering fair salary for the local market. You won't get rich, but with a low cost of living you will be able to live comfortably & enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer.

Work-Life Balance

Teachers can enjoy rewarding careers while also immersing themselves in the country's stunning natural surroundings and vibrant culture.

Proximity to Home

For North Americans, Costa Rica's proximity makes it an appealing option.

Life in Costa Rica

Breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, from lush rainforests to pristine beaches.
With a strong commitment to education, healthcare, and environmental conservation, Costa Rica consistently ranks among the world's happiest and most sustainable countries.
Enjoy a sunny tropical climate year-round.

→ WHO IT'S FOR

Who Should Take This Costa Rica TEFL Job Placement Program?

This Job Placement Program in Costa Rica is tailored for individuals who meet the following eligibility criteria and embody the following characteristics. You must enroll at least 12 weeks before your desired program start date.

Eligibility Requirements:

Hold a High School Diploma or equivalent qualification*
Possess citizenship of USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand (non-native speakers can register with pre-approval from ITA)
Age range: From 22 to 45 participants do not require pre-approval. 18-21 & 46-70 require pre-approval, including submitting a short intro video.
Clear criminal background check
Completion of a minimum 120-hour accredited TEFL certification (with at least 10 hours of practice teaching) approved by ITA
Good physical and mental health. If you have a medical condition that may affect your ability to teach or if you have questions about a medical condition, please get in touch to speak to an advisor. Some medical conditions may require pre-approval to join this program.

*NOTE: There is a strong preference in Costa Rican schools for teachers from the United States and Canada.

Not TEFL certified? We recommend ITA’s Online TEFL Courses and our 4-week TEFL course in Costa Rica. Here is a complete TEFL Course Index.

Got questions? Please contact International TEFL Academy at 773-634-9900 for more information.

This program is ideal for you if you:

Desire a guaranteed pathway to secure quality English teaching positions in Costa Rica without the complexities and uncertainties of independent job hunting.
Want to have a teaching job lined up in Costa Rica before your arrival (if you are already TEFL certified)
Seek the assurance and peace of mind that comes with having a dedicated team of experts supporting you at every stage of your international journey.
Aspire to pursue a fulfilling career that allows you to make a positive impact while immersing yourself in the vibrant culture and natural beauty of Costa Rica.
Dream of experiencing Costa Rica's rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality while contributing to the local community through teaching English.
Seek to join a welcoming and supportive community of international educators.

Guaranteed Job placements for teaching English in Costa Rica

International TEFL Academy graduate teaching English in Costa Rica

Language schools are common in Costa Rica

ITA graduates enjoy gathering on a beach in Costa Rica

TEFL Students of all ages are welcome at ITA Costa Rica

→ GUARANTEED JOB PLACEMENT

What Does a "Guaranteed Placement" in Costa Rica Entail?

When you enroll in our Job Placement Program in Costa Rica, you can expect comprehensive support and guidance throughout your job search process until you secure your ideal teaching position.

And it doesn’t end there! Our in-country team will support you throughout your job placement with any challenges or help you may need in navigating your international teaching experience. Here's what our guaranteed placement service entails:

Personalized Support: Our experienced advisors will work closely with you to understand your preferences, requirements, and career goals, ensuring that your placement aligns as closely as possible with your expectations.

Hands-on Job Application Support: Our dedicated team will assist you in crafting a compelling Teacher Profile, including a professionally written resume, cover letter, and introductory video specially tailored for the local teaching market.

No Need to Search for Teaching Jobs: We'll actively promote your profile to our partner schools and facilitate matches guided by your preferences, saving you the time and effort of searching for job openings independently.

Full Interview Support: Once we've identified suitable job opportunities, we'll actually set up the job interviews for you & provide comprehensive coaching and preparation to ensure you feel confident and prepared for your interviews.

Contract Review: Before accepting any job offers, our team will help you carefully review the terms and conditions of the contracts to ensure they meet industry standards and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Job Offer Support: In the rare circumstance that you don't secure a job offer from your initial interview or if the offer received doesn't meet your expectations, we'll arrange additional interview opportunities and provide feedback on key improvement areas to help you find a suitable teaching position. This program provides up to 3 job interviews.

Assisting in Your Transition to Costa Rica: Our experienced team provides you assistance, guidance & resources with matters like finding housing & addressing other practicalities.

Ongoing Support: Even after securing your teaching position, you'll continue to benefit from our unwavering support, with access to personalized assistance and guidance to address any challenges or issues that may arise during your experience living and working as an ESL Teacher in Costa Rica.

With our Job Placement Program in Costa Rica, you can confidently embark on your teaching journey, knowing that you have a dedicated team supporting you every step of the way.

NOTE: We'll try our best to match your preferences, but unfortunately we cannot promise that all of your preferences will be met. Here are some factors that can determine the availability of particular positions.

