Job Discussion Forums

[moonwatchr]

I just finished my TESOL Certificate course in Buenos Aires and am heading closer to the Equator to escape the winter and to seek out a more Latin American experience. I have a friend in Ecuador and have heard that Cuenca is a lovely place, much more laid back and friendly than the big cities. I�m going to take some Spanish courses there and if I like it, I will look for English teaching work there.

Has anyone taught in Cuenca before? What is the likelihood that I will find work there for just a few months? I�ve searched this site and found some info, but more specific info about work in Cuenca would be great. Justin, you seem to know a lot about Ecuador. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[naturegirl321]

There's some on the LA job list.

[MELEE]

I taught in Cuenca many years ago (in 1995-6! )
I loved living there. I imagine things have changed a lot. At the time there were only a few schools. And the best one was the one where I worked! The Centro de Estudios Interamericanos (CEDEI) they have a web site, www.cedei.org I think. There was also a school called Abraham Lincoln which was okay. There were a couple of other really small one or two teacher schools. Cuenca is in a very nice location, in regards to there be a lot out side of town to go and see and do. But you should consider your overall consitution, when I was there I had some coworkers who could not adapt to the alititute and had a lot of health problems.

[nineisone]

A really good blog experience of living and teaching in Cuenca can be found at Newley Purnell's website www.newley.com. Granted the information is a few years old, but many have enquired about CEDEI and this might be a good source of info.

[jg]

Cuenca is really picturesque and has a pretty sizeable middle-class, so its a popular destination for ESL Teachers and backpackers looking to hang out for a bit. I taught at CEDEI - a big, well-regarded school - and even in 2001 they could afford to be somewhat choosey about who they accepted. There are a few other schools, there is also the University of Cuenca, and public schools. If all else fails, you might just try walking into some public schools just before the semester starts. I think CEDEI and Abraham Lincoln (two main ESL schools) have websites, maybe you can search them out on the net.

I would describe Cuenca as beautiful, it's true, but friendly? Not really. Guayaquil was a very friendly place, and Quito certainly wasn't unfriendly. Cuencanos are well aware of how lovely their city is and the one's that can afford English lessons can be a bit... snobby. Not all, but some. They also are more conservative than most other Ecuadorians, and tend to look down their nose at people of the wrong hue. The nightlife is lacking despite the presence of some cool bars, and dating can be a... hassle.

Still though, there are some really cool places to hike and visit in and around Cuenca, the city was absolutely gorgeous and well-maintained, and it even had an arts scene with a discernable pulse. There are several awesome festivals and I would even say there is a kind of genteel air about certain quarters of the city... you'll have places to eat or drink non-Ecuadorian food (Ecuadorian fare is kinda bland) and there are some really cool and cosmopolitan people there as well.

If Cuenca doesn't work out, I'd suggest Loja, which is in a "faded glory" stage (so a trusted friend reports) but is quite friendly and light on foreigners, so there may be jobs there.

May I ask why you are skipping Peru? I think Peru is superb and would live in Lima, Trujillo, or Arequippa before anyplace in Ecuador. Peruvians are much more lively and interesting, the food is world's better, as is the infrastructure. In addition, Lima is a great city and IMO the most underrated city in the world.