Project Overview
Want to make a start on China?
You’d need a lifetime to see everything China has to offer so it’s best to start early and don’t make any dinner plans, as it’s bound to take a while. In a city over 3000 years old, the past is all around you. Several dynasties made it their capital and have left it with an eclectic mix of style and design, as well as with the famous Terracotta Warriors. Luckily for modern visitors the past lives peacefully with the modern, with the Maoist doctrine happy to make allowances for cappuccinos, ipods and swanky restaurants. Your time at the project will be similarly fun, with songs and games creating a relaxed atmosphere in which to learn. We’ll also include our TEFL certification to help you on your way.
What does this teaching project do?
In Xi'an you can teach English to students aged between six and 13 at one of several large primary schools attached to local universities. They are good schools with adequate facilities for students and teachers, but they cannot afford to employ native English speakers to assist with English tuition. The schools are affiliated and partly funded by the universities and have good facilities. Class sizes will be large, with 50-60 students in each class. You will need to spend your time planning and teaching basic conversational English.
Why does this project need volunteers?
In many schools, children do not actually get a chance to practice day-to-day conversation and assessments are not oral. As a native English speaker, your presence will allow the children to gain confidence in speaking English and learn how to use it in practical situations. By teaching young people you will be able to make a positive impact on their lives and make more opportunities available to them, for example by going to university and getting jobs in tourism, business and commerce. Xi'an, like many places in China, is developing rapidly and for young people, learning English is an important tool to help them improve their future. Your presence will also help the English teachers to improve their English.
Your role as a volunteer
You will need to focus on basic conversational English, which means helping students to speak simple, everyday English. You may need to introduce English songs and make use of games to keep lessons fun and interactive. You will also be required to assist the local teachers with classroom activities, and you may even get the opportunity to take part in sports lessons with the children.
The skills you need
As a teacher you need to be someone who can think on your feet, be dynamic and use your initiative and imagination. You need to be confident, resourceful and thrive under a challenge! You also need to enjoy working with young people and will be expected to work five to six hours a day, Monday to Friday.
Accommodation included
You stay in a shared room at the volunteer apartment, the rooms are dormitory style with bunk beds.
Project resources and advice
The project is reasonably resourced, but any books and tapes in English you can bring with you will be greatly appreciated!
*SPECIAL NOTE*: Please note that the national holidays take place between 01 and 08 May, which may affect the project.
Local facilities
If you're a lively soul, you can sample the local Chinese nightlife during your stay!
Ideas for your spare time
You are ideally located to explore the great city of Xi'an during the evenings and weekends, so that you can see world-famous sights including The Terracotta Warriors, Chinese Gardens, historic Muslim Quarter, The City Wall, bell tower, drum tower and Pagodas.
Food included
Three meals a day are provided, breakfast and dinner at the volunteer apartment, lunch at the project or volunteer apartment, meals will be traditional Chinese cuisine!
Things that you will need to organize yourself
- Flights to China: i-to-i can secure preferential rates, please ask us
- Travel insurance: i-to-i can secure preferential rates, please ask us
- Visa
- In-country transport (except your airport pickup on arrival date)
- Tours, trips and add-ons: i-to-i can secure preferential rates, please ask us
- Extra food and equipment
Stories
Kate Craigie gives this project 10/10
Here is what Kate had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
I was extremely impressed by the efficiency, approachability and general excellence of my in-country team, whose continuous support and advice ensured my experience was worthwhile.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The whole thing.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Bring lots of stickers for the kids (they love stickers).
Approach everything with an open mind; sometimes there will be chaos, disorganisation and cultural shocks you will need to adjust to.
Lose all your inhibitions and make the most of the short time you have.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An eye-opening, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Better preparation and more realistic selling features from the i-to-i team in England and the marketing team.
Jonathan Wright gives this project 10/10
Here is what Jonathan had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The people in China - a very friendly culture (made some very good friends over there).
The food in China - such great variety and very healthy.
The general lifestyle in China - people are very happy with their lives there.
Teaching english as a foreign language was a very rewarding experience and I would recommend it to anyone.
Lots of things to do all the time.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
Yes. The way Chinese people approached their live's was often very admirable.
Although many of them were not earning very high wages (and could never even consider flying to England - for example) they made the best of their lives and were generally very happy.
Thus, it is always better to see the cup as half full rather than half empty.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Take photocopies of all your important documents (particularly if you require a visa extension, like I did)
Be proactive. If there is anything you are unhappy with, don't be afraid to say.
Fit in as much as possible while you are there. Although it is sometimes tiring, it is worth it.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
An incredible experience - certainly a life changing one!
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Perhaps some slightly better organisation regarding projects.
I taught a variety of different age levels whilst I was in China and I particularly enjoyed this variety so it suited me.
But I some other people preferred continuity - and sometimes volunteers would be changed from one project to another at very short notice.
So, in short - some slightly better organisation on the project front.
Jessica Chislett gives this project 9/10
Here is what Jessica had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The highlight of my trip would have to be seeing the progess my students made in the time that I was with them.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The whole project in general definately changed me as a person and I feel that I have grown through the project
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
1. Take up everything offered to you - you'll only be there once so why say no
2. Try to learn a few basic phrases in Mandarin before you go - you'll find it so much easier to get by if you know a little
3. Bring enough with you that you can go away on weekend trips with fellow volunteers
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
A good introduction to teaching and life in China
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Better information in advance. The project descriptions do not acurately describe what will be happening when you get there.
Andrew Finlay gives this project 9/10
Here is what Andrew had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Tissues
Visit Dianthol
Make friends with I-to-I team Xi'an as they are fantastic
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
cheaper cost!
Joseph Cardona gives this project 9/10
Here is what Joseph had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The i to i team, were very welcoming and made me feel very comfortable, and very approachable in regards to help and site seeing tips. China is an amazing place. the people are great, the food is fantastic, and my experience was very very overwhelming
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The trip made me realise it is a big world out there, and there is many different cultures to lean.
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
Do your reaserch, pin point the things you want to see, and make sure you ask the i to i team how far it is and how much it will cost by taxi or train.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
This experience was unforgettable, and made me fall inlove with China
Is there anything that would have made your experience better?
Staying longer
Mary Lam-Hang gives this project 8/10
Here is what Mary had to say:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
The school was very friendly and helpful and so were the people living in the volunteer house.
Was there a part of the project that changed the way you look at the world or affected you in some way?
The people I met were fantastic - I'll never forget them!
Do you have 3 top tips for future volunteer travellers?
I would recommend i-to-i because I had a great time in Xi'an.
Give Us Up To 10 Words That Sum Up Your Experience: For example - "A life changing experience!"
It was a real eye opener to the Chinese culture.
