The Edge Institute info@theedgeinstitute.org 704-598-6200

Opportunities Under Construction

The Edge Institute is currently developing partnerships for international opportunities when travel conditions permit.
Future opportunities in developmental stages include:

  • Short-term ESL class support for immigrants in London
  • EFL classes in Israel
  • EFL classes in South Korea
  • Spring EFL classes with youth in Central Asia
  • Summer EFL camp for children in Hungary
  • Professional development for ESL/EFL teachers
sign reading "Under Construction"

Survey Teams

Currently seeking team leaders and volunteers for Survey Teams for China, Taiwan, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Israel, or Brazil. Details will be determined based on leader input and international travel policies.

Project Task:  Survey Teams can be formed any time of the year for potential cultural exchange sites. Survey teams assess needs and opportunities in strategic areas such as universities, private schools, and government schools. They become acquainted with local culture in order to be “Onsite With Insight” while encouraging full-time workers. Survey teams are a vital means of development and support for our overall work in cultural exchange. The focus of these teams may differ depending on the needs and opportunities discovered. Team members must be flexible to changes in locations and travel plans depending on the needs and opportunities encountered.

Estimated Cost: $1000.00 plus airfare

 

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – Summer 2020

Dates: June 25 – July 18, 2020 
This opportunity has been postponed.
New dates will be posted when available.

Location: Hope Learning Center in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Project Tasks: Program activities will include English language lessons and activities, conversation practice, and games. High school age volunteers will make friends and enjoy the activities. Program participants will be 15-18 years old, mostly girls. Most will be from single parent homes or orphans with difficult pasts. 

Volunteer Qualifications: Open to volunteers ages 15-80.
Volunteers should have appropriate background personality to interact with children and teens. Orientation will be provided by Hope Learning Center.

Expenses: Daily costs will be minimal once in country. Costs depend on whether volunteers eat local or western foods. Airfare will be determined by the rate available at the time of booking. 

Estimated Cost: $600 plus airfare

Shaoxing, China – Fall 2019

Volunteers needed to teach academic English
in preparation for IELTS testing.

Dates: October 17 – November 2, 2019

Location: Zhejiang University of Technology
Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China

Team Leader: Cheryl Tarr

Project Task: Volunteers will teach academic English classes in Listening, Speaking, Reading, and/or Writing to university students preparing to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test in December. Volunteers will teach classes each weekday afternoon/evening and will be available to coach students as needed during the day and on weekends.

Volunteer Qualifications: Experienced teachers of English or ESL in academic settings are needed as lead teachers. Other volunteers are welcomed as assistants and conversation partners.

Expenses: Accommodations, meals, and transportation will be available at a low cost by staying on campus.
Estimated Cost: $900 plus airfare

ZhuZhou, China – Summer 2019

Seeking volunteer teachers and assistants!

Dates:  July 11-31, 2019
** These dates include a tour prior to the teaching dates.
** Volunteers for this program may also participate in the HengYang program.

Location:  Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, China

Team Leader:  Terri Mikolaitis

Project Task: Teaching American classroom content to Chinese children. Subjects include: simple English Language Arts, art, music, dance, sports, crafts, etc. The students will be 6-10 years old.

Volunteer Qualifications: Experienced teachers are needed for the classroom. Other volunteers are welcomed as assistants to teachers.

Expenses: Accommodations, meals and transportation to and from the school will be provided. The program will plan a tour for the volunteers after the program.

Estimated Cost: $600 plus airfare

 

 

Changsha, China – Summer 2019

Seeking volunteer teachers and assistants!

Dates: July 11-31, 2019
** Dates include a tour prior to the teaching program.
** Volunteers for this program may also participate in the HengYang program.

Location: Changsha, Hunan Province, China

Team Leader: Terri Mikolaitis

Project Task: Teaching American classroom content to Chinese children. Subjects include: simple English Language Arts, art, music, dance, sports, crafts, etc. The students will be 6-10 years old.

Volunteer Qualifications: Experienced teachers are needed for the classroom. Other volunteers are welcomed as assistants to teachers.

Expenses: Accommodations, meals, and transportation to and from the school will be provided. The program will plan a tour for the volunteers after the program.

Estimated Cost: $600 plus airfare

 

 

Hengyang, China – July 2019

Seeking volunteer teachers and assistants!

Dates: July 2-18, 2019
** Dates include a tour after the teaching program is complete.

Location: Hengyang, Hunan Province, China

Team Leader: Nolan Tomboulian

Project Task: Teaching American classroom content to Chinese children. Subjects include: simple English Language Arts, art, music, dance, sports, crafts, etc. The students will be 7-15 years old.

Volunteer Qualifications: Experienced teachers are needed for the classroom. Other volunteers are welcomed as assistants to teachers.

Expenses: Accommodations, meals, and transportation to and from the school will be provided. The program will plan a tour for the volunteers after the program.

Estimated Cost: $600 plus airfare

Shaoxing, China – May 2019

Learn & Live in Shaoxing, China!

Dates: May 8-26, 2019

Location: Zhejiang University of Technology
Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China

Team Leader: Barbara Pound

Project Task: Volunteers will live on campus and attend Chinese (Mandarin) language classes taught by student-teachers along with related cultural events. The team will present English Corners and Cultural Studies for campus-wide participation. This is a great opportunity to build relationships with Chinese students while learning the language and culture of China. Our goal is to impact lives through friendship. Some of the Chinese students may come to the USA in early 2020 as part of the Edge Institute/ZUT Cultural Exchange program, giving an opportunity for furthering friendships and cultural understanding.

Volunteer Qualifications: No prior Chinese language experience is required. Chinese TCSL students will teach, tutor, and guide volunteers.

Estimated Cost: $600 plus airfare

Shaoxing, China – Fall 2018

Dates: September 1-14, 2018

Location: Zhejiang University of Technology, Shaoxing, China

Team Leader: Karla Lowman

Project Description: Volunteers will live on campus and attend Chinese (Mandarin) language classes taught by student-teachers and attend related cultural events. No prior Chinese language experience is required. Chinese TCSL (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language) students will teach, tutor and guide volunteers.  This is a great opportunity to build relationships with Chinese young adults while learning the language and culture in China. The team will present English Corners and Cultural Studies for campus wide participation.  Our goal is to impact lives thru friendship. Some of the Chinese students may come to USA in early 2019 as part of the Edge/ ZUT Cultural Exchange, presenting an opportunity for furthering friendships and cultural understanding.

Volunteers Needed: up to 20

Estimated Cost: $600 plus airfare

Sichuan Province, China – Summer 2018

Dates: July 3-21, 2018 

Location: Sichuan Province, China

Team Leader: Nolan Tomboulian

Project Description: The purpose of this project is to provide a teacher training program for Chinese teachers of English in primary and/or middle schools. The program will include elements of oral English development as well as best practices in second language teaching methodology. Methods should be explained, modeled, and applied to the teachers’ context as much as possible. The program’s objectives are to help these teachers become better teachers of English through the specific training given and to encourage them and help them value their own career as a teacher. Volunteers should expect to teach English from 9-12 and 2-4 M-F, with possible evening classes and weekend activities.

Volunteers Needed: 4 – Volunteers should be age 20 or above. College graduates preferred.

Estimated Cost: $600 plus airfare