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Teach in China

PAID TEACHING EXPERIENCE

LOCATION: Training in Yangshuo County, Guilin Region
Placements in Yangshuo County, Guilin Region in Guangxi Province and Xian city in Shanxi province

COST:

• 4 - 12 months €1299

DURATION:

• Minimum 4 months up to 1 year

Programme description:

This is an exciting program for ambitious and adventurous people who want to experience the real China.

This program provides you with a unique opportunity to get paid work in China as an English teacher. During your time in China, you will work as an English teacher, study the Chinese language and learn all about the culture. During, school holidays you will have the chance to travel the country.

The paid teaching English program is a fantastic way to experience real China, immerse Chinese culture and make friends with Chinese people. We realize not everyone will arrive with a teaching training behind them so during the first 4 weeks, there will be an intense training to get prepared for the teaching experience in pleasant city of Yangshuo.

Possible Start Dates:

Location of the Program:

The Program is located in Yangshuo County, 65 kilometres (40 miles) away from Guilin in the north-eastern part of Guangxi Province, with an area of about 1,400 square kilometres (540 square miles) is featured with the typical karst terrain. The 60-kilometre (37-mile) long river section in the Yangshuo area is the essence of the famous Li River cruise. The Yingping Landscape, Yangdi Landscape and Yulonghe Scenic Area are known as the best of the Li River attractions. The rural charms of peasant villages, fields and rivers aside the Guilin-Yangshuo Speedway have attracted many off-the-beaten-track travellers and cycling adventurers.

In town, West Street (also called Foreigners' Street), is flanked with elegant south-China residential houses built over crisscrossed water channels. This is an excellent example of the combination of the Orient and the West featured in this city. Numerous exotic bars, restaurants and cafes are housed in the delicate ranch houses on each side of the street and offer all kinds of western food.

Yangshuo is home to Zhuang, Yao, Miao and eight other minority groups. Each minority group bears their own customs and traditions. The common favourite amongst all of the groups is the Song Competition. Each year, the song competition activities are held at the foot of Moon Hill on a mid-autumn day (which falls on the August 15th depending on the Chinese lunar calendar). For the competition, young people from the minority groups climb up to the hill top and sing a love song for their lovers.

Training and Introduction:

The Training and Introduction
In order to help you become a committed and confident teacher, we provide you with a 4-week Introduction and training period in Yangshuo. This will involve some teacher training but additionally the chance to learn about the culture, customs, an introduction to the Chinese language and some excursions.

The training will be focused on how to manage a class, what to teach and how to conduct yourself in a Chinese classroom. Through this training you will also learn more about the Chinese culture but in a different way.


Beijing Weekend/Guilin Weekend

Beijing Weekend:

This is your chance to experience the capital of China: to explore the mysterious history by visiting the Great Wall, walk through the streets of the Forbidden City, visit the amazing Bird’s Nest National Stadium, Water-cube and experience the colourful local life in the largest city centre square - the Tiananmen Square and check the shopping possibilities at the Wangfujing Street, Xoiushui street etc.

Guilin Weekend:

This is the fantastic way to experience the picturistic city: to explore mysterious history by visiting The Jingjiang Mausoleum and Solitary Beauty Peak and Ming Emperor’s Palace; to explore the beauty of the city: walk in the centre of the city and along Li-river to enjoy the walking street, night market, Sun-Moon Towers, Central Square etc.; to visit 7-star Park to see Pandas!

Part 1 - The General Introduction

Getting to know the staff, your fellow participants and also the local area. You will gain more understanding of the Chinese custom and culture and will also have ‘survival’ Chinese lessons. These Chinese lessons will help you get by during your time in China! You will also get to meet students and visit nearby schools.

Part 2 - Chinese Culture

Understanding more about the Chinese culture, such as family concept, interesting ways of Greetings, school systems, student characteristics etc. You will have Lessons of Chinese Calligraphy, Paper crafting, and Taichi etc. You also have chances to do some excursions such Boating on Li River, Cycling to Big Banyan Tree, climbing Moon Hill etc.

Part 3 - Learning How to Teach

You will learn more about how to teach English, especially how to teach Chinese students. In our courses, you will learn the courses both theoretically and practically, including: thoroughly analysis on what makes a good teacher, classroom management, Language awareness, intonation awareness, textbooks analysis, classroom activities and how to teach 4 skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing etc.

