A
Guide Compiled by the American Citizen Services Office, U.S. Embassy,
Beijing
Overview
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing receives
many inquiries
about teaching
English in China. We have prepared this informal guide to give
potential
English teachers some basic information about teaching in China, so
that they
can be better informed before committing themselves to a particular job.
Many Americans have enjoyed their
teaching experience
in China; others
have encountered significant problems. Unfortunately, some
American
citizens travel to China under a contract with promises of a good
salary,
bonuses, and other perks, only to find themselves in difficult
situations,
often lacking funds to return to the United States. The key
to a
successful English teaching experience in China is to be employed by a
reputable school and to negotiate a well-written contract before
leaving the
United States. We advise anyone considering an English
teaching job in
China to carefully review the terms of the contract in regard to
working and
living conditions. It would also be useful to ask for
references from
persons familiar with the institution, especially former and current
American
employees.
The Embassy cannot represent U.S.
citizens in private
employment
disputes, conduct investigations or act as a legal representative in
legal or
contractual mishaps experienced by U.S. citizens, nor can we
investigate or
certify employers. Every school and province in China has its
own
regulations and interested parties should contact the local authorities
for
more detailed information. Each individual should evaluate
potential
employers before signing a contract.
This guide addresses types of
positions available in
China, visa matters,
contract considerations, sources of information, cultural pitfalls to
consider,
tips on adapting to China, and Embassy resources. We hope you
find this
information useful.
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TYPES OF ESL POSITIONS
AVAILABLE IN CHINA
English teachers in China work in a
wide variety of
institutions. A
brief description of the different options available follows.
Please keep
in mind that all institutions must have a license to hire foreign
teachers in
order for foreigners to be legally employed. Prospective
teachers should
verify the credentials of the school, university or institute before
entering
into any type of agreement.
Kindergartens
The pay for teaching English in
kindergartens in a
large city such as
Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou is a minimum of RMB 150 (about $18) per
hour and
usually more, with little preparation or outside work. This can be the
highest
paying teaching job available, but generally does not include rent or a
plane
ticket, and may require more than 20 teaching hours a week.
Boarding
Schools
Boarding schools are fairly common in
China, and
spread throughout the
countryside surrounding large cities. These jobs pay anywhere from RMB
4,000 to
9,000 (about $480 to $1,090) per month, including apartment and
reimbursement
for an international flight upon completion of the contract. They often
allow
for travel, with one month vacation for spring festival, two months for
summer,
and two weeks’ paid vacation. The age
range of the children varies.
Summer
and Winter Camps
Camps last from one week to one month
and can pay RMB
5,000 (about $600)
for two weeks. Although these are intense work environments, they
provide an
opportunity to interact with Chinese teachers, college students and
children
and are a good option for those interested in short-term teaching in
China
Business
English Teaching
Teaching English for a private
business program
usually requires a TEFL
(Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
certification. It may also require prior experience teaching adult
English, a
degree in ESL, or prior business experience. These jobs
generally have a
heavy workload — often over 20 hours a week with evening and weekend
hours.
However, the students in this setting are very eager
to learn and work hard. The company may provide lesson plans and/or a
housing
allowance in addition to the base salary of approximately RMB 8,000
(about
$970) a month.
Private
Language
Institutions
Private language
institutes
abound in China; some are well-established while others can be small
and
short-lived. Instructors in these institutes typically teach
conversation- oriented classes, and occasionally teach writing as
well.
Pupils range from grade school students to business people;
consequently
student skill levels vary widely. These institutions generally have a
very high
student turnover rate. Pay rates are dependent upon the
individual
institution and the number of hours worked (typically 20-30 hours per
week,
often including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, to accommodate
pupils’
schedules).
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University
Departments
Many universities in China have a
foreign language
or English department. Requirements for teachers vary depending on the
university and the level of classes taught; however, a master’s degree
or a
doctorate may qualify teachers to work as a ”Foreign Expert” in a
university
and to teach more advanced courses for much more pay than a “Foreign
Teacher”
receives. Undergraduate classes will be larger, while graduate classes
tend to
be smaller, offering more personal contact with students.
