Community Partner since 1996.
This post is actually a mix between two series. It’s part of our series on Myths and Legends but also part of our series on Christmas traditions worldwide, as it takes place during the holiday season in China, although most people there don’t celebrate Christmas. This is the Chinese legend of Winter Solstice. Today is Dongzhi, or Winter […]
This is the eighth part to our series on Myths and Legends. Again in China, this is the legend of the invention of Chopsticks. For westerners visiting China, one of the things one must learn in order to survive is to manage the use of chopsticks- a pair of small and thin sticks of the same […]
This is the seventh part to our series on Myths and Legends. Now in China, this the legend behind the Great Wall. What’s the first thing that pops out in your mind when you think about China? Exactly. We all think of Meng Jiangnü. Or perhaps not, but the Great Wall is one of the […]
Journal entry by Barbara, a volunteer serving in China. I am always proud to say I have been to Xi’an three times, returning after my first trip in 2007 when I chaperoned a high school trip. Upon retiring from my teaching career, I wanted to “give back to life, ” to “pay it forward” for […]
Working together, we change the world. Nowhere else can you be more effective! Teach English to Chinese students, and help Chinese English teachers improve their skills. Contribute to the common good that secures world peace. Doubt it? Consider this: We know direct people-to-people initiatives bring lasting change. Governments and businesses can’t do that. But you can. Powerful […]
“Returning to the Land of Their Birth” Fran and Tom Gualtieri are committed to exposing their three daughters – Nora, Geni and Dia – to all aspects of the country of their birth. In 2012, and again in 2013, the family volunteered together in Kunming, China to teach conversational skills to Chinese English teachers. They […]
Marilyn has served in three different service programs. Here she speaks about the experience of teaching English in three countries. The eyes are equally expectant, although the faces are different. Silent, shy, and incredibly polite college freshman in Xian, China; raucous, rambunctious and never quiet high school seniors in Ostuni, Italy; and respectful, mature adults […]
Team Journal for Friday November 20, 2015 Message of the day: The desire to succeed means nothing without the will to prepare – Author unknown We continue to have a good time with our teachers. Today, my class reviewed some menus from Denny’s. I had not really thought about it, but, for a Chinese person, […]
Team Journal for Thursday November 19, 2015 Message of the day: “Flowers only bloom when they are ready. People are the same way. You cannot rush or force they open just because you think it’s time. Be patient.” – Timber Hawkeye Everyday it seems to get easier to work with our students as we get […]
In my class today, I received some helpful advice for teaching in China. I had asked for feedback from our team leader on how to improve our English instructions. She kindly told me that I had to speak slowly. So, this would be my theme for the day: Slow down, give students time to process […]