Program Description

China is a fascinating country rich in culture and contrasts. With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, China is rapidly becoming a major player in global affairs.  The last fifteen years of economic reforms and international contact have produced sweeping changes for Chinese society.

As China begins to face these changes, the need for quality, modern education has become more pressing. To access opportunities in an increasingly international economy and society, China's younger generation will need English language skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people from other cultures.

There is currently a huge demand for English teachers in China. In many parts of the country, only students from the most elite schools have the opportunity to learn English from a native speaker. The WorldTeach China programs were established to bring volunteer English teachers to a broader range of students throughout the country's public schools.

Beginning in August of 2010, WorldTeach is opening a new program in Yunnan Province in Southwest China.  Yunnan has the widest variety of ethnic minorities out of all of the provinces in China, largely due to its location bordering several Southeast Asian countries.

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Volunteer Role

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.

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Placement Sites, Housing and Food

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.

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.

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11-12 months, from early August to early July of the following year. After orientation, volunteers are contracted to work at their host school for a full academic year and attend an End of Service conference with the entire WorldTeach group.

Cost of Program

The volunteer commitment for the Yunnan program will be US$2500, thanks to a generous contribution from the participating schools. Many volunteers are able to successfully fundraise all or a significant portion of their volunteer commitment. Please refer to our fundraising guide for more information about fundraising possibilities.

Please read more about costs and services.

Requirements

Volunteers must be native English speakers and 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. It is crucial that volunteers 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.

For more information, please read our Volunteer Stories and Sample Placements.

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