Salaries also
vary from university to university, though most include housing on or
near the
university campus.
Advanced
Degree Programs
Prospective teachers with a master’s
degree,
particularly an MBA, can
receive a good salary working as a professor for a master’s degree
program at a
university. The teaching load is light, but requires teachers to hold
office
hours and devote significant preparation time to lectures, paper
assignments,
and exams.
Career
Teaching
Career teachers can make up to 40,000
USD per year,
paid in foreign
currency. Options for career teachers include private college
preparatory
programs for Chinese students, international schools for children of
expatriates, and universities for higher-level students.
These jobs are
often extremely competitive.
Private
Teaching and Tutoring
Private teaching and tutoring are very
common in
China, and there is
great demand for native English speakers, particularly in the larger
cities. However, in order to do so legally, written consent
from a
full-time employer is required. Teachers interested in giving private
language
lessons should include a stipulation in their
contract allowing a certain number of hours per week for private
teaching.
Other
Options
Opportunities outside of the
traditional English
teaching sphere are
plentiful in China, though not always easy to obtain. Native
English
speakers have found work in a variety of industries, such as media
(editing or
writing for state-run foreign-language
media companies or private companies), freelance writing, educational
services
(recording English dialogues, working for study abroad
enterprises,
arranging language
camps, etc.), and
sales positions with companies with large expatriate client bases.
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VISA MATTERS
Some Americans encounter serious legal
problems with
the Chinese
government because they either work in China on tourist or other non-Z
visas,
or they accept part-time employment or private classes without
obtaining the
proper permission. Violation of Chinese laws can result in
severe
penalties, including imprisonment, fines of up to 500 RMB a day for
overstaying
a visa, or deportation. It is the employee’s responsibility
to understand
local laws and obey them.
Employment
Visas
Working
legally in China requires a “Z” Visa from a
Chinese embassy or
consulate. The Z visa is the only valid work visa.
Sponsorship from
an employer is needed in order to obtain a Z visa. Z visas
are typically
valid for one year, and may be renewed in China with appropriate
application
materials (for further details see www.bjgaj.gov.cn).
The Z visa is available in both single-entry and multiple-entry forms.
Some
prospective teachers enter China on tourist
visas before formally
committing to a position. After finding a position, they then
obtain the
sponsorship documents necessary to receive a Z visa; however, they may
have to
leave the country in order to reenter China on a Z visa. In
some cases
the potential employer will promise to help the teacher obtain the Z
visa in
China. The employer will take the teacher’s passport during
this process,
leaving the teacher without a passport for a potentially lengthy
period.
The length of time it takes to obtain a Z visa in China varies by
region.
In Beijing the process generally takes five business days. Prospective
teachers
should check with the local Public Security Bureau for the normal
length of
time it takes to process a Z visa application in other locations.
Institutions
that take passports for a lengthy period may be trying to obtain visas
through
illegal means and should be avoided. Until a valid Z visa is
issued it is
illegal to teach, even though a school or institute might apply
pressure to do
so during this period.
Prospective teachers planning to enter
China on
tourist visas should also
be aware that tourist visas are generally valid for only 30-90
days. If
the necessary documents are not obtained before the tourist visa
expires, you
are required to leave the country
Further information on obtaining a Z
visa and a
complete list of required
documents is available on the website of the Chinese Embassy in the
United
States at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84245.htm.
Residence
Permits
In addition to a valid passport and
visa, all
prospective teachers must
obtain a Residency Permit within thirty days of their entry into China.
It is
illegal to teach in China without both the Z visa and a valid Resident
Permit.
This is necessary whether classified as a “foreign teacher” or a
“foreign expert.”
Employers should provide assistance in obtaining this document.
