Job Discussion Forums

[sendintheclowns]

[HLJHLJ]

[Alix]

Hi all, you might see my name near the start of this thread, and I was a bit worried by some comments. However, I decided to go over and see for myself. I'd been to Ecuador before and so I knew that it would be nothing like the kind of culture we're used to in Britain and the States. This includes the visa law - yes it does change every 6 months and yes it is difficult to keep up with, and yes you can work without having a work visa. I stayed for a year! Tell me how bad it was... well it wasn't!
To start with I was stressed about visas, but after a while I settled into the south American way of things, which is that you do your best and expect the whole legal situation to change around you. Don't worry about this! If you can't get into the local culture, stay at home!
Also, I will not hear a word said against Rene. He is one of the most helpful and friendly people I have ever met - he does exactly what needs to be done, he understands the system, how to use it and how to get the best out of it for your own advantage. He turned up when I was in hospital and helped me every time I needed it. I still count him as a friend and I haven't seen him for over a year. As for the rest of the management - Gloria does her best or at least I never had any problems there. Diego will positively look after you once you've earned his respect. Michelle too - sometimes you may have teething problems but can you really expect to go across the world and find the perfect job - can you find the perfect job in your own country? People build up a big dream in their heads about the TEFL life and forget that is only as good as they make it.
You have to get one thing into your head - if you want total security and a cushy life, maybe South America isn't for you - it's about adventure and new experiences. The government and the police are all corrupt and you have to get by as best you can. You may aswell work for people who have the contacts and the wherewithall to get you out of a tight spot when you need it - and CHC will do that AS LONG AS you haven't pissed them off by making a total pain in the arse of yourself along the way. It's different - that's the point! I'd go back and live there if it wasn't so far from my family.
The people are warm and generous. The scenery is spectacular. The cost of living is really cheap. the fresh food is awesome. Man up!

[Chancellor]

I was considering a job with this particular employer and I'm almost certain it was in Loja (it was definitely in Ecuador and not in Quito). When the employer mentioned that I would have to go hand out flyers and otherwise be a salesman for the school, that completely turned me off.

[michellechc]

Well, here I am. Those who would like to comment on the CHC can now do it directly to me. I think it is about time that I make myself present in this post since so many of you seem to like to talk about me.

Before I begin I would like to advise everyone to remember that there are always two sides to every story and that many of the stories you have read here are blow way out of proportion.

With that said let us begin with the lovely visa situation that everyone seems to be pointing the finger at. Well, I would like to remind everyone out there that teachers always have the option to come with a visa from their home countries, no one forces them to come without one nor has anyone not provided any documents that they may have needed from the CHC to get them a visa. The option is always left to the teacher. For the most part any issues with visas have been dealt with and all our teachers have been here with visas and not only that, we have helped many of them get extensions on their visas because they have decided to stay on much longer than they expected.

Next, I would like to mention that we have always been a school that gives new teachers the opportunity to work, but at times this has not worked out that well because they are not always prepared for what it takes to teach. Teaching is not just what you do in the classroom it goes beyond that and any teacher that takes pride in what they do knows they need to put a bit of extra time and effort to reach their students at times, that it is not always easy and it certainly is not a vacation. You need to commit as much to this job as you would commit to any other job back home unfortunately not all teachers seem to think that way when they head to a country like Ecuador. This really is a shame and for that reason I have hired some Ecuadorian teachers who have a very good grasp of the English language and have a lot to offer our team. It has never been because of lack of native teachers. There are many native teachers who have enjoyed their time here that they have returned time and time again. Even a teacher whose life was supposedly threated returned to work with us.

Another thing that seems to boggle my mind is how people seem to complain a lot once they have left but never when they are here. We have always listened to what teachers have to say regardless of what you read here and I personally have always tried to incorporate many of their suggestions.

Now, the CHC is not a bad school nor am I a bad person. How many employers do you know that go the distance to take their teachers to the doctor when they do not feel well or even to the hospital in emergencies and then on top of all that pay their bills. I always have and always will because I know how it is to be far from home. My intention has never been to make anyone feel uncomfortable; I have always tried to help where ever I can. Have mistakes been made? Of course they have. Have we tried to fix them, of course we have. Think of it this way, Are you still the same person you were five years ago? Probably not. You have made mistakes and learnt from them too. Same here. In the long run I just want to provide a fun environment for the students to learn English and a safe environment for teachers to find their own style of teaching. I have always encouraged teachers to bring a bit of themselves to the classroom. Maybe that is where I have gone wrong. Maybe teachers just want someone to tell them exactly what they have to do and not let them have any freedom in the classroom. As a teacher myself I sure do not want that. In the end there will always be two sides to every story and some teachers will love their time here and others not so much. I guarantee you one thing I have never and will never purposely make someone’s time here with us a bad one. I try my best and go the extra mile whenever I can and if that is not enough I do not know what is.

[just_a_mirage]

The question I have is: are you allowing teachers to work on 90 day T3 tourist stamps? This is illegal. And are you allowing people to work on the 12-IX.180 day visa without requiring a RUC number/facturas? This is also very illegal. Have you ever gotten a teacher a work visa, or cultural exchange visa that allows them to work here legally? Getting visa extensions on tourist visas is not a legal way to work in Ecuador. No one should ever be working legally without a RUC number. You can't get one on a tourist stamp. Also, as the employer, it is your responsibility to provide the LEGAL documents needed for a long term visa to work. And employees should know what documents they need to be working legally. You do pay taxes on behalf of all your employees as required by law right?

[michellechc]

First of all, I have no problem paying taxes. I pay them with pleasure. Second, who is talking about renewing tourist visas catch up with the times they do not really grant those anymore and why would anyone want to when they cost as much as a longer term visa.
Let´s get to this visa issue you seem to always want to ramble on about. Teachers who do not come with a visa already need to get one here and if you actually know the visa process you also know that you cannot wait till a tourist visa runs out to get a longer term visa. Since you are so trained in visas you should also know that a cultural exchange visa is only granted to those who have a bilateral agreement with the government and here in Ecuador those are very few such as some of the universities. Also you should know that work visas are still difficult to get here they are very stung up on proving that a foreigner is better suited then an Ecuadorian to do the job. I have had a couple of teachers with work visas that is why I know how difficult the process is. The teachers who come with a commercial acts visa are asked to get a RUC, hell that helps me in the long run. But now you convince them that they have to and that they now have to pay taxes when they are only here for six months. Trust me they do not like hearing it. The majority of teachers are on volunteer visas. I sign on as guarantor and I am fully responsible for them so if they get in any trouble I get in trouble. When we apply for a visa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it is all stated there what they will be doing on a daily basis. Our school´s file is on record and these are the visas that the Ministry has granted us and has recommended sine they are usually granted for a year, well at least they were before, now if you head to Cuenca they only give you six months.
Now let me ask you this do you not think that I much rather have them all submit a fatura with a RUC so that I can then claim all this money that is spent on teachers every year. Do you not think it would be a great tax break for me? Once again I have no problem paying taxes for employees it would all benefit me. Heck, it would save me money in the long run. Now, do me a favor, stop acting as if only you know the rules and that everyone is doing wrong or that things are always a scam. You really need to stop thinking so negatively.

[just_a_mirage]

It is not difficult to get a RUC, and it doesnt cost anything. Also, most teachers are not likely to make enough in 6 months to have to pay taxes. No one likes filing taxes, but just as in any country, you have to. If you want to work, you pay taxes.

I am very familiar with the hiring process, and hiring of foreigners. I have done it for a large company here in Ecuador since the late 1990s. I am very aware of the laws and regulations regarding the ability to hire foreigners, and the different visas which allow this.

I do not think negatively at all. But when I hire someone, I make sure they are legal and secure. I dont think that caring about the well-being of those I hire is being negative. I think that prospective employees need to know the legalities of working in this country, I do not think everything is a scam. Quite the contrary. I know that there are very good programs here that are very beneficial to both teachers, and the students they serve.

For me it boils down to this: If I hire someone to come work far away from home, it is important that they be legally employed and receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law. It is ethically and morally the right thing to do.

[Pat C]

I've already posted (in another post) about the current situation at CHC. That should suggest to anyone with an ounce of common sense the they should give it a wide berth. Loja's great, you have an excellent school there, Finetuned English, where everything is above board. Go there if you want to experience Loja, and it's really a great place. It's just that there's usually an ugly blot on every bueatiful landscape if you look closely enough, which is CHC in Loja.

[Gog]

I agree that there are probably a few good Ecuadorian English teachers around, and I've met a few myself that are more than capable of teaching at beginner and elementary levels. What I don't understand though, if CHC is pleased and proud to hire these Ecuadorian English teachers, why do they still advertise as 100% native speaking teachers? Seems a bit misleading to me.

[michellechc]

In reply to the post written by Gog, we don´t really emphasise the 100% native teachers so much anymore. Sure it is still mentioned, it is all part of marketing. Heck there are some places that have one native teacher and with that they will advertise that they have native teachers. The majority of our teachers are still native English teachers. When students come in to ask about classes I tell them that there is a mix of teachers and in the long run they prefer having a teacher who can speak their language as well. It gives them more confidence in the early beginner levels to successfully move on to the next levels. Students are aware of what type of teacher they have and there have been no complaints so honestly if students are not complaining I really don´t know why you are.