How to get a job teaching in China

Before you read further, now hear this: THIS WEB SITE IS INFORMATIONAL ONLY. I DO NOT HIRE PEOPLE. DO NOT SEND YOUR RESUME TO ME!

Types of employers--First, be aware that there are several different classes of employers, and each may require a different job-seeking strategy:

• Public colleges and universities--This is the oldest and most established segment of the market and still accounts for most of the ads for English teachers seen on job bulletin boards. They tend to have higher standards for prospective teachers (although not always) and are generally the "safest" employers to deal with. Students are of course college-aged and fairly serious usually.
• Private English-teaching schools--These are private companies that offer after-school English classes for kids, evening classes for adults, or English training at offices, hotels, factories or the student's home. The pay can be higher than in the college sector but there is less security, your pay depends on how many hours you work and there are more unscrupulous operators. You may have to find your own housing. This is now a huge market that may be as large as the college segment in terms of ads appearing on job boards. This is generally the easiest to get into. They will often hire anyone who can speak English and/or looks foreign.
• Private colleges and middle schools (high schools)--These were nonexistent as recently as the early 1990s. They are usually in business to make money. They vary tremendously in quality and ethics. Many teachers complain about rotten, undisciplined students and an dministration that cares only about making money.
• International schools--Many of the larger cities have international schools that serve the children of foreign expatriates living in China (e.g. Americans, British, Koreans, Japanese, etc. diplomats and employees of international organizations or multinational corporations). These schools try to create an American, British, Korean, etc. school environment on Chinese soil. They hire teachers qualified to teach in their home countries for all the usual grades and subjects. They may hire teachers in specialty areas, such as music, art, or special education. Many also employ ESL teachers since they also have students from non-English-speaking countries.

What to do:

• Do research. Spend several hours reading through the listings on the China job discussion board at Dave's ESL cafe. (Don't be scared off TOO easily by the horror stories!) Find out which types of employers or cities to avoid or pursue. Which kind of job do you prefer?
• Make up a 1-page resume that includes your name, address, e-mail, phone, and fax; education; job experience. Remember, the people who read it may not understand English well, so keep it simple and leave out jargon, acronyms and complex sentence structure.
• Check Internet job boards or listings. Find a list of sites on my links page. Find listings that interest you. Send your resume and a brief e-mail stating your interest in teaching at the school and briefly summarizing your background.
• If you are interested in a particular location or type of school--Find a list of universities in China and look up the websites of schools in the province/city you are interested in. Try to find the section about their "foreign affairs office", "international cooperation department" or "international exchanges" or the English department. Find an email address and send your resume to the director of foreign affairs or international cooperation. This person is often in charge of hiring and overseeing foreign teachers. You can also try the head of the English department.
• You may also use a "headhunter" service that will help you find a job in China. Some of these are connected with U.S. colleges; others are private companies or individuals; some are Chinese government organizations like the foreign experts bureau in Beijing. Be careful, because the headhunter may promise things that the school (your prospective employer) will not deliver.
• The more adventurous job-seeker may go to China to look for a job. This is a good method for those who are familiar with China, have friends and connections there already, or those who are naturally good at networking. Look for schools (in the downtown or the university district) and walk in to announce your availability. Keep your eye out for ads for English schools. Chinese newspapers often have many such ads for English (or other foreign language) lessons. Magazines and newspapers for foreign expatriates sometimes have ads for English teachers or other personnel, as do bulletin boards at supermarkets or other places where foreigners congregate. Find the coffeehouse or bar where foreigners hang out and ask about jobs.
• Carefully consider any offers you get. Ask questions first. If your contact is vague, evasive or unresponsive to your questions, look elsewhere. Try to get everything in writing. Be firm, but polite.

Some items to ask about:

• Salary
• How many hours of teaching per week? Which classes--conversation? literature? reading?
• Who will you be teaching? University students? children? adults?
• Will you be given a set curriculum to teach? Is there a textbook you must use?
• Will your employer pay airfare to China? Will they send you a ticket or reimburse you when you arrive in China? If so, when will you be reimbursed? Will they pay for return airfare? Must you work for a certain minimum length of time before they will pay for airfare?
• Will an apartment be provided? Must you share it? How many rooms? Is it on the campus? How far from the teaching site? Ask for a description and a digital photo of interior and exterior if possible.
• Do you have to pay for electricity, telephone, utilities? How much?
• Will you have a computer and access to the Internet? How much will Internet access cost (dial-up? broadband?)
• Is health insurance provided? (The correct answer is yes) Will you have access to an on-campus clinic or hospital?
• What medical examination is required for employment? Can the exam be performed in China? Will the employer pay for the exam in China?
• Will your school arrange a work visa for you? Will there be any charges for this?
• A university contract usually includes a one-month vacation at Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), usually in January or February, plus a small cash payment for traveling in China. It may specify other items such as a computer, T.V., washing machine, bicycle.