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Foreign
Teachers
Foreign teachers are all teachers
without an “Expert
Certificate” from
the National Expert Bureau of Foreign Affairs. In order to obtain a
Resident
Permit Foreign Workers need to work with their employer to obtain the
Foreign
Teacher Resident Permit, colloquially known as the “Green Book,” from
their
local Public Security Bureau. The following
documents are required:
- Valid passport and visa;
- Original “Health Certification” submitted by Beijing Exit &
Entry
Inspection & Quarantine Bureau;
- Two recent, two-inch, bareheaded, full-faced photos (either black and
white
or in color);
- The official seal of the unit (the employer, known as the “danwei”)
on a
filled-out “Application Form for Visa, Residence Permit,” along with
one
recent, two inch, bareheaded, full-faced photo.
* For those working in Beijing whose work will not exceed one year, a
temporary
residence permit is available, and the “Health Certificate” is waived.
Foreign
Experts
Foreign experts are teachers who hold
advanced
degrees and have received
an “Expert Certificate” from the National Expert Bureau of Foreign
Affairs. The Foreign Expert Resident Permit is colloquially
known as the
“Red Book” and should be obtained from the teacher’s local Public
Security
Bureau with the help of the employer. The Foreign Expert
Resident Permit
requires the following documents.
- Valid passport and visa;
- Originals and copies of “Expert Certificate” issued by the National
Expert
Bureau of Foreign Affairs Office of the Municipal Government;
- Original “Health Certification” submitted by Beijing Exit &
Entry
Inspection & Quarantine Bureau;
-Two recent, two-inch, bareheaded, full-faced photos (either black and
white or
in color);
- The official seal of the unit (their employer) on a filled-out
“Application
Form for Visa, Residence Permit,” along with one recent, two inch,
bareheaded,
full-faced photo.
* For those working in Beijing whose work will not exceed one year, a
temporary
residence permit is available, and the “Health Certificate” is waived.
Changing
Employers
When teaching in China, it is possible
to change
jobs; however this can
be a difficult process. In order to change employers, the
Resident Permit
(Green or Red Book) needs to be transferred from the old employer to
the new
employer. Leaving an employer before a contract is up
requires a “Letter
of Release” from the employer. This letter authorizes other
schools or
institutions to register someone with the government and enables the
teacher to
transfer the Resident Permit (further information on the “Letter of
Release”
appears in the Contracts section of this
guide). Please be
advised that due to the complex nature of this process, further
questions
should be addressed to the local Public Security Bureau when in China,
or to
the Chinese Embassy or consulates in the United States.
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CONTRACTS
When in China, Americans are subject
to Chinese law,
regardless of
American citizenship. Rights as a U.S. citizen do not carry over to
other
countries and disputes are resolved through the local legal system.
Foreign instructors in China
occasionally have
contract disputes with
their employers. Employees should be sure to have all agreements
put into writing and not to rely on verbal promises. If possible one
should
receive an official copy of the contract before arriving in China,
including a
copy in Chinese. Even so, American teachers may find that
Chinese
contracts are not considered as binding as contracts in the United
States.
These contracts will sometimes contain unexpected alterations when the
prospective teacher arrives, during the duration of their employment,
or at the
end of the period specified by the contract. Taking an
employer to court
over breach of contract is far less common in China than it is in the
United
States, and is a particularly difficult process for
foreigners.
Culturally, oral negotiation and a solid relationship with the employer
are of
paramount importance. A good working relationship with your
school,
institution, or business is vital to reaching an agreement
over contractual difficulties.
Basic
Features of Most Teaching Contracts
Contracts for teaching positions
typically last for
one year and should
include provisions for salary, housing, working hours, class size,
medical
insurance, taxes, early termination, and in some cases, a plane ticket
home.
Any bonuses, such as travel bonuses or contract termination bonuses,
should be
clearly spelled out in the contract. Further information on
these topics
is below.
