Job Discussion Forums

Don Scott · Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Hey All,

Just starting a thread to see what the word is on for Language Schools, Institutes and Universities in Quito for 2011. I finished my CELTA back in late October with Southern Cross, and then came to Quito for a few weeks to put my name in and get a feel for the city. I had a few interviews in November, but most of the institutes explained they wouldn't be hiring any new teachers until January 2011.

Since then, I have been traveling around Latin America and in an attempt to satisfy my travel bug, but now that I am back in Quito and broke, I need to find something stable that will also help me improve as a teacher. I already have some private lessons lined up, but really would like to acquire steady work because I will need an employer to help me extend my 12-IX VISA past March.

Feel free to share any schools you think might be hiring in the New Year, or if you have any helpful contacts. Also feel free to contact me about any questions dealing with Ecuadorian Bureaucracy, as I have had countless encounters with red tape here in GYE and QTO. I will be updating this thread as I hear back and find out what's going on with various institutes.

Thanks, happy job hunting and Happy Holidays.

-Scott

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Hm, where's Justin Trullinger? try PMing him. Or check www.eilecuador.org

just_a_mirage · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 169 Location: ecuador

You CANNOT extend a 12-IX visa. You are allowed only one 12-IX visa during any 12 month period. You can change to another visa, such as a volunteer visa, or a work visa, or cultural exchange visa. Work visas are not easy to get. Ive been teaching in Ecuador for six years, and have only known one person who actually has one. But they never allow you to extend a 12-IX. Is your heart set on Quito? You may have better luck finding a job in Guayaquil or another more southern city as the school year is just ending and they are hiring a lot of teachers now for the next year which generally starts in March

Don Scott · Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Really? I was under the impression that Quito's school year matches that of the United States, and picks up again in January and ends in June. I also need to start work quite soon, as I have been traveling for a while now and would like to have some income, so that might rule out waiting for a job in Guayaquil if they hire in March.

And no, my heart is not set on Quito. Although I do enjoy the capital very much, I was thinking of heading to Cuenca this week to check out the city...I've heard great things and would love to give it a look and apply to some schools there. Any other suggestions along with more details on the hiring periods for each city would be very much appreciated. Thanks and Happy New Year!

-Scott

just_a_mirage · Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 169 Location: ecuador

You are correct, but January is the middle of the school year in Quito, and most teachers are already in place. In the south, Guayaquil, etc, the school year is just starting, so they are hiring more extensively. Although many schools start in March, teachers start earlier, for planning etc. You might also try English Institutes, where they hire on a more continual basis. Cuenca is on the same school calendar as Quito, so they are in the middle of their school year.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

For Language Institutes it doesn't really matter about the school year, not in Quito at any rate. Most of them run short courses that start every couple of months or so, and recruit new teachers as and when they need them. There's not much work over December, because students don't want to commit to classes then, but things pick up again in January.

I think you may have a problem with your visa though, as a work visa takes around 2 months to organise, and you won't have time to work a probation period before they would have to start arranging that for you. As it's expensive and time consuming for the employer, they may baulk at arranging it for you so soon after starting.

In Quito you could try Inlingua or English First, they both recruit almost constantly, and will likely have you working within weeks if not days. They will probably get you either a student or cultural exchange visa, which is quicker and cheaper than a work visa. They also run proper student and cultural exchange programmes so you get free or very cheap Spanish and cultural lessons as well. If you planned to take Spanish lessons anyway it can work out pretty cost effective, as the free lessons offset the low wages.

Broseph · Joined: 16 Jan 2011 Posts: 6

Hey Scott,

I was just wondering how you are getting on with your job search? Have you got one yet? How easy/difficult has it been? I'm interested to know as I'm thinking about coming to Equador at the end this summer.

masee · Joined: 04 Feb 2011 Posts: 4

Broseph
The best time to go to Quito, if you're going the language school route, is spring. There's crazy hours over the summer before it drops off again in the fall. I wouldn't recommend showing up at the end of summer. It'll be good till Sept/Oct but then watch out.