2. Teaching Abroad  Share passion for teaching and education  Gain valuable work/life experience  Make connections for future initiatives at Laurentian  Broaden horizons and increase awareness of other cultures  Represent Laurentian University as a world-class institution

3. Sharing our Passion  Help teach English as a Second Language (ESL)  Bringing native English to Ecuadorian students  Assisting classroom teachers with education

4. Gaining Experience  Experience can be transferred to Canadian classrooms  Learning how to teach ESL – very important skill  Learning to work with different cultures in different settings

5. Making Connections  Smoother process for future endeavors  Help establish program for next year  Gaining partnership with community in Ecuador

6. Broadening Horizons  Develop understanding and tolerance for other cultures  Opportunity to work in a developing country  Connecting Canadian culture to Ecuadorian culture

7. Representing Laurentian  Increase awareness of Laurentian University & School of Education  Building connections between Laurentian and Ecuador

8. Ecuador  Location: Pacific Coast, South America  Languages: Spanish, Amerindian  Ethnicities: Mestizo, Amerindian, Spanish  4 Regions: 1. Pacific Coast (La Costa) 2. Andes Highlands (La Sierra) 3. Amazon (El Oriente) 4. Galapagos Islands

9. Population Figures Population: 13.7 million Capital: Quito (1.6 million) Largest City: Guayaquil (2.2 million) Urban: 63% Rural: 37%

10. Literacy  Definition: Age 15+ that can read & write  Literacy Rates:  Male- 92%  Female- 89%  Total- 91% Education: Compulsory between 6-14 years old Attendance: 76% urban, 33% rural (through 6 th grade)

11. Importance of Teaching English  English is important in a globalized world  English is important in many workplaces  Students will learn new skills and have an opportunity for successful future