BRIDGING THE GAP IN CHINA
Live, travel and learn to teach English
Acquire teaching skills and gain first-hand experience of life in China: a new and original way to spend a gap year or an extended summer vacation. This exceptional opportunity marks the launch of BUNAC’s 2007 overseas work and volunteer brochure. The latest work abroad programme in BUNAC’s 45-year history, Teach and Travel China offers UK residents aged 18 or over the chance to gain English language teacher-training and teaching experience in a local school for eleven weeks over the summer, six months or a full year. The programme is likely to appeal to anyone interested in pursuing a teaching career or looking to gain new skills while spending time overseas. Visiting the amazing sights of the Great Wall, the Terracotta Army and the Forbidden City, learning basic Mandarin Chinese and experiencing authentic Chinese culture are all part of the Asian adventure.
Teach and Travel China is one of only a few programmes to offer an in-country residential English language teaching course (TEFL) run by native speakers. The arrival orientation and training sessions normally take place in Beijing and include comprehensive theory and teaching practice, practical experience and an introduction to Chinese life, culture and customs. On completion of the training, participants are placed as teaching assistants in kindergartens, primary or secondary schools. Most live and work in schools in the south of China.
Programme costs are £1120 for the summer programme, £1475 for the six month programme and £1620 for the full year. These costs cover the visa processing service, full pre-departure support from BUNAC including programme administration and an informative handbook, transfers from the arrival airport and from the training centre to the placement, the training period itself including all lessons, food and accommodation, the teaching placement with full board accommodation, and local support from BUNAC’s partner organisation in China. Visa, insurance and return flight costs (applicants can fly on a BUNAC arranged flight or book independently) are extra. Participants receive an allowance of approximately £130 per month while teaching and a completion bonus of £150 at the end of each semester.
Applications are now being accepted from candidates looking to take part in the programme in 2007. More detailed programme information and a Teach and Travel China Application Pack are available at www.bunac.org/china. A £400 deposit and the £5 BUNAC membership fee are payable on application. Candidates are then invited to BUNAC’s London office for an interview.
BUNAC’s comprehensive work abroad programme portfolio includes American summer camp programmes, flexible working holidays in Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and various volunteering/teaching placements. For further information, visit www.bunac.org or call (020) 7251 3472.
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Press: for further information, contact Sarah Leavesley or Haydn Parks @ BUNAC. Tel: (020) 7251 0662
(please quote 020 7251 3472 in articles), e-mail: sarah.leavesley@bunac.org.uk or haydn.parks@bunac.org.uk
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