China

Volunteer and gap year placements in China

In recent years China has become a major player on the world’s stage, both economically and diplomatically. However, many of it’s people are still living in poverty, especially those in the most rural areas. For that reason Lattitude’s placements in China are more vital than ever. Teaching English to young people can directly affect their ability to work in many professional fields which are vital to the country’s overall development.

Placement Locations

Placements are in one of seven provinces: Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujan, Guangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan. The cities where you will work are generally medium sized, with populations ranging between 250,000 and 400,000.

Is it for me?

If you are looking for a new cultural experience then China is for you. It is best to go to China with an open mind and open eyes: attempt to view things from a Chinese perspective and to understand Chinese ways of thinking. In China you will constantly find new doors opening for you. It is a truly unique cultural experience and will give you the opportunity to improve your students’ English language skills and future prospects. It will suit those who are enthusiastic, engaging, can think on their feet and have the confidence to teach up to 50 children at any one time.

Roles Explained

You will be based at a primary school (ages 5 to 11), middle school (11 to 18), vocational school (16 to 18) or college/university (19 to 23). Several of the colleges also offer teacher training. In collaboration with the Chinese teachers of English, you will be teaching conversational English.  You will also operate ‘English Corners’, offering enthusiastic students the opportunity to have more informal discussions and to learn about western culture and traditions— which Chinese people are often very interested in. In return, there will be an excellent opportunity for you to practise your Mandarin Chinese in weekly one on one language lessons. Chinese students enjoy team games and competitions. You may have text books to support you in planning lessons, but you can also use role play, songs and word games help students practise the language they have learnt in other lessons. Volunteers in China are regarded as teachers, not students, and having Lattitude volunteers in their school is considered by students to be an exceptional privilege.

Accommodation and Food

In most cases meals are provided by the schools, usually in the school canteen. Alternatively, you can self-cater or eat off-site relatively cheaply. Most volunteers live on-site in a furnished flat.  These usually have air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen (including washing machine, fridge and microwave) and separate bedrooms.  In most cases you will be placed with another Lattitude volunteer.  Your partner may be from the UK, Australia, New Zealand or Canada.

Need to know

• Pre departure briefing - all volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure
• Teaching skills course – this course is organised by Lattitude and undertaken in Palmerston North at the volunteers’ own expense prior to departure 
• On arrival - volunteers attend a three-day orientation organised by Lattitude before commencing their placement

Support provided

Before you go:

• We interview each volunteer in order to find out their strengths, skills and interests, as well as identifying what they are hoping to achieve while away. This helps us select the right people to be Lattitude volunteers and after a second interview with the In Country Programme Manager (often via Skype or e-mail), we match them to a placement that is right for them.
• Once you have been accepted by the in Country Programme Manager you will be looked after by a specialised Volunteer Coordinator based in the Palmerston North office, who is responsible for all volunteers going to a particular country. They provide briefing materials, support with logistics such as flights and visas and are there to answer any questions.
• Everyone attends a pre-departure briefing to meet other volunteers and Lattitude staff, and other professionals such as our travel agent, travel doctors and insurance company representatives as well as hearing from returned volunteers.
• All volunteers sign our Term and Conditions to ensure that Lattitude's expectations of each volunteer are agreed and clear from the outset.

When you're overseas:

• We have paid staff based in each country.  Our Country Managers oversee the program and work with a team of Local Representatives who provide support in the local areas and develop close relationships with placement hosts.
• Each volunteer attends orientation on arrival and where needed, other courses such as a local language or teaching skills course.
• Each volunteer is visited at their placement soon after arrival by an in-country staff member to check how things are and provide additional support if needed.
• We work with Embassies and High Commissions to ensure we can respond to any situation and provide 24/7 emergency support from the Lattitude office in Palmerston North.

When you're back:

• We recognise that coming home can be difficult and provide one-to-one support, with onward referrals for further professional support if needed.  Volunteers are invited to debriefing events and become part of our network of alumni.

Costs

These costs are for Lattitude placements in China in 2013

Lattitude fees (exact costs)

You will also need to budget for the following (approx costs)

Travel

You will have weekends, public holidays and the time after your placement ends to explore your province and other parts of China!  There will be lots for you to do near your placement, but for those of you looking further afield here are some key tourist attractions: The Great Wall of China: you can climb to the top of the wall near Beijing and walk a mile in either direction. The Silk Road: routes used to stretch from northern China to the ports of either the Caspian or the Mediterranean Sea. The Yangtze River: you could travel on the third-longest river in the world, which stretches for 4000 miles! The Terracotta Army in Xian – an amazing spectacle