Empowering Underprivileged Children
Through Play-based English!
Summer Programme for Immersion in Communicative English
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Children learn best when they enjoy a subject and see the value in what they are learning. When they make progress, they become more self-confident and continue to learn better - it is a virtuous circle.
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SPICE aims to create an initial spark of interest in children and make them excited about learning
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It is intended to show them that learning English can be fun
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It aims to help some of the most underprivileged children in HK increase their self-confidence
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It provides exposure to different cultures to broaden horizons and raise aspirations
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The young teachers also increase their international understanding, cultural awareness and tolerance by taking part in this programme
THE PROGRAMME
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240 children from 10-12 schools, the age range is 10 to 12 years
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Three 7-day programmes each summer
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Activities are all conducted in English
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The daily schedule is approximately 09:30 am – 3:30 pm
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The programme is completely free of charge for all participating children although all families are required to make a refundable deposit to assure attendance
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Free lunches are provided to all children and teachers
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No traditional language training/ grammar classes
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7 days of games, competitions and English fun as well as special activities like magician shows and outings
WHO RUNS SPICE?
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SPICE is managed by the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong who bring all the parties and stakeholders together each year to ensure a smooth summer programme.
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The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong are advised by a programme Advisory Committee made up of members from different professional fields, some of whom represent the donors for this programme. The committee is led by the two directors who previously ran the programme in collaboration with the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong.
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Each year two coordinators are appointed to run the programme on a day-to-day basis. A supervisor, who is a previous coordinator, is also appointed to guide the coordinators.
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The classroom activities are led by interns and volunteers
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Our Head of Pedagogy (an experienced faculty member from the University of Worcester) prepares interns and volunteers before the programme begins at the start of summer
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SPICE is also supported by dedicated volunteers who run, manage and design the website.
DEVELOPMENT OF SPICE
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SPICE is a non-profit English Summer Programme founded in 2015 as a Just Volunteers! project by Josephine Chesterton in collaboration with the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong working with interns from the City University of Hong Kong English Department and universities in the UK and around the world
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In 2026, we will be running our 10th progamme
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In the early years 200 children took part in SPICE each year, now we welcome 240 children every summer
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In the first few years of SPICE the training of our interns and overseas volunteers was very ad hoc. Starting in 2021, our intense 2-week training period has been run by our Head of Pedagogy, an experienced faculty member in the Institute of Education at the University of Worcester
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Our interns are now from the English Department of the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Education University of Hong Kong as well as the City University of Hong Kong
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In 2025, our overseas volunteers came from universities in the UK and the US. In 2026, we will again welcome applications from native-speaking undergraduates from around the world.
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We have gone from a programme supported by one donor to having 7 donors and a modest amount of government funding
SPICE IN THE MEDIA
STAKEHOLDERS
The Organisers
The Donors Whose Generosity Make It Possible
Mr. William Choy
Mr. Joseph Tse and Family
And we are grateful to the individual donors who generously donated amounts up to $5,000
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Participating schools - various primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong
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Interns - English Department students from the City University of HK and HK Baptist University
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Overseas volunteers - UK students mainly from the Institute of Education, University of Worcester
ACTIVITIES
Role-Playing
Music
Outings
Sports Activities
Dance
Cooking
Handcrafts
Quizzes
And More!
See our YouTube video
See video of our 7-day camp
TEACHERS
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Every year we take 15 young adults to teach this programme
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We take volunteers from the UK, US and native English speakers from universities around the world and interns from the City University of HK, HK Baptist University and Education University of HK
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They are young people who want to learn about teaching and wish to broaden their understanding of other cultures.
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The 2-week training programme is provided under the supervision of the Head of Pedagogy, an experienced Faculty Member in the Institute of Education at the University of Worcester, UK, with extensive experience in school teaching and team training.
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We favour applicants who can bring at least one extra skill (such as playing a musical instrument, sports & making handicrafts etc.)
FINANCE
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All programme costs are covered each year by the donors. The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, HK City University and HK Baptist University provide support in a number of ways and host schools provide the venues. In addition, all participating schools apply for small grants from the HK Government's Life Wide Learning Fund
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We are able to deliver the programme completely free of charge, but all families must pay a refundable deposit to ensure attendance
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Volunteers from overseas will be provided with free accommodation at the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong (Wu Kai Sha)
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They will also receive help towards local costs and local transport
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Interns generally receive a small allowance from their university
2026 SCHEDULE
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All HK interns and UK volunteers will receive their offers by the end of March
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All overseas volunteers are requested to send their CVs by end of January 2026
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Training begins at the start of July for two weeks.
