Ecuador

Bordering Colombia to the north and Peru to the south, Ecuador is named for the horizontal equatorial line that runs through the northern part of the country. The country has three different climates — you can visit the beautiful beaches of the Pacific coast, the lush jungles of the selva, and summit the high, snow-capped mountains all in this small South American country. History The current population of Ecuador is around 18 million, and the capital city of Quito, as well as the Galapagos Islands, were declared some of the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites! But where does Ecuador’s nickname “Light of the Americas” come from? Under Spanish colonial rule, Quito is thought to be where the first rumblings of Latin American independence from Spain began. The revolt of 1809 in Quito against colonial rule was the revolutionary spark that led to a series of revolutionary wars throughout Latin America, spanning almost 20 years, and ending in the independence of many Latin American countries from the Spanish empire. Ecuador has a rich indigenous and colonial history. The country was home to one of the oldest South American civilizations, the indigenous Las Vegas tribe, who lived on the pacific coast of the country about 10,000 years ago. Due to its location in the northern part of South America, Ecuador wasn’t conquered by the Spanish until 1531 – almost 40 years after the conquistadors arrived in the Americas. At the time of the Spanish invasion, Ecuador was the seat of the…

Before digging into the job search process for Ecuador, you’ll want to make sure that you qualify for teaching positions there. Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Ecuador. Education A bachelor’s degree is not required to teach in Ecuador, but is preferred by employers. Teachers who do not have a bachelor’s degree will still have employment options in Ecuador. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Ecuador, though some employers might prefer to hire citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. If you are not a citizen of one of these countries, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. English Fluency Ecuador, like many countries in Latin America, is a good teaching market for teachers whose first language is not English! You will need to have a high fluency in English, and may need to be more flexible when it comes to location or school, as you will be competing with native English-speaking teachers for positions, but non-native speakers of Englis…

In Ecuador, you can find English-teaching positions at private language schools, at public schools through programs like Fulbright and the Peace Corps, or you can work as a private tutor. Teaching adult students and business professionals in Ecuador is most common, although finding some work with children is possible in language schools or after-school programs. While teaching positions can be found throughout the country, you’ll find that the strongest markets are larger cities like Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil. The atmosphere of your English classroom, the type of students you work with, and who your colleagues are will vary a bit depending on whether you teach through a public school program or for a private language school. If you chose to work with a public school program, like Fulbright or Peace Corps, you may be the only native English speaker at your school. On the other hand, you’ll likely be one of many other English teachers if you work at a private language school. Public Schools Teachers applying to Fulbright or the Peace Corps will be placed in public schools or universities wherever the demand is highest, or where there is the greatest need for teachers. Most TEFL program Peace Corps volunteers, as well as most Fulbright teachers, live in larger cities or small towns, rather than rural communities. ITA graduate Madeline F. worked at a public school in Quito through Fulbright, and comments on her work schedule, and the types of students she worked with, “…most s…

Whether you decide to teach English through a public school program, or you decide that you’d love to work for a private language school, there are several steps to take in order to secure a job in Ecuador. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Ecuador Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Please note: ITA does not provide assistance with public school program applications (such as Fulbright or the Peace Corps). Please refer to the program’s website, or contact the program directly, for program application details and deadlines. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in the resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Here are a few things to ask yourself; Do you have a preference when it …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position at a school in Ecuador and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Ecuador is 500 – 800 USD per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like a rural location with a low cost of living, or longer than average working hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Ecuador can either be a part or a full-time gig. Most teachers work between 20 and 25 hours per week, and first-time teachers at a school typically have less flexibility in their work schedule than more senior teachers. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week to consider. Will you have to …

We know the word “visa” tends to incite thoughts of red tape, paperwork, and a daunting process. It can be an overwhelming process, but we are here to help ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. There are two popular visas that teachers teach on in Ecuador: Volunteer Visa (most common) Professional Visa In addition, there are other less common visa options: Visa Types Tourist Visa What is it? A tourist visa allows you to stay in Ecuador temporarily for purposes of rest or recreation for up to 90 days. You cannot legally work on a tourist visa in Ecuador. However, you may enter Ecuador on a tourist visa and either apply for jobs and/or your Volunteer Visa or Professional Visa after arrival. How do you get one? Typically, a tourist visa is stamped in your passport upon entry into Ecuador and is good for 90 days. Not all nationalities can obtain their tourist visa upon arrival in Ecuador. Be sure to contact an Embassy or Consulate of Ecuador to find out how to obtain a visa and what type of visa you need to travel to Ecuador, especially for teachers who are not from a native English-speaking country. How long is it valid? Tourist visas are typically valid for 90 days. Extensions for an additional 90 days can be requested through provincial migration offices. It is possible to extend your tourist visa in-country for up to 180 days total (90 days plus a 90-day extension), but extensions are given on a case-by-case basis, and you must…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: what are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world, an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance . Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Some teachers who are formally employed in Ecuador may be provided with a health insurance option through their school, others may not. The school may cover some part of your health insurance, but some schools may not provide a health insurance option to their teachers. If not, you may need to look into options independently. Under certain circumstances you may be able to qualify for Ecuadorian national health insurance, depending on your visa status. One great benefit of living in Ecuador is that out-of-pocket health costs are pretty affordable in comparison to the United States. Even if yo…

You’ve finally made it to the end of the Ecuador section, which is no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Ecuador. There are two separate timelines below — one for if you plan to apply for jobs in advance, and the other for if you plan to apply for jobs in person in Ecuador. Be sure to refer to the timeline that applies to you. These timelines are not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too) — it is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Ecuador to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance 4-6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Take a look at the peak hiring seasons for Ecuador (found on the Applying for the Job page), and determine which upcoming season you will focus on ___ Ensure your passport will be valid for the entire time you plan to be in Ecuador ___ Start working on your international resume and cover letter ___ Determine which visa you will be applying for ___ Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommended to have between 1,000 – 1,200 USD saved by the time you arrive. ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences ___ Read through ITA’s resources, and watch a Student Affairs webinar ___ Read about Ecuador and Ecuadorian …

Working at CEDEI is like working for any other school in South America, in the sense that, the first month or two is tough to get into the rhythm of teaching. As a teacher at CEDEI, you will be given roughly three classes during the week and maybe a class on the weekend. Depending on the type of class that you get--regular, intensive, or Saturday--you may work: four days a week (ninos) for one hour, four days a week (regular) for one hour and fifteen minutes, five days a week (intensive) for two hours, or once a week on the weekend (Saturday) for four hours. The pay at the school is just enough to survive. You make roughly $7 per hour, which enough to cover rent, food, and cellphone bill. You do not make enough money to go out an explore the city too. In order to do this you need to pick up private students or additional classes at the school. Drew R. Cuenca, Ecuador There's a very active group of mostly retired expats in Cuenca, and they have some English-language resources we were able to use. We found a realtor who had been recommended and contacted him before we got into town. We found our apartment on our second day here. We opted for a nice two-bedroom apartment, so we do have a roommate in order to afford it. Many of the teachers live in shared-living spaces with more people (and cheaper rent), but that's not really my scene. The school also has a housing list available that many of the teachers utilized. Angela B. Cuenca, Ecuador Right now, I am working 16 hours a wee…