| Chinese Language Immersion Program & Volunteer Opportunities |
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Program Description
We are always looking for passionate individuals to help us in our mission to save the sea turtles in China. We offer a Chinese immersion program for those who are interested in studying Mandarin Chinese and doing volunteer work with sea turtles on Hainan Island, China. Volunteers will be provided with daily Chinese lessons with English-speaking locals, as well as classroom lessons. Volunteers will also be working on community outreach programs with local schools, as well as caring for and monitoring sea turtles in both indoor and outdoor environments. We also organize activities such as hiking, diving, and exploring local villages around the island.
Where is this Located?
Our Chinese immersion program is located in the city of Sanya on Hainan island which is often referred to as the "Hawaii of China". It is the southernmost city of China and a famous international tropical seaside resort. If you like beaches and warm weather, Sanya is the place for you.
Why Learn Chinese with Us?
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Research shows that the best way to quickly and effectively learn a second language is to live, work, and study in the native country. By joining our Chinese immersion program, you will live in China as the locals do, work on sea turtle conservation projects in China, and study Chinese one-on-one with your own certified Chinese teacher.
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All of our teachers are native Chinese speakers who are fluent in English and most have been teaching Chinese as a second language for many years. Through a rigorous application and national certification process, we make sure you are provided with world class teachers.
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School is expensive, time consuming, stressful and inflexible. Books are boring and listening to audio tapes provides a very limited amount of interaction. Because you will actually be in China, you will be able to interact using real-life visual cues, something that makes language acquisition that much easier. By interacting in China, you will listen to what Native Chinese really sounds like, and learn to perfectly pronounce your Chinese.
Read & Write in China
Chinese classroom lessons are tailored and organized for each individual, and are taught Monday through Friday for two hours a day. The focus of our classroom lessons is Chinese reading and writing. Classes are offered in either a one-on-one or group setting.
Speak & Listen in China
After classroom lessons, volunteers are paired up with our certified Chinese teachers who are willing to act as local guides in Sanya, thereby providing one-on-one tutoring of Chinese speaking and listening skills. For example, go shopping at the local market with your Chinese private teacher and learn how to say different market items in Chinese.
Experience Chinese Culture
By studying one-on-one with our native Chinese teachers, you will develop a friendship with them that will give opportunities for Chinese cultural exchange. We take an active role to ensure volunteers feel like part of the local community, both by offering opportunities for social interaction and by organizing outings and Chinese cultural tours in the local area.
Volunteer Activities
Volunteers in our program get hands-on experience working with one of the most ancient and amazing creatures alive today – sea turtles. Since it is our immediate goal to revive populations on and near Hainan, the bulk of activities will be focused on raising sea turtles. Volunteers will share responsibilities such as feeding sea turtles, cleaning nets, monitoring water chemistry, and administering antibiotics when needed. Volunteers will also get the opportunity to work with local children and adults in community-outreach and education programs to build awareness about the importance of sea turtle conservation.
Food & Lodging
We provide a furnished western-style hotel / apartment for you in Sanya city. We will undertake costs associated with utilities and general apartment maintenance (e.g. repairs to the stove, sink, etc.). Additional costs brought about by volunteer's acts of negligence or any fees associated which individual lifestyle will be the responsibility of said volunteer.
Internet will be available at our office so you can keep in touch with your family and friends back at home. If you do not bring your own laptop, you may use the computers in our office to get on the Internet.
Three meals a day are prepared for you by our Chinese chef who cooks traditional Chinese food. There’s nothing like home-cooked Chinese food in China!
Getting to Sanya
We are glad to help organize travel if needed. The best way to get to Sanya is to fly to Hong Kong or Beijing, and then take a domestic flight to Sanya. We will be glad to help you find cheap domestic flights to Sanya from any city in China. A one-way flight to Sanya ranges from $200-$300. Alternatively, you can fly into Haikou city (capital city of Hainan Island), where fares are cheaper and take a bus down to Sanya for only $10.
Visa to China
China requires all travelers to obtain a visa for entry into the People's Republic of China. Visas can be obtained in person at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in your area. If it is not convenient for you to visit the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, travel and visa agencies can help you handle the visa process for a fee. Apply for a tourist visa with maximum stay of one, two, or three months based on the length of time you would like to participate in our program.
Session Dates
We are flexible with session dates anytime of the year since the curriculum is tailored to each individual’s Chinese level. We do, however, request a minimum of a 2-week commitment.
Program Fee
Since we are a registered non-profit, we rely on program fees to fuel our mission to save the sea turtles from extinction. The total program fee will depend on how much time you want to participate in our program; some people prefer 2 weeks, while others prefer 3 months. Our Chinese Language Program fee is $475 USD per week.
The program fee covers the costs of:
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Chinese private lessons (20 hours per week)
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Lodging (all utilities paid for)
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Food (3 meals a day)
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1 organized activity per week such as cultural tours or hiking excursions outside Sanya city, but within Hainan Island.
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Airport pickup transportation from Sanya Phoenix International Airport to your hotel / apartment.
We do not cover the costs of international airfare or visa fees.
How to Register
If you are looking for an amazing overseas adventure, living on a tropical island, learning Chinese, and giving back to the Earth, our chinese language program is for you.
To register, you have the following options:
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Online registration: Click here to Register online now! OR
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Phone registration: Call us toll-free at 1-800-910-5055, ext.2 OR
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Mail-in registration: Download and complete the registration form and mail to:
Sea Turtles 911
758 Kapahulu Ave, Suite 270
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
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