- Salary
The majority of English teaching jobs
in China pay
monthly
salaries. Nevertheless, the salary should be clearly defined
in terms of
hours per month and compensation per hour. Also, in the
interest of
clarity, numeric figures as well as written amounts should be included
on the
contract. Payment dates, methods, and currency should be
specified in
advance. Chinese bank accounts are not generally accessible
overseas, and
many schools place a limit on the amount of RMB you can convert into US
dollars. If possible, specify this number or percentage
in the contract.
Teachers should bring sufficient funds
to cover at
least a month of room
and board, as the institution might not be willing to forward any part
of the
salary upon arrival.
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- Hours
Full-time teaching is generally
considered to be
between 12-20 hours per
week in China. However, this number varies
according to the type of
school or institute. Most teachers end up with approximately
15 hours of
class per week, supplemented with additional hours running
conversational
groups or participating in cultural activities. Those
teaching younger
children will generally find the hours to be greater, but will not be
required
to do as much outside specified teaching hours. Conversely,
teaching at a
higher level, such as at a university, will generally require office
hours. Additional hours should be specified in the contract,
preferably
with a confirmed hourly rate. Prospective teachers should
make sure that
contracts specify the maximum number of classroom hours per day and per
week,
as well as the maximum number of workdays per week, and any vacation
periods.
Teachers generally receive vacation time for Chinese New Year; however,
this is
not always paid vacation.
- Housing
Many schools offer, or even require,
on-campus
housing. This can take the
form of a dormitory or an apartment. Other institutions will
occasionally
offer a housing allowance. If housing is included in the contract, it
should
specify details. If the accommodation is classified as “furnished” one
may want
to ask for a basic inventory of the dormitory or apartment and its
attendant
facilities. Another issue to address is whether the housing
has heating
and/or air-conditioning, telephone, and internet, and, if these are
provided,
who pays for them. Also, be sure to verify if the
accommodation is single
or shared. Other items which you may want to verify include
whether the
bathroom is private or shared, and if there is access to a
kitchen. Some
Chinese universities, particularly in the provinces, have been known to
establish curfews for their foreign teachers living on campus.
- Plane
Tickets
Many contracts include a return plane
ticket to the
United States upon
completion of the contract, and some even provide round-trip
airfare.
While this is a very common practice, teachers have occasionally run
into
difficulties when their employers refuse to provide the promised plane
ticket
upon completion of the contract. In this situation the
Embassy is not
authorized to provide citizens with the funds to return to the United
States. While emergency repatriation loans are available to
U.S. citizens
who become destitute overseas, we recommend that you ensure access to
sufficient funds for a return plane ticket in case of emergencies,
regardless
of what is specified in your contract. Also, many schools and
institutions will reimburse the teacher for the cost of the airfare,
rather
than provide them with a pre-paid ticket.
- Bonuses
A standard feature of English-teaching
contracts in
China is the
“Contract Completion Bonus.” This may comprise a sizable portion of
monthly
salary, and will be paid upon completion of the contract.
Another common
feature, though by no means universal, is the “Travel Bonus” which
provides
funds to travel occasionally during the duration of the contract.
- Class
Size
Class size is not typically addressed
in contracts,
so be sure to ask.
Class size will vary, depending upon the type of institution.
Expect
classes to be relatively small in private language
institutes (often between 10 and 20 pupils), and large in most schools
and
universities.
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-
Medical Insurance
Many Chinese schools provide health
insurance to
their foreign
teachers. This can cover up to 80% of medical
expenses. Note that
employees are usually required to pay a certain percentage
of medical expenses, which can grow quickly in event of a serious
injury, a hospital
stay, or extended medical attention. Chinese hospitals often demand
payment in
cash in advance before providing service. The Chinese medical system,
particularly in rural areas, often does not meet U.S.
standards. For this
reason, all Americans traveling to China are strongly encouraged to buy
foreign medical
care and medical
evacuation insurance prior to their arrival. Since U.S.
medical insurance
is not always valid outside the United States, please check with your
insurance
company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas and if it
includes a
provision for medical evacuation. Travelers interested in a
list of
modern medical facilities in China can view a list of hospitals, by
province,
on the Embassy’s website at http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical_information.html.
