This is a cultural exchange program with two weeks of English camps that combine oral English teaching in Chinese schools with Britain-China cultural immersion.

Programme focus: Oral English teaching & cultural exchange
Programme location: Various schools in Hunan, China
Programme Goal: To improve Chinese students’ spoken English through interactive and practical lessons while immersing participants in Chinese culture and providing cross-cultural experiences.

Teaching Responsibilities:

- Participants will teach oral English to Chinese students, focusing on improving fluency, pronunciation, and confidence in daily conversations.
- Lesson plans will be self-prepared, but guidance and recommended materials will be available from local schools if needed and further training from Gotoco.
- Teaching hours: 9:00-17:00, usually with a 2-hour break for lunch. There may be meetings with TAs or other staff from 17:00-17:30.

Our schools are based in various cities in Hunan province in south China, with beautiful scenery and spicy food! We are excited to introduce you to Hunan and Chinese culture, and to give you an opportunity to gain teaching experience. For English camp programmes, you need to be ready to adapt and throw yourself into this adventure, and to work with us with a solution-based mindset.

Lonely planet describes Hunan as below:

"As the birthplace of Mao Zedong, Communist Party cadres might wax lyrical about the sacred standing of Hunan (湖南; Húnán) in the annals of Chinese history, but it's the province's dramatic scenery that is the real draw. A magnificent landscape of isolated mountain ranges and jagged peaks envelops more than 80% of the province. The most astonishing example is found at the phantasmagorical Zhangjiajie, one of China's most surreal national parks. Here, as in other parts of the province, geological marvels thrust up majestically from green vales fed by tributaries in the fertile Yangzi River basin."

China Hunan CEAIE Summer English Camps 2026

Elena Li

The Chinese Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) in Hunan province are organising this programme to give Chinese students the chance to practise their English and learn about the UK, while also giving Gotoco'ers the chance to learn about China and gain teaching experience. The core focus of this programme is cultural exchange and creating a fun English camp experience.

For students in China:

Through daily interactions, they will

1. Engage in Practical English: They will see English as a communication tool, not just an academic subject, and will feel more confident using it in real-life conversations.

2. Expand Cultural Horizons: Exposure to British culture will help students broaden their understanding of the world, encouraging them to see English as a way to connect globally.

3. Be Inspired: This immersive experience will inspire students to continue learning and exploring beyond their textbooks, making language learning more meaningful.

Gotoco'er Benefits:

1. Teaching Experience: Gain hands-on experience teaching oral English in a Chinese school. This experience will enhance your CV and give you insight into teaching as a career.

2. Cultural Exploration: Enjoy guided sightseeing, explore local traditions, history, and landscapes.

3. Professional Development: You will develop your all-round professional and personal skills, and can request references for future job applications.

The schools taking part in this English Camp programme are all located in Hunan province, including in Changsha, Shengde, and Qiyang cities. Most of them are located in cities or smaller local county towns, but they are all convenient and busy.

All participants will first join a short orientation in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, before going to the English camps in separate groups.

The programme will give you a chance to get to grips with what the 'real China' is like and to immerse yourself in local culture.

After the camps, you will visit Gotoco's base in Yangshuo in Guangxi in south China for your end-of-programme trip. This 5-night trip is already included in the dates of your programme offer.

We will welcome a large number of students onto our camps.

They range from elementary school up to high school, so from 8 to 18 years old.

Each Gotoco participant will usually lead a group or class of around 30-40 students at a time, but it can be smaller or bigger.

They live nearby the school in the city or town where the camp is. They join because they want to improve their English through face-to-face interaction with the teachers. It's not common in their daily teaching because they spend a lot of time on reading, writing and tests.

Students will have different levels in different classrooms.

For the summer camps in July about 40 participants will be together for orientation and the end-of-programme trip, but will split into smaller groups across multiple camps.

There will be a teaching assistant in each classroom.

Most of the support pre-departure will come from Gotoco, including pre-departure support and some more details about the camps.

There will be teacher training as well as orientation about cultural differences, foreign-related laws, and regulations.

This is a short programme with just 12 days at the camps. After the orientation, participants will have 6 days of camp, 1 day off to travel to the next camp, and then 5 more days of camp, followed by the 5-day end-of-programme trip to relax and explore after the camps.

Camps generally from 9am to 5pm, although you will spend some time lesson planning in the evening.

We’ll share a timetable for reference during orientation, with exact details being confirmed before each week of camp begins.

Elena Li, along with the Gotoco team, will be the main points of contact during orientation. Each camp will have a specific point of contact given upon arrival at the camp.

Classes will focus on the development of English oral skills, with lots of fun activities and classes focused on cultural exchange.

Participants will stay in twin-bed hotel rooms.

During orientations or on any organised trips, Gotoco'ers may stay in hostel dorms or hotels.

There will be wifi in the accommodation for participants to use.

The hotels will be located either within walking distance of the schools or with arranged transportation for the participants.

Usually, 2-3 participants will share a room.

We will provide three meals per day. Typically meals are provided at the school cafeteria during the school days, with breakfast at the hotel.

We will endeavour to provide good meals for vegetarians. Please let us know any dietary requirements in advance.

Please make us aware prior to meals about any of your needs regarding allergies or special dietary requirements. We will endeavour to be helpful.

Yes, you can buy food but you usually won't be able to cook at the accommodation. However, you'll be able to go to restaurants, shops or to order takeaway as needed.

We will provide local sightseeing during orientation.

We will pick participants up from Changsha airport or train station. Please don't book flights until Gotoco sends you further information.

Transport from the placement to the end-of-programme trip will be arranged.