7 of the Best Teaching Jobs in Ecuador

Ready to take the leap and find teaching jobs in Ecuador? Check out the top prospects! ☆ For a country close to the size of Colorado, the diversity in plants, animals, and landscapes will astound those looking to teach English in Ecuador. The four distinct regions of Ecuador make it unique, and it’ll be hard to choose between them! Cruise under the canopies in the Amazon, indulge in pineapple smoothies on the coast, bask in the mountain views of the Andes, or revel among the tortoises on the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador requires its citizens to learn English in school but lacks qualified teachers in many regions of the country, so you’ll be making a difference anywhere you choose.

Are you finding teaching jobs in Ecuador or Narnia? You’ll never know!

Teaching English in Ecuador will be a rewarding experience where you’ll gain valuable skills for your resume, learn Spanish along the way, and make lifelong friendships. Ecuador is also a great place for those looking to earn a TEFL certificate and get their feet wet in teaching. The cost of living in Ecuador is quite affordable, so earning $500-$800 a month will cover a great deal for accommodations, food, and other necessities! Bonus: You’ll be straddling the northern and southern hemispheres, using their USD currency, and eating large $2.50 almuerzos (lunches)! We’ve chosen the seven best teaching jobs in Ecuador to help you find the one.

Here’s a sneak preview of the best jobs for teaching abroad in Ecuador:

• English TA in Galapagos with Intercultural Outreach Initiative
• Get TEFL Certified & Get Paid to Teach English in Ecuador with International TEFL Academy
• Teach English in Ecuador with International Volunteer HQ
• Volunteer in Schools throughout Ecuador with ELI Abroad
• Get Paid to Teach English with our TEFL Certification with LanguageCorps
• Teach in Cuenca, Ecuador with CEDEI
• Teaching English in the Galapagos Islands with Ecuador Volunteer Foundation

The best jobs for teaching abroad in Ecuador

Editor’s note: This information on teaching jobs in Ecuador was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.

1. English TA in Galapagos with Intercultural Outreach Initiative—10.0 

“IOI is a wonderful organization that works not only in but also with the community to bring change in all aspects. Changing the community for the better as well as the volunteers who are exposed to such a different culture and way of life. I worked as a yoga and art teacher in a local school, Jacinto. The teachers and director at Jacinto were very welcoming and would talk to me regularly. The children were terrific always very loving and ready to learn. They made saying goodbye nearly impossible. The experience as a whole was truly incredible and life changing. Anyone would be lucky to have the opportunity to work with IOI.”—Read more reviews of Intercultural Outreach Initiative here

• Where? Galapagos Islands
• When? Year-round
• Why? Snap photos of the blue-footed boobies, marvel at the ancient Galapagos turtles, and snorkel with exotic fishes at the Galapagos Islands! For 2 weeks to 3 months, you’ll be assisting teachers with classroom needs and making a difference while immersing yourself in a one-of-a-kind environment. The Intercultural Outreach Initiative program fee covers full room and board, a host family placement, and training. 
• More info on Intercultural Outreach Initiative

2. Get TEFL Certified & Get Paid to Teach English in Ecuador with International TEFL Academy—Be the first to review! (ITA—9.67)

Here’s your opportunity to experience teaching abroad in Ecuador firsthand and then giving us the scoop. Who doesn’t love giving feedback? Interested folks who want to teach abroad will appreciate your review!—Be the first to review here for International TEFL Academy

• Where? Ambato, Cuenca, Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, Pichincha, Quito, Rio Blanco, Riobamba, San Cristobal, San Pablo, Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Yunguilla, and more!
• When? 2019, 2020, 2021
• Why? If you don’t have any teaching experience or accreditations, you’ll gain the skills you need to be an excellent teacher with this program. A TEFL certificate will help you become more competitive in the job market in Ecuador, so you’ll be eating ceviche and tostones in no time. International TEFL Academy also assists with accommodation and lifetime free job placement, which will help you navigate the market for teaching jobs in Ecuador!
• More info on International TEFL Academy

3. Teach English in Ecuador with International Volunteer HQ—9.53

“From the minute I arrived, IVHQ staff treated me very, very well! I was given all the necessary information and had a very organized trip. The days passed as I was given many opportunities to experience the culture! From being able to experience a summer program with young students, to visiting a fishery, I have to admit I can't wait to return! Thank you IVHQ for all your support!”—Read more reviews of International Volunteer HQ here

• Where? Quito
• When? Year-round
• Why? The dramatic volcanic skylines along with the colonial old town buildings make Quito an impressive spot for jobs in Ecuador for English speakers. Plus, IVHQ offers affordable programs, dedicated staff, and comprehensive support. Whether you’re interested in teaching music, kindergarten, physical education, or English, you have a variety of options and program lengths as well. 
• More info on International Volunteer HQ

4. Volunteer in Schools throughout Ecuador with ELI Abroad—Be the first to review! (ELI Abroad—9.68)

You’re adventurous, right?! Show your pioneer spirit by experiencing this program and reporting back to fellow travelers who want to teach English in Ecuador. You’ll make a difference in the lives abroad and for the people back home! —Be the first to review here for ELI Abroad

