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/Hunan Program was established to bring volunteer English teachers to a broader range of students through the Province's public schools.

WorldTeach first established this exciting new program in 2003 through a partnership with the Hunan Provincial Education Department. The Education Department will identify middle schools in Hunan that both need a volunteer English teacher and can contribute to the costs of supporting a volunteer teacher for a year. Thanks to this support, WorldTeach is able to offer volunteers the opportunity to spend a year in China at a greatly subsidized cost.

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Volunteer Role

Upon arrival in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province, all volunteers will participate in an intensive orientation. Orientation training will include Chinese language classes, cultural orientation, health and safety, TEFL training, and teaching practice. After orientation, volunteers will move to their individual teaching sites, where they will live and teach for the academic year.

As a volunteer, you will serve as a full-time English language teacher in a middle school in Hunan Province ("middle schools" or zhong xue are China's secondary schools; the students are aged 11-18). 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.

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

WorldTeach volunteers will be placed at middle schools in Changsha and other cities in Hunan Province. Most placements will have more than one WorldTeach volunteer, although some schools may have only one volunteer. WorldTeach will match volunteers to schools according to the needs of the school and the experience and interests of the volunteer.

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 Hunan has a southern flavor, with many hot and spicy dishes. 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

US $1000, plus $1,000 deposit to be refunded on successful completion of program. The China program is partially-funded by Hunan Province and is therefore available to volunteers at a substantially reduced cost. The program cost includes pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare from a US departure city, visa, intensive in-country orientation training, health insurance, meals and housing during orientation and throughout your teaching service, and 24 hour in-country support. 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.

"Every aspect of my WorldTeach experience was worthwhile and meaningful, even the experiences that were trying or challenging.” Amy Cheung, China Volunteer

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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Photo above by Dan Harris.  Selected as Honorable Mention, WorldTeach 2006 Photo Contest.

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