Teach English in Rural Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tena

Length of Position: 4-24 Weeks
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: Be part of it with i-to-i!
Our goal is to achieve 400yrs of combined volunteering all over the world by the end of 2008.

So far we have achieved 325yrs which when broken down means we achieved the following:

- Over 5500 children cared for on our community projects around the world
- A minimum of 13,000 children and adults taught English in schools and community centres
- Hundreds of animals protected including Turtles, Pandas, Elephants, Monkeys and more
- At least 80 homes and structures built for families and communities in need
- More than 8000 trees planted which are enough trees to offset the CO2 emissions of over 2,000 cars

Want to develop the future of Ecuador's young minds?

Teaching English in rural Ecuador brings you up close with the country's two most precious resources; its children and the beauty of its environment. From the Andes to the Amazon public schools need you to teach, help with homework, organize workshops and sing the odd song. In most of the schools you will be teaching children from very poor backgrounds who have had very little access to education and certainly limited access to native English speakers, so prepare to be made the most of! Having someone who can speak the language means they can learn through conversation, games, sports and songs rather than just textbooks. We include our TEFL training before you depart, so you will have the confidence to enjoy your time in the classroom.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights: What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?

"The family I'm staying with make the trip even more enjoyable. They are so friendly and welcoming it is like home from home. They give me great local food and plenty of fresh fruit. They are wonderful! Away from the centre I have a lot of free time that is taken up with traveling to different areas outside Quito and catching up with friends who are currently traveling." (Melodie Williams)

A large community of volunteers support these projects - their assistance is vital to their success and will help ensure their sustainability. In the more rural locations they are popular tourist locations and place a great emphasis on their culture, and provide lessons in both Spanish and their native language, Kichwa.

These schools lack a native English speaker due to lack of funding and there is only a small team of teachers at each school. Therefore volunteers with English as a first language are needed to teach the children and in the long run allow the communities to benefit from foreign visitors and tourism.

Qualifications: Clearly a love of children will be needed, from younger children through to late teenagers. The children may range from extremely energetic to the shyer children that need more encouragement to attempt their English in class. Volunteer teachers also need to be well organized, as lessons will need to be prepared, and able to adapt as classes and timetables may change at short notice.

* Beginner Spanish required.
* Enthusiasm and willingness to contribute are must haves.
* i-to-i TEFL qualification, which is included in the project.

Cost in US$: $1190.00 for 2 weeks, $205.00 for every week thereafter

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety and culture shock
- English teacher training course (TEFL)
- contact details to pass along to your family

When you arrive we provide:
- pick-up from the airport
- welcome orientation
- accommodation
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team

You will always have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers.

Salary / Pay: None

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 1994