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REWARDING TEACHING PROJECTS IN CHINA
Teaching in China is
a real delight... work with children who really want to learn and
perhaps you'll learn something from them in return.
Living and working
as part of a school means
you will really become a
part of the local community.
"I had a lot of fun teaching and found it really
rewarding:
one of the best things that I have ever decided to do."
Lina Joshi on her teaching placement in China
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►SUMMARY
FACTFILE |
| Start Dates |
All year round, subject to school
holidays. You choose your start and finish dates. |
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Duration |
From 2 weeks up to 12 months+, subject to visa
requirements |
| Requirements |
No qualifications
or knowledge of Mandarin necessary, but a little basic Mandarin will
make your placement much more enjoyable. |
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Price |
In Yangzhou,
from £695 / US$1,045 for 2 weeks ranging to £2,195 / US$3,295 for 12 weeks.
In Beijing,
from
£895 / US $1,345 for 2 weeks ranging to
£2,245 / US $3,370 for
12 weeks.
Full Price List and other
Currencies |
| What's included |
►Accommodation
►Food
(Yangzhou only)►Meeting
you at Beijing or Shanghai Airport
►Transfer to your accommodation
►Transport
to and from your project (Yangzhou Only)
►Full
pre-departure support
►Local in-country team support and backup
►24-hr emergency
support
►2 free T-Shirts. |
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What's not included |
Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a
visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and assistance), Food
(Beijing only), Transport to and from your project (Beijing only), Return transfer to
airport. |
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Who can do this Project? |
All projects are
open to all nationalities.
Unless otherwise stated, you need to be aged between 17 and 70+ |
PROJECT OVERVIEW
During your project, you will
work at one or several schools or language centres in Beijing or
Yangzhou (depending on your choice of location). Usually, you will have one main school, where you will
work for most of the week. You will then often take two or
three lessons at other schools on pre planned days.
"I would definitely recommend this placement to
everyone - anyone with any interest in teaching English abroad, to anyone who
wants to visit China and learn about the Chinese way of life. I am very glad
that I decided to do this placement - it has really been worthwhile"
- Suhrid Joshi
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
The enormous satisfaction of helping children and
knowing that you made a difference to them.
New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding
of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional
development.
An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head
and shoulders above most others in the job market
And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
ABOUT YOUR LESSONS
Your
lessons will usually be a combination of teaching from the standard text
book and teaching lessons of your own design (although some schools
prefer one or other predominantly, and it will always depend on the age
range you're working with). Your personal lesson plans can include
anything from your hobbies and interests to current affairs and local
news as subject matter. Language games always go down extremely well
too. The students absolutely adore hearing about your life in England,
so make sure to bring photographs of your family and friends to show
them.
With
slight alterations depending on which age group you're teaching, the
vast majority of your teaching will usually concentrate on improving the
students' conversational English; familiarising them with proper
pronunciation and increasing their confidence. They’re often exemplary
at English grammar but have had so little practice with spoken English
that they make many mistakes... This is where you come in!
Sometimes you will be teaching classes on your own, sometimes and
sometimes with a Chinese English teacher present – it differs depending
on the particular school or centre you are placed at. Usually, you will at least
spend the first couple of weeks of your placement assisting a Chinese
teacher. Also, there will usually be a classroom assistant present who
will assist you with translations.
If
you are confident in any other subjects, then you can integrate these
into your lessons – discussions about the environment and European
history are especially popular. It is amazing how facts that we know and
take for granted can be fascinating to others. While you may be amazed
by the magnitude of the Great Wall or the Forbidden City, your pupils
will be equally fascinated by stories of English Kings and Queens -
although David Beckham will probably be even more popular!
You
may also have the chance to help out with “English Activity Time” at
some schools – which can include mask making, playing monopoly and other
fun activities! ‘English Corner’ is always fun too – students fire all
manner of questions at you in order to practice their English!
In
some schools, you may also have the opportunity to teach
science, music, PE, art or drama. If you would like to take
advantage of this opportunity, please let us know when you complete your
questionnaires. These are all secondary options and must be taken with
an English teaching placement, not instead of.
You are not expected to be an expert
on grammar or literature; the important thing is to help the students
speak better English. If you feel that you are able to give more
advanced lessons where appropriate then, of course, please do so
We provide you
with a Teaching Suggestions Booklet which has ideas for teaching English,
but will also help structuring lessons in other subjects. Video facilities are
available in some schools and audio equipment is quite commonplace.
Please note that if you are teaching for 1 month or less, you will be paired
with another volunteer instead of taking your own classes.
Nervous about teaching?
As one volunteer recalls, although
it is natural to be nervous initially, you will soon begin to find teaching
second nature: "The teaching was
brilliant, the students were so interested and really funny, and they were
always eager and attentive. I was very nervous but then after a few lessons it
was a piece of cake and the students helped me to relax"
ABOUT THE CHINESE EDUCATION SYSTEM
The Chinese education system has been
described by the Chinese themselves as a ‘rat race’. Students take frequent
exams, competing for limited places, and those who don’t measure up are not able
to continue their education. This difficult and competitive system results in
the students working extremely long hours (often from 5am to 9pm Monday to
Saturday! - don't worry, you don' to work all these hours too...) and the
students place great importance upon success in all areas.
In fact, they will frequently ask you for extra lessons ... and more extra
lessons ... and more extra lessons! It’s also very likely that you'll walk into
a class to a round of applause and a big grins all round, which is extremely
welcome when you’re a little nervous on your first day!
A great deal of the students’ time is
spent in very formal class situations, and so your classes, which focus on
Spoken English and can include games etc, will be a really welcome break. There
is a huge sense of fascination with Western culture and there will be lots of
smiles and yells of excitement when you produce photographs of your family or
friends or even an English coin!
There has been a
major drive by the government in recent years to improve the standard of English
around the country, as it is of absolutely immense importance for anyone who
wants to build a successful career for themselves. Because of this, your
presence will really be appreciated and you will most likely be thoroughly
spoilt by your school during your placement!
National Holidays in China
All projects will break for Chinese National Holidays. The main events
are:
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Chinese New Year - usually
sometime in late January or early February. All projects will break for
1 or 2 weeks for New Year
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May Holiday – usually the first
week of May. Most projects break for 3-7 days
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October Holiday – usually the
first week of October. Most projects break for 3-7 days
There are also a number of shorter holidays throughout the year where
some projects will be closed. You are very welcome to join a project
during holiday time, however you will not be able to work if your
project is closed.
Teaching Projects run all year round, including during the summer
holidays. However they will still close for the holidays mentioned above. |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
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