Programs by Destination

The Cuenca Ecuador Study Abroad TEFL program is a 6-week long Linguistics Teaching English as a Foreign Language Program sponsored by Latin American Studies and Linguistics. Cuenca is an ideal setting; it is a beautiful, medium-sized city located at a latitude of 8,200 feet in Ecuador’s southern Andes Mountains. Cuenca has preserved its colonial heritage of narrow, cobblestone streets and colonial architecture and has grown into a modern Ecuadorian city. The TEFL program is run through the Centers for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI), which offers English courses to over 900 Ecuadorian students every day.


Program Length
Six weeks, summer, annually
June 13th- July 22nd, 2012

Eligibility and Selection Process
This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all majors. A basic knowledge of Spanish is recommended. Previous study abroad experience is a plus, but not a requirement. However, Freshman applicants should have previous study abroad experience. Admission will be based on academic accomplishments, statement of purpose, interviews, letters of recommendation, and academic standing.

For those students intending to complete the Ohio University TEFL certificate, the prerequisite course is LING 350/351/550. Students will also be required to complete LING 475/575 either on campus during summer session II or fall quarter after completing courses in Ecuador. The TEFL program offered through CEDEI is a complete certificate program in itself, but does not hold OU status. Students will only receive the OU TEFL certificate upon completion of the above required courses at the OU campus.

Students on judicial probation at the start of the study abroad program will not be allowed to participate; there is an appeal process for those with B-level violations. Click here to read the entire judicial policy.

Application Deadline


Living Arrangements
Each student will live with a family in houses that are safe, comfortable, and relatively close to the center of town.

Courses and Credits
Students intending to receive the OU TEFL certificate must have completed LING 350/351/550 at Ohio University prior to this program.  One of these courses is highly recommended for all students.

Students will enroll in LING 480/580, LING 482/582 and LING 410/510. In addition, graduate students will sign up for LING 600 and undergraduates will sign up for LING 499 to complete the necessary hours to be a full time student. Undergrade students will earn a total of 12 credits, while graduate students will earn 15 credits.

** Please note that this program does not satisfy the study abroad requirements for the Spanish major or for the Latin American Studies major. **

Cost

Click here to access a student budget worksheet for the 2012 summer program.

Additional Information on Ecuador

To learn more about this study abroad destination, please visit the CIA World Factbook. 

Health and safety
Ohio University Office of Education Abroad suggests you follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control for healthy travel to your destination. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.

Refer to the State Department site for information related to safety and security at this destination.

Requesting accommodation for disabilities
If you plan to participate in an Ohio University-sponsored study abroad program and wish to request accommodation, you should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to schedule an appointment to complete an Education Abroad Disability Accommodation Request Form. We recommend you do this as early as possible to allow sufficient time to determine what accommodations may be made for this program.  

Entry and exit requirements
U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year, apply for your passport now.

Some countries also require a visa to legally enter and reside in the country.  Entry and exit requirements for this country can be found here.  US citizens will not need a visa or other special documents to enter the country for the length of this  program. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program.  Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.

Information for Non-US citizens can be found here.  


For more information contact:
Anne Porter
Department of Modern Languages
Gordy Hall 233
Tel: 740-593-2763

Keely Davin
Program Coordinator
WIEC 012
davin@ohio.edu
Tel:740-593-1798