Teaching English in Costa Rica – Salitral

Published: 12 October, 2018  |  Last updated: 06 January, 2020

Teaching English in Salitral, Costa Rica

 

Report submitted on 14 Apr, 2018 by Renee.

Teaching English in Salitral, Costa Rica:

How can teachers find teaching jobs in Salitral, Costa Rica?
Through friends, organizations. and flyers in school institutions.

The main English teaching jobs available are:
Full time English language school positions, part time English language school positions, agencies (send teachers to different locations), teaching at private international schools, teaching at companies, teaching at community centers, etc., private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.)
Practically everyone wants to learn English or improve their English skills for work because tourism is a very large industry here.

What are the minimum teaching requirements?
I have seen that a degree is required and preferably some teaching experience and certifications. An English native speaker is a plus!

What teaching requirements would you recommend?
I have seen that a degree is required and preferably some teaching experience and certifications. An English native speaker is a plus!

What are the levels of payment?
  I have seen ranges from 2000 colones (approx. 3,40 US$) per hour to 10,000 (approx. 17 US$) per hour. I charge 7000 (approx. 11,80 US$) per hour.

How many teaching days a week is normal?
Once a week.

How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
1 hour per week.

What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
Double payment on holidays so most skip holidays.

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Salitral, Costa Rica to teach English?
Always have Plan B.
#1 Decide if you are coming temporary or permanently. Plan accordingly.
#2 Decide what climate you prefer. Decide on a region you think you might like. You will want to stay at first close to San Jose because that is where the immigration office and embassy is.
#3 Immediately apply for residency – Do the paperwork before you come here – it will make it a much simpler process. It costs about US$1000 to do all of the paperwork and pay the fees. It takes about a year for residency to be granted. With the residency application number you can stay In Costa Rica without having to leave every 90 days on the tourist visa. However, if you get a car here and drive – the transportation department requires you to leave every 90 days to drive.
Find a moving company here in Costa Rica that will help you after you arrive. Know as much Spanish as possible – life will be easier.
Keep a U.S. address and someone to ship mail to you from the U.S.
Get in contact with people at the local schools, colleges, and community centers.
Find and join a local expat organization, they will have many resources to help you and can answer questions.
You can locate many of these things before you even arrive.

What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Salitral, Costa Rica?
It is Costa Rica, what else can I say?

What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Salitral, Costa Rica?
There is nothing I can say negative about Costa Rica. I had never been here before I arrived 8 months ago. I came here to stay and I have not had a single bad day yet.

What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
Many people are self conscious, so you must plan positive lessons that will keep them at ease.

 

Living in Salitral, Costa Rica:

Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in Costa Rica?
You can only work privately with a residency visa. You cannot work with only a tourist visa. Here is where to get info: http://www.migracion.go.cr/

What is the cost of living like in Costa Rica?
You must show $1500.00 USD per month income to get residency. You can find housing for a single person for $300 – $800 and higher. A single person can live very comfortable on $1500 USD.

What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
I went online and explored real estate websites for the area I wanted to live in. I was very lucky to find a good real estate agent who handled rentals.

Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Salitral, Costa Rica?
I love it love it love it love it.

Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in scenery, Costa Rica?
NONE

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Salitral, Costa Rica?
*** Most Important – Come here with a very happy attitude. Be prepared to have problems and laugh them off. Keep your ideas about what should happen and how things should be in your own country, come here prepared to learn new ways of doing things.
***Must love rain, loud bugs, pot holes, and happy people!

What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
NOTHING

What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave Costa Rica?
I am never leaving – I am going to apply for citizenship after 7 years.

What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country?
Up to date electronics. Electronics are expensive here. Do not bring a printer. You will not be able to find the ink cartridges for it – Better to just purchase a printer here. Phones, tablets, computers, audio, cameras, etc. I did this and was very happy I did.

Any other comments (about teaching or living in your country)?
I love living here and the people are wonderful!

 

About Me and My Work:

My Name: Renee

Nationality: USA

Students I’ve taught in Costa Rica: pre-school / kindergarten (4-6 years), elementary (6-12 years)

Where I teach: I teach privately in my home and am going to be looking for room at the local community center. Teaching for 7 months.

