Job Discussion Forums

[aspiringesl]

Hey guys I have a quick question. I am currently studying full time in college but I was wondering if there are programs for masters students to go to rural china for 2-3 months during the summer and help teach English in impoverished areas? I wouldn't be looking to get paid but hopefully have my expenses covered at least.

Thanks in advance!

[MisterButtkins]

I live in a poor rural area. You can come teach my classes.

[zactherat]

Poor impoverished China, still only the second largest economy in the world.
She needs volunteers like my coke needs sugar.


Have you got any actual classroom teaching experience or qualifications?

[dean_a_jones]

[zactherat]

[dean_a_jones]

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

I know of a program that is running this summer that teaches poor kids in a rural area. As long as you are not making any money doing it, it is not illegal. Volunteering is not illegal. There is no stipulation that says you cannot volunteer. Not sure how many ways to say this, but it is not against the law to help poor children with their English. And seeing as many rural schools have NO English teachers, you would be far more qualified than the local P.E. teacher who can say "One two one! One two one!"

[7969]

[sistercream]

I have friends who have been going out annually with the Amity Foundation, and thoroughly enjoyed their summers teaching in the backblocks of Gansu, Hunan, Guizhou and a couple of other provinces.
While Amity is a nominally Christian (Three Self) group, there doesn't appear to be any restriction on the faith or lack thereof of applicants.

Jianhua also accepts teachers for summer courses, but requires committed Christians. Buddhists and fellow travellers might want to check out Bridge Foundation or Gesonghua (the latter working specifically with Tibetans).

[choudoufu]

[aspiringesl]

Thanks for he link choudoufu, to everyone else that has said they have heard of volunteer programs, would you please be able to give me links? Thanks!

Also a lot of these programs seem to have heavy costs attached to them, does anyone know one which has expenses covered? I'm not doing this to be opportunistic, I just really want to help out in these areas while I am a student and not tied down to a full time job. I'm currently pursuing a Masters in Applied Linguistics, so I would assume I am a bit more qualified than other "opportunistic volunteers"! Are there programs sponsored by the US government? It seems like at the very least I would have to pay for a flight into China... why can't poor Americans afford to help poor people in other countries!!!! Haha!

[Simon in Suzhou]

I would also be interested in any links or or places people know of in rural areas where I could teach for a month or two in the summer. I'm an ESL teacher already working here in China (with a residence permit), but have egregiously long holidays. I'm not interested in working at a summer camp for cash where I'll be completely burnt out by a program where I'm being used to rake in money for some entrepreneur. I just have WAY too much free time and would enjoy teaching for a month or two in a place where perhaps the students don't otherwise have a chance to encounter a foreign teacher. Such cultural exchanges ARE often appreciated and valuable.

I would be happy to teach for a place to stay, even a homestay, where I could improve my mandarin. But I'm not gonna pay someone to work. Any leads would be appreciated!

[dean_a_jones]

This is probably more helpful if you are already here.

You might try speaking to local universities about any summer opportunities they have for programmes of this kind (like 7969 mentioned). These may send out students to rural areas around the city to teach or participate in outreach programmes, and may also seek to involve FTs on some level as well. Where I work there is a rotating scheme for FTs whereby a group of teachers rotates over the semester teaching on the weekend in a smaller town outside the city (i.e. you teach one weekend a month, but an FT is there every weekend, you share the work). They also do summer camps, outreach programmes and visits to schools with students and FTs. This is sponsored by local business and the government.

So check with any English language clubs or whatnot at local universities and see if any of them have heard of this (I would start with the top uni in the city). You might be able to set up some summer volunteering with a homestay even if it is not something they regularly do, as I imagine many schools will jump at the opportunity. Keep in mind some of the poorer schools may not be able to cover your expenses (i.e. they can find you a free place to sleep and probably offer free canteen food, but you might need to pay for travel and any other costs).

As I said, this is probably only possible if you are already in country, as it will likely require some actual legwork in terms of visiting universities and finding out about such programmes.

You might also see if the local education bureau has such a scheme, especially if you are based in the capital. No idea if they would, but as I said often they sponsor some of these university schemes so they might be able to give you a lead in terms of which schools participate in this, if nothing else.

[choudoufu]

buckland has a program for volunteer teaching in the poor, rural
areas surrounding yangshuo. according to their website, they
are running this program during the school terms, but are planning
(maybe already started) summer camps.

SIMON.....have you asked around at your school? check with the
english department? some of the teachers may have come from
rural areas. they should be able to set up something for
you in their hometown/village. this surely would include some form
of lodging (local guesthouse or homestay), nightly banquets at the
ktv, and all the baijui you can stand.

nothing wrong with doing this on your own if you're already here.
you don't have to depend on a volunteer organization.

[Simon in Suzhou]

Thanks for the input!