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China. The original Gotoco programme.

We are delighted that you’ve applied to join us in China through the Oxford Summer Internship Programme. 

 

You have passed the first stage of our application process and have a provisional offer to join us in China. Congratulations!

 

On this page, we have a bit more info about the programmes in China so you can start to prepare for your trip. 

 

 China was the home of Gotoco from 2011 until COVID, and, then again since it re-opened in January 2023. We can’t wait to welcome you here and to support you as you start your TEFL adventure. 

 

Next Steps 

 

To continue your application, you need to start by completing the form at the bottom of this page. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and read on for more details.

 

Free&Funded Programmes in China

 

Our placements are uniquely well-funded. All our programmes in China are free-to-access. That includes TEFL training and qualification, mentorship, and a teaching placement with accommodation*, meals**, language and culture introductions included–and a trip at the end to our stunning base in Yangshuo, South China.

 

Flexible Dates for Summer Programmes

 

Summer programmes run for 3–8 weeks between late June and early September with start dates typically falling in late June or early July. To participate, you’ll need to remain flexible with your availability during this period and you can let us know more about your availability on your application form.

 

Placement Confirmation Process

 

Final placements and dates for our China programmes are confirmed 1–2 months before programme start dates, as this is when our partners in China usually confirm their final summer programme dates and teams. This means that you may need to wait until April-June for your final programme dates. 

 

We hope our course will help you to launch a career in this exciting sector, with skills and insights gained transferable to teaching and other career routes in China – or anywhere in the world.

 
 
Along the way, experience a fascinating new culture and language, and gain valuable qualifications and skills.
 
 

* Accommodation varies according to the programme and it will usually be a shared room. 

 

** Meals provided in the programme are aligned with what locals eat and do not always include drinks. If a participant chooses to go out for meals outside the programme, then meals are their own responsibility. 

China
Cutting and making our own bamboo cups in a forest in Guangzhou, a camping trip we made with tonnes of activities in a stunning nature environment.
Camping on the Great Wall.
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Nanshuiguan Hutong
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A music shop in Dongguan light district, where strangers welcomed me in to jam to music and explore the city.
An electric tuktuk, very fun to drive, in rural Beijing next to the wetlands and farms. China's not all industry and cities, nature is blooming in the outskirts and all around. It was a great way to wander.
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The sun sets atop the TV station overlooking the town of Yangshuo, a beautiful place with countless views like this.
The magnificent glow of citylife in China, many cities and places light up at night, but this picture across the river in Shanghai shows the Shanghai tower and colors shining off the river.
The old town of XingPing, cobbled streets and busy markets with rivers and mountains surrounding it makes this small village near Yangshuo feel alive.
The view over the hutongs from my room in central Beijing.
Tristan in front of the CCTV Tower in Beijing, named the 'Big Pants' by locals for its likeness to a pair of trousers.
Tristan on a cycle trip with friends in Yongning village, near the Great Wall in rural Beijing.
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Shangqiu Group Shot
Looking down upon Yangshuo from the TV Tower hike
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Walking down the streets of Lijiang Old Town
Zhonghe Temple on the Jade Belt Road
Posing in front of two karsts overlooking central Yangshuo
Learning how to do curling inside on a rainy day
Reciting the camp pledge with the campers on the last day
Playing games with the campers during the Welcome Ceremony
Rhys Posing on the Great Wall of China
Arts and Crafts with the Children at the Experiential Learning Camp
Playing Games with the Children at the Experiential Camp
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What do you get?

Our China Teaching Programme is your launchpad for a global and impactful career. On the programme, you will receive:

 

  • Funding to cover your placement, meals and accommodation.
  • TEFL training and certification and mentorship
  • Chinese language and culture introductions
  • Teaching placement in a supportive school or summer camp in China, with accommodation and meals covered, and some cultural and adventure activities.
  • 5-day tour of our base in the beautiful mountains of Yangshuo
  • Professional development mentoring and training throughout your time on the programme, with a focus on teaching and social enterprise. We do this so that even in your short time with us, you take the first steps in a lifetime of interesting and impactful living.
  • Personal and community support, including 24/7 support for emergencies.

 

You will need to fund your own visa (ca. £180) and flights, and bring personal spending money for extracurricular activities or personal travel outside the programme schedule.

 

We encourage all applicants to look into college travel grants to support your flight and visa costs.

What does the teaching involve?

You will be teaching English and international culture to local Chinese students, usually on an activities summer camp or in a school setting.

 

  • Summer camps in China mainly focus on activities, learning through fun, and content-language integrated learning. This means there will usually be limited classroom teaching and you will teach children English through games and activities. 
  • By teaching local students you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture as the students love to tell you all about it
  • Our partner summer camps in China include small local education organisations, state schools, and large international schools. They provide you with an opportunity to develop your teaching skills, while internationalising their summer programmes. 
  • Summer camps in China can be intense, with long, varied days full of activities and lessons, and are a great way to develop your teaching skills and learn about an important, influential and fascinating country. 
  • Specific details of your summer camp placement, including camp schedules and responsibilities, will be provided when you’re matched with the right placement for you. At this point, you will be able to read all the placement details and ask any questions that you have. We work with a range of partners and look forward to finding the right one for you. 
  • You will receive continuous professional development support and mentoring through the TEFL to support you in your teaching and with your future career plans. 

Next Steps to Continue Your Application

To take your application forwards, please fill in the webform below. 
 
 
We’re thrilled to accept you onto the programme, and now you need to make an application through our website system, as we need to collect various bits of information in order to confirm your exact placement. If you like, you can re-use the personal statement you already wrote as part of the application on our application form.
 
 
After you complete the form below, you’ll be guided through the next application steps, including the full application form, signing our terms and conditions, and recording a video interview.
 
 
A quick admin note for deposits:
 
 
In further stages of the application process, you will be asked by our system to make a deposit after signing our terms and conditions. In order to widen access, we have agreed with Oxford that you don’t need to pay the first of our deposits. So you would only be required to pay £100 after your placement gets confirmed fully.
 
 
Our web system will ask for an initial deposit prior to recording your video interview, but you can bypass paying it by using our special voucher that has been sent to you by email in our initial email inviting you to continue your application with the subject line ‘Oxford Summer Internship Programme: China TEFL Placement’. 
 
 
If you have any questions at any time, please reply to that email and our team will be pleased to help you. 
 

Continue Your Application Now on the Form Below