Free lodging in China, but only if you speak English

[archerships]

Visitors seeking to see China on a budget would do well to brush up their English language skills to take advantage of a scheme that offers free lodging in Chinese homes in exchange for English tutoring.

With the cost of one hour of English tuition costing up to 500 yuan ($73.26) -- unaffordable for the vast majority of Chinese -- a not-for-profit Chinese organisation called Tourboarding launched the initiative last month.

Lodgers must speak at least two hours of English a day in return for their keep while their Chinese hosts can learn for free from a resident live-in English teacher.

"In the past 30 days, 5,000 Chinese families have signed up," said Ken Chen, 38, one of the founding members for Tourboarding.

Chen said the aim of the company, which is run online (www.tourboarding.com/), is not to make money but to provide opportunity for the millions of Chinese keen to learn English.

via reuters.com

Posted via web from crasch's posterous

Comments

[istar.livejournal.com]

This is a brilliant idea. I would love to teach my way through an extended trip around the world.

[adam--selene.livejournal.com]

I am guessing official English teachers cost so much, because it is near impossible for foreigners to work legally (even "foreigners" from Hong Kong). Otherwise at $73.26/hour, a lot of unemployed Americans should just buy a plane ticket. I wonder what the black-market rate for unlicensed English teachers is, although I'm not sure I'd risk working illegally in China.