Job Discussion Forums

turtlefunk · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Location: San Francisco, CA

Hello!

I have been recently accepted to teach at CEC-EPN in Quito, Ecuador. Has anyone heard about the program? I have been in contact with current teachers at the institute. And so far, I must say that the responses were positive. I would like to make my decision soon. Please help!

Thanks!

Cdaniels · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:39 pm Post subject: back in May

Jeny asked this question awhile back www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?p=237048&highlight=cecepn#237048
Moonraven had an answer but neither person has been heard from on Dave's in quite a while, though.

turtlefunk · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Location: San Francisco, CA

Yea, I saw the same topic posted awhile back. I even sent Moonraven a PM but I believe he/she hasn't logged in for quite some time now. So I'm not sure.....

But if anyone knows/hears anything, that would be great!

Thanks Cdaniels!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:25 pm Post subject:

I imagine Moonraven has earned a nice nest egg in the Middle East, and retired. Or something like that. I don't remember Jeny.

And I haven't worked in CEC-EPN, but I know a fair number of people who have, having been around Quito for a godawfully long time now.

It's a pretty decent program to study in. I often tell people it's the best program for the money in Quito. There are better, but they're expensive for most people. In this sense, I like CEC. Class sizes are largish, up to 25 or so I think, and schedules are fixed. (Which means a fixed income, which is rare and good in Quito.) If I remember, the salary is around 600 a month, for 3 two hour classes daily. This is pretty good in Quito. It's not the life of Riley, but you can live well, and travel about as much as you want, if you travel cheap.

Generally, teachers I've known there haven't had too many complaints, and seem like a relaxed bunch who have a pretty nice life.

I've heard complaints from teachers that the set curriculum makes it a bit like factory line teaching, and that the curriculum at the higher levels isn't the best designed in the world. (I believe Moonraven was among those who thought so.) I've heard students say that it's the luck of the draw how big your class is, and that they felt in the big classes, one couldn't really pratice what one learned.

I know that not all the teachers working there are too highly qualified, though some are. I've heard that the Ecuadorian teachers have varying levels of English, but again, this is just what I've heard. Neither of these things should get in your way if you wish to work there.

That's what I know about CEC. If you're interested in Quito, there may be better gigs, but honestly not too many, and they're not so easy to find. There are definitely worse gigs. A lot of them.

Good luck,
Justin

turtlefunk · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Location: San Francisco, CA

Thanks Justin! Do you anything about Ecuadorian Experiment in International Living? Is it a good place to work at?

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

EIL has a terrible boss, i've heard nothing but horror stories about that guy and his fascist ways...abusive and just plain nasty, i heard he reduced one poor teacher to tears in front of all the students because she had the temerity to look for private students to supplement the pittance EIL pays...i've also heard he has a moustache and my mum always told me never to trust blokes with a 'tache...Justin something i think he's called...hehehe...

Sorry.

turtlefunk · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Location: San Francisco, CA

Thanks Mattheboy! But you must be kidding, right?

MELEE · Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:12 pm Post subject:

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

Justin Tewilliger i think his name is...or something similar...i've also heard he drowns kittens. For fun.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:58 pm Post subject:

Sounds like you guys have it pretty well covered. Good to get the info out there about that Justin villian. His type must be stopped... Very Happy

Although I think it's unfair to generalize about the moustache thing. Also, I have no reason to believe the rumour about drowning kittens, I (OOPS, I mean HE) always lets them come to the surface before they expire.

But if anyone is still interested in more info about that particular organisation, PM me, or write me on the office email.

And thanks, Matt, for coming so close to spelling the guy's name right. His colleagues and Ecuadorian friends never come that close...

Happy carnival, everybody,

Justin

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 6:35 pm Post subject:

In case anybody's missed the (rather heavy handed) humour here, I am the director of English at EIL. I don't know if you knew that, turtlefunk, but I imagine you've figured it out.