You will observe the lessons both from Chinese English teachers and experienced foreign teachers, both from public schools and private training centres; both teenager students and adult learners.

Part 4 - The Teaching Practice

You will practice teaching your peers and also in the local schools in the area. This is to make sure you are confident in the classroom before beginning your teaching placement. At the end of this training you will have a party to celebrate!

Food & Accommodation (during the training)

Accommodation After Training

Board & Lodge (during the placement) Participants are expected to cover their own living expenses after the introduction month. Most of schools and training centres will offer Free Food and Accommodation. Some training centre will offer accommodation allowance if you choose not to live in the accommodation offered.

The Schools:

We work with schools and language training centres not only in Yangshuo County and the surrounding area, but also all over China, such as Jilin Province, TianJin city, Hunan Province, Guangdong Province etc. The schools in China will vary greatly as they do in all education systems.


Schools are usually large, with between 1,000 and 3,000 students. The schools are a mixture of private schools and government schools.

* Schools offer many after school activities for students
* Class sizes will vary and may be up to 50 students
* Schools generally have good equipment and resources, even though English resources are limited.
* Buildings are generally modern
* Recreation facilities are generally of a high standard
* Foreign teachers are not always common in schools


There are two semesters in each academic year. Each term is approximately 5 months in duration. The first term starts in early September.

The second term starts in March and is dependent on the time of Chinese New Year, which is usually late January to late February.
The summer breaks are 6 weeks in length from middle of July to the end of August. The winter breaks are 6 weeks in length from middle of January to the end of February. Some schools offer Summer Schools during the summer break.

Salary:

The average salary for a regular foreign teacher with the training is between 400 and 700 Euro per month with a minimum teaching time of 20 hours per week.
Within the school you will be expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner. These details are covered in the training program. In particular, your dress standard and your professionalism in regard to attendance and duties will be very important in the role. You will be assigned with a contact person who will guide and provide support to you, please ensure that you follow the advice of the contact person at all times. The key elements to success in the schools are communication, flexibility and patience. You will have two full days off a week and these will not necessarily fall on a weekend.

Free Time :

You will have two full days off a week and these will not necessarily fall on a weekend.

Support :

Support will be on hand from arrival until departure on a 24/7 basis (for urgent matters).
During the first days you will get to know the coordinators of the program, they will give you their phone number so you can contact them in case you need advice or help with things such as travel information or problems at your placement etc.

Formal Requirements:

• 19 years old to 50 years old(special cases can be discussed)
• College graduate
• Native speaker
• Non-native English speakers should have sound English levels, especially in spoken English, should have no obvious accent
• All applicants have a written test and are interviewed either by phone or Internet to assess their level of English
• Fill in the application form, provide CV, copies of academic qualifications, Passport-size photo, references
• Appropriate personality (maturity, flexibility, good communication skills etc.)
• Travel experience
• Program duration should be 5 months minimum
• The participant should be willing to teach minimum 15 hours of English
• Good health-both physical and mental
• Be Willing to dress and behave properly. Body piercing and visible tattoos are not acceptable as teacher in China
• People who have Asian roots may have less choice in placements. This is due to the attitude of schools in China, who may not believe you are a native speaker of English.

Visa:

• You will get an Invitation letter to help you get F-visa (visiting visa) with 6 months. You can make it double-entry if you have a plan to travel to some other countries, or Hong Kong.
• If you can only get 3-month F-visa is also fine. Double-entry is recommended too.
• You will get help to extend and renew it after you arrive in China or when you go to your teaching placements.

What is included?

• Airport transfer
• Full Teacher Training Course
• Teacher Training certificate when completing 1 month courses + 5 month practice teaching
• Guaranteed placement for participants
• Food & Accommodation during the training period
• 24hr emergency service
• Assistance for the Chinese visa application
• Welcome dinner
• Cultural & social activities, including several excursions
• Transfer to Teaching placement

What is not included?

• (International) flights
• Insurance
• Extra activities not on itinerary
• Visa extension
• Personal expenses

Apply now http://www2.usit.ie/volunteer/application-form.aspx