English Village in China

The English Village in China

What is English Village?

It is a teaching program.

Spend three unforgettable weeks in China teaching English language skills to Chinese students from elementary through high school level! As a participant in the English Village in China, you will meet with your class of approximately 20 students each morning, Monday through Friday. Your eager Chinese students will already have some English language proficiency. You will be helping them learn speaking and listening skills in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. And, best of all, no prior teaching experience is necessary. If you are flexible and willing to teach, we will train you and provide a suggested curriculum.

In the afternoons, you will spend time with your students in a variety of activities – from watching videos, to swimming, to playing sports and games. These activities provide more opportunities for you to introduce new vocabulary and help them practicing conversational skills while having fun and getting to know each other.

Your evenings and weekends will be free to visit the cultural and historical sites in your host city, but be sure to reserve some time for visiting in the homes of your students. They will want to introduce you to their parents and extended families, offer you a meal, and share their culture with you – their newest friends. This will be a wonderful learning experience for you to know about China by living real Chinese life with native Chinese people.

It’s a traveling opportunity

A big part of the English Village in China program is the opportunity to travel. For the first three weeks, you will be assigned to a school in one of our host cities. Past participants have taught in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Harbin, Taiyuan and Haimen. Future sites may also include other major Chinese cities. Each school will plan weekend sightseeing trips near the host city.

An optional week of travel is offered upon the completion of the English Village program, during which you will visit other major Chinese sites not included in your weekend adventures. Depending on where you were teaching, your fourth week could include Xian, to view the incredible Terracotta Soldiers; Shanghai, to see the Yu Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, and other sites; or Hangzhou for a cruise on the West Lake, and more.

It’s a sharing experience

The English Village in China is a unique opportunity to share your language and culture with the people of China. We think of our instructors as ambassadors of good will who are working to bridge the cultures of the United States and China. You will be expected to respect the Chinese laws and religious policies, the policies of the host institutions, and the Chinese customs and national feelings. You will also have the opportunity to share our customs and values with your new Chinese friends in a way that will bond you to your students long after you return home.

It’s a learning process

Most past participants in the English Village in China program come home saying they learned much more from their experience than they taught. A few words of Chinese, yes, and there is much more than that. Participation in the English Village will provide you with insights into a culture that is more than four thousand years old, which is a way of life that is also changing and coming to terms with the 21st century. There is so much to learn about – educational practices, the Chinese arts, how to handle chopsticks! Your four weeks will go by very quickly.

But beyond the cultural education you receive, you will also learn something more important – something about yourself and your country that only an international experience can illustrate. You will come home a changed person with a greater appreciation for the United States and the ties that bind all human beings throughout the world.

What are the requirements?

• Retired or active teachers; personnel in other professions; or students who have completed at least two years of college; at least 20 years of age; good health (doctor’s release and medical insurance coverage required)
• A native English speaker with good communication skills
• A current U.S. passport and two additional passport-type photos
• Interview, either in person or on the telephone, prior to acceptance in the program
• Attendance at the one-day training and orientation program

Expectations of Participants

• Respect for Chinese laws and religious policies, the policies of the host institutions and Chinese customs and national feelings
• A patient and respectful attitude toward the Chinese students and a commitment to help them improve their English proficiency
• Flexibility to adapt to changing situations
• Ability to tolerate cultural differences and some temporary inconveniences
• Ability to work with other participants as a team
• Willingness to represent the United States and circulate good will towards the Chinese people

Endorsement

Randolph-Macon College is pleased to endorse the English Village in China. The program is fulfilling a great need for English instructors in a country that is turning its sights toward increased trade and cultural exchanges with the United States. Your participation in helping two countries bridge their cultural and language differences will be welcomed by the Chinese people and provide you with an insiders knowledge of this ancient and fascinating country.

Dr. William Johnston
Provost of the College

Dr. Thomas Porter
Chair of Asian Studies

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Questions & Answers about the English Village in China

Where will I live and take meals?

English Village instructors live in air-conditioned accommodations, either at their schools in faculty dormitories or in nearby hotels. Three meals a day are provided in the schools or hotels.

Must I have teaching experience?

While many of our instructors have had prior teaching experience, many others have not. All that is required is a commitment to helping your students learn to speak English.

What is the America & China International Foundation?

Based in Rockville, MD, the A&C International Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1998. We are dedicated to advancing Chinese culture and traditions through our educational programs and exchanges. We organized the English Village in China in response to the increasing need for English teachers in all areas of China. A&C International Foundation is formally approved by the China Bureau of Foreign Experts to provide recruiting and training services throughout China without any restrictions.

What will it cost?

Since the program is not for profit, all involved parties, i.e., participating students, schools, teachers and A&C International Foundation will share the cost of the program. A&C tries to keep cost low for the teachers while providing instructors with a comfortable and unforgettable experience. For year 2003, the cost for instructors will be $1450, which covers the roundtrip international airfare, placement fee, orientation and training material, visa processing and application fee. A fourth, optional week of travel will be offered at an additional cost. Please talk to our program specialists for detailed information on the travel week package. We expect to have a limited number of scholarships available to help those instructors in need of financial assistance.

Can I stay longer than a month?

Yes. There is a great need in China for English instructors who can make a six-month or one-year commitment to teaching. For these long-term assignments, you may be teaching teachers of English or working with students of all age levels.

What training is provided?

A&C provides a comprehensive training program prior to departure in which instructors are prepared in teaching English as a second language (ESL). A suggested curriculum is provided, although instructors are encouraged to bring with them their own ideas, which can include their hobbies or vocational interests to share with their students. Many instructors bring books and videos, games, and samples of American culture to leave with their students or schools. Upon arriving in China, instructors will receive further orientation for two days before starting the program.

What the past participants say?

“Students are eager to learn. [There are] few behavioral problems. An assistant [is] in class to handle problems and translate for you. [There are] no papers to grade, [and] no problem parents. You would never find an environment like this in the United States, but you would in China."

“I went to Beijing not knowing what would happen or how I would perform as a teacher… What a wonderful surprise! The Chinese people were all so very accepting, and I did a fine job of teaching. Truly, the English Village was a great success.”

“I feel that I really made a difference in the lives of the students and formed some strong bonds with them that will last a lifetime.”

“I was a teacher in the program, but the Chinese people taught me much about friendship, warmth, and hospitality. I shall treasure the experience.”

"Instead of telling my students goodbye, I said, 'See you later'. [I] hope that I will see them later, because I would love to return to China some day to learn more about this fascinating country and its amazing people.”

For more information on how to apply, contact A&C International Foundation:
Email: jadez@acweb.org
Tel: 301-424-5978, or 866-414-2955 (from outside of Maryland).