Program Description
The ability to communicate in English is highly valued throughout Ecuador because of the country's developing tourist industry as well as Ecuadorians' desire for improved access to the global economy. Tourism, both cultural and environmental, has become an increasingly viable means of generating revenue in this South American nation. Knowledge of English also helps Ecuadorians open their businesses to a wider audience, leading to increased opportunity.
WorldTeach has been invited by several institutions to provide English language training, reaching many different sectors of the community. In order to serve students with a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds, this program offers a diverse group of teaching placements.
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Volunteer Role
Your service in Ecuador will begin with one week of orientation. Orientation includes discussions of teaching methods and practice, health and safety issues, information about culture and life in Ecuador, and Spanish language classes. After orientation, you will travel to your teaching placement where you will teach for approximately seven weeks. Volunteers will convene again as a group for an end-of-service conference.
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"The summer program allowed for tremendous personal change, observation. It is clear in new situations that the personal life is challenged first. The effect we had on our communities, however, came much more slowly and in some important ways, not at all."
Alejandro Fernandez, Ecuador Summer Volunteer
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In past summer programs, WorldTeach volunteers in Ecuador worked in a number of different capacities. Some volunteers will teach English in traditional school settings, in Catholic schools or larger public universities. Students in these schools will range from elementary-aged students to teenagers and adults studying to work in professions such as accounting and tourism.
Apart from these traditional settings, WorldTeach volunteers have taught English to people working in the tourism industry, in sites such as Vilcabamba and Montañita. In this type of placement, volunteers have the opportunity to see the direct impact of their teaching on the business prospects of their students working in tourism.
Also, a number of volunteers are often placed teaching community English classes to a diverse variety of local students in cities in the sierra and coastal regions. These classes, often coordinated by community centers or vocational organizations, are for many Ecuadorians the only affordable means of learning English, and are usually very popular.
Similar opportunities as these will likely exist future summers, though program details are subject to change. Beyond their teaching placement, all summer volunteers are encouraged to actively participate in community life and engage in additional activities or projects that interest them. Past projects and activities include organizing local English clubs or conversation exchanges, volunteering with community organizations, starting sports teams, and participating in local sports clubs or dance lessons.
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Placement Sites, Housing and Food
Volunteers teach at many different institutions throughout the country, and may be placed independently or with a small group of other volunteers (from both the summer and year-long programs). Room and board is provided. Wherever possible, volunteers live and eat meals with a host family, though in some placements volunteers may share an apartment or house and receive a stipend to buy and cook their own food.
Lunch (almuerzo) is the largest meal in Ecuador, and involves multiple courses. The first course of soup is typically followed by a "seco," or dry dish including rice, meat or chicken, and beans or lentils. Potatoes are native to the Andes, and also figure prominently into the Ecuadorian diet. A variety of fresh tropical fruits and juices are available throughout the year.
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Length of Program
Two months (mid-June to mid-August, depending on availability of flights).
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Cost of Program
$3,990. This includes pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare, one week in-country orientation, health insurance, transportation to your site, meals and housing during orientation and teaching service, and 24-hour field support.
Please read more about costs and services.
Note: WorldTeach summer programs may qualify for international internship and travel funds awarded by colleges and universities. Students are encouraged to check with their schools for eligibility.
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Requirements
WorldTeach summer programs are open to qualified individuals over the age of 18 and under the age of 74 (including undergraduates) who are looking for a meaningful, short-term volunteer teaching experience.
English language fluency is required. Prior teaching experience is helpful but not required. Successful volunteers will be flexible, mature, resourceful, and have a genuine interest in teaching in Ecuador.
For more information, please read our Volunteer Stories and Sample Placements.
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