Summer ESL Internship

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The Tandana Foundation is seeking motivated and qualified summer interns to develop curriculum, teach, and lead field trips and activities for local secondary school students in Quichinche, Ecuador, a region that is rich in natural beauty and cultural diversity. This internship begins on or around June 24, 2024, and ends on or around July 28, 2024.

Position Description
In this internship, your primary responsibility will be to provide continuity and excellence in the curriculum and teaching for Tandana's Vacation Courses in Quichinche, Ecuador. Specifically, you will design a coherent and effective curriculum for one level of ESL classes, as well as other electives, for secondary school students. These classes will take place five days a week each morning for three weeks in July. You will plan the curriculum ahead of time, teach it, and record it in a way that is easy for future interns and volunteers to follow. For the electives, you may plan and teach lessons in other subjects, such as art, leadership, math, health, physics, or geography, and you will help lead field trips and enrichment activities for the summer students. Finally, you will serve as a cultural ambassador and a positive representative of The Tandana Foundation. In return, you will be placed with a host family, which will allow countless opportunities to explore the indigenous cultures and subsistence lifestyles of highland Ecuador as well as the natural environment around you. You will also be given all the support you need to succeed in your work and be encouraged to accomplish your personal internship goals.

Requirements:

Conversational Spanish
Experience living in cross-cultural situations, preferably in Latin America
Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse array of people, to solve problems creatively, and to promote a positive experience for all involved
Self-motivation, responsibility, and an ability to work independently
Prior ESL experience or training, or demonstrated interest in teaching
Minimum age is 19

Responsibilities:
Design, implement and record effective curriculum for ESL and electives
Lead local students on field trips and service activities
Collaborate with and assist Tandana’s Cursos Coordinator and Ecuador Program Manager
Represent Tandana in a positive manner to all community members and volunteers and help to build good relationships

Benefits:
The opportunity to participate in unique cultural activities and be a part of a dynamic, multi-cultural team
Detailed orientation and ongoing support from Tandana's Ecuador Program Manager
Room and board with a local family (homestay)
Work expenses including local transportation, cell phone, and consular fees. (Interns pay their own airfare to Ecuador)

How to apply:
Interested parties should send a resume and a letter addressing each of the following questions to Aaron DiMartino, Operations Director, at aaron [at] tandanafoundation.org

Please describe any experience you have living in Ecuador or in another cross-cultural situation.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher?
Describe an experience that was very challenging for you. How did you deal with the difficulties, and what did you learn from the experience?
What are you passionate about, and how do you express that passion?
What do you think will be most exciting about this internship?
What do you think will be most difficult about this internship?
What are your personal and professional goals for this internship and how can we help you accomplish them?