Teach English in Ecuador

If you fancy teaching English abroad and have narrowed your location to South America, then Ecuador could be an excellent choice. To be fair, it is not one of the most highly paid places, but you have to remember that the cost of living is incredibly low, so it really is all relative. You may not be able to save much, but the combined cost of accommodation, food and bills should be easily achievable on the wages offered. It has been said that teaching English in Ecuador is a great starting point for newly qualified TEFL teachers and the lifestyle is relaxed, and the work-life balance is good. You will also find that many junior positions have fewer formal qualifications requirements, so your lack of experience will not count against you. Contracts also tend to be for six months at a time, so teaching English in Ecuador could be a great place to start if you want to move around the area and get to see more than one place, as you are not committed to staying for as long.

In terms of size, Ecuador is one of the smaller countries in South America. There is only one other smaller. It is a magical place with so much to see and do, and it is located at the basin of the Amazon, which is always worth a visit. During your time as an English teacher in Ecuador be sure to check out the tropical jungles and the glaciated Andean volcanoes. It is an excellent base if you like outdoor pursuits, and they offer a range of hiking, horse riding, swimming and surfing for those seeking an adrenaline-filled holiday. There is something for everyone, and if you happen to be an ornithologist, you will enjoy the very diverse range of birds found in the vegetation. Bug lovers will enjoy the unusual insects, and there is plenty to see for anyone who loves exploring new lands.

You will find that as an English teacher in Ecuador, you are welcomed with open arms by the locals, who are known for their honest and friendly nature. You will be made to feel at home, and they will help you integrate into the community. Teaching English in Ecuador is a great choice and will suit plenty of people looking to teach and travel the world.

Types of jobs in Ecuador

If you worry about having a secure contract, you may feel slightly anxious, and English teachers in Ecuador are often only given verbal agreements. However, this is very common, and although you might be used to written contracts, these oral agreements are taken seriously, and you will be given the amount of work agreed-usually six months at a time. Universities and international schools tend to offer more formality, so if a written contract is important, you may want to make sure you apply to these facilities when teaching English in Ecuador.

Private language schools

A good starting point for English teachers in Ecuador if you do not have a degree is to speak to one of the private language schools. They are more laid back and will likely employ you even if you have no qualifications, provided they like your attitude. The pay reflects the lack of qualifications, and you will probably only be offered $3-$5 an hour.

International schools

As mentioned, there is a more formal element to International schools, and English teachers in Ecuador will find that pupils here tend to be more engaged and eager to learn. If you have a degree, TEFL and experience, you will find that getting an interview will be fairly straightforward, and they will reward you with a higher pay grade of $5-$7 an hour.

Public Schools

Working in a public school could be seen as the biggest challenge when it comes to teaching English in Ecuador. Kids don’t always want to learn English, but there are compulsory lessons that they must attend. However, for some English teachers in Ecuador, the challenge of reengaging these children with learning is more rewarding than the salary, which is fairly low at $3 to $5 an hour.

Private lessons

There is an increasing realisation amongst local people of the value of English, so there will always be work on offer for private tutors. From adults to children, many English teachers in Ecuador can top up their income by offering private lessons. You can teach these at their homes, invite them to your home or even teach English on the internet. There are plenty of stories of how English teachers in Ecuador made this work for them, and again you do not need to have qualifications, but you really do need to have a good level of skill and be a native English speaker to teach people.

Finding a job

There are many places you can look for work as an English teacher in Ecuador, so you should research the places first and see which appeals to you most as a base. The less travelling you have to do the better, so you want to find accommodation in the same place as your work. Many positions are available in the larger cities of Cuenca, Quito and Guayaquil, so these are good places to start. Quito is the capital city and is an excellent place if you enjoy architecture and history. There is work available in the smaller towns, but it can be harder to find a reputable employer and secure a good wage if you take that approach to find a job teaching English in Ecuador.

Most jobs are advertised and filled during the months of February and March and then again in July and August. You can generally see positions needing filling using the internet and do not always need to be in the country to apply. You could also look into qualifying for your TEFL with a company that will help place you after you finish the course. Looking in person is never a bad way to proceed, so you could head there as a tourist and find work while you are there that enables you to stay longer. This does mean you can interview in person, which potentially means you give a better impression than someone seeking work remotely.

Work culture

Ecuador is still a reasonably patriarchal country, and machismo is part of the culture. You are expected to dress with respect and ensure you are not displaying too much skin. Women are seen as being of less importance than men.

Integrating into the community should be fairly straightforward, though, as people tend to be warm and friendly and maybe a little intrigued by newcomers seeking them out. If you don’t mind a little nosiness, you will soon find people want to spend time talking to you. Generally, if you are a private tutor, your students want to learn, so engaging them should be really easy. Sometimes students in schools and colleges are unmotivated and not really that interested in learning English, so they will be your biggest challenge. This is especially true if their parents are putting a lot of pressure on them to learn. However, if you can earn their respect, you will find they respond by trusting you and putting in the effort to learn.

The dress code should always be pretty conservative, but different schools may have different rules. Some places will expect you to be business smart, mainly if you teach English in Ecuador at the university level. Others may accept a more casual look, so the easiest way is to arrive smartly dressed for your first day and then take your cue from the other staff when you see what they wear to school.

Greeting people in Ecuador is normally done by shaking hands, regardless of gender. You will find there are many little customs that you notice, and the best way to fit in is to emulate them and respect the fact that you are in another country.