Volunteer in China

The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities for teaching English through our partner organization in China. Based in the stunning coastal region of Yantai, volunteers will be surrounded by picturesque scenery, beautiful beaches and islands, rich culture and traditions and sumptuous food. Volunteers are greatly needed to help school students improve their English skills so that they have a much better chance of securing employment in later life. At the same time volunteers will be given the opportunity to immerse themselves in urban Chinese life.

The Program

The urban program is unique to the programs GVN is associated with as it works with a sector of Chinese society where the need is not to help alleviate poverty but to assist middle class students to become bilingual and address a linguistic need. Global Volunteer Network's objective is to connect communities in need. The need in the Urban Teaching Program is for volunteers to teach English as the Chinese nation has an objective to become bilingual in the next decade. These young adults' employment prospects are also greatly improved by their ability to speak English and in turn this will bring a wider variety of opportunities for them in life.

You'll find that the schools are relatively well resourced with modern facilities. This program is ideal for volunteers who wish to experience the Chinese culture and help Chinese students to learn English in a city with a well developed infrastructure.

The type of teaching you'll be expected to do will consist of helping the students practice comprehension and pronunciation. You may be needed to do a little more, but if so, you'll be guided by the teachers and school principal. You are the sole teacher in the classroom. There are Chinese teachers of English in the schools that also take these students for English on other aspects of the language. For this reason your lessons should have a practical approach focusing on comprehension and building confidence in the student's English speaking skills. This program is located in Shandong Province and you can teach conversational English at a primary or secondary level.

Program Location

Yantai is a coastal region on the eastern tip of the Shandong Peninsula, located in Northern China, across the Yellow Sea from Japan. Schools in Yantai requesting volunteer teachers include Nanshan Bilingual School, Donghai Foreign Language School, Yantai Development Zone Advanced School, Yantai Jianwen College, Yantai Agricultural School, Yantai Herrman Gmeiner School, Fushan No.1 Middle School, Yantai No.3 Middle School, Yantai No.4 Middle School, Yantai Bilingual School, Muping No.1 Middle School, and Muping Experimental School.

Program Requirements

As a volunteer teacher in China you must:

• be a native speaker of English
• be at least 18 years old - the upper age limit is 72 years
• have no health problems
• be enthusiastic and motivated
• be from Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, UK, USA, New Zealand, or Singapore

* Please note that for this program you do not need to be a teacher or to have had any experience teaching English, however we will be assessing any experience that you have had in instructing children and young people. We will also be noting any leadership qualities you have, such as confidence in large group settings, ability to work independently, self motivation, and enthusiasm about working in an unknown environment. Remember that your greatest skill is your knowledge of the English language and you will pass this on to your students during your time on placement.

Program Schedule

This does vary from school to school, but generally volunteers usually teach between 14 hours and 20 hours per week. The teaching timetable is discussed personally with the school principal or English teaching staff. There may be some evening and weekend classes in your program. School exams take place at both mid term and end of term which will affect your teaching schedule to varying degrees depending on the school you are placed in.

Ideally, you will arrive for the beginning of the semester.

• Semester One: Typically, March 1 - late July
• Semester Two: Typically September 1 - late December

It is possible to begin later in each semester, but keep in mind the following:

• You will be required to begin as close to the first day of the month as possible excluding May and October when there are school breaks from the 1st to the 8th.
• The program is limited from mid December as students are preparing for exams and schools are closing for Chinese New Year festivals. You are not able to begin your placement between December 15 and March 1.
• Summer schools run in the second half of July. This consists of teaching English, and extra-curricular activities such as sport and excursions. The summer school is not always an option and may only be available to those volunteering over more than one semester.

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee (fully refundable if you decide not to go) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your China Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
• Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the China program is:

• Cost for 1 month - US $597
• Cost for 6 weeks - US $622
• Cost for 2 months - US $647
• Cost for 3 months - US $697
• Cost for 4 months - US $747
• Cost for 5 months - US $797
• Cost for 6 months - US $847
• Cost for 9 months - US $997

The other costs you will need to meet are your flights (international and a domestic flight to Yantai), Visa, shots, travel insurance and corresponding airport departure taxes.

Your program fee includes the following benefits:

• Your In-Country Fee
• In-Country Support
• 24hr Emergency Line
• Membership To The Change Makers Club
• International Travel Advice
• Letter Of Completion

Apply for the China Program

Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organizations that offer a full money back guarantee on your application fee if you decide not to go.
Click here to apply for the China program.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently volunteering, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

Book Resources

We have a selection of books available that you may find useful if you decide to volunteer in China.
Click here

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will fully refund your application fee if you decide not to go.

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

To apply for this program, click here