Ecuador – Teaching Assistant in the Galápagos – Images

The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean and is considered one of the world’s leading locations for wildlife viewing. Its isolated landscape is home to a wide range of animal and plant species, many that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos’ species later inspired his theory of evolution.

Working as a teaching assistant on this project will allow you to engage with learners from all age groups. You may be required to assist classroom teachers in a pre-school, working with children aged 3-5 or with International Baccalaureate students. You will also implement some of your own ideas and lesson plans. Depending on your chosen age group, your tasks will vary, but may include:

• Supporting teaching staff
• Managing and organizing English classes
• Helping to design and run continuing education programs for community members to practice conversational English

Note: Schools on Isabela are on summer holiday from mid January-mid May.

Internet: WiFi is available.

Laundry: Laundry facilities are available.

Accommodations: You will stay in a private room in a shared volunteer house. The accommodations have western – style flush toilets and shared common areas, including a kitchen and dining room. Volunteers can also choose to stay with a host family. At your homestay you will also stay in a private room with western – style flush toilets.

Food: At the volunteer house accommodations lunch and dinner is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town. Breakfast is not included, but you have the use of an equipped kitchen for cooking. At the homestay accommodations you will have breakfast and dinner with your host family. Lunch is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town.

A volunteer visa is no longer required. Volunteers enter Ecuador on a tourist visa for 90 days and the local team will provide you with a Galapagos visa.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• CV
• Police clearance
• Basic level of Spanish in order to communicate with fellow workers and children
• A genuine passion for children’s education and their well-being
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Energetic, creative, and enthusiastic nature to stimulate the learning environment
• Disclose life-threatening allergies before applying for consideration due to the remote location, enabling us to assess the destination’s suitability and manage potential risks.

The Galápagos Islands are one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations for wildlife viewing. Made famous by the sceintist Charles Darwin, the islands are home to species that many people are familiar with, such as the blue-footed boobys and giant tortoises. There is much to be seen on a trip to these islands, and a few suggestions are listed below.

Darwin Lake
Also located on Isla Isebla, Darwin Lake is a saltwater lagoon that has twice the amount of salt of the surrounding ocean.

Tagus Cove
From the cliffs surrounding Darwin Lake, volunteers can take a panga ride to Tagus Cove where there is the opportunity to see, and even snorkel with, indigenous marine life such as Galápagos penguins!

Tortuga Bay
For volunteers who wish to island hop, Isla Santa Cruz, to the right of the island, is an excellent choice. Tortuga Bay is one of the most popular and beautiful beach destinations in all of the Galápagos Islands and is located in southern Isla Santa Cruz. There are sharks, marine iguanas and occasionally flamingos in the Bay.