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TEFL International’s course in Chiapas is nestled alongside the Mexican states of Veracruz, Tabasco and Oaxaca. It also borders Guatemala and flanks the Pacific Ocean.

Our center is in a quaint colonial town in west-central Chiapas. According to Lonely Planet, it’s a town with an easy-going, provincial air. The summary is accurate but the town is overlooked by most tourists—which is great for sustaining authentic local customs.

We might be located in a small town but we’ve got big things in store for you upon your arrival. We’re located about 20 minutes away from the state capital. On the weekends you can tour up a nearby mountain to San Cristobal. The town is home to ancient ruins and beautiful lakes.

If you wish to make a longer trip, feel free to visit the world-renowned Mayan ruins of Palenque—only a seven-hour drive away from Chiapas. Easy day trips to waterfalls such as El Chorreadero and El Chiflon are also worth a visit. Days can be spent taking part in many of the town’s handicraft workshops that the town’s cultural center put on.

Chiapa is very relaxed so weeknights and most nightlife are fairly laid back. There are some cafes and bars in town where you can enjoy local atmosphere after a challenging day of teaching.

Big city malls, discos and clubs can be reached by taking a 20-minute bus journey to Tuxtla Gutierrez. Chiapas is about culture and locals will be happy to sit down with you for as long as you’d like and tell you about their land.

Some tour companies have Chiapa de Corzo on their route, which gives it a bit of day tourism during the high seasons, but as a result of being seen more than two days in a row, local TEFL teachers and volunteers are quickly recognized as part of the community.

Direct flights to Tuxtla Gutierrez are available, so getting to the TEFL International course in Chiapas is simple. If you are unable to find an affordable flight directly to Tuxtla (the closest major city to Chiapa de Corzo), look for flights to Mexico City and from there it’s a 90-minute flight. There are also direct flights to Tuxtla from Cancun. If you enjoy taking your time savoring a journey, there are countless buses that arrive in Tuxtla.

*Balance of course fees must be paid in advance to qualify for free homestay accommodation.

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The School

TEFL International’s training center in Chiapa de Corzo is located just two blocks from the town’s main square and within a short walk of all home stays, cafes, restaurants and other facilities.

While on the course, you’ll have Wi-fi, access to photocopiers and our ESL resource library.

Computers are limited so we recommend you bring your laptop, it possible.

Benefits of our program include:

• Small class sizes, with a maximum of six trainees, giving you customized, personal attention.
• Nearly twelve hours of hands-on teaching practice with adults, teenagers and primary aged children; all the experience TEFL employers look for.
• One-to-one, post-lesson feedback with your qualified teacher trainer.
• Exposure to authentic language learning environments and classroom scenarios from day one, and teaching practice within the first week.
• Internationally recognized certification that has enabled previous graduates to find work.

Included in the course fee are:

• Free home stay accommodation with a local family
• All support materials (handbooks, handouts etc.).

*Balance of course fees must be paid in advance to qualify for free homestay accommodation.

Accommodation

Your TEFL International course offers free home stay accommodation with a local family within a short walk of the center. You will have a private bedroom and bathroom, as well as access to the family kitchen where you can eat with your host family or cook for yourself, whichever you prefer. Meals and laundry services are not included and there is a small charge of 250 pesos if you require internet access during your stay.

Our host families have all been pre-screened and interviewed. All facilities are regularly inspected by our staff. This may well be your first experience with a home stay situation, but you can be sure that all our families are friendly and eager to make you feel at home.

If you are more comfortable in a hotel or a hostel during your TEFL course, we will arrange your stay. There are a variety of hostels and hotels in the area with varying prices. Once you reserve your spot on the course by paying the course deposit, we’ll send you a detailed list of possible accommodation.

If you have any questions about accommodation in Chiapas, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

*Balance of course fees must be paid in advance to qualify for free homestay accommodation.

Course dates

Coming soon...

Please check out our other course locations if you wish to attend a course before this one becomes available...

*Balance of course fees must be paid in advance to qualify for free homestay accommodation.

Course fees

The total price is divided into: deposit and balance.

The deposit may be paid via a) credit card b) Paypal c) wire transfer d) Western Union.

The balance of the course fee must be paid by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the training center on the first day of the course.

 

Deposit
US$ 600

to be paid in advance

+

Balance
US$ 1090

to be paid on arrival

Special offer: course fees now include five hours of free Spanish lessons

Accomodation Fees

We provide free home stay accommodation for all our trainees for the duration of the course. Meals and laundry services are not included and there is a small charge of 250 pesos if you require internet access.

