About ENLACE
Our Story – by Silvia Carrillo, Director
The story of ENLACE begins 25 years ago, when I established the first tourist hostel in Mindo whilst working as a teacher in the town’s school. I then moved to the UK where I taught languages and studied, deciding to return last year. Mindo falls within the Choco Andino Biosphere Reserve, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Its lush vegetation and sub-tropical climate has made it a paradise for peace-seeking travellers, many of whom have now made it their home.
Despite its development into one of Ecuador’s most popular tourist destinations, language skills remain an issue in the town. Low quality public language education has made language skills unattainable for much of the underprivileged population. Only those with the resources to pay for private tuition have been able to gain fluency in English, entrenching barriers to social mobility in the town. There is a crucial need for Mindo’s next generation to learn the English Language as a means of progression, because Mindo’s economy is centred around tourism, a trend only expected to continue.
So when I returned to Mindo I decided to invest all my time and savings into ENLACE, a language academy that delivers English lessons for the population of Mindo and surrounding towns, in addition to Spanish lessons for visitors and foreign residents. Now that we are in our new, purpose-built centre, the story continues!
Our Mission
The mission of ENLACE is to break down language barriers in Mindo by making high-quality bilingual education accessible and affordable for all.
We believe that teaching English can serve as a bridge for cultural understanding, personal development, and the sharing of Christian values.
We aim to transform our community into Ecuador’s first bilingual town, where language learning is not only a tool for opportunity but also a bridge for cultural exchange.
Guided by passionate teachers, our approach centers on interactive, engaging, and real-life learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in a global, touristic environment.
Our Values
Quality Education
Experienced and native English language teachers for all students at all levels.
Fun Learning
No textbooks or long lectures. We use mix methods to make classes fun and interactive for students, both indoors and outside!
Commitment
We ensure we have a range of evening and morning classes to ensure all students can stay committed to their classes, whatever their schedules.
Safeguarding
We use our expertise in safeguarding to provide our students with a safe and inclusive environment.
Our Partners
TeachBeyond is a Christian educational organisation which connects teachers, headteachers, RAs, dorm parents, and support staff with exciting educational opportunities around the world. We have been working with TeachBeyond since our foundation and they are an integral part of the ENLACE project.
The Language Exchange
Each month we invite Enlace students, teachers, and community friends to gather and practice English in a fun and interactive environment. By taking language learning out of the classroom and into a real-life social situation, our students grow in confidence, improve their fluency, expand their vocabulary, and build strong connections with their classmates and teachers. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, come join us for an evening of dynamic conversation and games. On one condition, however, you must speak in English!
ENLACE 