(1) The availability of positions at the time the teacher is planning to head over
(2) The teacher's profile & background, including education and professional experience
(3) How the teacher performs in the interview

→ EXCLUSIVE FEATURES

Our Commitment to You

Job Security & Peace of Mind

Our Guarantee to You: You will secure a teaching position at a carefully vetted school in Costa Rica that best aligns with your preferences regarding location, school type, and start date based on what is realistically possible.

Eliminating the Stress of Job Hunting Abroad: Rest assured, we'll manage the entire job search process on your behalf, from refining your resume to negotiating contract terms, ensuring you receive a fair agreement with competitive salary and benefits.

Optimal Working Conditions: We evaluate our partner schools to ensure they provide top-notch working environments for our teachers. If a school doesn't meet our standards, we won't collaborate with them.

Working in Your Best Interest: Unlike many recruiters and agencies, we don't receive commissions from the schools we cooperate with, so our allegiance is solely to you. We're fully dedicated to advocating for your best interests.

Cultural Immersion: Through our cultural orientation, you'll be able to fast-track and more effectively assimilate to the cultural nuances of life in Costa Rica - both at work and in your day-to-day personal life and travels.

Post-Placement Support: Our seasoned team of experts is available to help you, even after you commence your teaching position, to address any concerns or issues that may arise during your placement.

Pre-Departure & In-Country Support

Pre-Departure Support

Comprehensive guidance on gathering all necessary documents for your job application, visa and work permit application (as needed), including:

- Cover Letter and Resume
- Professional-looking photograph
- Introductory video
- Background check
- Travel Insurance / Medical documents (if necessary)
- And more
Setting up virtual interviews for potential jobs
Interview coaching & prep, including a mock interview
Guidance for packing and budgeting
Personalized assistance from a dedicated staff member to address all your inquiries and assist with your relocation preparations.

In-Country Support & Features

Airport pickup service (conditions apply)
40-hour cultural orientation program help you acclimate to your new environment
Support team available to assist with any urgent matters
Regular social gatherings and meetups with other teachers in your area to foster connections (for those placed in the Central Valley)

One-Week Cultural Orientation Program

This customized week of tours, classes, and social gatherings provides you with an ideal opportunity to acclimate to Costa Rican culture and meet both locals and your fellow English teachers.

Town walking tour
Visit to Las Musas waterfall
Animal Rescue Center visit
Coffee plantation tour
Cooking class
Sugarcane mill tour
Spanish language classes
Potential practicum experience

Job Placement Process & Timeline

Teaching Positions in Language Institutes & Private Elementary and High Schools

The vast majority of teaching positions available through our Job Placement Program are in either private language institutes or private high schools and grade schools. Here's a brief overview of what teaching in each type of institution entails.

Private Language Institutes

Teaching at a private language institute in Costa Rica presents a uniquely rewarding opportunity for ESL teachers. Engage with a diverse array of students from various age groups and cultural backgrounds, with a notable prevalence of young adults. The environment at these institutions is vibrant and rich in cultural diversity, offering ample opportunities for meaningful interactions with both local and international students.

With typically smaller class sizes, teachers enjoy the benefit of providing more personalized teaching and developing deeper connections with their students. Teachers should anticipate a mix of in-person and virtual teaching formats within these institutions.

Most of the language institutes we collaborate with are situated in the Central Valley, but we also offer placements near the Pacific Coast. Saturdays are a common working day.

Salary range: $12- 15 per teaching hour. Average monthly salary $900-$1200 (Prep time not paid)
Average age range students: 15-40 years old
TEFL certificate required
Type of classes: In-person, virtual, hybrid
Hiring Seasons: All year round
Contract length: 6-12 months
No teaching experience required
Schedule:
- 30 hours per week (18-20 hrs of teaching) Monday through Saturday
- Part-time also available if preferred: 20 hours per week (8-10 hrs of teaching)
The dress code is business casual. Teachers should look and act professionally while working. Excessive piercings and tattoos are usually not acceptable if they cannot be covered up.

Private Elementary and High Schools

Educating in Costa Rica's private elementary and high schools offers a rewarding and varied career experience for teachers. Within these settings, educators are met with eager students and supportive parents, all within environments that typically boast more resources than their public counterparts. The advantage of smaller class sizes in private institutions means teachers can adopt a more tailored teaching style, effectively addressing the unique learning preferences and requirements of each student.

In these settings, educators are bestowed with the chance to craft a wide-ranging curriculum. This curriculum not only embraces progressive teaching strategies and cross-disciplinary studies but also thrives on the support of cutting-edge facilities and technology. Such an enriching atmosphere propels the all-round growth of students, weaving together academic excellence with a range of extracurricular pursuits that nurture creativity, sportsmanship, and a sense of community.

Open to degree holders only.