• Where? Ambato, Manta, Mindo, Montanita, Otavalo, Portoviejo, Puerto Lopez, Puyo, Quito
• When? Ongoing from 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, or 3-6 months
• Why? Variety is the spice of life, right? You can choose to teach in the Andes, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, or on the coast while living with a host family and improving your Spanish with ELI Abroad. You’ll be teaching English and assisting with other subjects like math, science, computer skills, and extracurricular activities while getting involved with the community and building lifelong relationships. 
• More info on ELI Abroad

5. Get Paid to Teach English with our TEFL Certification with LanguageCorps—8.5

“This was an absolutely top-notch program. Quality of instruction was excellent and the help they provided in finding teaching positions after the program really pushed me along. I got three teaching offers before I had even finished the program! Definitely recommended! Thank you to everyone at LanguageCorps.”—Read more reviews of LanguageCorps here

• Where? Quito
• When? Year-round
• Why? For more than 15 years, LanguageCorps has made teaching abroad a dream come true. You’ll receive four weeks of on-site training to earn your TEFL certificate along with 6 hours of observed feedback in the stunning site of the Andean city of Quito. The best part? LanguageCorps will provide accommodation and job placement assistance for English teaching jobs in Ecuador! 
• More info on LanguageCorps

6. Teach in Cuenca, Ecuador with CEDEI—Be the first to review!

Be the Neil Armstrong of this program as you set foot in Cuenca and teach abroad in Ecuador. Once your journey is over, be sure to give us alllll the details in a review. People interested in teaching in Ecuador will thank you for it.—Be the first to review here for CEDEI

• Where? Cuenca
• When? Year-round
• Why? The colonial city of Cuenca will sweep you off your feet with its charming cathedrals, quaint shops, friendly locals, and green parks. With this program, you won’t be just teaching the English language — you’ll be teaching social studies, reading, science, and math in English. CEDEI offers accommodation assistance along with professional development workshops every few months. Plus, you can take Spanish classes and learn Salsa or the Merengue free of charge!
• More info on CEDEI

7. Teaching English in the Galapagos Islands with Ecuador Volunteer Foundation—Be the first to review! (Ecuador Volunteer Foundation—10.0)

Have you ever wanted to know what it felt like to be Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Islands? Here’s your chance to observe this program, take notes of what you liked and disliked, and report your feedback back to the mainland in the form of a review. You’ll be doing everyone a favor! —Be the first to review Ecuador Volunteer Foundation here

• Where? Galapagos Islands
• When? Year-round
• Why? Trek the Tortuga Bay, gape at Los Gemelos, and discover the Lava Tunnels on your weekends while you teach on the world-famous Galapagos Islands. The schools on the Galapagos Islands severely lack qualified English teachers. With this program, you’ll be fulfilling a need to enhance the communication skills of locals, which will provide them with career opportunities in the tourist industry.
• More info on Ecuador Volunteer Foundation

[Use MyGoAbroad to Find & Compare Teaching Jobs in Ecuador]

Next steps to finding English teaching jobs in Ecuador

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where to teach in Ecuador isn’t easy. The gorgeous rainforest? Somewhere in Quito? Don't let anything hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• Get TEFL certified. Even if it is not required, this is a wise investment for future ESL teachers. It will give you absolutely everything you need to prepare for the classroom (well, except for an ability to think on your feet!).
• Adults, kids, private schools, public schools? Spend time considering the type of teaching environment you'd most like to be involved in. You can choose from a range of ages, goals (for example, Business English versus Conversational English), and institutions, from one-on-one tutoring to university employment.
• Choose from the best teach abroad programs in Ecuador. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, your school and organization reputation, location, and your ease of getting started as a paid worker. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right teaching job for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and travel splurges (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how to pay for teaching abroad.
• Get prepared! You've done your research, chosen your program, saved up the money, and are entering your last weeks of life at home before you move abroad to find ESL teaching jobs. Well done! Here's our teaching planning timeline/preparation guide to help make this stage more fun and less stressful.

You’re ready to teach in Ecuador!

Teaching English in Ecuador won’t be anything short of magical—just ask the sunsets.

The majority of English teaching jobs in Ecuador require a bachelor’s degree, some teaching experience, and/or a TEFL certificate, but several volunteer teaching programs will help you get your foot in the door if you don’t have the credentials. You may also need to have some basic Spanish skills before you start teaching English in Ecuador to help you navigate your surroundings. You’ll also likely find that you have enough free time for trips to other parts of Ecuador or other nearby countries!

You’ll find a range in offerings in terms of program length and flexibility in private or public school placements. The coastal schools usually offer a more laid back style to teaching while the cities will have more rigorous curriculum, but jobs in Ecuador for English speakers vary. The longer you teach, the more you’ll learn more about the diverse cultures in Ecuador and gain valuable international experience. Wherever you decide to teach English in Ecuador, you’ll fall in love with the hospitable locals, delicious cuisines, and gorgeous landscapes! 

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