Job Discussion Forums

[pigwidgeon]

Hello *waves* i'm new here. Going to Hainan in January for 4 months with Real Gap and will be there for Chinese New Year!

Anyone going or been on a Real Gap scheme to China?
Have heard a mixture of good and bad things but am about 90% definately going so bit late to turn back now.
T
erefore just looking for any helpful tips, warnings, things I should definately do or see and yes anything really that would help me

[nickpellatt]

Hi, Ive just come back from Hainan having been on the 3 month realgap program...I went in September and was one of the guinea pigs as we were the first people to go!

OK, Ill start with the bad news, but dont worry its not all bad...ill give you the good news later..

Many elements of the initial program are woefully lacking....as you may expect, the program really is flexible and subject to much change, but the topics on the induction, learning the language and teaching instruction is, to be frank, poor, and doesnt deliver anywhere near as much as promised.

Of concern was the teaching training, I was sent info to state I would be staying at the Wenchang teacher training college and instructed by expereinced teacher trainers...this is not the case, firstly I wasnt housed at the college, and the college is NOT a teacher training college but a college for the study of language...the teachers helping us were first yr graduates, not experienced teacher trainers...we were given no instruction on curriculum or lesson planning.

Many of the cultural trips mentioned never happened, or they certainly cut corners to deliver them.

There is also an additional issue for you as I believe the Language college will not be taking any more volunteer teachers, some of the volunteers did not commit to their lessons or the program and left early to travel to the mainland...this caused major inconvenience for the college so I understand they will not take more volunteers after the current ones have left!

OK - so now you are thinking, what the hell have I booked? Ill give you the good news....

The teaching training is hardly required...if you can use a little initiative and can actually try to teach, you will find its fairly easy! You have have the chance to watch Chinese teachers at work, watch the structure of their lessons and apply their structure to your ideas....the volunteers who made an effort, are the ones who succeeded and really enjoyed it (myself included).

Think a little before you go for lesson ideas, and then take some props or material with you....photos, magazines, newspapers etc

Altho the structured mandarin lessons didnt help me, you will find 101 students will offer to teach you, so if learning the lingo is important to you you can find people to help!

Altho the program may not take place at the college, there are plenty of schools locally where they will take you...and love you the second you arrive, so altho the program may not run to the plans you have....if you can be flexible and have an open mind it can still be an amazing experience..

I hope to return in March to take up a one year post, I loved Wenchang, loved it!

I have some photos in my msn space www.nicksweight.spaces.live.com and if you want more info, please email me, I also can put you in touch with a volunteer who will still be in Wenchang until march, so he is on the ground and can anser any more queries..

Enjoy it!!!

Nick

[nickpellatt]

I didnt think of it earlier, but it might also be worth reading www.xanga.com/diorchick

She is coming to the end of her stay and it is her blog with shedloads of entries, so it will tell you the story of her time there!