READERS of The Westmorland Gazette who hope to broaden their horizons in the New Year - and also do some good - may be interested in serving as educational ambassadors on the non-profit Ambassador Year in China Programme.

They would have the chance to learn Mandarin Chinese and gain free TEFL training in Shanghai, while bringing the culture of Kendal and the Lake District to schools and communities across China.

The AYC programme was launched five years ago to build on a high-level agreement between China's President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama.

Most of the 500 educational ambassadors placed in Chinese schools have been US graduates, but we are now keen to identify eligible UK graduates who can represent the United Kingdom in China.

Readers from Kendal and the Lake District who are curious should visit our website, http://www.goayc.org.

Jacob Lotinga

UK Co-ordinator for Ambright Education Group, including the non-profit Ambassador Year in China Programme