Spend a summer teaching in China, one of the most amazing cultures in the world

Section One - General Information

EF English First is part of EF Education, the world's largest private organisation specialising in language teaching and educational travel.

There are exceptionally good prospects for promotion and transfers to other countries for staff who prove themselves in their posts.

The Work:

Contracts for English First in China are standard and apply to every franchise school. The following points outline the key terms and conditions.

  • Reimbursed return flight from country of origin up to $1000 USD.
  • EF English First franchise schools pay visa and work permit costs.
  • Medical insurance
  • Accommodation is paid for, and provided by English First.
  • Contracts are for a 40-hour week with 26 contact teaching hours. Hours of work will mirror those of similar local schools and will almost certainly involve working in the morning and in the evening as well as at weekends
  • Learners range from absolute beginners to advanced, and in terms of age range from 5 upwards, which means your work may involve contact with children, teenagers, and adults. Classes are of a standard size and may have a maximum of 20 students in them.
  • Throughout the summer, schools hold social activities for the students, which you will be expected to participate in. Teachers will get the chance to participate and lead some skills-sharing seminarswith English-speaking and non-English speaking colleagues.

The Students:

As noted above, EF English First franchise schools offer classes to all age groups. Inevitably, students tend to come from the more affluent sectors of Chinese society and attend classes for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for investing in EF English First classes appear to be as follows; in order to progress in the workplace (a good level of English is vital for all ambitious Chinese), to enhance and consolidate English speaking skills before embarking upon an extended trip abroad, to prepare for impending IELTS examinations or, in the case of a few, simply as a form of recreation.

English is part of the curriculum in Chinese schools and has been for a good number of years. Thus, students under the age of forty will usually have an extremely sound but passive knowledge of grammar. Students like the fact that we offer relatively small classes, which have a strong communicative element. It is practice in speaking and listening skills, which they crave from English First classes

On the whole Chinese students are extremely committed and willing to learn. They are also quite often keen to immerse themselves within the ‘EF family’ and this is encouraged with occasional parties and student centred activities.

The Teachers:

There are currently over 200 full time foreign teachers working with EF English First in China. They range in experience from those who have just completed a TEFL/TESOL certificate course to those who have been teaching English as their primary or secondary career for a number of years. This mix of experience is considered beneficial both for teaching staff and the various schools. Also considered beneficial to all is a good mix of nationalities; we currently have teachers from the U.K., Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The various accents, vocabulary and spelling differences are equally well respected and are of benefit to our students who must be prepared to work in one or more of these environments.

EF English First employs its own textbook for general English classes but does encourage teachers to make use of the extensive library of EFL resource books, found in all of our schools, in order to make lessons as student centred and proactive as possible. We also encourage teachers to make full use of all other teacher support material such as, photocopying facilities, computer lab with CD ROMS and Computer Aided Language Learning programmes.

EF English First schools employ local (Chinese) English teachers who are responsible for lower levels. They often provide an extremely useful insight into Chinese culture and society for foreign teachers, and are an integral part of the teaching staff.

All EF English First franchise schools in China have a Director of StudiesEach DoS has a wealth of experience within the world of ELT and will assist in the professional development of teaching staff.

Section Two - Country Information

“China is a sleeping giant. Let her lie and sleep, for when she awakens she will astonish the world.” Napoleon

After thirty years of being largely closed from the outside world China has flung open her borders and is looking with fervour to the future. With a population of well over a billion and a geographical area of such vastness that it almost beggars belief, China has something to offer every visitor.

Gone are the days of the Mao suit and ‘socialist paradise’, today’s China incorporates a burgeoning middle class with huge ostentatious shopping centres featuring the most up to date fashions. For any visitor to China during the 1980s, or even early 90s, the changes and developments, which have taken place throughout the major cities, must be quite astonishing. Perhaps the starkest result of this change has been the sudden and seemingly unstoppable drive toward increased leisure activity.