You are not obliged to use our free accommodation option and are welcome to make your own accommodation arrangements if you wish. We can also recommend local hotels and guest houses which should be paid for directly to the provider upon arrival.

Homestay
Free!

Hotel
US$ 350

(to be paid on arrival)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are my payment options?

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  Course deposits must be paid to our administrative center. Credit/debit card payments are the fastest and cheapest way to pay, but we also accept payments via Western Union, Pay Pal and bank transfer. While there are no deadlines for a deposit, courses can fill up quickly and your seat will only be reserved after the deposit has been paid.

  Once you make your deposit, you will receive an email with an informational packet that provides detailed information about the course and Chiapas itself.

  The balance of course fees is payable via credit card before, or on the first day of the course. Bank transfers are also accepted but must be completed at least two weeks before the first day of the course. Participants with checking accounts in the US may pay by personal check, but payments must be cleared within two weeks of the course’s start date.

  Course fees are all-inclusive so you won’t be asked to pay additional costs for course related materials or services. This also includes course moderation, accreditation fees and lifetime job assistance.

• What are my accommodation options?

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  For obvious reasons, our most popular accommodation choice is our free home stay option. You will have a private bedroom and bathroom, with access to shared kitchen facilities (where you can cook for yourself) and living room areas. Internet is also available with a one off charge of 250 pesos.

   

  Hostels and Guesthouses are also available (US$ 350 and up) and can be arranged prior to your arrival. There are numerous hostels and hotels in the area with varying prices.

  Your accommodation is available from 1:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the course begins through to 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of the final week. We hope you will plan to arrive in Chiapa de Corzo by Saturday as this will give you a chance to relax and get accustomed to your surroundings before the course begins.

• What travel documents will I need for mexico?

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  All visitors to Mexico are required to carry a passport valid for at least six months after their arrival date.

  Visitors to Mexico from the United Kingdom, North America, Australia and New Zealand can stay in Mexico for a maximum of 180 days with a tourist visa. Post course, if you wish to stay and work in Mexico your employer will assist you with obtaining a work permit.*

  * As this information is subject to change at any time, we advise you to contact your local consulate for current travel regulations prior to planning your trip. For more information on obtaining visas please check with your local Mexican consulate or embassy.

• What is the course schedule?

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  Class time is generally 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a mid morning break. Then you will return for a second session from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You will start teaching on the second day of class. By the end of the first week you will have taught your first complete one hour lessons. Between class work, teacher observation and homework you can count on being busy for about seven hours a day.

• What can I expect during teaching practice?

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  We use local students for the trainees’ teaching practice. The class sizes vary, but rarely exceed ten, so the teaching practice is generally with small groups. The groups are also divided by age and by language level, allowing trainees to practice on a wide range of abilities.

  Lessons are based upon real teaching resources found all over the world and you will have the chance to create your own materials as well. You will also receive the aid of your course trainer throughout lesson planning and receive immediate feedback on your lesson after it’s been delivered. Practicum is assessed and a satisfactory assessment is required to earn your TEFL/TESOL certificate.

• Who usually attends the course?

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  We accept ten trainees per group, if there are more than this then the group is divided to ensure maximum trainer-trainee attention. Most of the participants are American, British, Canadian or Australian, although we do accept non-native speakers of English who have a high proficiency in the language.

• Is there a dress code?

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  For all input and tutorial sessions at the training location, there is only one specific dress requirement: Both men and women should have a shirt covering their shoulders. The course operates from within a school so we ask you to be mindful of this, as well as being mindful of your peers and to respect the fact that you are a visitor in another country.

  During teaching practice there are specific requirements that adhere to the local dress code. All trainees are expected to dress professionally according to the following guidelines:

  Women: Shoulders should be covered, blouses with sleeves are suggested. No low-cut necklines, very short skirts or bare midriffs. Open-toed shoes are acceptable, but not hiking or flip-flop sandals.

  Men: Long pants, slacks or trousers are required, jeans are not acceptable. Short or long-sleeved shirts with a collar are necessary, although a tie is not required. Loafers or dress shoes are both fine, sandals are not acceptable. Long hair should always be tied back.

• What should I bring for course studies?

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  Please be sure to arrive on the first day of the course with a notebook and a pen. We also encourage you to bring a laptop as we have Wi-Fi at the training center. We will provide all course materials for you so there is no need to bring anything else for the course itself.