Overview

The Program

A group of 16-20 high school and middle schools students eagerly awaits your arrival in China, Vietnam or Mongolia. They will start off as your students and end up as your friends!

You will find the teaching of conversational English both challenging and rewarding. The curriculum will provide the general structure for your classes, which meet every weekday morning for three hours. Your afternoons will be filled with an array of activities outside of class: from field trips to sports, skits and presentations. You will be encouraged as you observe the progress in your students’ English speaking abilities through these fun activities.  School officials are very proud to have you on their campus and will treat you like an honored guest. You will find your typical schedule altered frequently as the officials surprise you with field trips, banquets and random unplanned events on and off campus.

Teaching experience is not a requirement to participate on in this exciting program. What you need most is a heart to serve, and everything else will come naturally.

Comparing the Camp & Engage Programs

The Camp and Engage Programs are very similar until near the end of service.  Those who serve in the Camp China or Camp Vietnam programs will train with the Engage Program teams in Hong Kong.  Those serving with Camp Mongolia will have their training in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. The format of the Camp & Engage programs, the students taught and the curriculum are the same.  There are really two key differences between the programs:

  1. Those who serve in the Camp Program have the option of teaching in China, Vietnam or Mongolia.  Those who serve in the Engage Program teach in Hong Kong.
  2. The Engage Program is one week longer than the Camp Program.  This last week of the Engage Program allows for a memorable trip to one of five countries of ELIC service: China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia.  During this week the Engage participants will see some amazing sights, experience an additional culture, and in many cases have a chance to meet the longer-term University Teaching Program teachers serving with ELIC, hearing their vision and passion for the people of their country of service. Many Engage participants testify that this was the single-most impactful experience of their lives.

Requirements

  • Committed Christian
  • College Student or Graduating Senior
  • Native-like English Fluency
  • An Aptitude for Teaching
  • Good Physical Health
  • Committed to Serving on a Team

Typical Day of English Camp

  • Mornings – Interactive classroom-style English teaching
  • Afternoons – Sports, educational games, and North American cultural presentations. Your students will experience a North American wedding, will become familiar with our major holidays, will hear about your family traditions, and more. They will see how North Americans interact in everyday situations.
  • Evenings – Team time, lesson planning and preparation for various activities the following day.

You’ll Serve on a Great Team!

The key to a memorable and rewarding summer is to be on a great team.  We put a lot of thought into each team configuration.  We are confident that the bond you will build with each of your teammates will bless you beyond words. Although each person comes from a different background and brings different gifts, the central purpose of the trip will provide a unifying platform for your team to stand upon.

Our program staff will assign a trained and experienced team leader for your team. They will also strategically place you on a team where your specific talents can be best put to use. We encourage you to raise a team from your school and friends! Talk to our staff about the benefits of mobilizing a team from your campus. The friendships developed with your teammates and team leader will provide you with strong personal support during your summer experience and beyond.

Why English?

As a North American college student, your ability to speak English is a valuable skill to the middle and high school students of China, Vietnam and Mongolia.  They are so motivated to know you and your language!  While they all will speak at least basic English, for many this will be the first opportunity they have ever had to personally speak and interact with someone from North America.  They want to know who you are, about your family, and what things you are passionate about. Their passion is to learn English and be your friend.

The Curriculum

Before your time teaching at a conversational English camp, you will be trained in an engaging curriculum designed by our experienced teachers. You do not need to have had previous teaching experience or be an education major to be successful in a classroom this summer!

The curriculum focuses on speaking and listening practice for the students that you’ll be teaching. ELIC provides you with an instructor’s manual that unlocks the curriculum, and we’ll give you the the training you’ll need to know how to use it. In addition, each day has enough materials, activities, games, and breaks planned to cover the amount of time you’ll spend with your students. There are also special days planned that allow you and the students to expand upon what you’ve been learning and review the information you’ve studied together in meaningful ways.

“Camp China was a roller coaster that threw me in many directions, but has challenged me to ride a steeper slope.

- Rachel Luther, Camp alum

“Camp China was one of the most challenging, but also life-changing and rewarding, experiences of my life, where I developed relationships with my team and my students that changed me forever.

- Rebecca Schelhaas, Camp alum