Teaching in China
English Instructors In High Demand In World's Largest Nation
Being an English instructor in China presents many challenges. Living in unfamiliar surroundings, trying food which is unusual and overcoming linguistic barriers are some things you could expect. This article explores the teaching options available to you while in China, and outlines mistakes which you should avoid.
Where to Find a Job
You do have a number of options when deciding where you want to teach. There are private schools, kindergartens, universities and private tutoring. Different schools will have different educational requirements; you might need a degree or just a TESL certificate. Once you've made a decision about whether to go to a big city or the countryside, the next step would be to contact a school and see if they have any vacancies. You will also have to verify the school's credentials, since any institution which provides English instruction needs a license.
Getting All the Right Documents
This is the most important part of your journey. Working legally in China will require you to have a "Z" visa, which can only be obtained from a Chinese consulate in your own country. First the school which you want to work for will have to send a visa notification letter on your behalf, along with a "Work Permit for Aliens" given by the Chinese Ministry of Labour. Upon arrival in China you must, within thirty days, go to the local police and obtain a residence permit. Your employer should help you with this.
Contract Issues
Don't make the same mistake as many other teachers have done in China, thinking that verbal agreements will be adhered to on the part of your employer. Make sure to get everything in writing, and have one copy in English and the other in Chinese. Go over all of the salary and housing provisions carefully, and get a written confirmation about how many hours a week you will be expected to work.
Culture Shock
Don't expect the lifestyle in China to be anything like what you would see in western countries. Medical facilities, standards of hygiene and living conditions can be primitive in rural areas. People will stare at you out of curiosity, especially outside the large cities. Also keep in mind that a "provincial" city could have a population of up to two or three million, so personal space and privacy will be hard to come by.
Other Dos and Don'ts
Do learn Chinese, it will look great on your resume and you can communicate with locals.
Do take out extra medical insurance before leaving home. Getting the care you need outside cities like Beijing and Shanghai could be problematic.
Do bring some extra money. It's a common practice for English schools in China to promise to buy a plane ticket home for foreign teachers when their contract expires. However, when the time comes to deliver it they refuse to do so. It does happen. If you want to avoid the same problem, take some extra cash with you so you won't get stuck.
Don't come to China with a tourist visa. Many people enter the country with one and then take up paid employment, but it's illegal. Chinese officials can be decidedly unfriendly if they catch you without the proper visa.
Don't overstay your welcome. It's no more acceptable here than in any other country. You could be fined 500 yuan per day for overstaying a visa.
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