But the honest truth about working at EIL. Well, my girlfriend, who worked here for a year and a half says she loves the place, but had to leave because the boss is such a *BEEP* Still lives with me though, so I think (hope) that she was joking.

I like it here. The pay for teachers is pretty good for Quito, similar to other "good" language institutes in town. (Comparable to Key and EF, much better than the fly by night "Bob's school of English" ilk.) Pay for directors is another story, but I digress...

One downside is that practically all teaching positions are paid by the hour, so income fluctuates more than anybody wants it too. This is true of most institutes is Quito, but I'll admit that it sucks. It's hard to change though, because students are irregular, leave the country without notice, and pull similar stunts.

I'm told by teachers that the support/assistance offered to newer teachers is a selling point, and we try to help everybody settle in. (Mentors available, apartment finding help available, observation mandatory, occasional dinners at my house recomended.)

I also like the fact that it is a non-profit, educational organisation; NOT a business. It may not make much difference in the daily lives of teachers, but it makes it easier for me to work hard, knowing that the purpose isn't to put more money in an owners pocket. It also means our margins are less rigid, and we are able to offer scholarships, social projects, and other things that I personally, at least, feel good to be a part of.

Some people have floated a rumour that full time teachers are expected to do a certain amount of unpaid volunteer work. This is TRUE, and is an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your perspective. It's one of the ways we manage to offer scholarships, and do a lot of other fun stuff. I find it also makes a big difference in how teachers integrate into Ecuadorian culture. (I LOVE my volunteer students, and spend a lot of my weekends helping out in community activities in their neighborhood. Beats going out in "gringolandia" to get drunk and then robbed.) But some people find volunteering to be an excessive burden after already working a (very) busy schedule. It depends on how you like to spend your time, and I wouldn't say it's for everybody. But if you're into that kind of thing...

Justin

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

MO39 · Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:30 pm Post subject:

Justin,

Just how wildly do monthly salaries fluctuate at your school? Does this make it sometimes difficult for teachers who don't have a private stash of money to cover basic expenses and the occasional luxury from time to time? Are teachers guaranteed some sort of minimum salary?

MO

turtlefunk · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 6 Location: San Francisco, CA

Hi Justin,

Thank you for your candid feedback on EIL. Yes, I was aware that you were somewhat related to EIL so that was why I brought it up. If I do plan to accept CEC-EPN, I don't wish to get wasted everyday. As cheesy as it sounds, I am there to immerse myself into the Ecuadorian culture. Definitely, I would be interested to do some volunteer work while I'm there.

As for MO's concerns, he has brought up a good point. How often do monthly salaries fluctuate? I addressed this issue to CEC-EPN and they indicated that my desired teaching hours are 'guaranteed.' The current teachers whom I have spoken to have vouched that as being one of the great things about CEC-EPN. I just hope that it's true....

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject:

Interesting how this thread is developing- I feel the need to distance myself a little from the specifics of the school where I work. If I were job hunting, I wouldn't take statements by the DOS at face value, so if anybody wants further info about EIL in particular, please PM me, and I'll put you in touch with current and former teachers.

About how much salaries fluctuate- good question, MO. Too much, in my opinion. But before taking the reigns as DOS, I was a teacher here for about 18 months. I agree that guaranteed hours is one of the benefits of CEC, but although I came with a small "cash stash," I really haven't had to go into it. The secret is, to look at your average wages, and prepare for the fluctuactions. Sometimes I made as much as 50% more than my personal average. Sometimes 30-40% less. My "average" earnings were about 20% more than I needed to live on. It doesn't take too much planning to put aside in the big months, getting ready for the short ones. Which is not to say that some teachers haven't had trouble. They certainly have, which is why I try to get the wage information out there from the beginning. I count on incoming staff to make honest decisions, and how well they manage money is one of the things they need to think about.

About your question, cynical Loz, I have a lot to say. And I'll say it. But now, I have to run off and teach a room full of four year olds. Happy day, everybody.

Justin