China Reflection

Experience China’s North and South inside and outside of the classroom

Option 1: Teaching on the Road in Culturally Rich Shanxi - Xi’an and Tongchuan

Option 2: Teaching on the Road in Revolutionary Jiangxi - Nanchang and Yichun

The Greek playwright, Euripides, once wrote, “Experience, travel - these are education in themselves.” With our “teaching on the road” program we combine experience, travel, and education together for a teaching and learning adventure. In accordance with China Reflection’s low impact mission of ecotourism, we aim to provide unique opportunities for visitors that can also give back to the communities they visit at the same time. With our “teaching on the road” program, we give visitors the chance to feel as if they are part of the communities they visit by letting them get a taste of classroom life in a variety of schools in the northern and southern provinces of Shanxi and Jiangxi, respectively.

If you truly want to travel in China without feeling like just another tourist, “teaching on the road” is an excellent fit for you. We will visit a variety of schools (elementary, junior, high, college) in both larger and smaller cities. As teaching is the best way to learn, in each school we visit, we will give our visitors time to stand in front of a classroom and talk with the students. If you have never taught before, don’t worry. Mostly you will be introducing yourselves, your country, your hometown, and your interests. You will be warmly welcomed in each school and town, and you’ll find that both students and teachers alike have many questions about you and your cultural background.

Besides visiting classrooms and schools, we will also visit historic, cultural, and scenic spots in Shanxi and Jiangxi. Additionally, we provide our guests with the opportunity to stay in locals’ homes as we travel. Sometimes these host families may have children who attend the very same schools that you will be visiting. This opportunity for homestaying while on the road reinforces the fact that education takes place both in and outside of the classroom. We hope that if you have an interest in learning and traveling that you will choose China Reflection’s “teaching on the road program.”

Below we will emphasize why this travel option is unique from others:

1. Visitors have a chance to get an inside look at classrooms in China, from a teacher’s standpoint.

2. Visitors can give back to the communities they visit by giving students a chance to practice English with foreigners. Proficiency in the English language is of the utmost importance in China, and many students never have the opportunity to practice with foreigners.

3. Visitors have the chance to stay with host families during their visit, getting a peek of what home life is like in China. Also, staying with host families is a good way for cultural interaction, as well as a good way to provide some low impact economic support for local families.

4. While many tours focus on visiting places and keep the groups away from the people, teaching on the road’s goal is to have foreigners meeting and talking face-to-face with everyday Chinese in a variety of settings.

5. In addition to getting to see classrooms, homes, and scenic spots, “teaching on the road” will also make a factory visit in the local area, giving visitors a chance to learn more about the economy in the areas.

6. This way of traveling is extremely lively and fun, especially for those of you with energetic and outgoing personalities. For those of you with outgoing personalities, this trip is definitely for you, as you can bask in the spotlight. If you are the silent and shy type, this trip will help you exercise your public speaking skills for certain.

We realize that “teaching on the road” is a very special program, different from those that other agencies have to offer. Should you have any questions about this program, feel free to contact us.