Ecuador
8 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program aims to strengthen English language instruction at Ecuadorian higher education institutions by establishing the presence of native speakers. At the same time, U.S. participants will gain from intensive cross-cultural interaction with Ecuadorian students and faculty.
The grantee will be assigned to a specific academic higher education institution based on the candidate's academic profile and the specific needs of the host institution. ETAs will be assigned as language-teaching assistants for up to 26 hours per week. Responsibilities may include giving presentations on different topics related to the United States, preparing classroom activities, and/or encouraging students to communicate in English through conversation clubs.
To learn more about Ecuador, visit: https://ecuador.travel/
Grant Length
Grant Period
The 9-month grant starts in September 2026 and ends in June 2027.
Orientation
In preparation of the arrival of grantees the Commission offers:
- Virtual office hours to answer any questions before departure
- Mandatory virtual pre-departure orientation
- Mandatory in-person arrival orientation, which usually takes place the last week of September 2026
Candidate Profile
Applications should demonstrate an interest in working in an educational environment and flexibility in adapting to new and unstructured environments. Candidates with degrees in English, Spanish, Education, or TEFL/Applied Linguistics with experience teaching or tutoring are preferred. Other fields will be considered if combined with teaching experience and/or coursework in pedagogy.
Because this is a student program, candidates with more than three years of teaching experience or a master's degree in TESOL at the time of application may be considered over-qualified and not eligible for this program.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Ecuadorians are very welcoming to Americans. Grantees are easily integrated into their communities and enjoy the different customs, foods, and festivals throughout the year. During the weekends, grantees get together to travel and visit new places. Due to its geography, in just one hour you can be in a completely different environment.
The Ecuadorian economy is dollarized, which makes it one of the more stable economies of the region. The inflation rate is low. The cost of living is a bit higher in cities like Quito and Cuenca. Costs are reduced in provinces of the central and southern highland region and in rural areas.
You will be able to find a wide variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year and very inexpensive compared to international prices. Ecuadorian gastronomy is creative and has ancestral origins infused with heritages from different cultures.
The climate is pleasant most of the year and we do not experience extreme temperatures. In the highland region, temperatures are about 41° to 75° Farenheit. The Amazon region is humid and the average temperature is 82° Farenheit.
Eligibility
6 Months
The Commission will not select candidates who have previously received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Additional Information: Spanish language proficiency is necessary in order to communicate on a daily basis. Applicants should include in the plans for language study between the time of application and the commencement of the grant a Language Self-Evaluation. A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college-level Spanish-language instructor is also required.
Successful candidates must be English-speakers with native fluency.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
- Other Educational/Community Institution
Grantees will be placed in language programs at universities preparing future English teachers or at the English program of the university.
ETAs will be assigned as language-training assistants but will not be responsible for teaching entire courses. Responsibilities may include preparing classroom activities, encouraging students to speak and write in English, and giving presentations on different aspects related to the United States and its culture. The Fulbright Commission will match the grantee with the appropriate host institution. ETA activities are composed of 20 hours of teaching and 6 hours of preparation.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
- Rural
Grantees are often placed outside of Quito, the capital city and possibly at the Galapagos Islands too.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
The first grant payment will be available upon arrival. Following grant payments will be made in monthly intervals as direct deposits to the bank account of the grantee. Most grantees open a local savings account, which comes with a debit card. The Commission facilitates the opening of a local account. Payments are made the last working day of the month.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Excess baggage fees
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
- Local transportation allowance
All grantees will receive the following one-time allowances:
- Settling in allowance: $500
- Research allowance: $400
- Funds for books and materials: $250
- Local travel: $300
The following allowances are reimbursed after presenting receipts:
- Excess baggage: up to $200
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
The mid-year seminar usually takes place in February and is provides an opportunity for grantees to reconnect with fellow Fulbrighters, to share and learn from each other and invited guest speakers, and to participate in cultural activities.
Supplementary Project
English Teaching Assistant responsibilities will be up to 26 hours per week; therefore, grantees are expected to engage in other activities related to their personal, career, and/or educational interests. Applicants should consider a project that they intend to pursue if awarded the grant. They should keep in mind that these activities should be flexible respective to geographic location, since they will not know where they will be placed. For example, grantees may pursue a course of study, conduct research on topics or issues related to Ecuador, engage in specific volunteer activities, or a combination of these.
In the Statements of Grant Purpose, applicants should briefly describe their project plans and address the following: 1) why the activities are appropriate to Ecuador; 2) skills, talents or other qualifications that they bring to the project plan; 3) how they view this plan as contributing to their professional or educational development; and 4) if and how the plan contributes to the Fulbright goals of mutual understanding and host community engagement.
Remember that the primary activity for ETAs is in the classroom and not carrying out the supplementary project. The Commission may discuss alternative projects with the grantee when the placement is made. Applicants with strong research project proposals may wish to consider the Study/Research grant program.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Ecuador is an inexpensive country; for this reason, many Americans and Canadians have chosen to retire in the country.
Housing: Apartment rentals can go from $400 to $600 per month. Rent can be significantly reduced if you find a roommate.
Food: Grocery expenses per person can be up to $200, and a good 3-course lunch can go from $3.50 to $8. In good restaurants you can expect to pay $25 to $70 with non-alcoholic beverages.
Utilities and services: These are also inexpensive; gas, water and electricity will not exceed more than $50 per month. Internet service can be as low as $20 per month.
Transportation: Public transportation services (buses, Ecovia, Trolebus and Metro) go between $0.35 to $1.00 per ride. Minimum taxi fare ranges from $1.45 to $2. Uber service is also inexpensive. Most travel to other provinces can be done by land in buses or vans which costs $8 to $25 per person.
Healthcare: costs a fraction of what you would pay in the U.S. and most services are covered by the accident and sickness program provided by the Fulbright grant, as a reimbursement.
You may wish to visit this website to help estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different cities in Ecuador.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
ETAs will have the support of their designated university tutor to find a safe place to live. If another ETA has previously lived in that city, the Commission will put you in contact with that person.
Fulbright Ecuador Commission Office Hours
The Fulbright Commission in Ecuador is offering special office hours throughout the application season to address questions and updates related to the state of affairs and safety in Ecuador. All general application questions should continue to be directed to IIE at FBStudent@iie.org.
These office hours will be available via Zoom, and applicants must register at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89961664470?pwd=XJBFmx4RU1bWklWAcFkok8i0icqfEh.1
Office Hours dates and times:
April 28, 2025 – 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Quito, Ecuador time (4 pm - 5 pm EST time)
May 26, 2025 – 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Quito, Ecuador time (4 pm - 5 pm EST time)
June 30, 2025 – 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Quito, Ecuador time (4 pm - 5 pm EST time)
July 28, 2025 – 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Quito, Ecuador time ((4 pm - 5 pm EST time)
August 25, 2025 – 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Quito, Ecuador time (4 pm - 5 pm EST time)
September 29, 2025 – 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Quito, Ecuador time (4 pm - 5 pm EST time)