10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Learning English has become increasingly important in Costa Rica. Whether you want to get a better job, work for an international company, travel, communicate with people from around the world, or simply feel more confident speaking English, having strong English skills can open doors.
But there are also many myths about learning English.
Some people believe they are too old to learn. Others think they need to study grammar for years before they can speak. Some believe that living in Costa Rica makes it impossible to become fluent because English isn’t spoken everywhere.
The truth? Many of these beliefs simply aren’t true.
Let’s separate the myths from the facts.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #1: «I’m too old to learn English.»
FACT: You are never too old to improve your English.
One of the most common reasons adults don’t start learning English is that they believe they are too old.
You may hear someone say:
«I should have learned English when I was younger.»
Or:
«I’m already 40. It’s too late for me.»
But adults can absolutely learn another language.
In fact, adults often have advantages that children don’t have. They have more life experience, understand how they learn best, and can connect English to situations they actually encounter at work and in everyday life.
The important question isn’t «How old am I?»
It’s:
«How consistently am I practicing?»
Age doesn’t determine whether you can learn English. Your learning habits, exposure, practice, and willingness to communicate play a much bigger role.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #2: «I need to study grammar before I can speak English.»
FACT: Grammar is important, but you don’t need perfect grammar to communicate.
Grammar is an important part of learning English. However, spending months studying grammar without actually speaking can create a problem.
You may know the difference between the present perfect and past simple, but still freeze when someone asks:
«What did you do this weekend?»
That’s because knowing English and using English are two different skills.
Speaking requires practice.
You need opportunities to listen, respond, make mistakes, find different ways to express yourself, and become comfortable communicating in real time.
This is especially important in Costa Rica, where English is often connected to professional opportunities. The OECD notes that good foreign-language skills are increasingly essential for formal employment, and multinational companies in the services sector often require at least upper-intermediate English (B2).
So don’t wait until your grammar is perfect before you start speaking.
Speak while you’re learning.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #3: «I need to live in an English-speaking country to become fluent.»
FACT: You can develop strong English skills while living in Costa Rica.
Living in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or another English-speaking country can certainly provide more exposure to English.
But moving abroad isn’t a requirement for learning English.
Today, Costa Rica students can access:
- English-speaking teachers online
- Podcasts
- YouTube videos
- Movies and television
- Audiobooks
- Online courses
- Language-learning apps
- International communities
- Conversation clubs
- Online meetings with English speakers
The key is creating consistent exposure to English.
You don’t have to move to an English-speaking country.
You need to bring more English into your daily life.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #4: «If I understand English, I can speak English.»
FACT: Understanding English and speaking English are different skills.
This is a particularly important myth in Costa Rica.
According to the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index, Costa Rica’s reading score was higher than its speaking score: reading was 535, while speaking was 489.
This helps illustrate something many English learners experience:
«I understand English, but when I try to speak, I can’t find the words.»
Sound familiar?
That’s not necessarily because you don’t know enough English.
You may simply need more active speaking practice.
Listening allows you to recognize language.
Speaking requires you to produce language.
Those are related—but different—skills.
If your goal is to communicate confidently, you need to practice communicating.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #5: «I need to know thousands of English words before I can have a conversation.»
FACT: You can have meaningful conversations with the English you already know.
Many students underestimate how much they can communicate with a relatively small vocabulary.
You don’t need to know every word.
You need to know how to use the words you have.
For example, if you don’t know the word «exhausted,» you can say:
«I’m very tired.»
If you don’t know the word «purchase,» you can say:
«I bought it.»
If you don’t know a specific word, you can describe it.
This is actually an important communication skill.
Native speakers don’t always know—or use—the most complicated word either.
Good communication isn’t about using the biggest words. It’s about making yourself understood.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #6: «I have to sound like a native speaker.»
FACT: You don’t need to sound like a native speaker to speak excellent English.
This is another common source of frustration.
Some students become obsessed with eliminating their accent.
But having a Costa Rican accent when speaking English doesn’t automatically mean your English is bad.
The goal should be clear, confident communication, not pretending to be someone you’re not.
Pronunciation is important, especially when a pronunciation mistake changes the meaning of a word or makes you difficult to understand.
But you don’t need to erase your identity to speak English well.
Your accent is part of your story.
Clarity matters more than sounding «native.»
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #7: «I’m just bad at languages.»
