My son Will is a GAP Volunteer Teacher in China

For the past six months, my teenaged son Will, a volunteer English teacher, has been living in paradise – maybe not the desert island variety but in China's rural city of Guilin. I say 'paradise' because that's how some teenagers from Beijing University described Guilin – physically beautiful, surrounded by limestone karst hills and rivers and green fields of rice. It is said: "I will marry in Beijing but I will spend my life in Paradise."

During my recent visit, I could see that the description is accurate. Guilin is a paradise and Will is very lucky to be there for six months as a 2006 GAP volunteer teacher – one of 700 students from Australia undertaking a six-month Schools (Teaching) placement throughout the world. Before embarking on his personal adventure (ahead of a 2007 university course), he attended a week-long intensive Mandarin language program in Sydney and a GAP teaching skills course in Melbourne in February 2006.

GAP Australia then assigned him to the Zhongshan Middle School under the care of Mrs Lilian Peilian, who I met and discovered was an extremely capable and caring liaison teacher. Along with his GAP UK partner, Matthew Earley from Bristol, Will teaches 12 classes (120 students) a week about all things Australian ranging from the Opera House to surfing. Will said: "There is no curriculum, no master plan. We have been told not to teach grammar but, rather, just have fun with the class and get them to like us." This leaves the classes wide open for sampling rock music, singing, games of Monopoly and scrabble and watching DVDs.

Theirs is an entertaining class where English conversation is the key – they don't set exams or require absolute silence, unlike every other teacher in the school. However, there is a huge push to get Chinese students to learn English and, at this school, at least one other subject, biology, is taught in both Chinese and English.

"The experience has been awesome," explained 19-year old Matthew from Bristol. "Just the whole freedom of being away from the family and not having parents – I've enjoyed it. It's been good – given us a chance to grow up a little bit." GAP is a journey. It is a chance to make decisions and achieve something unique. Will agreed saying he wanted to do something totally different which would take him out of his comfort zone and land him in a different country and culture. He wanted to prove something to himself. It was time to fly solo.

As for me, I was been invited to try herbal medicine, teas and foot massages and join free tours organised by the GAP network. I was also a special guest in their English class because I could talk about Will as a boy and the types of things he liked doing, such as playing soccer and eating homemade lasagne with his friends. The students were fascinated by what they heard about the Australian school system, the beach and surf culture. They knew about the Opera House, koalas, kangaroos and other native fauna. They knew that Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympics and that Beijing is next in 2008.

Guilin is unique because it promotes the 'English Corner' which is an open invitation for anyone in the community to come along and practise their English with native speakers. This has provided the basis for a thriving local network where support in various endeavours is available. For example, Will and Matthew have been invited to judge English-speaking competitions at the local university, sing at retirement villages, learn Chinese and attend English staff workshops. Native English speakers are highly valued by the entire community because they know it is the key to real advancement in 'new China'.

For Will, his time in Guilin has been a springboard for discovering the world, learning about life away from the nest and gaining confidence to take on what life might offer around the corner. When he arrived, the locals welcomed him with open arms because he could teach them many things. Food was cheap, the accommodation was free and the beer pretty good! As English teachers, Will and Matthew are well-respected by the entire community. He had scores of people willing to help him with difficulties and their acceptance of him today is absolute. Their network of friends extends beyond the school to local shop and restaurant owners, fishermen, policewomen and local artists.

GAP is a registered charity in the UK and the Australian office is in Melbourne. It offers 17–25 year olds the opportunity to live and work overseas for up to a year. It provides accommodation and food and, in most cases, pocket money and some travel expenses.

GAP is not only about volunteering but also travelling. In 2006, GAPpers travelled to Argentina, Canada, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Italy and India to experience a different way of life and to make a real difference to their new communities. GAP has over 30 years experience in providing placements for over 25,000 keen, young volunteers around the world.

Visit GAP Australia for further information.

Did Will inspire you to volunteer? Find out how you can become a volunteer.