Teaching English in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Guanacaste
• Central Pacific Coast: 
Cartago
• Eastern Lowlands: 
Bribri,  Puerto Viejo

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Any day of the year

Description: Volunteers on this project will teach basic English skills to community members. Some will work as a translator during educational tours.

Teaching English is perhaps our most important project. We say this because Costa Ricans who speak English are more likely to make a better living. Statistically, employees who speak English earn 46% more money than those who do not speak English.

Today, out of every 10 people interviewed for a job in Costa Rica requiring the use of English, only 2 people have strong enough skills. Eight people get turned away for the job!

Tropical Adventures has many English-teaching opportunities in the Central Valley, Limon (Caribbean Zone) and Guanacaste (Pacific Side):

- Elementary Schools
- Night Schools
- Community Centers

Part of our mission as a foundation is to support the inherent value of the individual and to reduce poverty and injustice. We believe that by teaching English, encouraging students to continue their education, and by helping them learn the skills to get better jobs, we are ultimately contributing to the strength of our economy and our beautiful country.

You don't have formal teaching experience? You don't think your English is good enough to teach other people? Never mind! We have a great program that will assist you and help you to feel comfortable in the classroom.

The emphasis is on improving the basics, getting students interested in the language at a young age, on speaking skills and not on formal rules of grammar.

Students work with volunteers to learn pronunciation, idioms, and syntax. Besides practice dialogues, lessons may include such fun activities as sports, arts and crafts, and theater. Most of the students will have had little, if any, previous English instruction. You'll find them to be eager, and open to new ideas.

And the biggest, most important gift you can give them is just showing up. It will demonstrate to them three things:

- You care about them
- If you could learn English - they can do it too
- Learning English can also be fun

Please consider joining us!

Highlights: Life-changing experiences, unrestricted glimpses of the Costa Rica most visitors don't know, and a way to have a positive and lasting impact on a community are all major components of a volunteer vacation with Tropical Adventures.

Live among locals, learn from them and share talents that can make a difference in a society often forgotten. Take advantage of the Spanish immersion program to enhance communication during the project work.

The vacation is not all work; plenty of play is available: snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, river rafting, canopy (zip line) tours, chocolate factory tours, and several sights to see (waterfalls, butterfly garden, volcano, etc.).

Build bridges, literally and figuratively, and return home fulfilling a community's hopes and feeling fulfilled.

Qualifications: We are seeking volunteers who have the ability to impact the community in a positive way. Prospective volunteers should be physically fit, have a good work ethic, a friendly attitude and be willing to immerse themselves in another culture.

Cost in US$: 1 week - $699, 2 weeks - $1395, each additional week - $245

Spanish language lessons, excursions and cellphone rental are available at an extra cost.

Children 5 and under are charged $250 for two weeks. Children aged 6-12 are charged $500 for two weeks. We offer a family discount of 10% off total base price.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The typical volunteer at Tropical Adventures is someone who wants to experience the rich bio-diversity of Costa Rica, while learning Spanish and sharing their time, skills and love. Our volunteers like to work hard and play hard. They work well with others and enjoy submersing themselves in a different culture. Typical volunteers are college students, families or retirees.

Age Range: 16+ unless with guardian.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Tropical Adventures's Mission Statement: The Tropical Adventures Foundation is a resource for empowering individuals and communities inside and outside of Costa Rica. Our goals are to: Support the inherent value of the individual, reduce poverty and injustice, help communities achieve sustainable growth, create safe environments, promote international learning and cooperation and foster personal and worldwide peace. Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. We meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located. We promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit organizations, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Our experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

Year Founded: 2005