Gain valuable teaching experience while learning about Chinese culture and exploring a fascinating place
Program Overview
Your adventure will begin in Shanghai, one of the most vibrant and busy cities in the world. While here you will spend 12 weeks training, learning the language and getting used to the culture while teaching children English at a local middle or high school.
There are two new subjects in the schools that you will focus on: Western Culture and English. Students learn best when listening to and interacting with a native English speaker, so your role will be critical! They also respond positively to interactive methods such as singing, reading stories as a group, planning theatrical performances and playing games.
Upon completion of this phase you will be moved to your work placement in Zheng Zhou, in the Henan Province of Central China for 12 weeks to further your experience.
Life on the Program
At the start of your program you will focus on taking Mandarin lessons, touring the city, learning teaching techniques and observe volunteers and teachers as they work with the students.
Your class schedule will run from Monday through Friday, although your exact schedule will be provided by your assigned school. You may have days that are busier than others, but when you’re not teaching you will need to prepare resources and plan your lessons for the following day. During your time off on weekends you are free to relax or explore the local area with your Chinese colleagues and fellow volunteers.
Your accommodation will be basic but comfortable offering all modern amenities. Once you are at your placement in Zheng Zou, it may be possible to stay with one of the local teachers.
Project Details
This program’s focus is to improve students’ knowledge of western culture and the English language. While you are on the project you may assist in the following:
- Creating teaching guides to use in the classroom
- Preparing and planning daily activities and lessons
- Teaching English to students
- Assisting the local teachers
- Incorporating interactive learning techniques to help students become more comfortable with the English language
- Organizing additional side projects such as English Club
- Keeping track of student progress, lessons and curriculum
The local teachers will benefit from your feedback on how to make English and western culture classes more interesting and engaging for the students, so it’s important to take note of how things can be improved for the next volunteer group!
How this program makes a difference:
As China opens up to the rest of the world more opportunities are available for local people in education, development and tourism. Providing students with the opportunity to learn English from native English speakers with different teaching styles greatly aids their development and helps them to prepare for their future in a modern and developing China.
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Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Chinese cultural course
- Mandarin lessons
- Sight seeing tour in Shanghai
- Work Placement
- Meals are only included Monday to Friday
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Food/meals during 5 day orientation in Shanghai (approx cost 10-20 RMB per meal)
- Weekend meals
- Required visa extensions and visa run to Hong Kong half way through. Visa costs and transport may add up to $1,000 for visas, extensions and travel.
