TEACH CHILDREN IN THE 'LUCKY KIDS' KINDERGARTEN IN YANGZHOU

WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION

Your work will mostly focus around teaching the children some basic English through games, songs, stories and other fun activities. You may also be asked to help out in caring for the children (ie accompanying them to the toilet, helping them get ready for nap time, etc. You'll also play with them when they do sports, games and activities such as colouring or playing in the ball pit. However, your main role is that of an English teacher.

The walls at the Kindergarten are covered in drawings, paintings and murals done by and for the children and each room is filled with equipment to assist the children’s learning.

I was in China last Sept teaching Kindergarten Children. I really loved this project and the country and I hope to revisit this year. I have done 2 of your projects now, and I can’t get enough of them. Maybe you will see me again soon!!! Victoria Allen

You'll work from 9:30am – 4:30pm, from Monday to Friday. Your weekends and evenings are free leaving time for relaxing, travelling and sightseeing. You'll usually teach lessons of your own design, giving you lots of freedom, although you’ll usually have a Chinese teacher present in the classroom with you to assist you. The Kindergarten has stressed that playing games is the most important thing to do, although you do need to be careful with safety as the children are so young and get over-excited very easily!

If you play an instrument and wish to bring it with you to play to the children, please do so. The Kindergarten is also interested in having volunteers who can work on Arts & Crafts with the kids.

Approximately 200 children attend, and there will be around 25 children in each group. The children are aged between 3 and 6 years old, but you will mostly be working with the older age ranges. There are already 4 English teachers at the school so your lessons will complement theirs.

You don’t need any language skills, but as the children are so young and don’t have very good command of English yet, it would be of benefit to you to know some Mandarin, which you could learn using a tap and book, or online.

PROJECT DATES:
Teaching is available during school term times only. The Autumn Term starts from 1st September and usually finishes mid-January, depending on the time of Chinese Spring Festival. The Spring Term starts from middle February and finishes at the end of June. Schools will close for the holidays mentioned above.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS IN CHINA:
All projects will break for Chinese National Holidays. The main events are:
Chinese New Year - usually sometime in late January or early February. All projects will break for 1 or 2 weeks for New Year
May Holiday – usually the first week of May. Most projects break for 3-7 days
October Holiday – usually the first week of October. Most projects break for 3-7 days. There are also a number of shorter holidays throughout the year where some projects will be closed. You are very welcome to join a project during holiday time, however you will not be able to work if your project is closed.

ACCOMMODATION

Your accommodation will either be on school campus or in a local hostel.
On School Campus: You will usually share a building with other volunteers and Chinese teachers. You will usually have your own room and bathroom, although sometimes you may have to share a room with another volunteer. All rooms are clean and comfortable and some may have air conditioning, internet access, a washing machine and a television.
A local Hostel: If you stay in a hotel or hostel, you will most likely share your room with another Travellers volunteer. You'll usually have access to all the modern facilities you'd expect: internet access, a kitchen, TV, common room with DVDs, a security locker and a bar & restaurant on premises. The hostel and hotel that we use are both located in lively areas, where you will have the chance to meet other backpackers and travellers.
All your food is provided, and you'll be given a budget to eat out in the many delicious local eateries around the hotel! Tim, our Yangzhou Organiser, often takes volunteers out for group dinners to introduce them to the best local cuisine in the area!
In a flat/apartment: If you stay at the flat, you will usually share the flat with other volunteers and you usually have your own room, although sometimes you may have to share a room with another volunteer. The accommodation is comfortable, fully furnished with a ‘western-style’ bathroom, and has all the modern facilities you'll need. There are cooking facilities for you to use if you want to eat in the flat. The flat is close to the city centre and supermarkets, cinemas and other entertainment facilities are within a 10 minute walk.

FOOD:
You’ll be given a food budget to buy your own breakfast and you will be provided with lunch and dinner at the school.
Eating out in Yangzhou is also cheap, easy and delicious! Tim, our Yangzhou Organiser, often takes volunteers out for group dinners to introduce them to the best local cuisine in the area!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR PLACEMENT?

