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

Beijing, China – Spring 2026

Dates: April 8-18, 2026 (tentative)

Location: Beijing, China

Team Leader: Jerry Swisshelm

Project Task: Volunteers will participate in cultural exchange activities to learn about Chinese culture and history through site visits and school presentations. Volunteers will also have opportunities to observe English classes in a Chinese school and to discuss and model American methods of teaching English as a foreign language.

Volunteer Qualifications:

  • Seeking licensed / experienced teachers of English to speakers of other language
  • Also seeking families with children ages 8-14 who are studying Mandarin
    (Parent or guardian must travel with child)

Expenses: Airfare plus an estimated cost of $900 per person for hotel and meals for 10 days

Opportunities Under Construction

The Edge Institute is currently developing partnerships for future international opportunities.
Future opportunities in developmental stages include:

  • Short-term ESL class support for immigrants in London
  • Short-term cultural exchange in China
  • Summer EFL camp for children and adults in Brazil
  • 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

 

Shaoxing, China – Spring 2025

Dates: March 23 – April 12, 2025

Location: Zhejiang Province, China

Team Leader: Jerry Swisshelm

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

Shaoxing, China – Fall 2023

Dates: October 17 – November 6, 2023

Location: 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

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