English is something that every Ecuadorian wishes to learn. Mastering English opens doors and furthers your position in the national and international labour market. Nonetheless, good quality English classes tend to be very expensive and therefore only accessible to the elite.

'Do you speak English? Can you teach us?͛' From the moment the pioneers of Local Dreamers stepped foot on Ecuadorian soil, they were asked to share their knowledge of this universal language. To meet to this great demand, they set up a modest English learning program. Within only a few weeks, more than a hundred Ecuadorians visited these classes. Now, almost six years later, we run two English schools, we have our own office and classrooms, and we use professional English teaching methods to teach people of all ages: from eight year-old kids to 70 year-old grandparents. Everybody is welcome. After all, nobody is too old to learn!

The mission of Local Dreamers’ English schools is to provide a safe and supportive environment for the students. Encouraging them to speak, knowing that it's alright to make mistakes. We aim to stimulate students to take initiative and to improve their communicative skills. We maintain a maximum of 15 students per class, so we can give each student a lot of individual attention.

What do we expect from our volunteers?

At the English School, you can take the role of manager/project coordinator or as a teacher. You will work on the following tasks:

• Teach class in a challenging and structured way;
  
• Safeguard the balance, structure and progress of the English School project;
  
• Keep in touch with the kids´ parents, talk to them before or after classes if necessary;
  
• Chair and prepare our monthly English School team meetings;
  
• Actively involve yourself with the organization and the project: what is needed? What can be improved?;
  
• Prepare English exams;
  
• Encourage discipline, self-confidence and a proactive study mentality;
  
• Create a safe and stimulating study environment;
  
• Promote important values like respect and collaboration.
  

As a volunteer, you will participate in all our different projects in Quito. Beside teaching English, you will also ask you to assist in our soccer school project and swimming school project. We expect a proactive attitude of our volunteers, during working time but also during their stay at their host family. Volunteers have to have a basic English level and the willingness to learn Spanish. 

What can you expect from us?

As a foundation we already work in Ecuador for a long time. Our team in Quito consists of experienced and passionate coordinators, who know the country and city like the inside of their pocket. Our coordinators are available 24 hours a day, to accompany our volunteers with everything they run into during their stay in Ecuador. Local Dreamers is a very small-scale and personal foundation and we encourage volunteers to get the most out of their time in Ecuador. Everything is possible, even starting your own project, we are open to assist you in any way and are always open for new suggestions and ideas.

As you're going to assist in our sports projects, we expect you to bring some sporty clothes. We always appreciate some donations, think about clothes, pencils or notebooks. 

What we expect from you?

As a volunteer we expect you to take a Spanish course, unless you already have a B-1 level in Spanish. You can choose between a Spanish Basic, Intensive or Specialist course. The costs of the Spanish course are not included in the above mentioned prices. Feel free to contact us and we will let you know.

Location

Our English schools are located in the south of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, in the neighborhoods La Villaflora and La Arcadia. Our central office is located in La Villaflora, a lively working-class district in the heart of Quito. La Villaflora can be seen as the gateway to the less developed south of the city. In addition, the district is also ten minutes away from the historical and tourist center. La Villaflora has best of both worlds, we are based close to our projects in the south of Quito but also close to the more modern center of the city. As a volunteer you will live in host families based around the La Villaflora neighborhood.

Our second English school is located in the La Arcadia district, a cozy working-class neighborhood that is slightly less developed than La Villaflora. Every day we depart together from our central office towards the projects in this district.

Make your decision

In order to make a well-considered decision, it is essential that you are well-informed by our organization. Our Volunteer Coordinator will inform you about everything you need to know. Via Skype, you can meet our team in Quito.

Get ready

Once you have chosen a project, it is important that you are well prepared before you travel. This is not only a welcome relief for you, but for your home front as well. Our team will help you to get ready for the adventure.

Onwards to Ecuador

In Ecuador you will be picked up at the airport by our Quito team; a special mix of Dutch and Ecuadorian professionals, on which you always can rely.

The working environment of Local Dreamers has been the source of special friendships more than once. This is because we tend to hang out and make fun together after work. You´ll get so familiar and close with your fellow volunteers that the ties you have built with them in Ecuador will often continue to exist when you return home.