China: Background. Over recent years, China has gone through dramatic. change. A once isolated and introverted

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1 CHINA COUNTRY GUIDE China, a land of extremes. On one hand, a global economic powerhouse, on the other, a country of unparalleled ancient history. It s this conflict between modernisation and cultural ideals that makes China so compelling.

2 China: Background Over recent years, China has gone through dramatic change. A once isolated and introverted state, China has now opened its doors to the outside world. What does this mean for TEFL teachers? Well, with over 300 million people learning English and 50,000 private language schools in China. The opportunities for TEFL graduates is enormous!

3 TEFL OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA China offers an array of TEFL jobs like no other country. Whether it s private or state schools, large classes of young learners or one-to-one adult tuition, there are all kinds of teaching opportunities. Teaching Business English in particular is in high demand, as China looks to develop relations with the English speaking world. In terms of location, most TEFL teachers look to the popular megacities of Beijing and Shanghai, but there are TEFL teaching positions all throughout the country. If you are looking for a remote setting there are great opportunities to teach in the rural provinces whether that be in the tropical forests of the south or the mountain communities of the north and with demand so great in these areas for TEFL teachers you are virtually guaranteed a job if you meet the entry requirements.

4 TOP DESTINATIONS Shanghai A TEFL certificate can qualify you to teach anywhere in China, but there are three particularly popular destinations one thing you can be sure of wherever you go in China, the food is incredible! China s largest city, home to over 23 million people. Considered the most westernised of all China s cities, Shanghai has an almost European feel. With great shopping, nightlife and music scene, it s easy to see why its tourism industry is booming. Beijing Nanjing With six UNESCO world heritage sites in the Beijing, the opportunity to immerse yourself in China s history here is vast. As well as being the national capital, the city is also regarded as the cultural centre of China - home to the nation s top museums, art galleries, music venues and performing arts. Often referred to as the Capital of the South, Nanjing may not be as well-known as other Chinese cities, but has plenty to offer any budding TEFL teacher. Enclosed by ancient city walls, the city is rich with artefacts of the Ming dynasty dating back to the 14th century. Outside the city you can explore the amazing forests and lakes of the surrounding landscape.

5 LIVING IN CHINA Average cost of living The major cities have the most advanced living conditions and amenities, whereas rural areas have a more basic way of life but there is a great opportunity to visit an unseen side of China here. Overall, the cost of living in China is extremely low. Popular cities like Beijing and Shanghai are unsurprisingly the most Gross income 1,500 Rent 350 Utilities 25 Phone & Internet 35 Food 170 Insurance 35 REMAINING INCOME 885 expensive destinations, but food, transport and leisure costs are still a fraction of the UK. Wages Accommodation Teaching TEFL in China, you can find pretty lavish accommodation particularly true of urban areas and university campuses. In remote areas, the standard of accommodation becomes very basic, very quickly. In the rural provinces TEFL teachers often stay with host families, a great way to immerse yourself in a side of China seldom seen by outsiders. In terms of jobs, China offers some of the highest paid TEFL teaching opportunities. On average, salaries run from 1,100-1,730 (10,000-16,000RMB) per month. Some of the larger TEFL employers offer particularly attractive packages, covering flight, accommodation and work permit costs allowing you to save up plenty of money during your placement.

6 FINDING A TEFL JOB IN CHINA China has the highest demand for TEFL teachers of any country in the world. Due to such high demand, there are TEFL employment opportunities all year round. Check our TEFL Jobs Centre regularly to keep up-to-date with all Chinese jobs. The school term begins in September, so if you are looking to have a full academic year worth of teaching, it s worth baring this in Entry requirements Before applying to TEFL jobs in China it is important you know the entry requirements. Native English speaker Bachelors Degree Age limit Men / Women Two years post-graduation work experience (this can be any working experience, does not have to be specific to teaching) mind. Another popular date for TEFL employment is April, as this is when major jobs fairs take place. Recommended TEFL Courses As with most international TEFL jobs, a 120- hour certificate is the minimum requirement for entry to China. We strongly recommend students complete a combined online and classroom based course if possible. In our It s important to remember that the more hours on your TEFL certificate, the more appealing your application will be to employers. So, if you want to stand out from the crowd there are options to complete 130/140/150 hour courses. classroom courses, based in various locations across the UK, you gain a hands-on understanding of creating, planning and conducting a TEFL lesson, under the supervision of an expert TEFL tutor.

7 Advanced Courses After receiving your initial TEFL certificate, TEFL graduates have the option to further strengthen their TEFL qualification by completing an advanced TEFL course. For China, completing an Advanced TEFL Course in Teaching Young Learners or Teaching Business English will be extremely valuable when applying for teaching positions.

8 Job Application Process Applying to a TEFL teaching position is similar to any other job. You ll need to supply a CV, accompanying references (which we can supply you with if you have taken a course with classroom element) and a photograph. If your initial application is successful, you will most likely be interviewed by phone or Skype. Some of the higher paid positions will ask you complete a mock lesson via Skype. Visas To be eligible to teach English as a foreign language in China you will need to have a working visa, also known as a Z visa. Z visa requirements: Completed visa application form - download from - A valid passport - minimum 6 months remaining before expiry Letter of invitation (job offer) from Chinese employer Health/ Disclosure check

9 How to avoid fraudulent TEFL employers China offers more fantastic TEFL jobs than any other country, but it is important to be vigilant when applying, in order to protect yourself from fraudulent employers. The best way to ensure you aren t caught out is to use common sense. If something doesn t look quite right, question it! Some tips to help you identify the bad from the good Ask recruiters for a copy of their government ID card Licenses or SAIC (Sate Administration for Industry & Commerce) should be provided early on in the process Check blacklist websites STUDENT TESTIMONIALS It has been a very rewarding experience so far I have certainly had some maddening days when nothing seems to go right, but those days are offset by so many more wonderful days full of learning new things and experiencing a whole different way of living It was my first taste of teaching English as a foreign language and one that I will never forget. The classroom appeared a scary place at first but after the first few lessons you wondered what the slight anxiety was about. Students hung onto every anecdote, and their progression was a great sense of Katrin, X ian satisfaction and motivation. Ben, Shanghai

10 USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES TEFL Job Centre Recommended jobs

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