- Early
Termination
Contracts should always include an
acceptable early
termination
clause. If a contract is terminated early and the employee
wants to work
at another school in China, a “Letter of Release” from the previous
school will
be required. This letter allows the next school to officially
register
the teacher; without it one cannot work legally at a new
institution.
- Taxes
- Chinese
All schools in China that hire foreign
teachers must
pay taxes on their
salaries. Most employers will deduct this tax amount from the
employee’s
salary. The employer will arrange for this, and you should receive a
receipt
for any taxes that have been deducted from your salary. Tax amounts
vary
depending on the province and salary. Questions should be
directed to the
local tax office.
- United
States
Americans residing abroad are not
exempt from filing
requirements, but
are, under certain conditions, entitled to exclusions on foreign-earned
income. More information on overseas income and filing is
available from
the IRS publications “Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens Abroad” and “Overseas
Filers
of Form 1040”.
These and other Federal tax forms may be downloaded at U.S. Federal Tax
Forms
on the Internal Revenue Service website at http://www.irs.gov.
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SOURCES OF INFORMATION
The Embassy does not keep a
comprehensive listing of
foreign language
institutes nor does it provide assistance in
finding employment. In China, English teaching jobs are
filled either
through advertisements or by word of mouth. Numerous
advertisements for
teaching positions can be found online, as well as in China-based
English language
publications such as That’s Beijing (and
That’s Guangzhou and That’s Shanghai), TimeOut
Beijing (and TimeOut
Shanghai), City Weekend (Beijing), and
Red Star (Qingdao).
Recruiting
and Placement Services
Most English teachers hired in the
United States do
not get jobs directly
through the institute where they will work. Instead, they are
recruited
by a placement service. These services recruit on U.S.
campuses, in U.S.
publications, and online. While some offer legitimate
services, the Embassy
has received complaints in the past about certain recruiting
services.
Those considering working in China should deal carefully with
recruiters.
Many of them do not know at which school or institute in which area of
China
the teacher will be placed. Frequently, recruiting services will not
accept
responsibility for a placement that is contrary to the original terms
of the agreement
or contract.
Prospective teachers should always
demand a contract
directly from their
employer rather than through an agent
or intermediary, and should have this contract in hand before departing
for
China. Agents or intermediaries often receive a large portion
of the
monthly pay promised to the teacher, leaving the teacher without
significant
financial resources. These “fees” are sometimes not disclosed
until after
the prospective teacher arrives in China. To date, courts and
police in
many jurisdictions have refused to intervene in these cases on behalf
of
foreign teachers.
Online
Resources
There are a great number of placement
services and
classified ads for
teaching positions on the internet. Thoroughly research potential
employers
and, if applicable, the placement service when considering one of these
services. Always request references from the company or
school, and personally
contact foreigners who have worked with them before.
Prospective teachers
cannot be too careful when committing to an overseas teaching position.
CULTURAL CHALLENGES
Different
Expectations
Many types of people teach English in
China, with a
variety of different
aims. Some come to China with ESL degrees specifically to
teach English.
Others see teaching English as a means to experience a new
culture. There
are those who teach to support themselves while looking for other jobs
in
China, or while doing research in other fields. As a result,
English
teachers in China arrive with a wide range of expectations.
Each
individual brings his or her own unique perspective to the job and will
have
different reactions to new circumstances. While China is
developing
rapidly and is increasingly open to global markets, it is still very
different
from the United States. Do not expect to encounter the same
standard of
living, particularly when working outside of the major
cities. Having
realistic expectations and a flexible attitude will help prepare you
for the
stress that can accompany living and working in a different culture.
