China - TEFL Paid Teaching Program

About the Program

This is an exciting program for ambitious and adventurous people who want to experience the real China.

This program provides you with a unique opportunity to get paid work in China as an English teacher. During your time in China, you will work as an English teacher, study the Chinese language, and learn all about the culture. During the school holidays you will have the chance to travel the country.

The paid teaching English program is a fantastic way to experience the real China, to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and to have the opportunity to make friends with Chinese people.

During the first 4 weeks there will be intense TEFL training training course in Yangshuo in order to prepare for the teaching experience.

Introduction & TEFL course

In order to help you become a committed and confident teacher, we provide you with a 4-week introduction and training period in Yangshuo. This will involve teacher training as well as the chance to learn about the culture, customs, and language through fun excursions around the area. The training will be focused on how to manage a class, what to teach, and how to conduct yourself in a Chinese classroom. Through this training, you will also learn more about the Chinese culture.

Part 1 - The General Introduction
You will get to know the staff, your fellow participants, and the local area. You will gain a better understanding of Chinese customs and culture and will also have ‘survival' Chinese lessons. These Chinese lessons will help you get by during your time in China! You will also get to meet students and visit nearby schools.

Part 2 - Chinese Culture
This part focuses on understanding more about the Chinese school systems, planning lessons, student psychology, and excursions. The excursions could be a countryside tour, a visit to the mountains, a tour of a tea plantation, or another seasonal cultural experience. You will also have a one-night home stay with a local Chinese family and have an excursion to the beach or a nearby island.

Part 3 - Learning How to Teach
You will learn more about how to teach the students, and will observe lessons from Chinese teachers and also from other foreign teachers.

Part 4 - The Teaching Practice
You will practice teaching your peers and also in the local schools in the area. This is to make sure you are confident in the classroom before beginning your teaching placement. At the end of this training you will have a party to celebrate!

Participants will receive a TEFL certificate only after successful completion of the course. During the course participants will get a minimum of 1000 RMB (around US$150) for pocket money. 

Teaching Placement

You will be advised of your placement during the training period. The individual schools determine the placements through selection based on your application (composed of an interview with the headmaster and a video of you teaching). Placement is guaranteed upon the completion of the Introduction & Training. The schools and language training centers are in Yangshuo County, Guilin Region in Guangxi Province, and Xian city in Shanxi province. The schools in China will vary greatly as they do in all education systems. Schools are usually large, with between 1,000 and 5,000 students, with individual classes usually up to 50 students each. The schools are a mixture of private schools and government schools.

There are two semesters in each academic year. Each term is approximately 5 months in duration. The first term starts in early September. The second term starts in March and is dependent on the time of Chinese New Year, which is usually late January to late February. The summer breaks are 6-8 weeks in length from July to August. The winter breaks are 4 weeks in length from January to February. Some schools offer Summer Schools during the summer break. If you are not needed for summer school, volunteers are free to travel and explore the country during these breaks. 

Teaching Salary: the teaching salary will be up to 5000 RMB (around US$800) per month, with a minimum teaching time of 20 hours per week.

Professional Responsibilities: within the school you will be expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner. These details are covered in the training program. In particular, your dress standard and your professionalism with regard to attendance and duties will be very important in your new role. You will be assigned to a contact person who will guide you and provide support. Please ensure that you follow the advice of the contact person at all times. The key elements to success in the schools are communication, flexibility, and patience.

Living Arrangements 

During Training: accommodations will be at a shared volunteer center with shared rooms (for 2-6 people each), hot water, showers, western toilets, internet access, and laundry facilities. All food is included and all meals are provided. The food is typically Chinese with lots of variety.

During Teaching Placement: volunteers will be given basic shared apartments/double rooms in the area of their placement with air conditioning, hot water, showers, western toilets, internet access, and laundry facilities. Participants are expected to cover their own living expenses after the introduction month. Some schools and training centers will offer free food but some will not. 

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum age 22, maximum age 45
• College graduate
• Native speaker or equivalent English ability
• CV and at least one reference  
• Minimum period of participation is 5 months
• The participant is psychologically fit
• Able to teach a of minimum 20 hours of English per week
• Full travel & medical insurance