Location
  • China
    • Guilin
    • Hangzhou
    • Beijing
    • Chengdu
    • Shanghai
    • Chongqing
    • Guangzhou
    • Hainan
    • Harbin
    • Kunming
    • Jinan
    • Nanjing
    • Qingdao
    • Shenyang
    • Shenzhen
    • Shijiazhuang
    • Tianjin
    • Xian
    • Zhengzhou
Training Type
Classroom

Program Details

Teaching Practicum
Yes
Job Placement
No
Certifications
TEFL

Pricing

Starting Price
$0 USD
Price Details
This programme is free and funded. Meals, accommodation, TEFL certification, visa support and a 5-day holiday in Yangshuo at the end are all covered by our programme.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation Visa Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare
Dec 29, 2020
Sep 05, 2020

About Program

Interested in travelling abroad this summer? We provide an immersive experience in China, with teaching experience, cultural exchange and travel opportunities that cannot be rivalled. Our projects allow you to flourish and explore, while contributing to our mission to make a positive social impact. Our work has been recognised through the 2019 China Social Impact awards, an award granted through the United Nations and British Chamber of Commerce in China.

What you get:
- Free placement service and access to support network
- Funded TEFL training and certification
- Free 5-day holiday to Yangshuo
- Free accommodation and meals during your project
- Free visa and flight assistance

- Check out our Instagram @gotocochina for highlights, key info, and competitions

Gotoco is a social enterprise focused on boosting cultural exchange and international adventure between China and the West. Gotoco works with over 100 programmes in 70 urban and rural locations across China. Join us!

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Free/funded (*no fees for participation!)
  • TEFL Certification included
  • Travel around China (dual location projects—all culminating in a stay at our mountain base in Yangshuo).
  • Free 5-day holiday in Yangshuo
  • Free accommodation and meals during your project

Program Reviews

9.09 Rating
based on 247 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 71.26%
  • 7-8 rating 28.74%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Benefits 8.7
  • Support 8.6
  • Fun 9.2
  • Facilities 8.5
  • Safety 9.2
  • Instruction 8.3
  • Support 8.2
  • Value 8.9
  • Academic Rigor 7.7
  • Job Assistance 8.3
Showing 1 - 8 of 247 reviews
Default avatar
Emily
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing opportunity

The fact that the program is so affordable is mind-blowing considering what a great time I had. I got to meet so many lovely people that further introduced me to Chinese culture. It built my confidence and developed my leadership skills which will benefit employability in the future. One of the main highlights would be watching the children develop their English skills and see how their confidence as they were able to express themselves more. Finally, the application process was mainly straightforward but I did receive my placement quite late and so I had limited time to get my visa.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be prepared to work hard as a teacher but ultimately it pays off as the kids really respond to effort. Additionally, make the most of every moment.
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ashlyn
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Gotoco in Shangqiu

I had an amazing experience with Gotoco teaching in Shanqiu all summer 2019. The students were so happy and willing to learn, and I made so many great friends through the program and locally in China. My favorite part was our “camping” field trip with the students where we hiked, rafted in the river, and learned lots of history of the monks in the mountains. I would definitely recommend teaching with Gotoco! I also loved coming up with lesson plans at the local coffee shops and made friends there that gave me some inspiration for lesson plans. My favorite lesson was having a tea party and reading/ acting out Alice in Wonderland with my 8 year old class!

What would you improve about this program?
More clear communication with the programs and Gotoco and the teachers. Our program (not Gotoco) was a little all over the place and it made it difficult sometimes.
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lydia
8/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer with Gotoco

Going to Hangzhou for a month was an incredible experience where I discovered a completely new culture, made many new friends and came to understand the challenges of teaching English. Although I would highly recommend this program for those in the process of learning Chinese as it could be very difficult to communicate, this did not stop me from having a great time. Days were spent teaching English and participating in activities with children, as well as getting to know the fellow staff. Would highly recommend!

What would you improve about this program?
I wish there had been an easier way to communicate with the staff, as they spoke very little English and I unfortunately do not speak Chinese. This is why I would recommend the program to those learning the language.
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jack
8/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Great way to spend your summer!

Amazing opportunity to explore China and experience a brand new culture and meet new people. Also a great way to experience what teaching might be like as a career. Overall was a really rewarding and worthwhile way to spend the summer.
I was teaching at Yangzhou Global IELTS and had accomodation at a nearby hotel and received a food stipend. The staff were really friendly and helpful. There were other interns on the programme which was nice as it meant we had people to travel and explore Yangzhou with.

9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lena
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing summer in China

The best was to get a view of China that I would not have gotten as a tourist. It was great to interact with the children in class and to benefit from it as a way to learn about Chinese culture while they could learn about European culture. Another great aspect is the diversity of people I met and became friends with during my trip to China. In the summer camp helpers came from all around the world and I had the chance to meet people from many countries I have never been to. It was great to see and experience teamwork with those like minded people as we all shared the passion for exploring and working with children. There have been some organisational issues sometimes but the Gotoco team was always available to answer questions and help out with these issues so that they were solved quickly.

10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elspeth
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Best summer ever

I went to Shanghai and then Yangshuo (on a second placement) with Gotoco from August-September last summer. There are so many opportunities through Gotoco to work with varying companies depending on what you are best suited to, the dates you are available, and where you are most excited to travel to. I was able to get a travel scholarship from my university to help fund the cost of flights so the trip ended up being very affordable for a two month trip and a free TEFL qualification - this option is offered by most universities.

10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alice
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience; I recommend!

It was a very self-fulfilling experience, and a pleasure to meet people from all over the world.

It was a unique experience. I have learned a lot about the Chinese mindset and China in general. Although one month is not enough to fully understand the Chinese mindset, this experience provided me with valuable insight.

Moreover, this experience can benefit any CV!

Regarding the overall process, there is good assistance for visas and other administrative concerns. The team is really helpful and replies emails very quickly. Despite their workload, they were always available to answer questions and give some additional information.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
What was the most surprising? Definitely the Chinese mindset! It was a cultural chock.
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Dominika
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent trip

I would definietely recommend going to China with Gotoco. They offered me economic course in Wuhan, that lasted 2 weeks, internship in Beijing and free hostel in Yangshuo. Thanks to those two experiences I could visit China in completly different way. I have met so many locals, that I could speak to about their regular life. It may seem not that intresting, but I didn't have any idea how our lifes in Europe are different. And that is only one thing that made this trip so special. I can say for sure, that if you want to not only visit China, but feel it - choose Gotoco!

What would you improve about this program?
Communication between supervisors and interns. There were some problems during my stay in China and it was hard to reach someone to solve the problem.
11 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers