China
Volunteer 15 hours each week helping a Chinese family with their English in exchange for free room and board in China! Weekends are normally free to experience the culture by traveling around China. Conversation Corps volunteers are placed all over China, but most are placed closer to Beijing.
This is a great programme for people who want to experience life in China and the Chinese culture in-depth. The programme has a focus on cultural exchange and host families are not only excited to learn English but also love to share the characteristics of their country, culture and cuisine.
This is a high-energy and really fun position. We provide the materials; you provide the personality to liven up a family class or dinner conversation! Find out first-hand how a Chinese family lives day-to-day. Sometimes there are opportunities to take part in family activities and to meet extended family. Plus, they can show you landmarks and the hidden gems of China.
Overview
The need
People with English as their first language to volunteer 15 hours a week helping your host family with Conversational English. That's it. Many Chinese families want to learn English or get better at speaking English through conversation. They are willing to provide a private room and 3 home-cooked, healthy meals each day.
Benefits
- Travel for less.
- You put in a couple of hours each day literally talking, and the rest of your time is spent traveling and experiencing the culture in depth.
- Do you want to learn Mandarin or brush up on your language skills? Two weeks online Mandarin tuition is included in the fee and we can easily arrange optional language classes for you. It's up to you.
- Tip the advantage to you by enhancing your C.V. by volunteering with the Conversation Corps. Job: "Private Language Tutor." References: Global. It just doesn't get any better than that.
- You "meet" your family in advance through email and phone calls. Each family is interviewed and carefully screened by in-country staff.
- Exclusive materials which will give you "a bag of tricks" as you engage your new family.
Duties and Responsibilities include
- Sharing your language with the host family for at least 15 hours a week Monday to Friday.
- Using our Bag of Tricks and your exclusive membership in the ESL-Lounge, provide creative, fun and informative language sessions.
- Keep your room tidy and clean and respect the host family’s rules and habits.
- Manage your own personal expenses (telephone bills, clothing, entertainment and spending money).
- Be available to help the children with their English homework.
- Play games in English with the children.
- Optionally for more experience you can also help teach English in local schools. Our office in Beijing can help arrange these experiences if you want to give them a try.
Programme details
Project details
- Length: 1 to 3 months in increments of 1 month.
- Locations: In the Beijing area.
- Orientation: 2 nights in Beijing to start, 1/2 day formal orientation and 1/2 day tour of Beijing. Hotel, meals and tour included in the programme fee. 5 hours of Chinese language tuition are included during the first week
- Accommodation: Private room with the host family and 3 healthy meals a day.
- Working hours: 5 hours per week, determined by the family. Then approximately 10 hours per week tutoring English elsewhere in your community.
- Availability: Flexible. Actual arrival date is coordinated between you and your host family.
Requirements
- Fluent English i.e. you should have English as your first language.
- 18 years old and over.
- Good health.
- A good basic education e.g. Secondary School and above.
Costs PRICE REDUCTION
| Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 month | US$ 1029 |
| 2 months | US$ 1029 |
| 3 months | US$ 1029 |
If available near your placement, assistance is provided in identifying suitable language lessons. The cost of language classes is not included in your programme fee.
Please note, due to fluctuations in the exchange rate, prices are given in US$.
What is included in the cost of the programme
- Personalised Volunteer Placement with a host family in China, including all the coordination, in-person visits and communication necessary with the local organisation in China.
- In-country orientation by a local coordinator.
- A comfortable, safe place to live in China, your own private room, all of your meals, and transportation from the airport to your host family.
- An experienced Programme Manager (and former volunteer) who will serve as your coordinator and liaison with our in-country staff in China.
- In-country basic language assistance.
- Two-weeks of online Mandarin classes.
- Professional, locally-based staff to provide orientation, supervision and guidance throughout your stay.
- Extensive medical, accident and dental insurance along with emergency evacuation insurance.
- Important documents, including in-depth pre-departure packs, orientation information, and all in-country informational materials.
- 24-hour emergency hot-line.
- 3-Star hotel for 2 nights in Beijing at the beginning of the program, including meals, for orientation and 1/2 day tour of Beijing.
- Transport from the airport.
- Transport from the orientation location to your host family.
- Our own text book, A Tutor's Guide--Teaching English To Families and Children.
What is not included in the cost of the programme
- Flights.
- Personal spending money.
- Visa fees.
Application process
Once we receive all documents (host family letter, photos, etc.) we will need 2 full months to find a suitable family. Please allow for this in your travel plans.
Stories
More info
Conversation Corps information request
If you're interested in taking part in the Conversation Corps programme please contact us.
