Description

As a volunteer, you will serve as a full-time English language teacher in a university or middle school in Yunnan Province ("middle schools" or zhong xue are China's secondary schools; the students are aged 11-18, "universities" or da xue are similar to those in the west). You will teach English to several grades of students with an emphasis on developing their oral English skills. While your students will have studied some English already, they may never have had the opportunity to learn from a native English speaker. Your role will be to build your students' confidence and abilities in English through creative, communicative approaches in the classroom.

The WorldTeach China programs target students of all different socio-economic levels. Particularly in the upper middle school levels and the universities, which are not required by law, students are accepted based on merit. Therefore the range of students' backgrounds and abilities in any given classroom is quite large.

In addition to teaching English classes, volunteers are encouraged to contribute to their school community in other ways. You may want to set up an English club, help in the school library or computer room, participate in sports, or help students prepare for cultural performances. You may also help local English teachers with their pronunciation skills.

You can expect to teach 14-16 hours of English classes per week and spend additional time on lesson preparation, grading, and extracurricular activities. You will have free time on most weekends and the same vacations as other teachers at your school. The main vacation is in the winter for Chinese New Year. You will receive a monthly stipend from your school to put towards your living expenses and food.

Highlights

Your host school will provide you with a furnished foreign teacher's apartment on the school campus. You may opt to buy lunches from the school dining hall, eat at local restaurants or cook your own meals. Chinese food is rich in variety and flavor. The food in Yunnan, like its population, is unique for its diversity. While the food in Yunnan is not as famous as the food in Hunan, it is still known for its quality. Rice is the staple, although noodles are also eaten. Meats, fish, eggs, tofu, and vegetables are cooked in a variety of ways, and there is plentiful fresh fruit.

Qualifications

Volunteers must be native English speakers and must have a bachelor's degree. Our partners in China also require that volunteers be at least 18 years old and under the age of 65 and free of sexually-transmitted infections. Successful volunteers will be flexible, mature, and have a genuine interest in teaching. Chinese language or teaching qualifications are not required, although prior experience will strengthen your application.

Minimum Education

Bachelors

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 2,500

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• International travel
• Language instruction
• Living stipend
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The volunteer commitment for the Yunnan program will be USD 2500, thanks to a generous contribution from the participating schools. Many volunteers are able to successfully fund raise all or a significant portion of their volunteer commitment. Your fee enables us to provide a variety of important services, not the least of which is finding someone like you who is qualified and willing to serve as a teacher in an under-resourced school in a developing country. Aside from that one all-important service to our partner countries, however, WorldTeach services are primarily designed to support you, the volunteer. Whether it is pre-departure preparation, in-country training and support, or help in the case of an emergency, all of these services are provided in an effort to enhance your safety and security while making you the most effective teacher you can be.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Community Development
• Education
• English Teaching
• Teaching
• Youth
• Youth Development

Age Range

21+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

WorldTeach's Mission Statement

WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as volunteer teachers in developing countries.

Year Founded

1986