| Country | Avg. monthly salary | Degree required | Start of term | Teaching experience | Housing & flights included | Suitable for non-native English speakers | Age restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach in Ecuador | £490 GBP $630 USD | Preferred | May | Preferred | None |
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If you’re a TEFL teacher looking to find adventure in South America, Ecuador is one destination you should be considering. Don’t be put off by the low wages – while salaries aren’t high, the cost of living is very low in this country. While you can’t save much of your pay packet, it’s easy to […]
If you’re a TEFL teacher looking to find adventure in South America, Ecuador is one destination you should be considering. Don’t be put off by the low wages – while salaries aren't high, the cost of living is very low in this country. While you can’t save much of your pay packet, it’s easy to get by when food and accommodation is so cheap. As such, Ecuador is becoming a popular destination for recently qualified TEFL teachers, who are interested in teaching English abroad , can live well on the salary and get a laid-back introduction to the teaching world. Many entry-level jobs have lower standards than other locations, enabling newer teachers to get a foot on the career ladder. As six-month contracts are standard, this is also a great opportunity for those just wanting to try out the TEFL life and not be tied down for a whole year.
Ecuador may be the second-smallest country in South America, but it has no shortage of exciting offerings. In a single day you could travel across glaciated Andean volcanoes, the Amazon Basin, and through tropical forests. There are plenty of outdoor pursuits available for the more adventurous, whether you fancy swimming, surfing, hiking, or horse-riding. For nature lovers, Ecuador will keep you captivated with its exotic birds and plants, unusual insects, and spectacular animals. With amazing landscapes, fascinating ecology, and great opportunities for exploring, variety is standard when it comes to this stunning country! When you arrive to teach English in Ecuador you will also encounter the warm and welcoming nature of the locals. All of these factors make Ecuador an exciting destination to teach English abroad .
Key Facts
- Popular locations for TEFL jobs : Quito, Cuenca, Latacunga, Guayaquil, Quevedo
- Average salary for EFL teachers : The average salary for EFL teachers in Ecuador typically ranges from $800 - $1,500 USD per month, but can vary depending on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Bigger cities, such as Quito, generally offer higher pay than smaller towns. Keep in mind that the cost of living in Ecuador is also relatively low in comparison to the USA, the UK and much of mainland Europe, so your salary can go further.
- Benefits: Employers offer paid vacation, and some employers provide health insurance. While additional benefits like housing or flight stipends are not common, the cost of living is generally reasonable, ensuring comfortable living conditions.
- TEFL qualification requirements: To teach English in Ecuador, you'll need a TEFL certification with at least 120 hours of training. A bachelor's degree is mandatory for most positions. You don't need to be a native English speaker from the US or UK; high English proficiency can still land you a job in Ecuador. Requirements may vary depending on the school or program.
- Term times : The school year starts in September
- Currency : USD ($)
- Language : Spanish
- Teaching programmes : Public Schools, Private Language Schools, International Schools, Universities, Freelance, Volunteer
- Age restrictions: None
- Previous teaching experience: Useful, not always required
If you have a TEFL qualification but no degree, there will probably be places willing to hire you. Ditto to if you have teaching experience but no qualifications whatsoever. Public schools are also an option if you don’t have the qualifications to apply for better jobs, but these roles can be a challenge, with large class sizes, unmotivated students, and poor pay. If you’re qualified and experienced, you’re better searching for work at International Schools where the pay will be slightly better and the academic standards will be higher, too. For more qualified teachers, university positions are the best thing to aim for, as well as elite bilingual schools that offer programs such as the IB. Like any country, the better qualified/experienced you are, the better the jobs that will be open to you.
University students and the business community make up the majority of students wanting to learn English, but there are increasingly more opportunities to work with kids and teens, who you’ll find to be fun and cheeky in class. Lessons might start early in the morning and continue until the evening, but with a break in the heat of the day. Standards are usually quite casual, and your employer might not provide you with a firm curriculum. Dress code is also likely to be casual, but female teachers are cautioned to dress modestly in this society .
Requirements for teaching English in Ecuador
Living Costs
While wages are low in Ecuador, the cost of living is also very cheap. Few teaching positions come with any sort of accommodation, but if you can find another expat to share an apartment with, your outgoings will be minimal, even in the capital city. Just three or so hours of freelance teaching can earn you enough to cover a night in a hostel and an evening meal. Life in Ecuador can be fun and adventurous, making it a great opportunity for TEFL teachers looking for an exciting year, but also bear in mind that crime in this part of the world can be higher than other places, and so you have to be on your guard. Make sure you avoid any dodgy areas in town and don’t show off expensive items in public.
| Restaurants | USD | GBP | EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | |||
| Domestic beer (0.5 litre) | |||
| Regular cappuccino | |||
| Water (0.33 litre) | |||
| Markets | USD | GBP | EUR |
| Regular milk (1 litre) | |||
| Loaf of white bread | |||
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | |||
| Apples (1 kg) | |||
| Transportation | USD | GBP | EUR |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | |||
| Monthly pass (regular price) | |||
| Taxi start (normal tariff) | |||
| Gasoline (1 litre) | |||
| Utilities | USD | GBP | EUR |
| Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment) | |||
| Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data | |||
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | |||
| Clothing and shoes | USD | GBP | EUR |
| Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar) | |||
| Summer dress in a chain store | |||
| Nike running shoes (mid-range) | |||
| Men's leather business shoes |
More on teaching English in Ecuador
Teach English in Latin America
Perusing the ruins in Peru, getting up close to the wildlife in Ecuador or dancing the night away in Brazil - if you're looking for an adventurous teaching abroad experience with a different beat, nowhere does it better than Latin America.