I'm really considering applying for the internship, but i'm a little worried about the application part, are my GCSE English results good enough? an A in Literature and B in language? ...  Also, as i've read, it asks for scanned proof of my highest education and passport - in which I don't have a scanner, plus I do have a degree but the problem is because I've only recently graduated two weeks ago, my certificate has yet to arrive, so I only have the scroll that you get from when walking off the stage which confirms that I attended the graduation and studied at the University, would that be enough evidence? 

Also, i'm 20 and I'm only studying the 120 hour online TEFL course ... is that a good choice? - I started the course about a month ago, well in advance to considering the internship.

Another point is that, I can speak English, advanced Spanish, Intermediate Portuguese, conversational French - but I can only say basics of Mandarin i.e. 你好！你好吗？我叫Robbie， 我说一点点中文。  

I guess it's something big, so my head's away in the "clouds" ... 

I really want this, but i'm scared that after telling all my friends, searching flights, reading blogs etc that I get rejected ... 

你好Robbie。。。你还好吗？

Firstly your English grades are more then sufficient seriously to do the internship it just says that you need to be a native English speaker, which you are right.

Seeing that you have a degree surely you are experience in writing ect eg. assignments and personal statement.

About your certificates speak to your advisor/ TTC as they will be able to help you...surely it wont be a big problem.

Your age shouldn't be a problem and being fresh from uni you should be still in study mode and some people on the internship are younger then you.

You don’t need to speak an inch of Chinese and the Chinese that you do know is great, it'll go a long way with Chinese people.

If you really want this then go for it, whilst your friends are static living a boring life you'll be travelling having the time of your life and 'broadening your horizons', I’m 18 and I’ve booked the internship, it is daunting but it will show that i’ve grown older and can make it on my own...they’ll be jealous tbh J

I hope I’ve helped in any way…good luck 

Jemimah。x

As far as I know it's not a requirement to have amazing school grades in English but for the record your grades are excellent! Having a degree is not a requirement either. I'm finished university too and like you, I don't physically have my degree yet BUT I sent my transcript saying I had passed all of my exams instead. When I spoke to i-to-i they said that was fine. If you send the cert that you have I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem. 

You mentioned that you don't have a scanner-do any of your friends/family members have one that you could use? Even your local/university library?

You don't have to speak any Mandarin at all to teach English!! The idea is that your students MUST communicate with you in English-I think its an educational technique called "Total Immersion." Now for day to day life in China I guess it won;t be any harm to learn a few basic phrases but you get Mandarin lessons as part of the intership so that's handy.

Your best bet is to give the folks at i-to-i a ring ad talk to them about it. They have the patience of saints and are so friendly and helpful!

Oh and your age is fine as you must be between 18 and 55 I believe. I'm 21 (I'll actually be 22 on the intership) and I signed up a few weeks ago. Hoping to god that I get accepted!

Don't be scared-it's the chance to do something different and exciting!!

Hope that helps!

Louise

Thank you both for your reponses, my parents and I decided for me to go for it - because you only get these opportunities if you take them, even my brother who's worked in Dubai, Kazakhstan, Rotterdam, Norway, Houston TX says he's jealous that i'm going to China.

It's mind baffling a little - but a friend of mine who is native English but Chinese ethnicity said that i'm welcome to come to the Chinese Society group in my city (as we have a chinatown in Newcaste) to even practice teaching English. 

I'm really excited