Rural Teaching in Guangxi
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Embark on an immersive cultural experience in a remote Chinese village. This distinctive opportunity offers deep cultural engagement and significant contributions to local education, away from typical tourist routes.
Project details
Want to teach in rural China? International Volunteer HQ’s Rural Teaching project empowers volunteers to assist in schools to help with the growing demand for language education. The role of volunteers provides students with opportunities to improve their English language skills.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
China faces a rising need for English instruction and a shortage of educators. The Rural Teaching project in Guangxi offers volunteers the chance to support local teachers and improve students’ English skills. By contributing, volunteers help advance students’ education, ultimately leading to better career prospects.
Volunteers will collaborate with students aged 6 to 18, assisting with various tasks:
- Teaching foundational English
- Fostering creativity through arts and crafts
- Engaging students with songs
- Facilitating educational games
- Developing lesson plans
Key Holiday Periods:
- January to February: Winter Holidays
- July to August: Summer Holidays
During Winter/Summer Holidays, volunteers may assist with Winter/Summer camps instead of regular school assignments. These camps provide a variety of enjoyable and stimulating activities for students aged 8-15.
Why do Rural Teaching volunteering in Guangxi with IVHQ?
While volunteering on the Rural Teaching project in China you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping improve access to education
- Relieve pressure on local teachers
- Enabling students to learn from a fluent English speaker
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching experience
- Immersing yourself fully in Chinese culture
- Discovering the sights of rural China
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program, provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documents to the local team.
Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their start date, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead, and will be required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documents to the local team.
Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
China photo gallery
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditRecommended online TEFL course
Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified onlineLocation
Location
Guangxi is a region in Southern China that borders Vietnam. Known for its lush river valleys and mountains, Guangxi offers a pleasant atmosphere throughout the year. You will find a mix of ethnicities and a vibrant culture full of festivals, music and handicrafts.
Volunteers are placed and accommodated in a small village in Guangxi, which is approximately 15 minutes drive away from LianHua Town - the closest town in Guangxi.
Arrival and orientation
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL). You will need to arrive between 1pm to 8pm on Sunday and an airport pick-up between these times is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the Local Team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Guangxi (approx. 2 hours drive). Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our local team in China. There are two options for the orientation of the China program:
1-day Orientation:
Orientation is hosted by the China team which will allow you to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and the local culture. Orientation is held on the Monday morning, so you will begin volunteering on Monday afternoon. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in China – an introduction to China, culture and customs, rules and expectations, health and safety guidelines, a local area tour, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
5-day Culture Week:
The Culture Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an excellent way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience, and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in China.
Plus, you’ll learn more about the culture and tick off some must-do experiences, including visits to local villages, temples, bamboo rafting, Dumpling making and more!
If you wish to join the Culture Week, you can add this to your itinerary via the ‘add on and tours’ section of your pre-departure checklist once you have submitted your application.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the placement you will be working with.
Weekdays - A typical day would be as follows:
| 7:30 - 8:30 AM | Breakfast at accommodation |
| 8:30 - 10:00 AM | Program meeting & course drills |
| 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Visit the village and get familiar with the surroundings, schools, etc. |
| 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Lesson preparation |
| 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Teaching |
| 6:30 PM onwards | Dinner + prepare lessons |
Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.
Weekends
You will have your weekends to spend as you please! This is a great time to explore further by booking sightseeing tours, getting involved in traditional cooking classes, kayaking, biking through rice paddies, or Weizhou Island, which is known for volcanoes and coral reefs. Your weekends will be a great time to get a cross-cultural understanding.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers will be accommodated in a volunteer house about 20 kilometers away from Gongcheng (the largest nearby town). In the village there are limited facilities, but you will find ATM’s and larger stores about a 30 minute bus ride away.
In the volunteer house you can expect to share a room with up to 4-6 other volunteers of the same gender. There is a communal area for volunteers to relax outside of their room.
The volunteer house has hot showers and western-style shared bathrooms, while the rooms are bunk-bed rooms that are air-conditioned and have bedding included. WiFi is available, but it can be limited due to the disruption of the signal. You will have easy access to laundry facilities.
Private room upgrades may be available for an additional cost and are subject to availability. Once registered, you will be able to add these to your file via the ‘Book add-ons, academic credit, and upgrades’ section of your Pre-departure Checklist / Once registered, you will be able to discuss availability with the Local Team.
Meals
During your volunteer placement in Guangxi, you will experience typical Chinese cuisine, with rice and noodles being staples.
Meals are provided for volunteers throughout the program. On weekdays, expect breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Weekends feature brunch and dinner.
Breakfast options may include soybean milk, dumplings, noodles, steamed stuffed buns, porridge, and fried rice. Lunch and dinner could consist of stir-fried dishes with pork, chicken, duck, vegetables, or tofu.
Coffee, Chinese tea, and filtered drinking water will be accessible. Please note that tap water is unsafe to drink. Bottled water is easily obtainable in China.
Inform the Local Team of any special dietary needs, and they will try their best to accommodate you. However, flexibility is crucial, and you should be prepared for a different dining experience than you’re accustomed to at home.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately AU$523) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
|
Duration
|
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $420 Equivalent to $60/day |
| 2 weeks | $670 Equivalent to $48/day |
| 3 weeks | $920 Equivalent to $44/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,170 Equivalent to $42/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,420 Equivalent to $41/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,670 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,170 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,670 Equivalent to $38/day |
| 12 weeks | $3,170 Equivalent to $38/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$523) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Meals
- Airport pickup
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Guangxi
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Guangxi program.
Learn more about Chinese Culture and tick off some must-do experience!
Want your own room during your volunteer experience in Guangxi? Book a private room upgrade for your duration on the program.
Want your own room during your volunteer experience in Huidong? Book a private room upgrade for your duration on the program.
Check what's required to visit China
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Beijing |
| Population | 1.4 billion |
| Languages | Standard Mandarin |
| Currency | Chinese Yuan (CNY) |
| Time zone | GMT+8 |
Weather and climate
The climate of China is extremely diverse; subtropical in the south to subarctic in the north. Xi’an has a continental temperate climate with four distinct seasons; dry winters, a warm but variable spring, hot, wet summers and cool and rainy autumn. The warm season lasts from May to August with an average daily high temperature above 26°C (78.8°F) and monsoon rains are heavy and frequent. The cold season lasts from December to February with an average daily high temperature below 9°C (48.2°F). The coldest time of the year is mid-January, with an average low of -7°C (-19.4°F) and high of 3°C (37.4°F).
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