TEACH ENGLISH IN ECUADOR

Everything you need to know to get a job teaching English in Ecuador.

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About Teaching English in Ecuador

To teach English in Ecuador, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is not required but is strongly preferred. Native English proficiency is also expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Ecuador is about $500 - $700 USD per month.

Boasting a striking array of geographic diversity (including the Galapagos Islands) in addition to bustling historic cities and rich indigenous culture, Ecuador represents a growing job market for teaching English in Latin America. 

Hiring for English teachers in Ecuador is typically conducted in February-March and again in July and August. English teachers should expect to interview in-person locally in Ecuador. Most English teachers work primarily at independent language schools, and many work part-time as private tutors.

Two English Teachers in Ecuador a male English Teacher in Ecuador and his students


A solid hourly wage and a low cost of living enable English teachers to live modestly, but comfortably.  Schools typically offer around 20-25 hours per week of work, leaving you plenty of opportunities to travel and explore.  Major cities for English teaching jobs are Cuenca, Quito, and Guayaquil.  

Please note, that while a Bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Ecuador, it still can be strongly preferred by employers.  If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.

How to Teach English in Ecuador: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Ecuador

A TEFL certification is typically required to teach English in Ecuador. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

English teachers in Ecuador typically interview in person in Ecuador, therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Ecuador, however, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Citizenship from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is often preferred but not always required.

Degree Requirements for Ecuador

While a Bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Ecuador, it is often strongly preferred by employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search, but don't be discouraged!

Read more: What are the requirements for teaching English in Ecuador?

How to Find TEFL Jobs in Ecuador

English Teaching Jobs in Ecuador

The most common teaching jobs in Ecuador consist of:

  • Teaching adults or children in private language schools.
  • Private tutoring both children and adults.
  • Teaching Business English to adults.
  • Teaching English Online.

TEFL Ecuador: Hiring & Visa

Major hiring seasons in Ecuador are February-March & July- August, though some schools might recruit it other months. It is most common to interview on the ground,  in-person.

Most English teachers in Ecuador work on a volunteer visa or a professional visa. 

Read More: What Type of Visa Can I Use to Teach English in Ecuador?

Work as an English Teacher in Ecuador: Hours

English language schools in Ecuador offer approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Ecuadorian Students

It is most common that your students will be children, adults, and business professionals. 

Teaching English in Ecuador Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $1,000 - $1,200 USD. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Ecuador until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

English Teacher Salary in Ecuador

How much can I earn teaching English in Ecuador?

A solid hourly wage enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Ecuador. English teachers in Ecuador can expect to make the equivalent of $500 - $700 USD per month. It is common for teachers in Ecuador to also teach English online to supplement their income.

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent. 

Cost of Living & Savings

The cost of living typically ranges between $500-$700 USD per month.

English teachers in Ecuador can expect to break even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you should not expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save. 

 

What Does Teaching in Ecuador Look Like?

Watch ITA alumna Sue Selle show us a day in her life living and teaching English in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador!

Want more? We've got you covered! Visit our Video Library to watch day-in-the-life videos from our alumni and get a glimpse into what your life as an English teacher in Ecuador & Latin America could look like!

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Teaching English in Ecuador FAQs

How do I become a teacher in Ecuador?

To teach English in Ecuador, make sure you understand what is and is not required:

Required:

  • A TEFL certification
  • Understanding of the types of English teaching jobs that are available
  • Savings for start-up costs

Not Required:

  • A four-year college degree is not required to secure a job in Ecuador, however, it is still strongly preferred by some employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.
  • You do not need to be a native English speaker, but you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Citizenship from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is typically preferred by some employers but is not a legal requirement.

Read more: What qualifications do you need to teach English in Ecuador?

How much do English teachers earn in Ecuador?

English teachers in Ecuador can expect to make the equivalent of $500-$800 USD per month. Typically, teachers can expect to support themselves and live comfortably, but not necessarily to save substantial amounts. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.

Read more: How Much Salary Do English Teachers Get Paid in Ecuador?

What are my job opportunities for teaching English in Ecuador?

English teachers in Ecuador can typically expect to find jobs in February-March & July- August. Most English teachers interview on the ground and in person. The most common teaching jobs in Ecuador include teaching adults or children in private language schools; private tutoring for both children and adults, teaching Business English to adults, and teaching English online.

What type of visa do I need to teach English in Ecuador?

The type of visa you'll need in Ecuador (and how you get that visa) will depend on your nationality, teaching job, and perhaps other factors like whether you get your job in advance of your arrival, or if you get hired locally in Ecuador. 

Most foreign English teachers in Ecuador teach either on a Volunteer visa or a Professional visa.  

Be sure to speak to an International TEFL Academy Advisor by calling 773-634-9900 to discuss your specific questions and concerns about your visa for teaching English in Ecuador.

Read More: What Type of Visa Can I Use to Teach English in Ecuador?

Recommended TEFL Courses for
Teaching English in Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador TEFL Course

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  • 6 hours of Live Practice Teaching
  • 30 hours of class observation
  • Classes capped at 12 students

Part-Time Online TEFL Course

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  • 11 Weeks Part-Time
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Intensive 4-Week Online TEFL Class

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Reviews From ITA Students Who Now Experience TEFL in Ecuador

Drew Randall

Teaches English in Ecuador

Drew Randall

I decide to get TEFL certified because I needed to obtain this certification before teaching English in South America. It is a requirement in practically every school. I chose ITA because I lived in Chicago and it was the one way to continue working as an engineer and complete my TEFL certification at the same time....... I would recommend people to teach in Ecuador because it is a beautiful country with a lot to offer

Lynsey Schwab

Teaches English in Ecuador

Lynsey Schwab

On our walks, we reveled at the colonial center of Cuenca, famous for its cathedrals, plazas, and cobblestone streets. The center bustles with every store you can imagine, and, different from Chicago, not just high-end places. Due to its favorable climate, Cuenca enjoys year-round outdoor "mercados" where you can buy clothes, gadgets, flowers, and food - all unmarked with prices.

I had no teaching experience before taking this TEFL course and my training provided me with many activities, behavior management, and helpful suggestions. I felt fully prepared by the time I needed to run my own classroom.

 

Jennifer Maneja

Teaches English in Ecuador

Jennifer Maneja

I'd totally recommend teaching English in Ecuador. The people of Cuenca are polite and welcoming. There's a big expat community here too, so if you feel the need to surround yourself with English-speakers, there's an option for that too. All things considered, Ecuador is a beautiful country, and more people should consider it for teaching abroad.