Welcome to The Rainforest Language Collaborative, where we answer the call from our Indigenous friends in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest. They seek to embrace English as an additional language, empowering themselves with direct communication with the wider world, free from reliance on non-Indigenous interpreters. Renowned for their resilience and cooperation, the Achuar people are eager to conquer language barriers, demonstrating their readiness to adapt and learn. As an English educator, you play a pivotal role in fostering their independence. Our immersive 7-week program goes beyond language instruction, fostering cultural exchange, sharing of wisdom, and blending ancient traditions with modern teaching methods. Join us and be part of this transformative journey.
Highlights:
Join us at the Rainforest Language Collaborative, where every lesson taught echoes through the dense canopies of the Amazonian rainforest. Come, teach, learn, and co-create a legacy.
This is a 7-week commitment to teach a specific module. Below are the available 2024 dates:
Sep 21, 2024
Nov 2, 2024
Jan 4, 2025
Feb 15, 2025
Mar 29, 2025
May 10, 2025
Given the depth and intensity of this experience, it is important that we learn more about you to see if there is an appropriate match between you and this particular journey. To fill out the application, click here.
Michelle Turan, PhD, BCBA Rainforest Language Collaborative Director
Michelle has supported education around the world supporting disadvantaged populations at their request. As a full-time professor in behaviour analysis, Michelle believes that great change is motivated by action and not words. Through her travel experience she has personally explored more remote areas with Indigenous communities and has deeply benefitted from the wisdom they have shared. It is for this reason, Michelle feels deeply committed to supporting the Achuar community in their desire to learn English as an additional language. As an Intercultural Development Inventory administrator, Michelle wishes to also support teachers in their own growth in cultural competencies while in this immersive experience.
Steve Torneten, Journeys Director
Leading transformative journeys in the Amazon has been a profound passion of Steve's ever since he received a calling years ago to journey into the enchanting magic of the Amazon rainforest and connect with our Indigenous brothers and sisters who call it their home. For the last ten years, he has led individuals from across the globe into the Amazon, showing them firsthand what it means to build a respectful and reciprocal relationship with Indigenous communities.
Steve believes there are few journeys as impactful as the ones we offer. These experiences serve as transformational for our guests, while simultaneously providing a valuable and empowering experience for the Indigenous people who generously share their ancient wisdom with the world, contributing to the creation of a new worldview.
His personal journey has been an adventurous one, spanning from serving eight years as a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps to establishing a successful real estate business. This was followed by years of exploration into human consciousness through practices like meditation, yoga, shamanism, and fasting, ultimately culminating in letting go of it all during his first journey in the Amazon.
" Teaching English to the children of the Achuar community was one of the most rewarding and valuable experience of my life.The English program serves as a vital tool to empower these indigenous children. As they learn English, they gain a voice on the global stage. I recall a conversation with one of the children's parents, who expressed a dream for his sons and daughters to speak English confidently. He shared concerns about interpreters not fully conveying their messages".- Luciana Alves- June 2023
"I loved and fully lived this unique adventure, took a while but I finally manifested my biggest childhood dream.Thank you to Amazon Journeys with Steve for this unique & one in a lifetime experience". - Magalie Dubois, December 2023.
" It has been a rich and wonderful experience. It’s good to leave your preconceived notions at home as nothing can adequately prepare you for this jungle journey! The Achuar are wonderful people and living amongst them for the past seven weeks has been the experience of a lifetime. Being of service to them through teaching English has been an incredible honor for which I am very grateful! 🙏🙏🙏" - Letitia Reason , February 2024.
We recognize that this is a significant commitment, and we are here to assist you in your decision-making process. If it would be beneficial, we would be delighted to arrange a Zoom call with you to ensure that this journey aligns with your aspirations, our mission, and the indigenous communities we serve. Please click here to access our calendar and schedule a Zoom call. During the call, we will provide a more comprehensive overview of the journey and address any questions you may have.
Once you are accepted and have paid your deposit we will send you an email with all the information you need to travel to Ecuador.
Payment is not required until the application has been approved.
The teaching collaborative's pre-departure training is a comprehensive and interactive program. Through virtual sessions on Zoom, you and your fellow participants will engage with the Institute's leadership to establish a strong foundation for your teaching journey. You will participate in intercultural awareness training, delving into the diverse communities you will be working alongside. The history of these communities will be explored, fostering a deeper appreciation for the cultural context and preparing you for the potential and limitations of your role. Equally important, participants will receive guidance on essential packing and preparation to equip them for a seven-week immersion into the heart of the Amazon. This thorough pre-departure training consists of at least three meetings, ensuring that every teacher embarks on their extraordinary adventure feeling fully prepared and eager to make a meaningful impact.