Job Discussion Forums

ladygringa · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

I leave Oct. 17 to try and find work teaching English. I'll stay 6 (up to 10 months is I can get my visa extended) months.

Do private English institutes follow the same schedule as colegios? I know the school year for the sierra is different than on the coast, but will arriving in Oct. and staying for only 6 months on the coast be a problem?

Also [b]If anyone knows of any good schools whom I could email or contact when I get there, please let me know!

The countdown has begun....[/b]

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

There is very little to choose from on the coast. Why are you going there?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 2:56 pm Post subject:

Most private language institutes are open year round, and hire on a rolling (near constant) basis. But when you say coast, where are you heading? Most costal cities (except Guayaquil) are small and not too developed where education is concerned. (Guayaquil is not small...)

You'll find some info on some Guayaquil schools, and Guayaquil in general elsewhere on this board. I really haven't heard of native English teachers working elsewhere on the coast, but I suppose there is always a first time...

Justin

ladygringa · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

Why am I going there?

I am particularly interested in Manta as I have heard they are desperate for native English teachers, and it is a relatively safe city. I've lived in Quito before, and it was only tolerable because I was able to travel out of town regularly and escape the noise and smog. I figured that on a teacher's measely wages, travel outside of Quito will be difficult. Also, I have been to Esmeraldas, and I loved the coastal attitude (much more liberal) and slower pace of life. But of course, if i can't find work I will head back to Quito...

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:10 am Post subject:

Manta is gorgeous. You'll love it, although I will warn you that the "coste�o" life is very different than in Esmeraldas. Totally different history, leads to totally different culture, in this case.

You've made a couple of references to teachers "measly" salaries, so I just wanted to offer a heads up. I, and most teachers I know, earn several times the national average salary. Quite a few times more, actually. What does this mean? Two things. One, we have pretty nice lives, eating out, going out,doing whatever we want. (And I travel out of Quito as often as I have time to.) Two, unless you want to spend time only with the "upper crust" of Ecuador, don't complain about the measly $500-$800 dollars you earn.(Approximate Quito teacher salary) The majority of Ecuadorian families get by on far less, and it will only make you sound spoiled and unpleasant. Unless you hang out with the rich, which isn't such a great way to see a country.

Also, I don't know too much about teaching on the coast, but all the salary info on this board is based on Quito, Guayaquil, and occasionally Cuenca. You may find that in smaller towns, you earn considerably less than in the cities. (I know this is the case in smaller towns in the sierra, and the coast is generally more economically depressed...)

Good Luck,
Justin