Teaching in Rural Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Intag

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: ongoing

Description: This is a challenging and rewarding position working with some of Ecuadors poorest rural community schools. We work only with small schools, called "Unidocentes" meaning there is just one teacher and also those with two teachers, "Pluridocentes". These schools have between 20 and 55 pupils whom are normally taught in either one or two classrooms. As the age range is from 4-11 years this provides quite a challenge for the teaching staff, managing between 3 and 6 grades simultaneously. Simply the presence of a volunteer will help alleviate the daily pressures; by taking charge of just one age group, the local teacher will be afforded additional time with the others.

Thus in these circumstances volunteers will help take classes, working with the children of varying ages, on set tasks in all the subjects, as well as provide additional English and computer tutoring for the older children. Of course those with skills in the other subjects will certainly be given the spotlight to teach, either during school or perhaps in free time in the afternoons.

Subjects taught are: mathematics, natural sciences (including environmental studies), language and communication (covering reading, grammar and writing of the Spanish language), history and social studies (covering aspects of Ecuador including geography), English language and physical education.

Volunteers will be guided by the teachers, but will have a lot of freedom as to the subjects they teach and how they teach them here is where your creativity really counts. There will also be some specific plans to follow, in line with the national curriculum. We emphasize that the schools are different, and the teachers are different, each with their own policy on schooling and how to best occupy the volunteers time. However in all your placements your time is extremely valued, both by the teachers and the community.

The foundation is continually gathering information to help guide volunteers in their work, and so volunteers are expected to update the teaching folders, detailing their own work and recording any useful information about their experience. This will be passed on to the following volunteer allowing for a smooth transition. Please click here to view some revealing extracts from one of the folders.

In the afternoons we encourage volunteers to either help prepare classes or run additional educational programs for the kids; extra English classes, educational games, something creative like theatre or art. As a rest maybe needed, afternoons can equally be spent with the family or in other community activities.

School hours are from around 7.30am until 12.30pm with a 45 minute break mid morning which usually includes and "almuerzo escolar" (school lunch) frequently provided for by the community or if not the Ministry of Education.

The schools:

We work with several schools and are continually expanding the program to involve more schools, to give more children the opportunity of a better education. Therefore it is likely that new schools will be added to the current list.

Schools in Intag:

There are currently three schools in Intag, all of which are unidocentes. They are in the communities of El Paraiso, Magdelena and Pucara. Class sizes vary from 20 to 35 children. The school term for this area is approximately 1st April to the 15th February with a one week holiday every three months. Please see community details for more information about the Intag area.

Schools in Pedro Moncayo:

In this county there are three schools with whom we work; Picalqui, Cubinche and Guaraqui­. The class sizes range from 20 to 55 children, the larger schools having two teachers. The school terms are approximately 1st September until 22nd December and then 2nd January until 15th July.

Additionally the volunteers will be able to participate in frequent afternoon workshops for school children (aged (9-12 normally), with the local youth groups (aged 12-28) and assist in home work classes for children whose parents are at work until late.

During the program volunteers will live with a family in the same community as the school and participate in the daily activities of the family whilst not teaching. For further information of the family homestay please see our cultural exchange program.

Things to bring:

The schools we work with are generally short of materials, and as such pens, pencils and work books are always in demand. This also relieves costs for the children's parents. Additionally, one of the main observations from former volunteers is the lack of creativity in the current curriculum that would usually aid teaching and help maintain the children's interest. Any reading books (children's stories, comics in Spanish etc), creative materials, and other exercises you can bring, will help with the development of a central resource library and of course spice up the classes for the kids. **Please note that you are not obliged to bring additional materials. Your participation is our main concern and any additional help with materials is a bonus.

Two further things to bring are 2 postcards from your country, one for the school and one for the foundation, plus a photo to leave with the school as a small memento!

Highlights:
- Full immersion into a rural community
- Be an extremely valued resource for an underfunded school - it really is tough for these -teachers
- Test and grow your skills as you deal with new problems on a daily basis: this is a really rewarding challenge
- And of course, improve your Spanish

Qualifications: We have openings for those with and without formal teaching qualifications. The only requirement is a reasonable level of spoken Spanish and of course the desire to work with children. As the schools are underfunded and understaffed, a lot of energy and creativity will go along way in help the teachers. We will of course help with some teaching ideas, and you will be guided by your teacher too.

Cost in US$: 350 per month

With the fee we pay the family and community for receiving you, to buy new materials for the school, we cover the costs of administrating the program and the remainder is used by the foundation, a non profit NGO, to maintain its rural development work through community training workshops.

For an additional fee we can arrange for Spanish classes to be taken at the hacienda, out in the country and providing a relaxed and peaceful learning environment.

Credit Available: yes

Salary / Pay: The school work could well be the most rewarding activity of your life, once you realise the hardships faced by the rural education system and the appreciation for your work showed by the children and the teacher alike. Equally as a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to live and work in rural Ecuador with campesino families, experiencing their customs and culture whilst learning Spanish. This is a unique experience, with families selected to meet your personal objectives for the program, made possible becuase we work with 12 communities and over 30 families. This is a great opportunity to see and understand the real Ecuador and step away from the tourist trail.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We look for enthusiastic and motivated people who are keen to immerse themselves in a foreign culture and put their skills and creativity to good use. We have volunteers of many ages, both sexes and with various levels of skill, from professional teachers to college students. All are welcome, but a good level of personal energy is essential.

Age Range: 18 and upwards

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Year Founded: 1953