|
Summer Program Questions:
Q: What is a typical day of teaching like?
A: Classes are generally held from 8 am to 4 pm. The volunteer teachers usually arrive a few minutes early to prepare and stay a few minutes late to answer any questions from the students. Lunch will be provided and held every weekday at the school. The teaching day is split into two parts – morning classes will focus on classroom textbook work and afternoon classes will usually be activity-based.
Q: What about teaching materials and lesson plans?
A: ISCE will provide teachers with teaching materials such as textbooks and lists of English games and activities. Volunteer teachers will be required to attend a teaching training session at the beginning of the program to help them plan out lessons and activities for their students. Lesson plans will vary according to the students’ English level. For example, if your students speak English at a beginner’s level, then the class will focus more on vocabulary and basic sentence structure. If your students speak English at an advanced level, then the class will focus on reading poems, passages from renowned books, or short stories. For the afternoon sessions, many teachers in the past have introduced certain aspects of American culture to their students. Teachers have taught their students popular American songs, shown popular American movies, or taught them American games. If participants should have any questions or concerns regarding their lesson plans, they will be able to resolve those issues with the onsite ISCE staff member.
Q: How old will the students be?
A: Students’ ages vary from 8 to 17 years old. Most students will fall in the 11 to 15 years old range.
Q: Will the students I will be teaching speak any English at all?
A: All students will have had at least one year of English instruction, so teachers should at least be able to engage in basic communication with them.
Q: Do I need to know how to speak Chinese?
A: No, volunteer teachers do not need to know how to speak Chinese. In fact, while on school premises, volunteer teachers are only allowed to speak English. Teachers may only address their students in English, and teachers that are caught not teaching in English will be asked to leave the program.
In terms of getting around in Taiwan and China, it is not absolutely necessary to be able to speak Chinese. Especially in cities, many people are able to understand and speak basic English. Also, keep in mind that there will be a Chinese and English-speaking ISCE representative accompanying the group of teachers throughout the course of the program.
Q: How many other volunteer teachers will there be?
A: The number of volunteer teachers depends on the demand of the host institutions/schools. Numbers can range from 30 to 50 volunteer teachers each summer. Once the group of volunteer teachers arrives in Taiwan and China, they will be split into smaller groups and go to their respective schools.
Q: What other costs are associated with the program?
A: The program fee covers round-trip airfare from San Francisco to the teaching site, a training/orientation session, medical insurance, housing, three meals a day (five days a week), and a bonus trip to Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai. Costs in addition to the program fee should be minimal. Participants need to pay for their own meals on the weekends and during the bonus trip. As street-food markets are abundant in Taiwan and China, food can be extremely inexpensive. Participants also are responsible for any personal travel expenses.
|
|
