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SPECIALIZED TEFL
COURSES
ESL FOR BUSINESS, EXAMS, & ONLINE
Teaching English as a Second Language has a number of specialties that professional English teachers can choose to focus on in order to expand their teaching credentials and expertise. Maximo Nivel offers three specialized certificate programs Teaching Business English, Teaching International Exam Preparation, and Teaching English Grammar. If you have earned your TEFL certificate elsewhere, you can also enroll in the Job Placement Assistance and Practical Teaching programs if you need extra help building your teaching career. Specialized TEFL programs help ESL teachers improve their career opportunities and earning potential. These programs are available as online add-on certifications and can usually be completed in 4-10 days.
International English exams are a very specialized area of ESL and teachers who know these exams, and the strategies for scoring high marks, are in high demand by both language schools and English learners. As an ESL teacher, you make an enormous impact helping students earn high scores on these international tests, because they are key steps to being accepted at universities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as many other programs around the world where English is the language of instruction. These international tests are also used for immigration purposes. Success on exams such as the TOEFL or IELTS can literally change the lives of your students!
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Why I Maximo Nivel
This course has been amazing. I learned more in 4 weeks than I ever thought possible and feel like I am on my way to becoming an actual teacher now. The practical teaching experience was invaluable here and I am so thankful for the experience. Audra is pretty great too and makes even grammar week pretty fun.
PRACTICAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
For people who enroll into Maximo Nivel’s TEFL Certification Programs, practical teaching experience is always included. However, not all TEFL courses provide the opportunity to get practical teaching experience. If you’ve chosen an alternative TEFL provider, but you are now looking to augment your TEFL studies with more experience teaching abroad in a real classroom or online, we can help you.
The practical teaching module includes 1 hour of teaching/day and your classes are observed by one of Maximo Nivel’s professional TEFL Trainers. The Trainer provides you with feedback and coaching after each class to help you hone your teaching skills and have a successful experience.
The practical teaching module is available in 1-week increments, 5 hours per week.
– 5 hours/week teaching experience
– 2 Observations of ESL classes
– Feedback and coaching from TEFL Trainer
– Full teaching curriculum
– All books and materials
– Access to licensed Zoom account (online classes)
– Letter of recommendation
Programs abroad include housing and 2 meals/day and more.


JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE
For people who enroll into Maximo Nivel’s TEFL Certification Programs, life-time job-finding assistance is included. However, not all TEFL courses include job-finding as part of their program. If you’ve chosen an alternative TEFL provider, but now realize you need help finding your first paid teaching position, we can help you.
What’s Included:
– Professional résumé/CV feedback and coaching
– Interview coaching
– Lists of universities, institutes, and schools in your preferred destination country(s)
– Internet sites and job boards specializing in ESL positions
– Introduction to ESL recruitment and headhunter partners
– Job offer and contract advice
TEACHING BUSINESS ENGLISH
Maximo Nivel’s Certificate in Teaching Business English (TBE) trains ESL teachers how to prepare non-native speakers to effectively conduct themselves in international business settings. During the online TBE course, you learn basic business concepts and terminology, along with needs analysis, teaching methodologies, materials creation, and course design. The TBE course is designed for participants who have already completed a minimum 100-hour TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification course. This add-on certification is perfect for ESL teachers who are now looking to specialize in teaching Business English and who are seeking an additional TEFL qualification.
– Understand English for Specific Purposes
– Introduction to theory and practice in methodology and approaches to teaching Business English
– Introduction to basic business concepts and terminology
– Learn how to conduct needs analyses to determine learner objectives in Business English
– Examples and practice in how to assess, adapt and create TBE study materials
– Practice in designing learner-based Business English courses
TBE Course Modules |
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1. English for Specific Purposes |
2. Business Concepts & Terminology |
3. Needs Assessment |
4. Course Programming |
5. Materials Creation |
6. Task-based Learning (TBL) |
7. Running Simulations |


