FAQs

1. Is it safe?
2. Do I get paid?
3. Do I need to have teaching experience?
4. Do I need to speak the language?
5. Will I be given teaching materials to work from?
6. What's covered in the program cost?
7. Do I need to get shots?
8. What if I get sick or hurt?
9. What if there's an emergency at home?
10. Where will I stay?
11. What is the food like?
12. What is the weather like?
13. Can I sign up to go with a friend?
14. How much luggage can I take with me?
15. When will I know if I'm accepted?
16. What does ELIC do to help me prepare to go?

1. Is it safe?

ELIC has been sending teachers to Asia for over 20 years without any major incidents. Participants need to be careful with their belongings, as people do everywhere, but the Chinese people are warm and welcoming, and the host schools in Asia will do everything in their power to keep you safe from harm.

2. Do I get paid?

ELIC teachers serve as volunteers overseas, and raise the financial support needed to cover the costs.

3. Do I need to have teaching experience?

Some kind of teaching experience is helpful, whether from volunteer teaching, or on-the-job training of co-workers. It is not required to be a professional teacher. ELIC provides excellent training to equip you to do an excellent job in your classroom.

4. Do I need to speak the language?

You don't. Your students in China will be English teachers, and while they may not be comfortable with the spoken language, they do know it! Your job will be helping them be more comfortable using the English they already know.

5. Will I be given teaching materials to work from?

ELIC provides an excellent curriculum from which to teach. In China, the morning classes follow an excellent textbook written specifically for this program. The afternoon lectures and activities follow outlines that allow for some creativity while giving sound structure to the program.

6. What's covered in the program cost?

Everything you need from the time you reach California until you return from Asia. Your domestic transportation to our training site in Southern California is your own responsibility. Once you arrive at training, we will see that your needs are taken care of. Room and board during training and while overseas, travel arrangements, curriculum materials, medical insurance, visas and in-transit costs such as meals and airport taxes are all covered.

7. Do I need to get shots?

No immunizations are required, either by China, Canada or the United States. You might want to discuss with your doctor the wisdom of some basic precautions such as tetanus and hepatitis.

8. What if I get sick or hurt?

Your Chinese host school will provide the best medical care available, whether at their own clinic or a local hospital. ELIC provides medical insurance to cover the cost of care beyond what the school is able to provide. In the event that your situation requires it, ELIC will make arrangements to obtain the necessary medical care.

9. What if there's an emergency at home?

It is ELIC's expectation that everyone who commits to the summer program will complete it. However, ELIC recognizes that a death in the family or a life-threatening emergency may make it necessary for you to leave early. In such cases, we will help make arrangements to get you home.

10. Where will I stay?

In China, each school provides housing for its team. This is usually in a foreign guest house on campus, but may be in a nearby hotel. Housing is usually two to a room, and you should have a private western-style toilet.

11. What is the food like?

You can expect to eat excellent Chinese food all summer. The schools have learned what their North American teachers like, and tend to outdo themselves in providing banquets for nearly every meal.

12. What is the weather like?

In China, you can count on it being hot and humid. The temperatures range from a daytime average of 90 degrees Fahrenheit for some places in the north, to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the south.

13. Can I sign up to go with a friend?

ELIC is delighted to see friends who want to go together and has sent mothers with sons or daughters, fathers and sons, sisters, and married couples together. Your requests for groups of more than three who want to go to the same city in China will be considered by the ELIC Candidate Mobilizers.

14. How much luggage can I take with me?

Each year the luggage allowance changes. It falls between 50 and 65 lbs please contact us for the exact weight. You should limit it to what you can carry without help. You may also take a carry-on piece that can be no larger than standard airline size requirements.

15. When will I know if I'm accepted?

Once we receive your completed application with all the references and transcripts, we will schedule to conduct a telephone interview with you as soon as possible. This generally occurs within a week after receiving your completed application. When the telephone interview is complete, ELIC's Summer Teaching Programs will reach a decision regarding your acceptance and communicate that to you within a week in most cases. Occasionally we will need to ask for some clarification or additional information before reaching a decision.

16. What does ELIC do to help me prepare to go?

It is ELIC's desire that you have a successful summer, and ELIC recognizes that preparation is key to your success. Once you commit to going, ELIC will help you with your support raising efforts by providing you with support raising suggestions and tools. You will be given brochures that introduce your supporters to ELIC and envelopes that your supporters can use to send in contributions. ELIC will also provide materials to acquaint you with Chinese culture, teaching English as a second language, and a reading list of books you can obtain for additional information on these same topics. You will be provided information on what to pack, how to prepare and what to expect when you get to your destination. ELIC has negotiated with the Asian schools to provide you with adequate accommodations and even some sight-seeing opportunities. Additionally, ELIC will purchase your international tickets and acquire your visa's. The week of training that occurs in California prior to your departure for Asia will acquaint you with all aspects of the summer program and will fully prepare you to step into your classroom when you arrive there. Working together with your team, you will have everything you'll need to provide a truly excellent learning experience for your students. ELIC is here on-line or by phone at 888-941-3542 to answer your questions as you work through the process of applying, committing, and preparing to go.