As a volunteer teaching English in Ecuador, you will provide additional support to local teachers across the schools in Quito. Not only this, PMGY’s Ecuador volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. Incorporate English language lessons with historic influences of indigenous culture as you teach English in Ecuador.
BACKGROUND TO THE TEACHING PROGRAM
Based on the Global View, Ecuador has a very good school system. The education system is recognised as one of the most developed in South America. Ecuador requires all school-aged children to attend classes until they achieve a basic level of education.
This is not just focussed on mainstream education. The government and local organisations have improved the quality of education for special needs students across the nation. There are now programs from pre-primary to professional studies for over 30,000 students with special needs.
Within mainstream education, the public school system has a high level of enrolled children reflecting that government requirements are met. Unfortunately, the level of participation in high school ages (15+) has decreased over the years, particularly in rural communities.
Education is provided by the government for primary and secondary public students. However, families are facing significant additional costs for extra classes and transportation. Due to this, many are not able to continue into higher education. As a result, they cannot speak English properly. Finding work in more prosperous areas like the tourism industry becomes ever more challenging.
The private school system tends to have extended student involvement. Consequently, this then provides the necessary requirements for higher education levels such as university or training courses. Many of these institutions are run by churches requiring courses in religion along with maths, science, Spanish and other languages. There is an increasing number of private and international schools that offer courses in English, but the spaces are limited.
Volunteer opportunities provided by PMGY offer a platform to make a positive impact when you teach English in Ecuador. When working at our volunteer teaching English abroad projects in Ecuador, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. Many of these students will benefit from having someone who is fluent in the English language teaching them in Ecuador. As a volunteer teaching English in Ecuador, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people. If you need motivation for gap year volunteering programs, then our projects in Ecuador provide some fantastic opportunities.
TEACHING VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES
The Federico Gauss Secondary School - A typical classroom setting, Federico Gauss Secondary School displays many cultural influences of indigenous beliefs. More specifically, it is a private institution school that applies indigenous beliefs alongside a creative curriculum. The project teaches young adults with slight behavioural issues or misconduct in the public or private school setting.
The classrooms are in group settings of 8-24 students based on their ability (ages 12-18). Courses can include general maths, science and English, while arts are very important including computer science, media and history. The teaching program lasts from 8am-12pm. Yet, there are many opportunities to join in the afternoon for tutoring as the school day finishes typically at 2pm.
The project’s top priority is to improve the level of English of future generations of Quito. Many of the people in the schools in Ecuador take English from primary school. However, this is constructed with a very basic curriculum including minimal vocabulary and limited verbal skills. Most primary schools are understaffed leaving children without a proper understanding of the material to move forward in their education.
As a volunteer in Ecuador, you will work with the teachers during the class schedule. This incorporates helping to prepare classes, assisting with marking, tutoring students and interacting during class breaks. There is a sports yard at the school where volunteers can help with physical education activities.
Those with experience in media or computer science may have opportunities to educate and assist the students in learning in this area. More specifically, this includes supporting with film assignments by instructing interviews, broadcasting or equipment used while recording. If volunteers want to assist with software then the school is always in need of such support! Examples of this include helping with Microsoft Office and video design or simple lessons about the use of a computer. The students love to expand their knowledge of the arts in any area when you are teaching in Ecuador.
This is the most common and structured placement where PMGY volunteers teach English in Ecuador. This is because volunteer feedback suggests that participants feel most useful and productive when working at this teaching project.
Escuela y Colegio Politecnico - Located in the north of Quito, Colegio Politecnico is a forward-thinking educational institution. It is dedicated to equipping young people with the skills needed for a successful future. With a strong focus on education to transform individuals, families, and society, the school has spent over two decades refining its approach to match the evolving demands of the modern world. Emphasising a well-rounded education rooted in science and the arts, Escuela y Colegio Politécnico aims to develop critical skills that students will rely on in their future academic and professional pursuits. The school currently hosts around 240 students, offering education for children aged from 6-18 years of age.
International volunteers at the school play a vital role, primarily supporting local teachers in both primary and secondary classes. As a volunteer teaching English in Ecuador, your contributions are especially valuable in enhancing students’ English language proficiency. Specifically, helping to strengthen vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversational abilities. Volunteers assist students through various activities, including listening, reading, speaking, and writing exercises. Providing one-on-one support enhances students’ confidence in language use while fostering essential communication skills. This immersive experience benefits the students and enriches the volunteers’ understanding of Ecuador’s educational landscape and cultural context.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER TEACHING CHILDREN IN ECUADOR
Experience - For the English Teaching program, teaching experience is not essential as the mere presence of a native English speaker is invaluable. As long as you are creative, determined and resourceful you can have a constructive impact on the development of the children’s education.
TEFL Course - We encourage volunteers to prepare as much as possible for their teaching program overseas. You can make the most out of your time by completing our convenient, inexpensive and international accredited 60 hour Online TEFL Course. The cost of this course is only 150 USD.
Spanish Requirements - For the teaching programs in Ecuador, we recommend that you speak a reasonable level of Spanish prior to your trip. There are no specific language requirements in order to join the program and you can join as an absolute beginner. However, we find that the ability to speak a good level of the Spanish language and a passion to learn more will greatly enhance your overall experience. This is because English is generally not widely spoken and therefore our programs should be viewed as a broader language immersion experience. If you do not speak a reasonable level of Spanish then you will find it difficult to communicate. As a result, this could lead to a more frustrating experience.
PMGY also offer Online Spanish Lessons that you can take before your trip. The lessons provide you with the opportunity to receive one-on-one classes from a trained Spanish teacher. Classes are held via Zoom and can be worked around your schedule back in your home country.
We also offer a learn Spanish in Ecuador program which you can take part in prior to your volunteer placement. This provides you with 20 hours-per-week of group Spanish lessons. Both of these options can be added during our online application process. They are highly recommended if you want to make the most of your volunteer placement.
Once you are in-country then you are also able to organise additional Spanish lessons directly with our local team. Volunteer feedback suggests that it can often be tiring to complete Spanish lessons at the same time as your volunteer programs in Ecuador. Consequently, we generally recommend extending your Language Immersion Program.
Project Requirements - Ecuador is definitely a destination that needs your time. The projects that you are joining will be schools, nurseries and hospitals. They require your project commitment and as a result, all participants are expected at the project Monday-Friday. Some projects are walking distance and other projects will require public transportation.
There is an option to miss a maximum of 3 days and go to the Amazon or the Galapagos Islands. However, this will need to be arranged in advance. If volunteers are ill, this will require notification in the morning. Furthermore, the request from the project is that they are provided with a doctors note. The team will explain further the expectation of the coordinators and projects during orientation.
Weekends - Your project work in Ecuador runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Ecuador Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.
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