Job Discussion Forums

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

I am currently being offered a position in Guayaquil, Ecuador. I am not really familiar with the Esl scene in South America so I would like to get some opinions on the contract.

Contract details:
Full time 30 hours a week w/split shifts
500US month
Shared room 70$ a month plus utilities.
Travel expenses covered.

Is this a normal contract for this part of the world? Having taught in Thailand, China and Japan, this seems low ($$)for the hours expected and given the split shifts.

I understand the cost of living is quite cheap, but how far can I get on $430 after rent?

What can anyone tell me about this city,Guayaquil, Ecuador? Size, nightlife, shopping, gyms and any places of interest?

I have replied back to my contact asking for more details than what they have sent me now (1 page-very general, like shifts may start at 7.30am and then a class in the afternoon and in the evening. This information page did not even state the amount of days required to work, 5 or 6).

I would love to see this part of the world as I think I need a break from Asia right now, but if I factor in the cost of my plane ticket from Canada, its going to cost me money to go to work for this school. Shocked

Even if I save 100$ every month, in 6 months that will only cover half my plane ticket to get there...I am missing something here?

Thanks anyone that can shed some light for me, it is greatly appreciated.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject:

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

Thanks for the information.

The "job description" sheet they sent me is really vague.. I have emailed them back, asking for a more details. But I am now thinking of asking for more money, especially if I am starting at 7.30 and having classes in the afternoon and evening.

Once I get a reply back I will post the answers here, and see what you guys/girls suggest.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

MELEE · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject:

That sounds pretty good for me, I haven't been in Ecuador for ten years, Justin is the man on Ecuador. When it says travel expenses covered, do they mean your day to day travel for work, or your travel to Ecuador? If its your travel to Ecuador that's Fantastic, hardly any schools in Latin America pay travel expenses. I also agree with Justin that you have to stay a year if you're looking to break even. If you have any debt to pay off, stay in Asia and get it paid off before coming over here. You can also come with the idea, that this is a job in hand, and if you get here and find a better deal, you can leave that job and take another. (Though Ecuador tends to be on the difficult end visa wise.) I didn't particually like Guayaquil when I was there, hot, muggy, smelled like rotting fruit. I loved Cuenca, there are a couple of good schools there too.

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

30 hours a week for teaching is a lot. And little pay.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject:

Another thing I think of in terms of quality of life is the $70 apartment. Is that provided by the school? I assume it's a shared flat. Check it out carefully. If they own the apartment, they may try to fill it at all times, to keep the income. You wouldn't have much say in who you were living with. On the other hand, $70 is dirt cheap for Guayaquil, so if it's livable, it's a find.

$500 isn't really much money for Ecuador. It would have been lifestyles of the rich and famous before dolarization, but now it's kind of the base line of livable. For 30 hours a week (and if you're on salary, they will do everything in their power to get their 30 hours out of you) it sounds pretty low.

Don't know too many schools in Guayaquil, but those I've looked into, in terms of researching the market for us there, seem to be pretty expensive. (for students) If you're working 120 hours a month, $500 works out to a little under $4.20 an hour. I'll bet they're charging the student a few times that. I think they could, and should, do better for their teachers.

Justin

mack4289 · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Busan Korea

inlingua in quito pays 600/month for full time work. i dont know about guayuquil but 600 is decent money in quito, enough to enjoy yourself although its difficult to travel on that sort of money.
also i was at a job training course for inlingua quito with people from inlingua guayuquil. the main thing i remember is at the end, when the lady asked us if we had any questions (if we didnt we couldve left 45 minutes early), these two morons from inlingua guayuquil started asking the same pointless questions theyd been asking throughout both days of training. later that night one of the guys told a canadian friend of mine that he was very unhappily married and looking to have an affair with her. good times.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 7:06 pm Post subject:

I don't know the details, never having worked for Inlingua, but as I understand it, the Guayaquil branch is owned and operated by the same people who have Inlingua Quito.

Mack, if I remember correctly, used to work there and posted this thread.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=30126

Might be worth checking out.

Justin