English Teaching and Environmental Education
Overview
In the rural Ecuadorian Amazon, English is increasingly valued for access to opportunities in tourism, conservation, and business, but many schools face challenges such as limited resources, irregular instruction, and high student-to-teacher ratios. As an English teaching intern, you will work alongside local educators to support students in developing their language skills through conversation, games, and creative lessons. Environmental education is also a key focus, and you may help incorporate topics like recycling, waste reduction, and forest protection into classroom discussions and activities.
Interns may be placed in public schools or private learning spaces, including a forest-based alternative school that uses experiential and project-based methods. This internship is as much about cultural exchange as it is about teaching. By participating in classroom life and community routines, you will gain firsthand insight into rural education systems, Kichwa culture, and the deep relationship between language, land, and local knowledge.
Daily Life
Your internship begins with an orientation in the city of Tena, where you will get to know your placement and meet fellow participants. Once in your host community, mornings usually begin with breakfast and conversation at home, followed by a walk or bus ride to school. There, you might assist teachers during lessons, lead small group conversations, develop interactive games, or introduce basic vocabulary through storytelling, music, or nature-based themes. You may also support environmental efforts at school, such as starting a recycling station, organizing a clean-up day, or helping run an after-school eco-club.
Afternoons and evenings are shaped by community rhythms. You may help your host family with daily tasks like harvesting in the chakra, cooking, or feeding animals. Some days might include tutoring sessions, planning future lessons, or joining local youth in sports or community events. On weekends, you are free to explore nearby rivers and trails, visit neighboring towns, or participate in workshops with other interns. While your classroom role is meaningful, your open presence and willingness to engage in community life are equally important parts of the experience.
Price:
$550 per week, 4 week minimum