Teach English, learn about the Chinese culture and gain further experience on a teaching placement
Program Overview
This program begins in Shanghai, one of the fastest developing and most exciting cities in the world. Here you will spend 12 weeks training, learning the language and culture, and teaching children English at a middle, secondary or high school.
Western Culture and English are two new subjects on the national curriculum and you will assist local staff deliver these classes. The students benefit greatly from listening and talking with native English speakers and they also respond well to interactive teaching methods such as reading stories, organizing art and drama performances, singing and playing games.
On successful completion of this phase you will further your teaching experience over another 12 weeks at a work placement in Zheng Zhou, in the Henan Province of Central China.
Life on the Program
The first few days of the program is taken up with an orientation during which you will take Mandarin lessons, take a tour of the city, learn teaching techniques and observe volunteers/teachers in action.
Classes typically run Monday to Friday and your exact schedule will be determined by your school. Some days may be busier than others and when not teaching you will need to prepare resources and plan your next lessons. At weekends you are free to relax, rest or explore the area with your Chinese colleagues and fellow volunteers.
You will stay in shared accommodation that is comfortable and has all basic amenities. On placement in Zheng Zou, it might be possible to stay with one of the local teachers.
Project Details
The aim of this program is to improve students’ knowledge of western culture and English. Throughout your time on the project you may be involved in the following:
- Creating teaching resources to use in the classroom
- Preparing and planning daily activities and lessons
- Teaching English to students
- Assisting the local teachers
- Using activities, active learning and games to help students become more comfortable with the English language
- Running additional classes such as English Club
- Keeping records of student progress, lessons and curriculum
Local teachers will also benefit from your suggestions and ideas on how to make English and western culture classes more interesting and engaging for the students.
How this project 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
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.