How I found my current jobs: I asked my friends I made here.
 

My school facilities: Very good.

What kind of teacher support is available at your school/s?
training / workshops

Links:
https://about.me/Gallery_No_8
https://www.behance.net/ReneeMichel

 

Do you teach English in Costa Rica?

Tell us about your experiences – click here to submit your report about teaching English in Costa Rica Continue reading Teaching English in Costa Rica – Salitral

No Comment Leave a Comment

Teaching English in Costa Rica – Golfito

Published: 24 July, 2015  |  Last updated: 24 July, 2015

Teaching English in Golfito, Costa Rica

Golfito, Costa Rica 

 

Report submitted on 24 July, 2015 by Megan.

Teaching English in Golfito, Costa Rica:

How can teachers find teaching jobs in Golfito, Costa Rica?
English teachers are in great demand here. I currently teach out of my home but I have previously taught in a private school, as well. I have been approached several times about becoming a teacher in one of the schools here, however, due to my own circumstances, teaching out of my home is the my preference.

However, should I ever want to teach in a school I’m sure it would be easy to find a job.

The main English teaching jobs available are:
Teaching at colleges / universities, private teaching.

What are the minimum teaching requirements?
There have been no requirements for my experiences here. Being a native English speaker is the only one.

What teaching requirements would you recommend?
To get a position within a public/accredited school I would assume you would need some type of certification, but I am not sure.

What are the levels of payment?
$40/month per student.

How many teaching days a week is normal?
1-2 days per week

How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
1-2 hours per week

What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
Federal holidays (and there are several) are taken off.

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Golfito, Costa Rica to teach English?
Keep an open mind.

What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Golfito, Costa Rica?
I teach young children therefore the positive aspects are easy. It gives me great joy to see/hear a child learning English. They are like sponges and they never cease to amaze me at how quickly they pick it up.

What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Golfito, Costa Rica?
I cannot think of any negatives at this time. The culture here is very different and it is a second world country therefore, keeping that open mind I talked about earlier will benefit you greatly.
– Also, communication is not really a thing. You will get cut classes, added classes, or the main teacher will not be there and you will have to teach on your own, without a lesson plan, on the fly. Things happen, so you have to always be ready and expect the unexpected.

What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
Finding materials to use in the class. However, thanks to websites/programs like this even that is made a lot easier.

 

Living in Golfito, Costa Rica:

Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in Costa Rica?
You would need a current visa to live/teach here. A visa through your US passport is good for three months. You are required to renew this every three months, here in Costa Rica. I am a resident, therefore this does not apply.

What is the cost of living like in Costa Rica?
$US1,000 / month.

What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
There are not accommodation arrangements made that I know of. We bought our house and I give classes out of said house. You can find a small house for rent for as low as $200/month approx. The only situations I know of where they provide housing is in a volunteer/missionary position where you are not getting paid.

Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Golfito, Costa Rica?
It’s beautiful, serene, tranquil, and overall a great place to live.

Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Golfito, Costa Rica?
We are in a very small town that does not have the conveniences of many first world countries. There is no Target, Starbucks, or (a teacher’s favorite) Dollar Store down the street to run out and get supplies/materials.

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Golfito, Costa Rica?
Bring your patience with you, nothing happens quickly here.

What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
Target, good restaurants, shopping. Simple conveniences. Cooler weather. 🙂

What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave Costa Rica?
It’s beauty and tranquility, and the people.

What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country?
Any teaching supplies you can think of, books included.

 

About Me and My Work:

My Name: Megan

Nationality: American

Students I’ve taught in Costa Rica: Babies (0-2 years), toddlers (2-4 years), pre-school / kindergarten (4-6 years), elementary (6-12 years)

Where I teach: I teach privately from my home.  Teaching for 5 years,

How I found my current jobs: A general need in my area.

My school facilities: Adequate – teaching resources, no library, no textbooks.

 

Do you teach English in Costa Rica?

Tell us about your experiences – click here to submit your report about teaching English in Costa Rica.

3 Comments Leave a Comment