Volunteer Teaching English in Heredia, Costa Rica

Volunteer Project Overview

The Teaching English Volunteer Program in Heredia, Costa Rica gives volunteers the opportunity to support local high school students, typically between the ages of 12 and 17, as they practice English in a real school environment.

During this project, volunteers work alongside local English teachers and school staff to support classroom activities, small group practice, pronunciation exercises, writing support, educational games, and cultural exchange. Depending on the needs of the school, volunteers may help students practice speaking, review vocabulary, participate in classroom discussions, assist with materials, or simply provide encouraging interaction with a native or fluent English speaker.

This is not a program where volunteers replace local teachers or lead classes independently. Instead, volunteers provide extra support, encouragement, and authentic English interaction while learning from the teachers and students who make up the daily rhythm of a Costa Rican high school.

This project also gives volunteers a meaningful opportunity to practice Spanish in real-life settings. By spending time with Costa Rican students, teachers, homestay families, and community members, volunteers gain language experience outside the classroom while learning more about local culture, education, and daily life in Costa Rica.

What to Expect and How You’ll Make an Impact

This project is built around support, cultural exchange, and positive classroom participation. Volunteers are not expected to have teaching experience, and they are not expected to create full lesson plans on their own. Instead, they help the English department by bringing energy, patience, and real-world English communication into the school environment.

Many Costa Rican students study English in school but have limited opportunities to practice with native or fluent English speakers. A volunteer’s presence can help students hear different accents, practice pronunciation, ask questions, build confidence, and experience English as a living language used by real people from different cultures.

Volunteers may support students through conversation practice, pronunciation activities, writing exercises, classroom games, small group activities, and cultural exchange. They may also help teachers prepare simple materials, assist during interactive lessons, or support students who need extra encouragement.

The best volunteers are patient, friendly, flexible, and comfortable taking initiative when appropriate. Some days may be structured around classroom activities, while other days may be more informal or dependent on the needs of the school. Volunteers who stay open-minded and willing to help often find many ways to become part of the daily life of the school.

Typical volunteer tasks may include

• Helping students practice English conversation
• Supporting pronunciation and listening activities
• Participating in classroom games and interactive activities
• Helping students with basic writing exercises
• Assisting teachers with small group work
• Sharing cultural perspectives and answering student questions
• Helping prepare simple classroom materials
• Encouraging students who feel nervous speaking English
• Participating in the daily rhythm of the high school
• Supporting special English department activities when available

Requirements
To participate in Tico Lingo’s Teaching English Volunteer Program in Costa Rica, volunteers should be responsible, flexible, patient, and excited to support local students in a positive and respectful way.

Volunteers must meet the following requirements.

Age requirements

• Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to participate independently
• Volunteers who are 16 or 17 years old may be able to participate when accompanied by a faculty leader, parent, or legal guardian
• Volunteers under 18 must submit parent or guardian consent forms and may be required to sign a dedicated underage waiver

General requirements

• Be willing to work hard, stay flexible, and help wherever support is needed
• Bring a positive attitude, patience, and a genuine interest in working with teenagers
• Be comfortable supporting students between the ages of roughly 12 and 17
• Be a native English speaker or have a very high level of English
• Be willing to follow the guidance of local teachers, school staff, and Tico Lingo
• Be respectful of school rules, classroom expectations, and local culture
• Be prepared to participate in classroom activities, games, conversation practice, and cultural exchange
• Be open to using Spanish in everyday situations, even if your Spanish level is basic

Required documents

• All volunteers working with minors must provide a background check before beginning the project
• Volunteers must sign Tico Lingo’s volunteer code of conduct and waiver
• Volunteers under 18 must submit parent or guardian consent forms

This project is located in the city of Heredia, Costa Rica, the hometown of Tico Lingo. We have been operating in Heredia for more than 10 years and have built a trusted network of homestay families and local community service projects, all located within walking distance of Tico Lingo.

Most project sites and homestays are located within a 15 to 25 minute walk from the school.

Heredia is a small, walkable Costa Rican city located just outside of San José. It is known for its local charm, friendly people, mountain views, coffee culture, and everyday Spanish-speaking environment.

Heredia is not a tourist destination, and thus provides students and volunteers the chance to experience real daily life in a local Costa Rican community. Students and volunteers walk to class, live with local families, visit neighborhood cafés, shop at local markets, and practice Spanish in natural, everyday situations.

For volunteers, this makes Heredia an ideal place to live, learn, and serve. You are close to Tico Lingo, close to your homestay, and close to the local organizations where you will be volunteering.

Work schedule

The minimum commitment for this project is 1 week, although we strongly recommend 2 weeks or longer for volunteers who want a deeper and more meaningful experience.

Volunteers typically complete 3 to 4 hours of volunteer support per day, Monday through Friday. Volunteer hours are usually based on the school’s English department schedule and may vary depending on class periods, exams, holidays, special events, and the needs of the school.

Unlike some of our other volunteer projects, this program does not usually pair with morning group Spanish classes during the same week because volunteers are generally needed during the school day. Volunteers who want to improve their Spanish may add private Spanish classes in the afternoon or complete a Spanish immersion program before or after their volunteer placement.

Step 1 | Choose your program option
Decide whether you want to volunteer only, add private Spanish classes, or complete a Spanish immersion program before or after your volunteer project.

Step 2 | Submit your registration form
Complete the Tico Lingo registration form and select the Teaching English Volunteer Program.

Step 3 | Speak with the Tico Lingo team
We will review your goals, Spanish level, preferred dates, age, background, and volunteer requirements.

Step 4 | Pay your 35% deposit
If everything looks good, we will send you a secure online invoice that you can use to pay your deposit. This allows Tico Lingo to begin coordinating your homestay, volunteer placement, and Spanish classes, if included in your program.

Step 5 | Submit your required documents
This includes your background check, signed code of conduct waiver, student or volunteer enrollment form, and parent or guardian consent forms for participants under 18.

Step 6 | Arrive at SJO Airport
Plan to arrive on the Saturday or Sunday before your desired Monday start date. After arrival, you will be picked up at SJO Airport by a Tico Lingo team member and introduced to your homestay family.

Step 7 | Arrive at Tico Lingo
On your first day, you will walk to Tico Lingo with your homestay mom and receive your program and safety orientation before beginning your volunteer project.