Job Discussion Forums

[ctina]

Hello!

I've been reading the forum for a couple of weeks, and have some specific questions that I haven't been able to answer fully by reading through previous posts. If anyone has input, I'd appreciate it greatly.

My boyfriend and I are strongly considering spending a year in Quito, Ecuador, and would like to move down this summer. (We're US citizens, and are currently residing in the States.) He has spent time in the country previously, and is a certified teacher with a few years of experience. I have not spent time abroad---although we are traveling to Ecuador in a few weeks so that I can get a feel for the country---and don't have a teaching certificate. I have a non-TEFL master's degree, and have taught at the university level in the States. (Again, though, I did not teach English.) Obviously, he's qualified to apply to the private high schools; for me, finding a job will be more difficult. I love teaching and think I could really enjoy teaching English, but I'm concerned about finding a steady job for a year, obtaining a visa, etc.

With that background, here are my questions:

1. Has anyone here had experience with the Fulbright English Teaching program? I am working on the application now. I'd love to hear feedback from anyone who has worked with the program.

2. Could anyone direct me to other schools or organizations that might help hires who are willing to make a one-year commitment to teaching obtain a visa? I'd like to get a better sense for what my options might be. It's hard to obtain detailed information online.

If any of you can give me feedback on these questions--or if you just have advice or suggestions--I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks!

[john_n_carolina]

....send me a PM, i've got a couple great schools in mind for you, close to each other..

try to be there in Aug., as the Sierra starts school in Sept.

also, don't travel too much before you start...you might get sick, etc and want to go home, while you boyfriend has signed a contract.

busses, cheap hostals, bad street food, extreme changes in climate when you travel over the Sierra, will wear you down...

also, i have a contact where you can rent a room in a classic, Spanish colonial...

for you, i would start reading books on classroom creativity, and Azar grammar...or, you're gonna have a real bad headache after 4 weeks.

p.s. i know about Fulbright also and the place i had in mind for you does visas