Lend a hand teaching English at elementary, middle and high schools in Shanghai

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Shanghai, a city promising a true hustle and bustle, remarkable culture and tradition, is also a great place to participate in some fascinating volunteering projects. While here you will take an initial five-day orientation which will cover Chinese history, culture, basic Mandarin language lessons and a tour of the city sites. You’ll have plenty of time to explore famous landmarks during your spare time.

Once your orientation finishes you will travel to your teaching placement in either elementary, middle or high school downtown.

While assisting local teachers you will support students as they are exposed to western cultures and expand their English communication skills. You’re sure to have fun and interact with all the students by playing games and organizing activities to enhance the children’s confidence and fluency.

Life on the Program

The English Department Chair will introduce you to local teaching methods and provide insight into the academic level of your students. While you are getting settled you will have a chance to sit in on other classes to get a feel for how the Chinese curriculum may be different from your own, and local teachers will assist you in creating your initial lesson plans.

Up to 70 students can be in your class, but you will always be assisted by a local teacher. In your smaller classes of 30-40 students you may teach on your own rather than assist teachers. Your days will be busy, but you will be provided with lunch in the school cafeteria where you can interact with other students and teachers.

While in most cases you will share an apartment with other volunteers you should be prepared for variations in setup as it will differ between placements.

Program Details

The main objective of your lessons will be to improve students’ English skills and their understanding of western culture. Your lessons will vary from basic literacy, vocabulary and pronunciation. To keep things active and exciting we will use games and other interactive tools, which will also keep children interested and engaged. Depending on your placement you may be given a different topic each week as your focus, such as weather, animals or festivals.

Some of the placements offer an English Club at the school during lunch break or after class where you can take part and assist students in discussing a range of different topics. You can also opt to assist the teachers in improving their English grammar and punctuation, as well as develop ideas on how to make classroom time more interesting and exciting for the children.

Volunteer Testimonials

Lorraine Lee, Malaysia

The students were awed by my past experience studying in a foreign country and living in so many places, and it was a fun way for them to learn. I tried my best to explain several times in English, while giving more vivid facial expressions and actions, and failing that I rephrased the sentences to simpler structures and used easier words so students understood by the second or third time.

Dan Coltman, United Kingdom

I have nothing but good things to say about the project in Shanghai. The staff provided an outlet if help was needed and they were always more than happy to talk openly about China which really aids in appreciating the experience. Both are very good people that helped me settle well in such a foreign experience which is important and I can only thank them for all they did and wish them and everyone concerned with the project all the best.

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