This programme requires volunteers to teach the Chinese teachers different methods to those that they use on a regular basis. The standard way of teaching in China is very formal and lecture based, with little room for group interaction or discussion. The methods we use help to encourage and develop confidence amongst Chinese students, and therefore give them the opportunity they need to put theory into practice.

The main principle of this programme is to show the teachers how a British volunteer would teach, to demonstrate the benefits of the type of teaching we employ, and to encourage them to take this on board and take it back to their own schools and try to implement it in their teaching regime.  The other aim is to simply develop the standard of English among the Chinese teachers- in order to teach the language well it is vital that they continue to develop their own language skills.

This is now our primary programme. By developing new skills and giving Chinese teachers the experience of different teaching methods we are able to reach and develop the confidence of more children in the long term, and this is a significant goalof the organistation.

Any teaching experience is beneficial (summer camps/ camp america/ TEFL/ anything!) but not necessarily essential. As with all our programmes a core teaching text book will be provided, however this will be supplemented by training given by Evergreen International as well as the volunteers own ideas and initiative. This part of our project runs very much along the same lines as a childrens camp (see below) but the onus is on the Chinese teacher to take the methods by which they are being taught back to their own classroom.

We cannot emphasise enough how rewarding this programme is for the volunteer both in terms of the actual experience as well as the impact such a high level, professional teaching placement has upon a C.V.

 

There are two aims of this cultural exchange programme. Firstly, to enable Chinese students to be taught first hand by native English language speakers so as to improve their English language skills and learn more about UK customs and culture. Secondly, to provide UK volunteers with the unique opportunity of experiencing and becoming immersed in the Chinese culture through teaching and interacting with Chinese school children, and being given a free tour of some of the most amazing sights China has to offer. Teaching experience is not essential!

The summer camps run from mid July to mid August every summer, and they are held at a University campus or in a local middle or high school. The summer camps run for between one and two weeks. Details are finalised well before departure. Volunteer teachers work for the duration of two summer camps, therefore a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 4 weeks. At the end of the teaching period volunteer teachers are taken on all inclusive tour of some of the most famous landmarks in China.

The summer camps will be held in the Guangdong Province, and have previously been held in Chaozhou, Guangzhou, Zhongshan and Zhuhai. Classes are separated according to age or ability, but language ability can vary dramatically across the age range.

A volunteer teacher will teach one class for the duration of each summer camp. Each class will have a teaching assistant, fluent in both Chinese and English, who will act as translator and help the volunteer teacher as and when is necessary through out the day.

Class sizes vary from camp to camp, but will normally be no more than 25 children per class. However, it has been known for some classes to include as many as 40 children. Where this is the case extra teaching assistants will be provided.

Typically a normal teaching day will consist of three sessions. The day is started with a combination of formal and informal lessons (aimed at practising vocabulary, grammar, listening, reading and speaking) in the mornings from 8.30am-11.30am, followed by lunch. The afternoon session is usually games and activities be from around 2.30pm-5pm. The third session is from 7.30pm-9pm. This session is very relaxed and includes activities such as watching an English film or simply going for a walk whilst chatting to the children. This session will not take place every day.

A core teaching text book will be provided, however this will be supplemented by training given by Evergreen International as well as the volunteers own ideas and initiative. For example the Chinese students will be interested in all aspects of your life and UK culture so it is advised that volunteers take with them photos of their family, friends and home or University, news paper clippings of sports or pop stars, or favourite CD's etc.

Essentially the idea is to create an English speaking environment, but more critically the summer camps should be informal and relaxed in order that we develop the children's confidence in communicating and interacting with each other in English. Furthermore, the camps are held during the school holidays, so we want the children to have fun as well!

We now recruit volunteers for full-time English teaching positions to work in middle and high schools in China for a minimum of one semester. Teaching experience is NOT essential for this or any of our programmes. The working hours are about 15 hours of teaching oral English per week. On campus accomodation and meals are given in return for your effort, in additon to a small 'salary'. This salary however will be a token of appreciation for your effort.

Two volunteers will be placed together (usually same sex) at the same school for the duration of the semester. The admin fee for this programme is £275 plus costs of flights and visas. As this programme is such good value for money it is extremely competitive, and therefore the selction process differs from the summer camp programmes. More details available on request.

For more details on any of these programmes, email us at:
INFO@EVERGREENINTERNATIONAL.CO.UK