Once you have applied for a placement, we'll contact you and send you our Welcome Pack. You'll also receive Log-on details and password for our Volunteer Extranet where you'll have access to all the documentation and information which we've put together to facilitate preparations for your adventure! Your Project Co-ordinator for your country will liaise with you throughout the arrangements process, as well as while you're on your placement and on your return home.

The documents you'll have access to also include a Country Factfile, Safety Guide and any manuals that may assist you on your particular programme (e.g. Teaching Guide, Sports Manuals, Enrichment Suggestions for Animal Care, etc.). We do all we can to make your stay one that you'll never forget. This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful country.

On Arrival, your Introduction to the Country: When you arrive you will be welcomed by a member of our team who will take you to your accommodation and introduce you to everyone. During your first few days you'll be given an induction so that you can learn about the country and its culture, as well as other useful information, like how to use the transport system, banks, safety issues, tipping, and lots more.

As with all our destinations, the culture and heritage is different to what you're used to ... which, although one of the most exciting aspects of travelling, should be borne in mind. Self-reliance and independence are highly appreciated in all our destinations and will help you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

TRAVELLERS' SUPPORT AND BACKUP: Read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme.

VOLUNTEERING WITH CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS
As well as protecting all our volunteers, Travellers Worldwide is committed to all our projects and dedicated to practices which protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. Read Travellers' Child Care and Vulnerable Adults Policy.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON ACTIVITIES:

Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to be fun, but also to enable you to learn, and expand your personal and professional development enjoyment ... but mostly for your enjoyment! :-)

LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

YANGZHOU : 扬州 / Yángzhōu
Known as China's 'city of gardens and alleys', Yangzhou is enough 'out of the way' for you to feel as though you're living in real China, and has a fascinating 'Old Town' where you can explore alleys and noodle shops that still run as they did a century ago.
The City's location in Jiangsu Province, only a stone's throw from Shanghai, means that you're never away from the glamour of one of the worlds' most modern urban centres.

HIGHLIGHTS IN CHINA: In our opinion, some of the highlights of the rest of China are:

• The Army of Terracotta Warriors outside Xi’an - 6000 soldiers and horses that were originally designed to guard the tomb of an ancient Emperor. 2000 years old, these warriors were discovered by accident in the 1970s by peasants digging a well! Every figure differs in facial features and expression, and they make for an amazing sight!
• Tropical Xishuangbanna - China's very own South-East Asia complete with sunshine, Thai style temples, Dai minority dancing and water splashing festivals! Here you can explore tribal villages on the border with Burma, or trek through the rainforest.
• Northern China, along the path of the ruins of the Great Wall, also has many sights, and a slightly rough-around-the-edges charm. Here, you can visit the Gobi Desert & climb enormous sand dunes in Gansu Province or explore ancient grottoes and caverns full of religious art & Buddha statues at Dunhuang or Datong. You can even spend a night camping out under the stars in a yurt on the epic grasslands of Inner Mongolia. Here you might find yourself taking part in traditional Mongolian wrestling or drinking the local spirit (hopefully not at the same time!)
• China's big cities - The economic and cultural and centres of this blossoming nation can be found in its 3 big cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. These cities are practically alive with energy and each deserve a visit during your time in China. They represent the glitz and glamour of China's future and everything that's hip in China's new youth, with the rich history of Chinese culture running strongly through them.
• The far North-West - Xinjiang Province in the far North-West of China next to the borders with Mongolia & Kazakhstan is a multicultural melting pot of Han Chinese, Uyghurs (the local Muslim people) and Kazakhs. Here you can visit Tian Chi, a lake halfway up a mountain inhabited by nomadic Kazakh people or take part in local grape making in the desert around Turpan

TRAVEL:

Read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country.

