Volunteer in China

A Little About the Opportunity

Sinoculture (in partnership with the Global Volunteer Network) has teaching English opportunities available in China. This will give you a chance to make an important contribution to the people of China and while doing so gain an in depth experience of the country and its culture that will stay with you the rest of your life.

This program is located in Shandong Province and you can teach conversational English at a primary or secondary level. Education is regarded extremely important so children are sent from the local villages into the cities to be schooled. The schools are well resourced and volunteers are sought in order to help with conversational English. It is the wish of the Chinese nation to become bilingual.

The type of teaching you'll be expected to do will consist of helping the students practice comprehension and pronunciation. You may be needed to do a little more, but if so, you'll be guided by the teachers and school principal. You are the sole teacher in the classroom. There are Chinese teachers of English in the schools that also take these students for English on other aspects of the language. For this reason your lessons should have a practical approach focusing on comprehension and building confidence in the student's English speaking skills.This program is located in Shandong Province and you can teach conversational English at a primary or secondary level.

Program Location

Yantai is a coastal region on the eastern tip of the Shandong Peninsula, located in Northern China, across the Yellow Sea from Japan. Schools in Yantai requesting volunteer teachers include Nanshan Bilingual School, Donghai Foreign Language School, Yantai Development Zone Advanced School, Yantai Jianwen College, Yantai Agricultural School, Yantai Herrman Gmeiner School, Fushan No.1 Middle School, Yantai No.3 Middle School, Yantai No.4 Middle School, Yantai Bilingual School, Muping No.1 Middle School, and Muping Experimental School.

Program Requirements

As a teacher in China you must:

• be a native speaker of English
• be at least 18 years old - the upper age limit is 65
• have no health problems
• be enthusiastic
• be from Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, UK, USA, New Zealand, or Singapore

* Please note that for this program you do not need to be a teacher or to have had any experience teaching English, however we will be assessing any experience that you have had in instructing children and young people. We will also be noting any leadership qualities you have, such as confidence in large group settings, ability to work independently, self motivation, and enthusiasm about working in an unknown environment.

If you are interested in studying for a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) we can offer you a discount on a great online program through Global English. We recommend this course as a very useful skill for your teaching position.

Program Schedule

The schedule varies from school to school, but usually volunteers teach between 14 and 20 hours per week. The teaching timetable is discussed personally with the school principal or English teaching staff. There may be some evening and weekend classes in your program. School exams take place at both mid term and end of term, which will affect your teaching schedule to varying degrees depending on the school you are placed in.

Ideally, you will arrive for the beginning of the semester.

• Semester One: Typically, March 1 - late June
• Semester Two: Typically September 1, possibly teaching through to mid January

It is possible to begin later in each semester, but keep in mind the following:
You will be required to begin as close to the first day of the month as possible excluding May and October when there are school breaks from the 1st to the 8th.
The program is limited from mid December as students are preparing for exams and schools are closing for Chinese New Year festivals. You are not able to begin your placement between December 15 and March 1.
Summer schools run between mid July and mid August. This consists of teaching English, and extra-curricular activities such as sport and excursions. The summer school is not always an option and may only be available to those volunteering over more than one semester.

Program Cost

The costs of the program are as follows:

Sinoculture - Application Fee: US $350.00. The application fee covers administration, marketing, program information, and communication.

China Program Fee:

• Cost for 1 month - US $597
• Cost for 6 weeks - US $622
• Cost for 2 months - US $647
• Cost for 3 months - US $697
• Cost for 4 months - US $747
• Cost for 5 months - US $797
• Cost for 6 months - US $847
• Cost for 9 months - US $997

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you look here.

The program fee covers administrative charge, placement arrangement, accommodation, transportation for volunteers and supervision. (This fee is paid to us 8 weeks before you leave for China).

The other costs you will need to meet are your flights (international and a domestic flight to Yantai), Visa, shots, travel insurance and corresponding airport departure taxes.

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you look here.

Application Process

All, applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form at the link below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of preliminary acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of preliminary acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your application fee. Please note that we will refund your application fee if you decide not to go, subject to our legal terms of service.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our office in China will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our 20 page program guide which covers topics such as: country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication and Support: Throughout your teaching placement we will communicate with you to see how you are progressing and discuss any issues.

To apply click here