Teaching in China

The Amity Foundation has for many years had a programme of recruiting teachers from around the world, sponsored through partner church agencies, to teach English in China, usually for a two–year period. A typical Amity placement is in a college training future middle school teachers, usually in a small or medium-sized city.  The British and Irish Amity Teacher’s Group has sponsored teachers from the UK to work in China for many years and three teachers, plus one accompanying spouse, will go out this year. For general enquiries about Teaching in China click here and choose China Opportunities.

Other Programmes

A range of short-term programmes, offered through the Amity Foundation, give a chance for interaction with Chinese people in a variety of situations; remarkable things often happen when people from very different backgrounds talk and work together! These programmes present unique opportunities to work together with local church, educational and development groups, providing a deep insight in a relatively short space of time.

Amity Summer English Programme (SEP)

If you are interested in teaching in China for a short-term period, then you might like to consider joining the FCC Team participating in the Amity Foundation's Summer English Programme (SEP).   This provides Chinese teachers with a chance to upgrade their listening and speaking skills through contact with native English speakers (preferably educated to college level), and encourages them to develop more interactive and stimulating classes for their students. The 2010 programme runs from July 5th to August 3rd; this begins with a briefing in Nanjing, followed by a 3-week period of teaching in the location assigned, and ending with a de-briefing session in Shanghai.     There will be an Introductory Meeting in London on March 13th and a UK briefing for Team members in May.    The deadline for application is 1st April.   Costs are US$1200 ( currently a bit below £800) plus international airfares and visa etc.    Once in China, all travel, accommodation and food are covered - you will just need spending money!

The SEP Coordinator writes:  'When asked how Amity Foundation’s Summer English Programme could be improved, one student replied "Please, get more people to come to China so more teachers can benefit from this programme."  Everyone agrees the biggest attraction of the SEP is the delightful Chinese English teachers in our classes.  Having a native English-speaker help improve their spoken English is a very rare thing.  In class discussions we learn much about each others’ culture and get to know each other very quickly.  Amity Foundation liaises with the local Education Dept. to help set up the programme.  They look after us very well. If you are a native, or near native, speaker of English you, too, can take part in this programme.  You will spend the month of July with a team of fellow English-speakers somewhere in China. Your hosts will proudly show you the scenic places of their area.       When the 3 weeks of teaching are over, you will be sad to leave all your new friends.   It is a wonderful experience and a great way to show our care for others.'

For further information see Amity Foundation’s web-site:   www.amityfoundation.org.   To contact us about the 2010 Summer English Programme (SEP) click here and choose China Opportunities.

The team of four who participated in the 2009 SEP were placed in Shanglin, rural Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.  Clare Nobbs reports:

'Shanglin is just north of the Vietnamese border and about 100km north of Nanning.  Shanglin is a small town of about 50,000 which was very different from the large cities of our past experience. The countryside around is a famous rice-growing area and surrounded by mountains.  It is sometimes called Little Guilin. We were amazed that in such a small country town so many English teachers had such good English.  At the same time, my low group was the least able I have taught in 3 years, but they were very enthusiastic, worked hard and made excellent progress.  It was really thrilling to watch the class members who lacked confidence grow and become confident enough to speak in class!   The support from Shanglin Middle School, our host, couldn't have been better.  We felt they enjoyed having us there as much as we enjoyed being there!!  When asked how the SEP could be improved several teachers replied to send many more volunteers so their colleagues could benefit from the experience as well.  They also commented on the value of the various styles of teaching, exercises and games we had introduced in our classes and were anxious to use them in their own schools.'

Amity Young Adult Programme

This programme is designed for people (aged 18-30) who are interested in a longer period exploring Chinese language and culture through a six-month exchange placement. The Programme includes a weekly schedule of 10 hours teaching oral English lessons with a reciprocal arrangement of Chinese lessons. Two visits per month are arranged to local sites of cultural interest. Running since 2004, the programme in 2007 was located at a middle school in Jiangsu Province, near the culturally rich cities of Nanjing, Suzhou and Hangzhou. The programme runs from August to January and applicants need to find funding of around £1500 in addition to their air fares. The fees cover a training programme, including a national conference, supervision and evaluation costs.

Amity Service Learning Programme

Especially catering for university students, the Service Learning Programme invites British and Irish students to travel to China for their summer holiday. Together with Chinese Nanjing University students, you will then be given the opportunity to go to less developed parts of northern Jiangsu province and help train middle school teachers. Through serving together, the team of Chinese and British students builds strong bonds of friendship, and enables teachers from remote areas access to lively and enriching cultural exchange. Opportunities are also made available to visit other Amity Foundation projects such as the Home of Blessings, schools for the children of migrant workers and rural development projects.

FCC Study Visits

FCC organises Study Visits to China every other year and these visits provide an opportunity not only to see a range of China’s cultural and historical sights, but also to meet with Christian communities across the country and to see first-hand a range of community projects. Hosted by the China Christian Council and the Amity Foundation, such encounters enable the group members to gain a real insight into people’s lives and to visit places often well off the beaten track. Over the years we have built up connections in different areas of China and for each Study Visit we try to include a mixture of localities previously visited, in order to strengthen our links, and to explore new areas.