FACT: Struggling with English doesn’t mean you’re bad at languages.
Have you ever said:
«I’m terrible at English.»
Maybe you’ve been studying for years but still don’t feel comfortable speaking.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you lack the ability to learn languages.
You may simply have been using a learning method that doesn’t work well for you.
For example, if most of your previous English education focused on memorizing vocabulary, completing grammar exercises, and passing exams, you may not have received enough opportunities to actually use English conversationally.
And that’s an important distinction.
Sometimes the problem isn’t the student.
It’s the approach.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #8: «I studied English for years, so I should already be fluent.»
FACT: Time spent studying isn’t the same as time spent using English.
Someone can study English for ten years and still struggle to have a conversation.
Another person might make significant progress in a much shorter period.
Why?
Because exposure and active practice matter.
Think about going to the gym.
Having a gym membership for five years doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stronger.
What matters is what you actually do when you’re there.
English works in a similar way.
It’s not simply:
Years studying = fluency
Instead, think about:
Consistent exposure + meaningful practice + feedback + real communication = progress
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #9: «I have to study English every day for hours.»
FACT: Consistency is more important than studying for long hours.
You don’t necessarily need to spend three hours studying English every day.
For many busy professionals in Costa Rica, that’s simply unrealistic.
Instead, create smaller opportunities throughout your day.
For example:
10 minutes: Listen to an English podcast.
10 minutes: Review useful expressions.
15 minutes: Watch a video in English.
15 minutes: Have a conversation.
5 minutes: Review mistakes from your conversation.
That’s already meaningful exposure.
The goal isn’t to make English another full-time job.
The goal is to make English part of your life.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
Myth #10: «My English has to be perfect before I use it at work.»
FACT: Waiting for perfect English can hold your career back.
English can be particularly valuable in Costa Rica’s professional environment.
The OECD has noted that foreign-language skills are becoming essential for formal employment and that multinational service companies frequently look for upper-intermediate English skills.
That means English isn’t simply an academic subject.
For many professionals, it’s a workplace skill.
You may need to:
- Participate in meetings
- Give presentations
- Speak with international clients
- Answer phone calls
- Write emails
- Participate in interviews
- Explain problems
- Make recommendations
- Work with international teams
And here’s the important part:
You don’t need perfect English to start doing these things.
You need enough English to communicate effectively—and then you continue improving.
10 Myths and Facts About Learning English in Costa Rica
So, What’s the Biggest Myth of All?
Perhaps the biggest myth is this:
«I’m not good at English.»
Your current English level is not your final English level.
Maybe you’re A1 today.
Maybe you’re A2.
Maybe you’re B1 and frustrated because you feel like you’ve stopped improving.
Maybe you understand almost everything but struggle to speak.
None of those situations means you can’t improve.
Costa Rica’s English-learning landscape is changing, and there are still significant differences between regions and skills. The 2025 EF data, for example, shows Costa Rica at a national score of 516, with considerable differences among regions.
At the same time, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Education has reported progress in English competency among secondary students, with the proportion reaching B1, B2, or C1 in reading and listening increasing from 36% to 50% in its monitoring results.
The message is clear:
English proficiency can improve.
But improvement doesn’t happen simply because you attend English classes.
It happens when you use the language.
Learning English in Costa Rica doesn’t have to mean memorizing grammar rules for years or waiting until you can speak perfectly.
You don’t need to be young.
You don’t need to live abroad.
You don’t need a perfect accent.
You don’t need an enormous vocabulary.
And you certainly don’t need to be «naturally good at languages.»
You need the right approach, consistent practice, meaningful exposure, and—most importantly—opportunities to actually use English.
So the next time you catch yourself saying:
«I’m too old.»
«My English isn’t good enough.»
«I need to learn more grammar first.»
«I’ll start speaking when I’m ready.»
Stop and ask yourself:
«Is that a fact—or just a myth?»
Because when it comes to learning English, the biggest obstacle isn’t always your ability. Sometimes it’s what you believe about your ability.
And that is something you can change.
If you’re living in Costa Rica and want to improve your English, especially your speaking and listening skills, Unlimited English offers online English classes focused on real communication with certified native English-speaking professors.
Don’t wait until your English is perfect to start speaking. Start speaking so your English can improve. For more information, fill out our newsletter or send us a quick message and set up your FREE interview today!