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Summer camps start immediately afterwards and run until mid-August
GALLERY
INTERNS & VOLUNTEERS
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Messages from 2025 Interns and Volunteers to Future Interns and Volunteers
Building practical experience
"Over the course of the SPICE programme, I had the opportunity to experience different teaching environments and got to know many students with various levels of English proficiency and different backgrounds. This helped me to gain experience in a language-teaching and activity-leading role, all the while allowing me to connect with students in a language immersion environment. Watching the growth of numerous students in their ability and passion for English was truly rewarding."
"Additionally, my fellow interns, head of pedagogy, directors, and coordinators provided many insights and we were able to rely on one another both during and outside of class time. This augmented both the quality of our learning and teaching.” (Jeffrey - HK, 2025)
“The internship at SPICE was such an amazing experience. I have to start with the two-week intensive training. Before the training, I was a bit nervous about teaching in local schools. But during the training, we were equipped with not only theoretical knowledge but also practical strategies on how to successfully execute the whole programme. By the end of the training, we had already designed the lessons for the whole camp with detailed activities which are fun, engaging and meaningful, and my anxiety had also faded away."
"Thanks to the best effort we put together during the training, our teaching experience in the classroom was smooth. Of course, sometimes, we needed to make some adjustments based on our students’ age, and interests. At the end of almost every day, the whole group of interns, volunteers and coordinators had debriefing sessions with the head of pedagogy and worked out how to adjust our plans depending on the situations. It was sometimes challenging but it was worth it. It’s just rewarding to see the excitement in our students each day of the camp.
Of course, I must mention one of the best parts of SPICE. It’s my colleagues - my fellow interns, volunteers and coordinators. I had so much fun with these amazing individuals. We worked together, had lunch together, played board games together, sang karaoke together, and talked about our different cultures together."
"Oh. I almost forgot something. Our SPICE directors are amazingly supportive and helpful.
I will always remember the summer I spent at SPICE.” (Jack – Myanmar, 2025)
“I had an amazing experience joining SPICE. I learned just as much as I contributed. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed and considered giving up, but SPICE taught me resilience and the value of persevering until the end. By the time it finished, I didn’t want it to end. I’ll always remember the bright, happy and sometimes mischievous kids, and the joy they found during camp, even when language was a barrier for some. Witnessing their growth, from being unable to speak much English to slowly gaining confidence, was an indescribable feeling as an educator. This opportunity gave me practical experience in classroom management, as well as the chance to learn from teachers and supportive and dedicated colleagues. It helped me discover my passion on a deeper level. SPICE was truly meaningful to me, and I’m grateful to be a part of it. It will always hold a special place in my heart.” (Pim - Thailand, 2025)
“Joining SPICE this summer is definitely the best decision I made! I still remember at first, being a bit nervous, but the training really got us ready and close to each other. And then we got into the classrooms... and wow, every single day was a new adventure. You never knew what the kids were going to say or do, but that was the best part.
Plus, getting to work with the whole SPICE team—all the volunteers from all over the world—was amazing. Everyone was just so passionate and all in for the kids. It was really cool to be a part of that. I would say I really built the bonding within my team and with all the interns, and we still keep in touch now!
I'm so grateful I got to be a part of SPICE 2025. It just so wonderful to both do the teaching and know more culture during the daily interaction with the team. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.” (Julia - PRC, 2025)
I am proud of being part of SPICE
The most meaningful part of SPICE is that we motivated kids to participate in different activities and learn English without feeling stress.
I am very proud of being part of SPICE.
Corey Cheung
HK interns 2025
Collaboration creates close bonds and relationships
SPICE gave me an opportunity to explore new places, meeting people with culture different from my own and improve my confidence and teamwork skills
I particularly enjoyed the collaboration element of the programme and how i was able to work closely with two others to plan and deliver the lessons. This gave us the ability to buy into each others' idea, delegate workloads and also create close bonds and relationships.
I enjoyed how we each in charge of different activities throughout the teaching days.
Iris Frost
UK volunteer 2025
To do it with a smile on your face
The children were lovely. The fun thing about them was that they had their own personalities and their own characters they brought to the classroom each time.
My favourite day would be the sport day of each camp. All of them competed with all in the classroom.
I would definitely recommend doing this. It's so much fun. We gained so much not only from the experience of teaching, but also something that developed you as a person. A whole new experience for people who are so young to get to travel across the world and to do it with a smile on your face.
Lucas
UK volunteer 2025
Such a warm, welcoming and enthusiastic environment
SPICE provided a super unique opportunity to learn and grow with people very different from me but that we found common interest with.
At SPICE, i had such a warm, welcoming and enthusiastic environment to learn and grow as a person and to develop skills that i need to find a job in the world.
Dixie
US volunteer 2025
QUESTIONS?
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Who can participate in the programme?
HK children between the ages of 10 and 12 (P5-S1) who are students of participating schools and were deemed to qualify for SPICE by their school teachers.
When is the programme held?
SPICE programmes are held over the summer holidays. Each programme consists of seven full days. One of those days is usually spent on outings. SPICE hosts three sets of these seven-day programmes each year.
Where are the programmes held?
Three different schools in Kowloon and the New Territories host the programme - and other schools also send their students.
How should children get there?
Children chosen from nearby participating schools are expected to make their own way to the host school during the programme. For those children selected from schools that are in other districts, free bus transportation will be provided every day of the programme.
What time does the programme start and end?
Each day begins at 9:30 am and ends at 3:30 pm. Children are expected to arrive by 9:15 am to ensure ample time for registration and preparation for a 9:30 am start. It is a full-day programme.
Are the lunches provided?
Yes. All participants will be provided with free lunches every day, including on outing days.
How are the classes run?
Great emphasis has been placed on making the programme fun and interactive. Activities include games, handicrafts, cooking, plays and sports that are all conducted in English under the guidance of the teachers. There is no book-based learning and certainly no grammar lessons!
What is the student to teacher ratio?
In order to make it truly interactive and meaningful, our student to teacher ratio is high, at 5:1. Each class usually has around 16 students and three teachers – two interns and one volunteer.
How much does it cost to participate for a child?
Participation is free for all children. Each child will be required to place a deposit of around HK$500 prior to the beginning of the programme which will be forfeited if children are absent for more than one day. Otherwise, it will be fully refundable upon completion. The cost of lunches, necessary transportation, outings and all materials needed for the programme is provided free of charge by SPICE.
You may write to us directly at spice@ymca.org.hk and spicehkabc@gmail.com (please address both) if you have further questions!
QUESTIONS FOR
INTERNS & VOLUNTEERS
What kind of person can become an intern or a volunteer?
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Currently an undergraduate or has recently graduated and has an excellent command of the English language;
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Interested in education, likes interacting with children and is enthusiastic about working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds;
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Self-motivated and work well in an international team;
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Strong sense of responsibility;
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Strong role-models for the children;
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Volunteers from overseas should be young people interested in travelling and experiencing new and different cultures.
What is the difference between interns and volunteers?
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Interns participate from the City University of HK and the HK Baptist University that offer the SPICE teaching position as one of their officially-recognised internship programmes for the summer. Interns participate from the Education University of HK, too;
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Volunteers come from universities in the UK and the US and are interested in volunteering as SPICE teachers;
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However, there are no differences in terms of work;
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Interns and volunteers undergo the same training and work in teams together and share the same responsibilities;
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Each class has three teachers – two interns and one volunteer, who work together as a team throughout the three programmes over the summer.
What does SPICE provide in terms of support for volunteers from overseas?
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Volunteers receive free accommodation during the six to seven weeks they are in HK over the training period and the programmes;
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During the three programmes, lunches will be provided every day to interns and volunteers who are expected to sit down for lunch together with the children;
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In addition, volunteers will be given a food and transportation allowance;
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However, volunteers coming from overseas should plan to bring a small amount of spending money to cover casual outgoings during their stay - we would be happy to discuss this in detail with any interested applicants.
What does it cost to become an intern or volunteer?
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There is absolutely no charge for joining this programme;
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Universities offering this as an internship provide a small allowance;
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Overseas volunteers are given some financial support.
How many holidays do interns and volunteers get during the assignment?
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Saturdays, Sundays and HK public holidays will be rest days;
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In addition, should a day in between training period and/or two programmes fall on a weekday, it will also be offered as a day-off
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Volunteers are welcome to stay at the CYMCA accommodation a few days before and after the programme, free of charge.
CONTACT US
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with us next summer, please send us an application email which explains why you are interested and attaching your cv to spice@ymca.org.hk and spicehkabc@gmail.com (please address both!). Should you have other questions, please write here.