Foreigners
in China
China’s major cities all host large
populations of
foreigners; however if
you choose to work in a smaller city or in the provinces, foreigners
may still
be regarded as a curiosity. While the Chinese media does not
always
present Americans in a positive light, Chinese people are generally
friendly
and interested to learn about Western culture. Given their foreign
status,
American teachers will likely find themselves in highly visible
positions no
matter where they are employed, and the locals will be watching with
interest.
Remember that in some ways, Chinese society is more conservative than
American
society, and it is best to abide by local norms.
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ADAPTING TO CHINA
Culture
Shock
When first arriving in a country,
visitors are
usually excited and eager
for new experiences. After a while, the
newness wears off and homesickness begins. Do not judge
yourself too
severely at this point, as it happens to most people. Culture
shock
usually dissipates in a relatively short time. Continuing to
cope with
the realities of living here will help overcome most culture shock.
Perhaps
most importantly, make the effort to get to know students and
colleagues. Chinese
friends will provide many
valuable insights into the country and culture that will not be
possible by
interacting only with other foreigners.
Location
China is a very large country,
featuring several
different climate zones
and a sharp urban/rural divide. Consequently, teaching
experiences will
vary. Researching different locales ahead of time via the
internet and
guide books will help prospective teachers find a job in an area that
best
suits their preferences.
China’s major cities, Beijing,
Shanghai, and
Guangzhou, offer a more
cosmopolitan experience. While they can be crowded, and
pollution is a
problem, western food and amenities tend to be easily accessible, there
are a
number of establishments which cater to foreign clientele, and the
health care
available in these cities is the best in China. Those
interested in
teaching English in a business environment, or planning to look for a
substantial number of private pupils should consider focusing on these
cities.
Many find that the transition for foreigners living abroad is easiest
in these
cities.
Teaching outside of the major cities,
either in a
provincial city or in a
small town in the provinces, provides a very different
experience. In
China, a city of one million people can be quite provincial and might
not have
a modern infrastructure, western food and amenities, or adequate
healthcare.
Also, in areas that are far from urban centers, there will be fewer
people who
speak English. Non-Chinese speakers may want to find out if
someone at
the school speaks both Chinese and English and can provide
assistance.
Nevertheless, teaching in these areas provides the teacher with a view
of the
“real China” that may escape those who remain in the major
cities. For
those who enjoy challenges and adventure, teaching in these areas can
be a
great option.
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YOUR EMBASSY AS A RESOURCE
The Embassy and U.S. Consulates in
Guangzhou,
Shanghai, Shenyang, Chengdu
and Hong Kong can assist Americans in a variety of ways. The
Embassy and
Consulates offer notary services, renews passports, add additional visa
pages
into passports, assist with absentee voting
registration, and stock basic U.S. Federal Tax Forms. The Embassy’s
website
provides additional information on marriage,
voting, birth registration, and other issues Americans often encounter,
at http://beijing.usembassy.gov/service.html
We can often provide phone numbers and
addresses of
Chinese government agencies
you may have to deal with. If you
find yourself in need of legal help, we can provide a list of
attorneys;
however, we are unable to recommend any specific lawyer from this
list.
In case of a financial emergency, we can receive and disburse funds
sent to you
from a source in the U.S., usually much faster than a bank or wire
transfer.
Finally, we strongly encourage
all Americans traveling to, or living in China to register their trip
with the
Department of State. Travel registration is a free service provided by
the U.S.
Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a
foreign
country. Registration allows you to record information about your
upcoming trip
abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an
emergency. Americans residing abroad can also get routine information
from the
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
More information on registration,
including the link
to register online,
is available at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp
The U.S. Mission China provides
services to American
citizens throughout
China. More information is available at travel.state.gov and http://beijing.usembassy.gov/
Sources
The above information was compiled
from the following
websites and
publications.
http://www.bjgaj.gov.cn
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/default.htm
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0501/teaching_english_in_china_choose_right_school.shtml
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0409/teaching_english_in_china.shtml
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0001/walfish.shtml
www.travel.state.gov
www.tealic.com
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