Just a quick update to tell you all of a pretty cool opportunity I’ve recently read about. It’s called TourBoarding and it is a program that could get you a free place to stay in China for a couple hours of English lessons.
What you do is sign up and then post a profile on the website. Then you can search a specific location and see what the locals are offering. Some will offer you a free place to stay, some will offer Chinese language classes, calligraphy classes, tour guides, cooking lessons, etc. All of it free! The only thing you have to do is give a 2-hour English class every day of your trip.
It looks like they have a free membership option but you have limited access to see the different people in the area. To gain full access you have to “donate” $25 or get 3 friends to sign up as well.
I haven’t done this yet, or known anyone who has, so I can’t say from personal experience but I think the idea is great. When I backpacked around Europe I did Servas (which is a similar type thing only you don’t need to give an English lesson) and I had only great experiences.  Coming to China is so foreign that to have a local be there to help can only enhance your trip. I think you’ll get a lot more out of it then just a free place to stay.
And giving a 2-hour lesson isn’t that difficult. Oftentimes Chinese people just want to talk and ask questions so preparation isn’t necessary. Other times your host family might have something specific in mind that they want to improve. There are plenty of lesson ideas online. Just plug ‘Teaching ESL’ into any search engine and you will find yourself overwhelmed with ideas.
If anyone does this, let me know, I’d love to hear how it works out. As for me, I am going to keep this in mind when we go traveling next winter holiday!
Want to Stay in China for Free?!
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