Trip Details

If you love teaching and being with children, experiencing China as a volunteer community teacher is something you will really enjoy!
The recent requirement that every school, from primary level upwards must teach English as a core subject is hindered by a shortage of English teachers. By supplementing the teachers and their classroom assistants, you will be ‘bringing English alive’ and primary and secondary schools and the age of students may be between 4 and 15.

The schools in Zhanjiang accept a non-formal approach to teaching. This means that we will not have to conform to the local teaching methods or style and you will be free to choose your own way of teaching and may bring new ideas into class. You will be helping to teach basic English, exchange songs, take part in singing them, and playing educational games. You may also lead the children through activities like handicrafts, sports, drawing, colouring, writing and more!

During the class, you can teach following different topics and use several games to help. In this way, students can learn more in other ways and you also can experience China’s teaching style and compare with your home country’s. This role is perfect for those who can speak English fluently and to those that can also contribute their knowledge of life outside China.

Aims & Objectives

  • Improve English language of the Chinese youth by giving them opportunities to converse
  • Provide you with teaching experience, an invaluable life skill!
  • Assist the English teachers and classroom assistants

Trip Itinerary

You can expect to be teaching for at least 1-2 hours per day, along with some time for lesson preparation. With preparation and training involved, you can expect about 4-5 hours of activity required from you throughout a typical day.

Monday

  • Breakfast
  • Volunteer on the project for 3 hours
  • Lunch
  • Lesson planning/Volunteering
  • Dinner
  • Free Time

Tuesday

  • Breakfast
  • Volunteer on the project  3-5 hours
  • Lunch
  • Lesson planning/Volunteering
  • Dinner
  • Free Time

Wednesday 

  • Breakfast
  • Volunteer on the project  3-5 hours
  • Lunch
  • Lesson planning/Volunteering
  • Dinner
  • Free Time

Thursday

  • Breakfast
  • Volunteer on the project  3-5 hours
  • Lunch
  • Lesson planning/Volunteering
  • Dinner
  • Free Time

Friday 

  • Breakfast
  • Volunteer on the project  3-5 hours
  • Lunch
  • Lesson planning/Volunteering
  • Dinner
  • Free Time

Evenings: Volunteers are free to sightsee around the local area, do some shopping, and/or plan for the next day.

Weekends – Weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation with other volunteers or you can use this time to travel and explore Zhanjiang with your new friends.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances***

Trip Accommodation

Zhanjiang is a charming city located in the southern coast of China’s mainland in the province of GuangDong, with a total land area of 12471 square kilometers and a population of more than 7 million. Thanks to its natural scenery, temperate weather, tree-lined beaches, well developed public transportation, and clean environment, Zhanjiang was voted recently as the “most livable city in China.”

It is a new city that combines history and modern rapid development. Located in a subtropical zone, Zhanjiang has unique light, heat, water and green plant resources. It is famous for producing tropical and subtropical high-quality fruits, including mango, orange, litchi, longan, star fruit, pineapple, papaya and pitaya…it is also a haven for seafood lovers due to its strong fishing industry.

Accommodation & Food

You will live in the student dormitory in Guangdong Ocean University Cunjin College or its nearby dorm halls. You can expect that outside in public areas your wifi signal will be good, like in the office and halls, but many prefer to buy a network card at shops for internet access from your dormitory room. Please expect to use squatting toilets during our stay here (a natural, healthier alternative!).

Food Arrangements
Three typical Chinese meals a day are provided and served at the dining hall. For dinner, we usually offer noodles and fried rice which foreign students seem to enjoy. A vegetarian option is also available. Three meals on weekdays and Two meals on weekends.

Facilities
This accommodation is a holistic facility perfect for those involved in teaching. It comprises classrooms, comfortable dormitories, canteens, a supermarket and even playgrounds.

It is only a 30 minute drive to Zhanjiang airport, and 20-30 minutes drive to Zhanjiang train station.

ATM/Bank: Within the city
Clinic: Within the Campus
Supermarket: Within the Campus
Hospital: 15-minute drive away
Sights & Surroundings

Popular places to visit include:

45 minutes flight to Guangzhou/Hongkong
5-6 hours bus transfer to Guangzhou
3-4 hours transfer to Sanya,Hainan Province
Please ask your coordinator for help in organising visits to these or any other places.

Transportation
From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):

  • Donghai Island
  • Road Trip

Trip Country Info

China

Capital: Beijing
Language: Standard Chinese
Currency: Renminbi (Yuan) (CNY)
Time zone: CST (UTC +8)

China covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometers making it the 2nd largest country by land area. It is not only the country with the largest population in the world but it is also one of the largest economies laying claim to being the world’s largest exporter and 2nd largest importer of goods.

It is a country of incredible cultural history boasting one of the earliest ancient civilisations dating back to around 2800 BC. Its landscape is equally rich in diversity, ranging from its forest steppes, its deserts in the north and subtropical forests in the south to its 14,500km long stretch of Pacific Ocean coastline. All of this makes China an incredible and exciting place to be, both in what it has to offer today and the story of its past.

China has solidified itself as a contender for global recognition and as a tourist hotspot.  We have a number of  travel experiences in China from volunteering & gap year travel  to Tours and Paid Teaching.

With an assortment of climates and social structures, it is near impossible to experience all of China in a gap year trip. You can invest yourself and discover a whole new culture and still miss out on a dozen other cultures within arm’s reach while travelling in China, and these programs are dedicated to helping you help others while experiencing the different wonders of the country. Combine adventuring through nature with helping those less fortunate, and you have got yourself a stellar journey ahead of you. If you are looking for a gap year holiday in China, conservation work, an exciting road trip in China,  volunteer work with Pandas, teaching or other work & travel in China have a look at our latest experiences below or contact us for more information.

Please Note TRU are not currently able to accept any volunteers in China due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will be sure to update you when it is safe to travel and restrictions ease in China.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

Additional Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Departures/ drop offs
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa