Volunteers In Asia (VIA) offers volunteer opportunities in China, Vietnam and Indonesia, and is also starting programs in Laos and Burma. While teaching English seems to be the main role of VIA volunteers, in some situations, volunteers have a chance to get involved as an “English resource” by assisting in report writing and NGO work.

There are summer programs in China, Vietnam and Indonesia, but the majority of the volunteer positions are for one or two years. Applications are due in late February – for all positions – and VIA training starts in July. For the year-or-longer programs, there is a program fee of $2000 which goes towards TESOL training, general support, and accommodation/a monthly living allowance. In some circumstances, flights are included or paid for as well.

VIA is based in the US and mentions the program as a way to foster cultural exchange between the United States and Asia; I don’t see a specific requirement that participants be US citizens, but they do make reference to living in the US. If you are not living in the US and interested, I’d say further investigation is merited. Note that a college degree is required for the year+ programs and English fluency is required for all of them.