Summer Program

Our summer program is a marvelous opportunity to have a taste of the exotic and fascinating culture of China in an extremely affordable package.  With only 4 or 6 weeks in mid summer, you’ll have the freedom to travel to the other side of the world and still be back in time for the fall semester. Our summer program includes local touring, 4 to 6 weeks of teaching, and full accommodations with meals everyday. And for those seeking additional touring, a touring program option is also available. Throughout your time here you’ll be able to see the marvels of China’s natural landscapes, visit famous sites, learn about Chinese history and language, try new and exotic foods, and wind your way through the back streets of cities old and new. And when you settle down for teaching you’ll see the hospitality that the Chinese are renowned for when you make close bonds with students, families, teachers, and the community. You will be placed alongside a group of other American teachers so you can share this rich experience with new friends from home and also kick back with some familiar ambience when needed. Whether you want to enrich your teaching experience, learn another language, make new friends, or have a taste of an adventure you’ll never forget, our summer program is the ideal place to start. Please check our “Benefits” section for more benefits you can receive from teaching with us.

Teaching:
For our Summer Program the majority of our schools will be in the east coast China. Most of the schools are recently built with modern facilities. Classrooms typically have a blackboard with TV sets and air conditioners. There are computers with internet on campus, and office space for teacher meetings. English textbooks and supplies will be provided by the school. The students' ages range from kindergarten up to senior high school. There will be 20-35 students in one class and there are two main classes, one in morning and one in afternoon, for a total of up to 70 students a day. The afternoon class is usually a similar level to the morning class so lesson plans can be repeated. There may also be private tutoring sessions with smaller groups, and older individuals. You can also request to teach in the same school with your friends. The focus of the class curriculum is conversational English and foreign culture, supplemented by many educational games. Teacher’s assistants may also be available to assist the English teacher with translations and class management when necessary.

Living arrangement:
Teachers will stay in furnished rooms with the minimum of an air conditioner, attached bathroom, bed, desk, chairs and electric outlets. For most locations teachers need to share their room with another American teacher. If you wish for a single room this can be arranged by an additional fee. Each site will have a teacher host that will stay with the teachers during the entire teaching period to take care of their personal needs and organize entertaining group activities. We will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together either at a special room designated for us in our hotel or in the school cafeteria. Usually meals are not covered on weekends. The type of food will depend on which region, but generally food may consist of such dishes as beef braised in soy sauce, spinach sautéed in butter and garlic, sweet and sour fish, eggplant with pork strips etc….
Laundry can be taken to local laundromats or in some cases be provided by the school. Local school staff will also be available if you have any questions or concerns during your stay.

Touring:
For those choosing the Summer Program, local touring of a cultural or historical site in the area surrounding the school will be provided. Those that choose the Summer Program with the touring option will have the opportunity to visit Beijing or Shanghai for an additional three days and two nights. For those touring Shanghai, you will spend a few days seeing such places as the Bund, the Shanghai Museum, the Pearl Tower, Yu Garden, and Xintiandi. For those touring Beijing, your visit will include such sights as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and more. During our touring period we will also stay in quality hotels and have a tour guide with us for the duration of our experience, explaining the history and meaning of the various locations and helping us with our local needs. We will also have the chance to sample famous dishes from specialty restaurants everyday. Most of the touring will take place at the end of the teaching pro gram.

Schedule:
Before departure, an orientation will be held in Philadelphia that covers all the basics of Chinese culture, appropriate behavior, and teaching methods. This will also give participants the chance to meet fellow teachers before departure. For those outside the Philadelphia area, an orientation packet will be mailed with the same materials distributed during the orientation. You will travel to China in early July and teach a day or two after your arrival. The teaching program runs from early July till mid to late August. Each school has a slightly different schedule resulting in different starting and finishing dates. Your schedule is determined by which length of program you decide on. Whether you choose the 4 or 6 week teaching program will also determine your schedule. During the program you will be expected to teach 5 to 6 hours a day, for 5 to 6 days a week. The classroom teaching will consist of roughly two and a half hours in the morning, followed by two and a half in the afternoon. Most classes are in 45 minute periods with breaks in between. See the schedule section for a better idea of how all the dates and times look.
Your return ticket can also be extended for up to six months if you wish to travel independently after the program with no additional cost. This has been a popular option with a lot of our teachers who wish to spend more time exploring China independently. However, this request must be made before AmeriIBG purchases the airline ticket. All departures and arrivals cities must also remain the same. If you would like to stay in China longer after completing the program you will responsible for your own accommodations, travel, visa arrangements and travel to the airport.

Requirement:
We are currently looking for upwards of 50 teachers for the Summer Program. We cannot accept applicants under 18 years of age, those unable to teach, or those with expired passports. Persons with a teaching degree, college degree, or experience teaching abroad are preferred, though any candidates with a passion for teaching will be considered.