About this role
English Teacher
Project Description: Public middle and high schools in Ecuador are looking for individuals interested in supporting English language learning.
As the world becomes globalized, the need to understand and use English has become a national priority. Ecuador has reported low levels of English language proficiency as compared to other South American countries. Per the English First (EF) 2025 ranking of 123 countries by English skills, Ecuador ranked #83, putting the country in the low proficiency category. Limited English exposure in public schools combined with large class sizes often results in students struggling to pass English courses or exams. The growing globalization and importance of English as a major language makes its mastery essential for the professional and personal growth of young Ecuadorians. The country’s future and economic development depend on the government’s ability to improve teaching methods and language proficiency among teachers to ultimately deliver high-quality English language instruction to its students.
As an English Teacher, you will collaborate with staff at public middle and high schools to strengthen English language instruction and proficiency levels. Through daily conversations and personalized support, you will enable students, teachers, and community members become more confident communicating in English as well as more knowledgeable of American culture.
Required Skills: Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles). OR Bachelor's degree in any field. OR High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions: Volunteers will live with an Ecuadorian host family in a suburban community just outside central Quito before moving to their assigned site in either the Andean Highlands or Amazon region.
Activities: Plan and teach engaging lessons that support various proficiencies and learning styles. Hold office hours for students to offer academic support or thesis review. Provide feedback to faculty for articles pending publication. Collaborate with institutional leadership to implement projects that foster internationalization. Develop and support extracurricular clubs for both faculty and students Lead skill-building workshops for faculty.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as community English game nights.
Training: As an English Teacher, you will be trained to support local English language acquisition. Peace Corps/Ecuador will teach you Spanish to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources and learn Quichua if placed in an indigenous community.
After 9 weeks of training, you will move to an urban, semi-urban, or rural community where you will collaborate with public schools to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on best teaching practices.
Job Highlights: Learn Spanish from experienced Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators. Gain valuable hands-on experience in the classroom and with the Ecuadoran curriculum. Appreciate the beauty of Andean Highlands, the Amazon forest, or the nearby Galapagos Islands.