STUDENTS at University College Worcester could be travelling further afield for a Chinese takeaway.

Chen Wen Xian, who has recently completed a four-month course at the St John's campus, wants two students to follow him back to his college in north-west China to help teach English.

He is the principal of Jiuquan Agricultural College in Gansu Province.

It is a secondary vocational school in Jiuquan City, with 108 staff and 500 students aged between 16 and 20. The city is on the ancient Silk Road and close to many cultural attractions.

During Mr Chen's stay in Worcester he has completed a course in public administration, as well as improve his own language skills. He also visited Pershore High School to see how schools in the UK are run.

Now he is hoping UCW students who might be taking a gap year or looking for post-graduate work experience, will do the return trip and help in his school.

"Teaching duties will take up between 10 and 20 hours a week," said Mr Chen.

"During the rest of the time we may ask them to organise informal activities and maybe host an English Language Club for us."

Another group of mature students from China have already started an advanced course in public administration and, later this year, three senior government officials from Gansu Provincial Government will be travelling to the city to discuss how UCW can help further delegations.

"We've built an excellent relationship with a number of organisations in China," said John Nixon, head of the China office at UCW.