ABIELLE TRAINOR
British
Teaching at a School and the Kindergarten in Yangzhou in China

Everything is fantastic! Love it here! Absolutely and utterly boiling though, and the locals are wrapped up in three or four jumpers and more than one pair of trousers, they are all convinced I must be boiling as I swelter in a tee-shirt!

Completely crazy country, the driving is insane, and pedestrians more so. You can buy anything you like in the supermarkets, including live eel, turtles, and terrapins. There is every neon drink and food product under the sun and massive chicken and pig feet. Having said that the food here is absolutely delicious, especially bao (steamed rice flour ball filled with a variety of meats and veg) and the egg fried rice which is the region's specialty (having the added advantage of adding a touch of home - be it Chinese takeaways!)

Just come in from teaching the smallest class and I'm boiling after having them jumping, hopping and running on the spot. They copy absolutely everything you say and do, so I too have been jumping, hopping and running. I got the oldest class doing hopscotch outside earlier! They loved it, I am now shattered! They are such fantastic kids. All of them are so cute and so eager to learn. They are so enthusiastic and try out their English on you at any chance.

In fact all the locals try out any English they know on you. We were asked if we liked potatoes by a young boy thrust towards us by his mum! We have also gate-crashed so many photo albums as people want photos with you everywhere you go, and then they want a photo of you with every uncle, aunt and great aunt they have with them! It's nice though, because everyone is lovely and welcoming. They excuse you your terrible Chinese and just burst into fits of giggles when it inevitably turns to really bad gesturing and sign language!

Lucy and Tim are brilliant, really supportive and always thinking of cool things for us to do. This weekend we are planning to go strawberry picking and clubbing on Saturday and then to the KTV (karaoke) on Sunday (My birthday).

Thank you for all your support. It still feels a little surreal to be here. It’s just such a crazy place but incredibly relaxing at the same time. It feels incredibly safe and not at all scary. But then again I have had Brit with me who has been here for nearly 3 months now, so she knows the ropes. This has made a big difference, I wouldn't envy anyone coming here if they didn’t know a little bit of Chinese and there wasn't another volunteer who did. I was told no-one speaks English and this is not an exaggeration, beyond hello no one speaks any at all bar Lucy and Tim. My Chinese is terrible, but it is coming along. I brought a tape which I listen to and practice.

It's so awesome here, Stephanie! Thank you to Travellers and you for giving me this opportunity

MEGAN WOOD and AMY MALYON
British
Teaching at a School in Yangzhou in China

We feel we are gaining an invaluable insight into different areas of teaching English as a second language. We have learnt lots of way of communicating and overcoming the barriers involved with teaching a language to those who do not speak it fluently. We have grown in confidence in our ability to stand in front and teach a class of around 35 student. On top of that, living in China has taught us to become more independent and make the most of all the opportunities that are offered to us.

What is the best thing about your placement so far?
Working with the extremely cute and enthusiastic children at the kindergarten! We teach 6 classes each and seeing them improve their English language skills is very rewarding. They are all very willing to try whatever we throw at them and are fascinated by everything we teach them.
We are also really enjoying the free time that we have to explore the surrounding areas. For example, we took a trip into the countryside and met Tim's family. The difference between the city life and rural villages in China is very interesting.

Would you recommend this placement to anyone else?
Yes. If you are looking for some worthwhile and rewarding work experience within the teaching profession this is perfect.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY?

• Typical Monday - Friday (Meal times same for Saturday)8:45am - Breakfast at the kindergarten
• 9:30am - Lesson 1, between 20 - 40 mins
• 10:15am - Lesson 2, between 20 - 40 mins
• 11am - Lunch
• 11:45am - Free time/ nap time
• 15:30pm - Lesson 3, between 20 - 40 mins
• 16:00pm - Free time
• 18:00pm - Dinner

Weekends vary each week depending on what we are told to do or things we want to visit.such a mind-blowing experience - China really is so enormous - it took me some time to digest! It was a brilliant (and totally unique) way to begin to understand such a different culture.