TEACHING INTERNATIONAL EXAM PREPARATION
Maximo Nivel proudly offers this unique certification in how to prepare ESL learners for international English exams. During the online TIEP course, you learn about exams structure and strategies for the TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge exams. You also learn about needs analysis and course design. The TIEP course is intended for participants who have already completed a minimum 100-hour TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification. This add-on certification is perfect for ESL teachers who are now looking to specialize in teaching exam preparation and who are seeking an additional TEFL qualification.
– Understanding the structure and use of English proficiency exams
– Introduction to English exam strategies
– Learn how to apply exam strategies and achieve high scores
– Learn how to conduct needs analyses to determine best exams for each learner
– Examples and practice in TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge exams
– Practice in designing learner-centered courses for international English exams
TIEP Course Modules |
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1. English for Specific Purposes |
2. Needs Assessment |
3. Exam Structure |
4. Exam Strategies |
5. Application of Strategies |
6. Course Programming |
TEACHING ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Teaching English Grammar is a necessary skill for every ESL teacher. Whether you teach children, teens, or adults, grammar is an important part of teaching English as a Second Language. NOTE: the TEG certification course is designed for participants who have already completed a TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification course outside of Maximo Nivel and are looking to gain English grammar knowledge for the first time, or to refresh your previous grammar studies.
* The Teaching English Grammar modules are already included in Maximo Nivel’s onsite, hybrid, and online TEFL Certification Courses. The TEG certification course is designed for participants who completed their TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certification course outside of Maximo Nivel.
TEG Certification Objectives
– Understand the foundations of English grammar
– Gain knowledge of verb tenses and other verb forms
– Understand other grammar structures (e.g. modals, conditionals, passive voice)
– Be able to answer frequently asked questions related to grammar
– Identify common grammatical forms
– Anticipate common learner errors
– Learn how to teach grammar including form, function, and phonology
– Identify grammar teaching techniques
– Analyze a grammatical structure
– Create lesson plans to teach grammar
– Career assistance and resources in order to find ESL teaching positions.
TEG Course Modules |
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1. Foundations in English Grammar |
2. Grammar Structures |
3. Other Grammar Structures |
4. Teaching English Grammar |
5. Practical Teaching (4 hours) |
The TEG Certificate course is designed to be delivered online or in-person. If you prefer to complete your TEG Certification in-person instead of online, we invite you to join us at one of Maximo Nivel’s training institutes in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru. TEG Programs completed in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru include family-stay accommodations in a private room with breakfast and dinner 7 days/week

JOB PLACEMENT GUARANTEE
AND LIFETIME JOB-FINDING ASSISTANCE
Maximo Nivel offers a job placement guarantee and lifetime job-finding support for our TEFL graduates. If you have a native English proficiency (C2 CEFR) and pass your TEFL course with a Pass-Good or higher grade, we have a teaching position waiting for you! Your TEFL course includes a workshop and resume/CV preparation to find the best international teaching positions. Our professional team is always at your service to make sure you enjoy a long and successful teaching career. Get the job you earn!
Maximo Nivel’s TEFL Certification is a rigorous teacher training course that exceeds all global standards. We have trained more than 5,250 ESL teachers since 2004. Schedule a call with a program advisor today!
WHY GET A SPECIALIZED TEFL
CERTIFICATE AT MAXIMO NIVEL?
When you earn a Specialized TEFL Certification in Teaching Business English or Teaching International Exam Preparation at Maximo Nivel, you have completed a unique teacher-training course that qualifies you to teach ESL at a new level and earn a higher salary. We have successfully trained more than 5,250 TEFL graduates since 2004, and Maximo alumni continue teaching all over the world. We go way beyond all other TEFL certification programs and our specialized TEFL programs are proof of this. Maximo Nivel is a well-known, first-class language training center in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru with 3,000+ English students enrolled every month.
- Specialized TEFL courses tuition from $195
- Accredited certification accepted worldwide
- Highly qualified TEFL Trainers
- Build expertise in Task-Based Learning and running simulations
- Continuous coaching during TEFL course