General Info
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This is a very unique experience perfect for anyone who loves Drama, Music or Dance; particularly for those who would like to go into teaching in these areas. Drama, Dance and Music are invaluable tools to train children to be creative, assertive and self-confident. This project will enable you to contribute to the creative training and growth of children in Beijing while living in this exciting capital city! The kids here are imaginative, drama-loving kids and so they are generally dynamic and extremely enthusiastic about their lessons with you!
You will work in a variety of roles to assist the staff around the school, and you must be prepared for a multi-faceted placement. You will spend time teaching Drama, Music and/or Dance depending on your skills – the school will check your CV on acceptance and assign you lessons based on your personal skills. The children are aged 3-8. All volunteers will start as an assistant but you may be able to take on a more leading role as time goes on. This can often depend on the length of your placement and your confidence, dedication and enthusiasm.
This placement also includes administration, reception and marketing work. Again, the allocation of these tasks will depend upon your individual skills. However, the school would like volunteers who are prepared to really become a part of all aspects of the community, including reception duty or working on English marketing materials. You must be prepared to fulfill all these roles on this placement, really become part of the community and engage with all areas of work.
If you throw yourself into this project with enthusiasm and commitment, you will get a LOT back: valuable experience for your CV, a bond with the kids you work with and a fun opportunity to really become part of a professional arts and drama school in China.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into the Orient and Chinese culture.
The opportunity to work with a professional arts and drama school - invaluable experience for those looking to go into teaching in the arts
New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
ABOUT THE DRAMA SCHOOL
The school aims to encourage creativity through the teaching of Drama, Music and Dance. There are 25 staff here in total, including an Art Director and Project Manager.
The school is bilingual and accepts both Chinese and international children, so you will find that the level of English is extremely mixed – from native to non-speakers. As such, lessons are taught in both Mandarin Chinese and English. You will usually work in a mixture of both English and Chinese classes, and if you do not speak Mandarin a translator will be provided for you in Mandarin lessons.
There are around 100 children in total who attend the school, aged between 3-8. Most children come just for a couple of classes a week after school, or for one day at the weekend.
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.
Teaching Projects run all year round, including during the summer holidays. However they will still close for the holidays mentioned above.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
A shared room at the Beijing hostel
You will stay in a modern and friendly, central hostel along with the other volunteers. The hostel features air-conditioning, 24-hour hot water, a self-catering dining room, laundry room, general store, game room and a reading room. Internet is available at an hourly rate. Residents may use the heath center and other entertainment facilities at the next-door 5-star Great Dragon Hotel.
The hostel is located in a lively area, where you will have the chance to meet other backpackers and travellers. There are many shops in the surrounding area if you need to stock up on anything, and the hostel is extremely close to Beijing's famous Sanlitun Lu - or 'Bar Street', where everyone hangs out in the evening for drinks and fun! The Lufthansa Shopping Centre and other tourist hot-spots are within easy walking distance of the hostel
There are 35 rooms in the hostel and you'll share with 3 others of the same sex (you can upgrade to a single room if you prefer, just let us know at time of booking (there will be a supplemental charge for this).
“The hostel is one of the best I have ever stayed in - and I have stayed in a lot! They clean the rooms every day, and change bedding every 3 days (I have never stayed in a hostel that changes bedding!!)” – Jessica Saunders
FOOD:
Past volunteers have regarded eating out as one of the highlights of living in Beijing, and an essential part of Chinese culture! Because of this, the price of your placement does not include food, you’ll get the chance to venture out and sample some of the fabulous food which China is famous for.
The cost of eating out in Beijing can vary from a just a couple of pounds up to a couple of hundred pounds! This is one city where you certainly won’t have any trouble eating well on a tight budget - there are some very inexpensive options available and you'll dine out handsomely on about £4 ($6); although you could be lucky and get away with spending even less and still be eating well.
TRAVEL:
You have the option to arrange your own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Limited, ATOL No. 6856. Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up before leaving for your placement.
You'll fly into Beijing International Airport, where you will be met by a member of Travellers staff.
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get a changeable ticket.
VISAS: We'll send you all the necessary forms and information and make the process very easy for you.
To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme, please click here.
We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!
Benefits:
Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £895 for two weeks.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.
Requirements:
You should have a drama, singing or dance background – your training and qualifications can be reasonably informal, but you must feel confident enough to teach children in one or more of these areas. Marketing or administration skills would also be a great plus. No knowledge of Mandarin is necessary, but a little basic Mandarin will make your placement much more enjoyable. All projects are open to all nationalities.
Unless otherwise stated, you need to be aged between 17 and 70+
