Join Us Today! Crane House depends on members for support of its educational programs. Learn more about the benefits.
Teaching in Asia
An Experience of a Lifetime!
Crane House, The Asia Institute, Inc., offers an excellent opportunity for American teachers to visit Asia and provide crucial language experiences for Asian teachers or students, learn about the peoples and lands of Asia, and exchange cultural information.
Through the Teaching in Asia (TIA) program, American teachers who are selected will conduct a short-term, intensive, conversational English training program for Asian teachers and/or students. Host teaching sites provide free rooming, meals, and short day-trips.
Teaching in Asia (TIA) Program
2010 Summer Teaching sites: CHINA, VIETNAM, CAMBODIA (cities TBA)
TIA Program dates: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 through Friday, July 30, 2010
Crane House has sponsored a Teaching in Asia program since 1988. 2010 marks Crane House’s 22nd Summer TIA Program. In cooperation with Asian educational institutes, Crane House provides a short-term, intensive program of conversational English training for Asian teachers and/or students at selected Asian education sites. For Asians, the TIA program is an English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) program.
The main purposes of TIA:
- Provide learning opportunities for Asian teachers and/or students to improve their English speaking and listening skills both inside and outside of the classroom
- Present creative techniques for language acquisition and practice
- Share the cultures of America and Asia
- Promote better understanding between Asians and Americans
The program lasts three weeks during the month of July. As a native-speaker of English, the TIA teacher conducts classes focused primarily on conversational English. Classes usually meet 5 days a week, mornings and afternoons, based on a schedule set by the individual Asian host institution. This intensive setting enables total immersion in English and confidence in using English inside and outside the classroom. Some weekends and evenings may be open to short trips to local cultural sites or individual’s homes.
Locations of Asian host institutions vary by country and program year. Recent sites in China included Funan, Jiujiang (Louisville’s Sister City), Urumqi, Tieling, and Shoaguan. In Vietnam, sites included Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Crane House also offers and coordinates an elective, optional extension trip to a selected Asian site(s) for individuals who wish to travel after completing the TIA program. This trip is usually of 5-6 day duration and is a non-TIA associated expense. In 2009, 14 of the 26 TIA teachers participated in the extension trip to X’ian and Beijing, China.
Shared Responsibilities and Costs
A cost is associated with the program, but subsidies, generously provided by The Freeman Foundation, are available to teachers who qualify.
- Crane House staff establishes and coordinates the following: teacher recruitment, interview, selection, orientation, required training sessions, curriculum and educational materials.
- Crane House coordinates all travel arrangements, including the elective/optional post-TIA extension trip, and facilitates all required travel documents (passport, visa, insurance, etc.)
- The Asian educational host site provides free room and board, local day trips, and local transportation. The Asian host establishes the classes and administers the program from the host site.
- The TIA teacher pays, in advance, all expenses associated with travel to and from Asia . Any extra travel in Asia (e.g. Extension trip) after conclusion of the TIA program is elective/optional and is arranged and paid for in advance.
- Travel costs fluctuate from year to year. Recent fares for China ranged around $2200 and slightly higher for Vietnam. For teachers who qualify, Crane House offers a subsidy provided by The Freeman Foundation to help defray some TIA program travel expenses.
- The TIA teacher attends an orientation and all required training sessions (usually 4-5, occasionally more if needed/requested) at Crane House, usually from mid-February to mid-June.
- All TIA participants must become members of Crane House.
Qualifications
Only experienced classroom teachers should apply. However, extensive, documented, non-classroom teaching experience may be assessed as substitute qualification. Final decisions and acceptance notification into the TIA program begin in February.
- Classroom teaching experience is required.
- Both practicing and retired teachers in any discipline and from K through collegiate levels are eligible to apply.
- Candidates should be interested in Asian cultures and
- be able to work as a team
- be able to be a follower
- be willing to accept non-traditional, atypical classroom situations
- be flexible to unexpected contingencies and adaptable to a variety of circumstances and environments
- be respectful of and abide by the Asian host’s customs and expectations
- be adaptable to non-American foods, cuisines, practices, and living conditions
All TIA participants must have a flexible attitude, be congenial, non-complaining, and in good health. Knowledge of an Asian language is not required. ESL experience is helpful, but not necessary. Language-teaching experience is helpful, but not necessary.
For an Application
TIA applications are available year-round. Teachers may apply at anytime up to April of the current TIA program year.
Click herefor an application. Please download the application, complete, and mail it to
TIA Program
Crane House
1244 S. Third St.
Louisville, KY 40203
For additional questions, please call 635-2240 or email education@cranehouse.org