Maximo Nivel is a wonderful organization. They put me in a great home stay, and the family was so welcoming and generous . 10/10 recommend. Also, my project was great and well coordinated. I got to learn how to plaster and acquired new skills while helping build a library in Tica Tica. Grateful for this opportunity :)
Malazo everything has changed - I don't recommend it anymore
As an ESL teacher for the past two years, Maximo Nivel was one of the worst companies I've taught at.
Unfortunately, students are getting a really low education for a very high price. The curriculum is dated back to 2008 which is over 10 years ago. This is completely outdated and they only hire new teachers whom haven't worked for other institutions prior. Which is a shame because bringing experience into the school can improve the quality of education. There are other ways to teach, not just by a simple TEFL program the school offers.
The hours are 30+ each week, with 6 hours a day, and then lesson planning on top of that. The pay of only $500.00 a month with no housing included. The cost of living in Cusco is significantly higher then what was told by the administration of Maximo. I had gone weeks without being able to buy groceries because $250 bi-weekly wasn't enough. Rent in Cusco is MINIMAL 400-1,000 soles for a 1 bedroom, which is half of the pay of $500.00. Unless, you choose to live in a dangerous area which can be unsafe and far from work.
There is a lack of support from the staff and management. Once hired they don't seem to care about the employees needs or desires. They lacked school supplies which I had to buy my own folders, pens, notebooks, and Post-It notes without being reimbursed.
They also don't care about teacher's visas. They have teachers who over-stay their visa of 90 days and the teachers pay a fine. Which is absolutely ludacris to me. My Visa and passport is the MOST important value to me whenever I teach aboard. If a company is unwilling to work with a teacher to get the proper paperwork, then that company is a fraud.
I needed to leave December 23rd after 90 days in Peru. I bought a plane ticket back to the USA and would have returned after the holidays for my border jump. I was not reimbursed for this ticket. But, I was also denied this request due to final exams being on December 26, 27, and 28. There is a two day Christmas break at this English institution. Which again, is another unlogical idea for the students to thoroughly pass their exams. This is a terrible time to have exams, PERIOD.
Overall, this company has setup their students for failure with out-dated textbooks, placement tests that have not changed since 2008, so students are being placed into the wrong level. Not only are these serious issues but, they also lack an attendance policy, grading change, and enrollment deadlines.
This company is STRICTLY in it to make a boat load of $$$$$ and not care of the students education. I can go on and on about how horrible this company can be, but I feel what was mentioned above should be enough.
For future teachers looking at Maximo Nivel to work there, please reconsider other teaching positions. You'll just be over worked, under paid, and uncared.
Had my classes cancelled due to the cornovirus so I requested a refund of my tuition. The Cusco director ignored my request so I did a back charge on my credit charge. We tried to meet in the middle and do online classes instead and the Antigua director no called, no showed to our first online meeting. Now, they are contesting my back charges saying I canceled the classes. Absolutely ridiculous business practices.
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