China
China
Arrival
Volunteers are asked to arrive in Shanghai on Mondays or Wednesdays between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. Volunteers will be met at Pu Dong International Airport, Shanghai and transferred to a flat or hotel in the city center for the 2 day orientation program.
Orientation
During the orientation, you will take a few hours of basic Mandarin to help you communicate at your project. There will be time for sight seeing as well as a short exposure to a culture course, such as making dumplings, Chinese calligraphy or painting. The mandarin classes and culture courses can be extended for an additional cost, depending on the length of your stay. On day 3, you will be transported to your project site.
Project Overview
Volunteers will teach 11 to 15 lessons (35 or 40 minutes per lesson) on weekdays and can extend their time at school by taking part in different activities. Weekends are free and time for shorter trips can normally be arranged. When you work in schools, you will share your teaching experience with local English teachers. We organize a monthly Discussion Forum in which all volunteers share their teaching method and experience with VIP staff.
Though most schools provide teaching materials, any additional materials that you can bring will be welcome. We also encourage volunteers to bring photos of their country, hometown, house, family etc. Students are curious about that kind of information and it is helpful to stimulate conversation.
Accomodations
If you work in schools in Sichuan Province, you will have your own room or share one room with other volunteers. Some of the school accommodations have air conditioning, washing machines, TV, computers and Internet, though these options vary. If you work on one of the islands or in rural areas of Shanghai, you will live in your own room or a shared room in the school accommodation or our flat in the town. The flat has air conditioning, a washing machine and shower. Some of the school's accommodations have TV and computers. If you work on one of the Islands, you can spend your weekend in Shanghai and stay in our volunteer flat in town.
Su Zhou
An historic city and renowned tourist attraction, Suzhou is located in the southeast part of Jiangsu Province in the middle of the Yangtze River Delta. The city of Suzhou was planned in 514 BC, and today still maintains many of its ancient features. Canals serve as navigable waterways along with land transportation, and there are many bridges, classical gardens and traditionally styled homes.
The primary school in Suzhou was founded in 1995 and now has 33 classes and nearly 1400 pupils. The school has developed a distinctive science and technology focus throughout the curriculum.
Volunteers will teach from 11 to 15 lessons per week, each lasting about 40 minutes. Class times are from Monday through Friday with no evening lessons. Some teaching materials will be provided, and ample time is allowed for preparation of individualized lessons in which the volunteer can draw from his or her own interests. Most of the teaching time is devoted to improving conversational skills.
Mian Yang City
The second largest city in the west part of Sichuan province, Mianyang is the provincial capital. It is an ancient city and the home of many celebrities from China's history, such as Li Bai, a famous
poet in the Tang Dynasty, and Wen Tong, a significant painter in ancient times. VIP is working with the Bureau of Education in Mianyang and offers placements at levels from kindergarten to secondary grades.
The secondary school is located at the city center where it has been in operation for 50 years. There are 150 teachers and 2600 students in the school today. Volunteers are needed to teach 15 lessons per week to about 60 students. Accommodations will be a shared flat about 15 minutes walk from the school. Three meals per day will be provided at the school from Monday through Friday.
Shanghai
Shanghai is a dynamic, diverse and stimulating city - the very epitome of modern China. Located on China's central eastern coast, it was originally a fishing and textiles town. It is now emerging as a tourist destination renowned for historical landmarks, its modern and ever-expanding skyline and as a modern center of culture and finance.
Volunteers will teach at levels from kindergarten to high school at schools throughout the city, using standard textbooks as well as teaching lessons of their own design. Many Shanghai students have proficiency at some level of English Grammer, but are often unfamiliar with pronunciation and conversational language. Volunteers will focus on this while boosting the confidence of their students during the 11-15 lessons per week.
Zheng Zhou
Zhengzhou is a famous throughout China and abroad for its historical and cultural significance, as well as for its natural and scenic beauty. "The green city in the central plains", Zhengzhou is home to Shoaling Temple, Songshan National Forest Park, many tourist attractions of cultural importance as well as mountains, rivers, and recreational sites. Zhengzhou also has a mild climate and four distinct seasons.
In Zhengzhou there is a beautiful middle school located in Tongbai Road, the Zhengzhou No.42 middle school. This school belongs to the City Education Department and has 24 classes and more than 1400 students. The school is widely know for its foreign language classes, high levels of math achievement, excellent teachers and varied student activities.
The middle school offers two volunteer placements: one is English teacher during the two regular school terms, and the other is during the July summer camp. During the regular school term, you will work with students from 13 to 15 years old. You will teach 10 to 15 English lessons per week each lasting 45 minutes. During the summer camp, the activities will be arranged according to what country you are from. You can introduce your country’s culture, games and music, etc.