Conversation Partner - Ecuador

  Ecuador

Cuenca,  Galapagos Islands,  Guayaquil,  Quito

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Year round

Description: Volunteer 15 hours each week in Ecuador in exchange for free room and board. Weekends are normally free to experience the culture by traveling around Ecuador. Conversation Partners can be placed in the Quito area and Galapagos Islands, as well as a few placements in Guayaquil and Cuenca.

The Need: Volunteer 15 hours a week helping a group with Conversational English. That's it. Many Ecuadorian agencies and organizations want their employees to learn English or improve their English skills through conversation.

Placements:

Cultural Exchange Agencies. Ecuadorians are very interested in learning languages and participating in programs such as work and travel, au pair, academic year abroad, etc. A tutor is needed to prepare the participants with their English communication skills before the Ecuadorian goes abroad. The tutor can also assist the cultural exchange agency staff. (Location: Quito, Guayaquil or Cuenca)

Travel Companies. Due to the growth of tourism in Ecuador, there are many travel companies, mostly based in Quito. These travel companies promote tourism packages in the country and abroad. English language skills of the sales staff is always an area of improvement. (Location: Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Galapagos Islands)
Ecuadorian Import/Export Business.

Flower companies. Ecuador is the third largest flower exporter in the world. The flower companies are based mostly in Quito and surrounding areas. The companies take care of exports; quality control, distribution and commercialization.   A GeoVisions Conversation Partner will help staff members to improve their communication with their international clients. (Location: Quito)

Government Organizations. Due to the increased number of visitors to the Galapagos Islands, staff members want to improve their English skills in order to help with the tourists, mainly at the airport. (Location: Galapagos Islands)
Spanish Schools. Tourism in Ecuador has been increasing annually with people coming to Quito to learn Spanish. Spanish teachers want to improve their English conversation skills in oder to communicate better with students wanting to learn basic Spanish. (Location: Quito)

Conversation Partner tutors can request a specific agency and location. While every effort will be made to meet these requests, placements are based on need and availability.

Highlights: Benefits:

* Travel for less.
* Accomodations in a homestay or guesthouse.
* Bonuses from the individual organizations. For example, 10 hours of Spanish lessons from the Spanish schools, Cultural Exchange agencies and flower companies.
* A full day tour based on availability, from the travel company.
* You put in a couple of hours each day literally talking, and the rest of your time is spent traveling and experiencing the culture in depth.
* Do you want to learn Spanish or brush up on your language skills? We can easily arrange optional language classes for you. It's up to you.
* Tip the advantage to you by enhancing your resume by volunteering as a Conversation Partner. Job: "Language Tutor." References: Global. It just doesn't get any better than that. Resume and cover letter services FREE for two months via Pongo Resume.
* You "meet" your group in advance through email and phone calls. Each organization is interviewed and carefully screened by in-country staff.
Exclusive materials written by GeoVisions staff will give you "a bag of tricks" as you engage your new "students". Premium membership in the esl-lounge FREE to Conversation Partners.
* Join our Facebook Fan page or our Facebook Conversation Corps Group and begin the conversation now. And when you come back, our Returnee network is a great place to share your experiences.This is a high-energy and really fun position. GeoVisions provides the materials; you provide the personality to liven up an informal conversation class! Find out first-hand how Ecuadorians live and work day-to-day. Sometimes there are opportunities to take part in activities. Plus, the locals can show you landmarks and hidden gems.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be a native English speaker. A knowledge of Spanish is recommended.You need to have earned a high school (secondary school) diploma or certificate, and be in good health. Placements are available year 'round and range in duration from one to three months.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Please visit our website for pricing.

* Personalized Volunteer Placement with a host family (or dorm, hotel, or guest house) through our Partner in Ecuador, based on your skills and interests, including all the coordination, in-person visits and communication necessary with the local organization.
* Your orientation in Quito with a half-day tour of Quito.
* A comfortable, safe place to live in Ecuador, your room, half board (Breakfast and Dinner), and transportation from the airport.
* An experienced U.S. based GeoVisions Program Manager (and former volunteer with GeoVisions) who will serve as your coordinator and liaison with our in-country staff in Ecuador.
* In-country basic language assistance and (optional) language classes.
* Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation, supervision and guidance throughout your stay.
* Extensive medical, accident and dental insurance along with emergency evacuation insurance.
* Important documents, including in-depth pre-departure packs, orientation information, and all in-country informational materials.
* Country-based airport transportation.
* A toll-free 24-hour emergency hotline in the U.S.
* Our own text book plus Premium membership at the esl-lounge.
* Two-months membership at Pongo.
* The President's Volunteer Service Award including a lapel pen, letter from the President of The United States and certificate.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers need to have a desire to learn about another culture and teach about theirs.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

GeoVisions's Mission Statement: GeoVisions is committed to help individuals develop global skills to succeed in the twenty-first century. These skills will ultimately lead to greater cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples of the world. We are committed to treating every person on a GeoVisions program with respect, and devoting our energies to helping participants meet their individual and collective goals.

Year Founded: 2001