Job Discussion Forums

[magdazl]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could recommend some schools in towns near Quito, e.g: Latacunga, Ibarra, Otavalo.

I've just completed my CELTA course and am coming to Ecuador in 3 weeks time. I'm looking for a teaching job outside the big cities though. Any idea how easy is to find a teaching position in smaller places?

Many thanks,

Magda

[naturegirl321]

I sent you a PM.

[just_a_mirage]

Ive been teaching here in Ecuador for many years, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have. What kind of visa do you have? That is the biggest issue as you are looking for work. If you are coming on the 12-IX, you will be able to work legally for the six months that the visa is in effect. When it expires you cannot renew it...you must find an employer who will sponsor you for a work visa, and this is very difficult to do, especially in smaller cities, as it is quite expensive. In all of my years working here, I have only known one person who has gotten a work visa. You cannot border hop. You are allowed only one 12-IX, or one 90 day tourist visa per 12 month period.
Hopefully, you are not coming on a 90 day tourist visa. You cannot work legally on that, although you may find some unscrupulous people who will hire you, you will have no protection if they refuse to pay you and no recourse. You can also face some hefty fines and deportation if you are caught. The government has started cracking down on these types of illegal activity, although in the past they didn't.
If you do have a visa allowing you to work, you may be able to find work in the smaller cities, although it will be more difficult as many do not have much in the way of bilingual schools. You may find a small English Institute, or maybe a school that offers English. The pay will be much less in these areas than in big cities, but cost of living is usually less also. You can probably expect to get about $4 an hour. I know there are a few bilingual schools in Riobamba...and some of them pay a little better.
Let me know if you have any more questions that I can answer.

[magdazl]

Hi both,

Thanks very much for these. It sounds like it's quite hard to find a teaching position outside the big cities. I will probably start looking for a job in Quito then.

I'm coming on the 12-IX visa which means that I can work in Ecuador for 6 months. I've heard that once I get a job, it's pretty easy to change this type of visa into a work visa... But it sounds like it's not that easy at all! Have you managed to get work visas for yourself?

Thanks again for getting back to me. Where are you based, in Quito?

Magda

[just_a_mirage]

It isn't that difficult to change from a 12-IX to another type of visa...the problem is in finding someone to sponsor you for the work visa. Most places don't want to go to the time, and expense involved, as they have to file legal documents stating that they will be responsible for you and will pay for your ticket to leave the country, should something happen.
Personally, I have a permanent resident visa because I am married to an Ecuadorian. I live and work in Guayaquil. If you have a visa permitting you to work, there are tons of jobs here in Guayaquil.
One place you might want to try in Quito is EIL (Experiment in International Living) as I believe they provide Cultural Exchange visas for those they hire.
The process for working here on a 12-IX visa is that you first must have registered your visa in Quito or Guayaquil. Then you must obtain your Censo or national ID card for foreigners. You must do this within thirty days or face hefty fines. Then you take copies of these, the picture page of your passport copied, as well as a copy of your visa and entry stamp. You must also have your notarized apartment contract, and a copy of a utility bill (electric or water) for that same address. You go to SRI which is like the IRS in the states. Then you are given a RUC number which is like a social security number and allows you to work. With the paperwork they give you, you then go to printer authorized by SRI to print work invoices. You then use these invoices to bill employers for your services. You must file taxes twice a year, but unless you make a lot of money...you wont as a teacher...you will only have to pay a small filing fee at the bank.
Hope that is helpful. Let me know if I can answer any more questions

[magdazl]

Hi there,

That's great! Thanks so much for your help, that's all really very useful. And I feel more positive about this visa business. It seems like it's all doable

Best wishes,
Magda