Salary Range: $1200-$1800
Average range of students: 7-17 years old
TEFL certificate + BA University degree required (preferably in education)
Type of classes: In person
Hiring Seasons: January, February, June and July
Contract length: 12 months
No teaching experience is required, but it is preferred
Schedule: Full-time, 30-40 hrs per week. Monday through Friday
The dress code is typically business casual. Teachers should look and act professionally while working. Excessive piercings and tattoos are usually not acceptable if they cannot be covered up.

Enroll In Your Course Enroll In Your Course

Online & In-Country TEFL Certification Options

Online & In-Country TEFL Certification

An accredited TEFL certification with at least 120 hours of coursework and 10 hours of practicum is required to participate in this placement program.

If you still need to be TEFL certified, ITA offers award-winning TEFL classes that will best prepare you for success in teaching English in Costa Rica. We strongly recommend these options for participating in this Teach English in Costa Rica Program.

Hot Tip! Save up to $400 when you bundle and sign up for your TEFL class and Teach English in Costa Rica Program!

ITA Online TEFL Course Options

4-Week Full-Time & 11-Week Part-Time options
Study From Home or From Anywhere
OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation From TQUK
University-Level Instructors
10 to 20 Hours of Live Practice Teaching
Most cost-effective option - Payment Plan Options Available
Hot tip! If you're looking to get certified while working or going to school, the 11-week part-time choice is ideal!

Check out Your Online Course Options here!

In-person Course in San Ramón, Costa Rica

4-Week intensive TEFL course in Costa Rica
Internationally accredited & taught by highly experienced instructors
Get acclimated to Costa Rica, see the country & make some friends before your teaching placement.

Learn more about the Costa Rica TEFL Course here!

Are you already TEFL certified?

If you hold an internationally accredited TEFL certification, which is at least 120 hours (with 10 hours of practicum) through one of our approved TEFL providers, you will qualify for our TEFL Jobs Programs in Costa Rica. Please note that ITA’s alumni network and lifetime job search guidance are only available to ITA online and in-person TEFL course graduates.

Cultural Orientation Program

One Week Cultural Orientation Program

This customized week of tours, classes, and social gatherings provides you with an ideal opportunity to acclimate to Costa Rican culture and meet both locals and your fellow English teachers.

Town walking tour
Visit to Las Musas waterfall
Animal Rescue Center visit
Coffee plantation tour
Cooking class
Sugarcane mill tour
Spanish language classes
Potential practicum experience

Alumni Community & Network

Extended Social Network & Alumni Community

International TEFL Academy does everything we can to ensure you have access to the support you need and opportunities to meet others like yourself who are going through the adventure of living and teaching English in Costa Rica.

Access to our support team who can assist in managing issues like homesickness & culture shock.
Social events & meet-ups for English teachers in Costa Rica.

ITA Alumni Community

Note: This feature is only available to those who enroll in one of ITA’s online or in-person courses.

Those who take their TEFL certification course through International TEFL Academy can take advantage of ITA's worldwide alumni network of 50,000+ graduates teaching English in 80 countries.

Join up to 100 exclusive Facebook groups - including one just for Costa Rica! - where you can network, meet folks, share job tips, and more.
Virtual and in-person meet-ups are arranged in select locations worldwide.
Expand your knowledge by tuning into exclusive webinars, panel discussions and podcasts.
Make extra $$$ participating in ITA's alumni referral program.
Tell your story - we publish hundreds of alumni videos, articles, and Q&As on our website.

Lifetime Job Search Guidance

Note: This feature is only available to those who enroll in one of ITA’s online or in-person courses.

Not only will we guarantee you a job in Costa Rica, but you will also receive access to ITA’s exclusive Student Affairs team to provide you with Lifetime Job Search Guidance:

Personal Support from an experienced Job Search Advisor. We have a full-time Student Affairs department whose sole purpose is to help you find the best TEFL job for you in 80+ countries;
Access to a worldwide school directory of over 20,000 schools;
Access to ITA's exclusive Alumni Corner website featuring comprehensive job search resources for teaching English online & in 80 countries worldwide;
Access to regular webinars on the job process;
Referrals to preferred recruiters, placement agencies, language schools, and online teaching companies.

The International TEFL Academy Approach to TEFL Job Placement

At International TEFL Academy, we are dedicated to working with you on a highly personalized basis to guarantee that you enjoy the experience of a lifetime teaching English abroad through our exclusive programs. Our team has over a decade of experience helping thousands of ITA students gain employment teaching English in Costa Rica & around the globe.

Trusted Network of Schools

We work with a wide variety of schools across Costa Rica, ensuring that we can offer you an array of options. We have thoroughly vetted all schools to ensure they provide the best work environment where you will teach.

Choose the Right TEFL Experience for You

We owe it to you to provide an experience that meets your expectations. That's why we will do our best to place you in a teaching position that best matches your preferences.

Accountability to You

Unlike many recruiters, schools do not pay us, so we have no conflict of interest. You are our customer, and our primary focus is your satisfaction. We will advocate to ensure you enjoy the best possible salary & benefits and will work on your behalf to address any problems or issues.