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Teaching in China

country:China
departures:At least two departures a month throughout the year
price:From £795 (2 weeks) - £1395 (6 weeks) excluding flights. Additional weeks are available from £75 - £125. We can help arrange flights from the UK.
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
Teaching in China
The People's Republic of China covers one-fifteenth of the world's landmass and consequently is the third largest country on Earth. It occupies almost the whole of east Asia with its startling array of landscapes, from vast plateaux, deserts and mountains to river basins and bustling cities with exploding populations. Its attractions are equally as impressive, from the Great Wall and the Yangtze River, to the Terra Cotta Warriors, the Silk Road and the Forbidden City. Too much to see in one lifetime, but at least you can begin your overseas travel through unforgettable volunteer work! We support projects in two locations, the capital Beijing and surrounding Yanqing County to the north and Xian in central China. This is an exciting time to volunteer and travel in China, as the country drifts from its Maoist past and steadily opens its doors to Western ideas, and to you.

Beijing & Yanqing
Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, is a good launching pad for the China experience. Beijing has the magnificent Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and sublime gardens and temples. We also have worthwhile projects 1.5 hours north of Beijing in the Hebei Province, the agricultural territory that feeds the masses of Beijing. Yanqing County is more rural and situated around 70kms from the centre of Beijing.

Xian 
The busy city of Xian welcomes you to a rich array of famous sights including The Terracotta Warriors, Chinese Gardens, historic Muslim Quarter, The City Wall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower and Pagodas; a truly full-on cultural experience! You could be teaching pupils of any age from primary school to college level in schools, universities and summer camps.
project details
In this time of rapid change in China, we have carefully selected schools where our English teachers can make the most impact, teaching children from unemployed and low-income families.

Beijing & Yanqing from £1395 (6 weeks), £75 per additional week up to a maximum of 12.
2008: 03 Oct, 17 Oct, 07 Nov.
2009: 20 Mar, 03 Apr, 17 Apr, 01 May, 02 Oct, 19 Oct, 06 Nov.
Beijing has plans to produce 400,000 new English speakers by the 2008 Olympics so as an English teacher in local government schools, you could play an important role. Beijing itself is a magnificent city developing fast and the surrounding areas are keen to be involved. At middle schools or a local university you will primarily be teaching students speaking and listening skills. There is also the chance to get involved outside the classroom with projects like the 'English Corner' that aim to teach using visual aids.

Driving out to Yanqing from Beijing, you will go right past the magnificent Great Wall of China (less than an hour from the placement itself) so if you've ever wanted to visit this 1,300-year-old monument, volunteer on these English-teaching projects. Working in historic primary schools or hyper-modern secondary schools, the range of teaching on offer is diverse. Where you work will depend upon your preference and where teachers are most needed at the time, but there is a chance to teach students aged 4 to 18.

Xian from £1295 (2 weeks), £50 per additional week up to a maximum of 12.
2008: 20 Jun, 04 Jul, 18 Jul, 01 Aug, 15 Aug, 05 Sep, 17 Oct, 07 Nov, 21 Nov, 05 Dec.
2009: 06 Mar, 20 Mar, 03 Apr, 17 Apr, 15 May, 05 Jun, 19 Jun, 03 Jul, 17 Jul, 07 Aug, 21 Aug, 04 Sep, 16 Oct, 06 Nov, 20 Nov, 04 Dec, 18 Dec.
English speakers are needed in Xi’an to assist at a school attached to the city’s Northwest University. The school is well equipped with good facilities, but whilst students do receive English lessons, they rarely have the chance to practise the language conversationally. By developing their basic speaking skills, you can help improve their prospects both for university and in the jobs market. This is a great project for anybody who is enthusiastic, energetic, can think on their feet and have the drive to teach English in China. 

Here's what one former volunteer has to say:"Teaching the primary school children in China is like nothing I have never done before. From the headmaster down to the youngest first grader, I felt incredibly welcome and appreciated. Teaching at my school not only gave me practical experiences, but gave me the satisfaction of watching children learn to speak English because of me, and my actions."

You will receive TEFL training before you leave giving you the practical skills to use in the classroom.
Graduates of our online and weekend TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses have the opportunity to teach abroad and contribute to the development of the minds and futures of the people they teach. With the opportunity to learn English children improve their future prospects and adults are more likely to get better jobs.

Meeting new people is beneficial to everyone involved, creating cultural awareness and tolerance of new ideas and new people. Through teaching abroad you benefit from experiencing the country as a local, with many opportunities to get involved in school and community activities, making many friends along the way. Our short courses are tailor made with the traveller in mind and universally recognised to give you the necessary confidence and teaching basics to make you a successful teacher and citizen.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Arrive in China. A member of the i-to-i In-country Support Team will be at the airport to pick up the volunteers, escort them to a welcome meal and on to their accommodation.
Day 2:Orientation
  • Language lessons
  • Free time to explore
  • Q & A sessions
  • Meet your co-ordinator
  • Last minute project details
  • Day 3:Start your teaching!
    volunteer travel - what's it all about?
    Are you are looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.
    Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
    how this holiday makes a difference
    In every region of China there seems to be an insatiable appetite for Western influences, like learning English or gaining Western perspectives in business. As a teacher from the west our volunteers have the opportunity to pass your skill on to them. Our dedication to these teaching placements sees a steady stream of volunteers coming into the school, so these people get the attention and instruction the deserve, while alleviating the problems the schools face, such as overcrowded classrooms and limited resources. In addition to making an impact on the lives of the children the volunteer will teach, you have the rare opportunity to live in and become a part of China’s communities; an experience that you just won’t get as traditional tourist or even a backpacker. As well as volunteers, a charity has been set up to donate materials and other needs to all projects we support and these gifts are made on a bi-annual basis.

    This is a great opportunity for travellers to make a real and lasting difference to the lives and futures of local Chinese children, by shaping their educational skills to ensure they reach their potential, which works to benefit the local community and economy. The Chinese economy has been growing at a rapid pace and now stands as the forth largest in the world. This has had significant impacts on life in the country and modern cities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing are thriving.

    With a bustling business sector and a growing tourism industry, the demand for responsible tourists to give something back to the local community and minimise the negative impact of tourism has never been greater. Teachers on this project are responsible travellers in the truest sense of the word; not only does the local community develop socially and the economy benefit in turn, but teachers who choose to get involved with this worthwhile, locally-run and sustainable project are provided with a deep immersion into a fascinating new culture full of delights!

    The project needs teachers as English teachers are in short supply, so teachers play a key role in helping native Chinese children learn English. Acquiring strong language skills can broaden their horizons and give them access to far better employment opportunities in the future, which will in time boost the local economy.

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