1. What qualifications should one have in teaching in China?

The basic qualifications are: being a native speaker of English, having a minimum BA   degree and commitment to teaching, loving China and its people. Clear, well-spoken English and a good knowledge of the fundamentals of English grammar. Teaching experience/certificate is preferred but not a must. For those interested in a long-term career in ESL teaching, however, it is strongly recommended that teaching qualifications be attained. For more information regarding suitable training for ESL positions, please see the Upgrade Your Skills page.

2. What courses are required to teacher?

Depending on the particular school you are placed in, you may be asked to teach some of the following courses: English & American literature, linguistics, reading, composition, grammar, cultural survey of English-speaking countries, conversational English and English for Special Purposes (ESP) such as business English. There are universities that need teachers to teach more specialized subjects such as accounting, international marketing and law.  

3. What documents should a candidate submit when he/she apply for a position in a university/private institute?

If you are interested in registering with our program, please provide the host school following:

1. Your resume, hard copy or electronical copy via email. Please state your marital status and date of birth in your resume.  

2. Copy of the first page of your passport with such information as your passport number, expiration date and date of birth.

3. Copy of your highest degree and teaching certificates, if any.

4. Names and contact information of two references.

*5. Preference, if any, of a location or locations in China. We can place you in just   about any place in China, but try to be as flexible as possible.

*6. When you will be available to start teaching.

Note: Documents included in *5 and *6 are the ones that should be submitted when you ask for our service of recommendation.

4. How about the teaching conditions in China?

Teaching conditions and compensation in China vary from school to school, but if you teach at a university, you will be teaching for about 15 hours a week.

5. How about the compensation in China?

For your service at a state college or university, you will be paid between 2,000 and 3,000RMB/month (roughly $300-$380) in addition to free housing and health care. If you commit to one year of teaching, most host schools will reimburse at least a one-way ticket and many schools will a round-trip ticket. Some schools will also provide a traveling allowance equivalent to half of a month's salary.  2,000-3,000RMB a month is far greater than what Chinese professors get paid, it's little money by the Western standards. In any case, things are cheap in China and 2,000-3,000RMB is enough to cover your basic expenses. However people come to teach in China mainly for the experience with the culture and the people. There are also people who use the opportunity as an investment for their future career. Private institutes, mostly under Western management, generally pay more than state colleges and universities. The pay ranges from $300-$800 per month. All of them reimburse a round-trip ticket to China if you commit to one year of teaching at least.

6. What kind of service does your organization provide for teachers, students and global educational organizations?

Our organization is devoted to posting information on both recruitment and cooperation. It has held a senior strategy position at the most successful EFL website in China. Those who are interested in teaching/working/studying/cooperation with schools in China can contact the host schools directly according to the connection information on our website or register on http://www.chinatefl.com/resume.html. We will keep your information in our databank and circulate it among the potential employers (China TEFL Network members) and they will contact you soon.

If all these methods failed we can also be an intermediary between you and the school at any time. The purpose of the service is to assist those who are interested in teaching English in China to locate positions at Chinese colleges/universities and private institutions. Offers on or outside our website will be provided as we have been entrusted by thousands of universities and schools to recommend foreign teachers / students for them. Our service is absolutely free for foreign teachers / students. Besides we also arrange the paperwork ready for the teacher to apply for visa, sign the contract with the school and pick-up at the airport and so on.

7. What kind of positions can you recommend?

We can recommend English teachers who are interested in year-long positions, semester-long positions and short-term summer teaching positions. What makes our service different is that instead of waiting to be notified by colleges/universities and private institutions about their openings, we initiate contact with them on your behalf. Given enough time, we sometimes can even create a position for you. The earlier you apply, the better is the chance of an appointment.

8. Do the schools provide positions all year round?

Most teaching positions at universities start in September and some in February (the beginning of the spring semester, depending on when the Chinese New Year is). The schedule at private institutions is a little more flexible than that at state colleges and universities. Most of them accept teachers on an on-going basis.

9. How many foreign teachers do schools in China need every year?

According to a certain statistics about 100 thousand teachers will be needed every year in China.

10. Can you recommend teachers who do not hold TESL degrees/certificates, in addition to those who do?

Yes, we do.

11. Can you give me a rough estimate of the monthly living expenses in a big city (rent, food, transportation, etc.)

In big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the average food cost is about 800 yuan, 1500 or so for renting an apartment and 1000 for taxi (if by bus and underway 300 is enough).

12. How to apply for a work-visa?

Once you are offered a position, you may obtain a Z (work) visa from the Chinese embassy/consulate nearest you on the official invitations by the university and the State Bureau of Foreign Experts in Beijing.

13. I have never worked overseas before. How will I cope with living in China?

All partner schools are well experienced in hosting foreign teachers and will make every effort to assist you in settling in. As long as you keep an open mind, stay as flexible as possible and set out to enjoy your stay you should have the time of your life.

14. What is the exchange rate from Rmb to foreign currency?

Details please visit http://www.xe.net/ucc

15. Sample Contract

16. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us at
E-mail: helen@chinatefl.com or
call at +0086-571-88234567