Teach and Travel, China

Overview

The Teach and Travel programme is one that has been developed in conjunction with the Chinese Governmental Authorities to give participants the opportunity to have a secure position in schools for one semester as a Teacher Intern, whilst also completing the necessary training for their TEFL certificate required to teach effectively. A high level of commitment is required by the intern.

The Teach and Travel programme is a truly international programme that draws participants from all parts of the world, including Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand. It therefore offers the chance to meet and intern with people from around the world, making for a very special experience.

All participants will receive a wonderful opportunity that will be both challenging and rewarding. China is not for the “faint hearted” but  those rising to the challenge will find that their time in China will be an eye opening and life altering experience.

Participants can expect to be challenged in many ways, but with the right approach, you will develop a deep cultural understanding of this hugely diverse country.

What's included?

• Internship in China
• ELC Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
• Airport collection
• Accommodation and meals
• 4-week training and orientation, including teaching methodology, cultural classes and Mandarin lessons
• Living allowance and completion bonus
• Social and cultural activities
• Travel to and from the school
• On-going Academic support & access to teaching resources
• Graduation ceremony and farewell dinner
• 24 hour support from TTC office in Beijing, local support groups and Twin Work & Volunteer

What’s not included:

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Travel during public and school holidays

Location

On this programme, you will have a choice of destinations:

Northern China: Is centred on the Beijing area, but including surrounding provinces and cities such as Tianjin, Hohhot and Shenyang

Central China: is centred on Shanghai and includes the surrounding cities and provinces of Zhejiang, Sichuan, Henan and Jiangsu

Southern China: Centred on Guangdong, Hunan, Fujian and Guangxi

Candidates are asked to nominate their order of preference of region and this will be taken into account during the placement process.

Project life and Photos

On arrival in China, participants will under-go a 4 week orientation. Included in this will be English language teaching methodology, orientation to China, culture classes and Mandarin lessons.

The teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate included in this programme is delivered by the English Language Company (ELC), a school accredited in Sydney Australia. The certificate comprises of 2 phases:

• Theory and Teaching practice. A 4-week full time course comprising of 120 hours of teaching methodology and teaching practice

• Practical experience. This is completed within the school and will take place during the internship

Although duties will vary from school to school, participants will be required to perform classroom duties, focused on English teaching. This will vary between one-on-one English teaching and classroom teaching for approximately 35 hours per week.

Interns will be involved in classroom preparation, attending meetings as required and participation in school activities and cultural events.

Candidates are asked to nominate their preferred teaching level in order of preference:

A. Kindergarten - 4 -6 yrs
B. Primary - 6-12 yrs
C. Junior High - 12-15 yrs
D. Senior High - 15-18 yrs

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Flights, transportation and visas

International flights and travel to your destination in China are not included, however, Twin will offer guidance and advice where possible.

A visa is required to enter China. Obtaining a visa to work in China prior to your departure can be difficult, but our partners in China have been able to make special arrangements for participants to enter China on an “F” visa for the Teach and Travel programme. This visa is suitable for business and cultural exchange. WAVA will guide you where possible and our partners in China will provide you with the relevant Letter of Invitation.

A 60 day visa will be issued for your entry to China, which then will be extended to the 6 month visa. The cost of this visa extension is included in the programme price. Please note that the visa’s are linked to the programme and should not be used to obtain other work in China

If you need assistance with your visa application we are of course here to help you, but if you wish to obtain some expert advice then we suggest that you get in touch with a company called CIBT. CIBT are visa experts and will have all the answers to your questions.

For a fee they will also process your visa application for you and get it back to you in a working week. They offer a very efficient service that you can easily track online for a stress free application.

Our UK, Canadian, and US travellers can use CIBT for visa advice and to get their visa applications processed - with visas returned within a week!

• UK travellers can contact CIBT for visa advice.

• Canadian travellers contact CIBT for visa advice or call Toll Free: 888-665-9956. Canadian citizens should state their WAVA Account Number: 57497

• US travellers can contact CIBT for visa advice or call Toll Free: 800-577-2428. US citizens should state their WAVA Account Number: 57496

Dates and duration

The Teach and Travel China programme is for a 6 month duration and therefore has 2 start dates a year.

The next available start date is 26th January 2013. Please take into account the following dates if you are thinking of applying. 

Application dates:

• Application deadline: May 30th 2013
• Document deadline: June 14th 2013

Application Process:

Whilst we know that many of you would simply like to fill in an online application form, attach a CV, then 'hey presto' be offered a teaching position in China, it is not always that simple!

The steps involved in securing your internship:

• Complete and sign standard application form along with recent passport photo
• Provide a personal handwritten motivational letter outlining your relevant experiences and motivations for applying for the programme
• Provide a character reference
• Complete a medical form
• Complete an English language task
• Complete your placement preference guideline
• Provide a copy of your educational qualifications

Once you have submitted your application package as detailed above, and your English language ability has been reviewed, a Teach and Travel China representative will contact you for a personal interview.

The successful applicants will be contacted within 10 working days.

Safety and insurance

China is a safe place to travel with a low crime rate. As with any foreign destination it may be wise to avoid certain areas! But generally it is safe to walk the streets of China at night.

Twin Work & Volunteer provides 24-hour emergency support from the UK and you have no obligation to take up insurance with our partner Endsleigh, but insurance of a suitable sort is mandatory on all our programmes.

All of Twin Work & Volunteer's placements are in partnership with recognised and established local organisations, run by or employing local people. These organisations, depending on the nature of what they do, might be small-scale NGOs, family projects, schools or orphanages, or local initiatives with environmental or social goals.

• We often use local businesses to provide logistical and support services to volunteers such as transfers, pick-ups, accommodation and so on. In this way, we support the local economy through helping independent local businesses to thrive. We take our partnerships very seriously and work extremely closely with all our partners.
• We provide 24-hour emergency support from the UK and our partners provides support locally.
• We have an agreement with the crisis management service Tranquillico, should the very worst situations arise.
• If any wider safety concerns arise in the destination, such as civil disturbances or natural disasters, we seek advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and implement their recommendations where appropriate.

 

Insurance options... Comprehensive insurance is available for all programmes. You have no obligation to take up insurance with any of these companies, but insurance of a suitable sort is mandatory on all our programmes. For UK participants: Here are the full details of our partnership with Endsleigh. For American and Canadian participants: We offer insurance options with International Volunteer Card (IVC).

Eligibility

Essential:

• Participants to be minimum of 19 years and maximum 45 years
• Completion of high school required
• Intermediate to Advanced level of English
• Appropriate personal qualities: maturity, flexibility, ability to cope with challenges and good communication skills
• Previous travel experience
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity
• No criminal record

Preferable:

• Work experience is preferable but not essential
• Experience of working with children
• Held a position of responsibility at school
• Independent travel experience or previous travel to developing countries is a plus.

Accommodation and Food

Candidates should be aware that accommodation and meals will vary slightly from school to school.

Whilst on your training and orientation your accommodation will be at the training school. Whilst on your placement, your accommodation may be on or off-campus. In some cases you may have a shared room, but generally it is a shared apartment with a communal area. Meals will generally be provided through the school canteen and will be authentic local food.

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