Hello, I am interested in teaching English abroad (primarily in
developing countries like China) for a period of 4 to 6 months.

I am having difficult time looking for a program that will sponsor me.

I am disappointed to find that many programs require a "program fee"
of anywhere from $300 to $2500.  If I am willing to volunteer my time
and skills, why do these organizations require fees? Why would someone
pay a company so they can work?  I question the legitimacy of these
organizations.

Please help if you can direct me towards an organization that will
sponsor me without me paying these "program fees".  Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by araminty-ga on 21 Oct 2002 21:02 PDT

Hi jchan0806,

Are you a qualified TESOL teacher?  (Teaching of English to Speakers
of Other Languages).  Do you have any other qualifications?

What are the requirements of the sponsorship you are seeking?  Are you
willing to pay travel, accommodation, visa and other costs?

Thanks,
Araminty

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Clarification of Question by jchan0806-ga on 21 Oct 2002 21:35 PDT

I've taught before, but I have no qualifications or certificates. 
I've seen programs that do not require any qualifications/cert; the
only requirement I've seen is being a native speaker of English.

Please understand I am doing this to volunteer. I am interested in
having expenses such as air fare and accommodations to be handled by
the sponsoring organization.  I can handle smaller expenses such as
visa and application fee ($100).  Thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by mvguy-ga on 22 Oct 2002 05:59 PDT

Are you a member of a church?  If so, which denomination?  Are your
beliefs and background such that you could be considered for an
appointment as a short-term missionary?  Thanks.

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Clarification of Question by jchan0806-ga on 22 Oct 2002 21:53 PDT

Thank you for your help.  The purpose for me is to primiraly the
experience of travel, culture, adventure, etc.  I feel if I can help
the world be a better place, I think teaching is my best chance.  I
have looked into some opportunities with volunteerabroad.com.  I am
really looking for a reputable organization like the Peace Corp, but
without the program fee.   I expected organizations to be funded so
they can send volunteers to do what the need to do, and not have it
the other way around.  Oganizations should not have to depend on
volunteers to cover administrative costs.

Most organisations that run teaching abroad arrangements are
charitable ones. They  organise the teaching where it is needed, but
they can't cover the cost of air fares and the like. If you're only
looking to volunteer your time perhaps you could teach English to
refugees who arrive in your own country?

I have found one teaching position in China at a Volunteer site which
will pay your airfare at the end of a one year contract:
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/listingsp3.cfm?Listing=10101&fkcountry=16

There are lots of positions in China and all over the world at this
website and all the vacancies differ in their benefits.
http://www.volunteerabroad.com

I have volunteered abroad myself and had to pay my own airfare,
program fees and TEFL course fees, but this is because (as shananigans
says) most organisations that need volunteers are charitable ones
and/or organisations with limited funding and they have to deal with
the administrative side of your placement. The fee often includes
paying for and organising a relevant visa, the support of a
representative in the country you work in and other associated costs
to the organisation.

I have a book from 1994 that lists addresses and phone numbers of many
English schools in Taiwan. I'm not sure how many are still valid, but
if you are interested in that destination I can give you a few of the
larger organizations to follow up on.