Leisure time in the various cities can be spent in a number of ways. You could go native and take to the shopping streets; bowling is another very popular pastime; there are bars and discos to dance and drink the night away in and there are restaurants of every denomination. The more up-market western bars and restaurants can be expensive and dining in these on a regular basis would be a strain on your purse strings to say the least. However, there are other western eateries in which one can eat at affordable prices, such as 80RMB per head inclusive of beer.

Generally beers are quite steep in nightclubs at a cost of around 30-40RMB and wine is very expensive and can cost as much as 60RMB per glass. However, eating in local restaurants and drinking Tsingtao beer is very affordable and living in this way you’ll find that your wages will go a long way. A large lunch or dinner in a local restaurant will cost from 20-30RMB per person including beer or a soft drink, Chinese tea is usually provided free of charge.

Shopping for life’s necessities can be a little frustrating for the foreigner in China. It is important to remember that anything imported will be very expensive. Chinese people don’t use deodorant, so it is hard to find, and very expensive when it is available (40RMB). Shampoo and cosmetics are about the same price as they are in Britain, but without the benefit of cheaper own-brand lines. Shampoo is around 40-50RMB and conditioner, which can be hard to find, is about the same price. There is a western style chemist’s in most major cities called Watson’s, visitors to Hong Kong will be familiar with it. Clothes and shoes are made in Asian sizes and women in particular will find problems in buying clothes larger than British size 12/American size 14 and shoes over continental size 38. Dresses cost from 60-360RMB depending on label and material. Fleece jackets 98RMB. Bear in mind that it is quite possible to bargain in many small or family-run places. Tights or pantyhose are impossible to buy above a tiny size. So, come prepared with footwear and basic clothes if you are over size twelve. Chinese shoes cost around 100-200RMB, imported shoes cost anything from 300-1300RMB. Men will experience similar problems with clothes and shoes although not quite so acutely, unless they are particularly tall or big. However, clothes can be made quite cheaply and very quickly and material is very cheap to buy.

The PRC uses RMB or Yuan for currency, familiarly referred to as ‘kwai’. The exchange rate is around 15 to the pound (UK), 8 to the dollar (US), and it doesn’t move much. It is not possible to buy RMB outside China, and it should not be carried out of the country. Credit cards are becoming more common in China, but cash remains the preferred form of payment. You can access funds from your home accounts using Cirrus and Visa Plus ATM cards in Bank of China machines.

The following list was compiled by a foreign teacher in Shanghai and gives an impression of the general cost of living in the most expensive city in main land China:

AVERAGE PRICES IN SHANGHAI

Transport

Underground/Subway 2RMB

Bus 1-3RMB

Taxi 10RMB+ 1RMB per Km

After 11pm 13RMB+1RMB per Km

Soft sleeper to Beijing 600RMB(single)

Flight to Xi’an 2200RMB(return)

Eating Out

Chinese Lunch Box 5-10RMB

(rice, meat and two veg)

Always Cafe Lunch Special 20RMB

Macdonald’s 22RMB

(burger, large fries and coke)

Chinese Restaurant (3 dishes + rice) 30RMB(Serves 2)

TGI Friday’s Burger 100RMB+

Lots of restaurants do special lunchtime deals, it’s a question of keeping your eyes open.

Shopping

Rice 1 kilo 1.5RMB

Pasta packet imported 12 RMB

Orange Juice 1 lt. 16 RMB

Coffee jar instant 30 RMB

Tea box of bags 30RMB

Coke etc. tin 2.8RMB

Beer 3-10RMB

Sliced bread half loaf 8RMB

Instant noodles 2-5RMB

Chocolate bar (western) 10RMB+

Drinking

Beer 15-40RMB (depending on brand and venue)

Gin and Tonic 40RMB (same price for other mixed drinks)

B52 60RMB (same price for other shorts)

Coke 12-25RMB (depending on venue)

Orange Juice 30-40RMB

Throughout the past three or four years there has been an increasing level of outrage amongst certain sections of Chinese society concerning perceived rises in crime levels. However, all foreign residents agree that Chinese cities are generally safe and there is very little violent crime. Nevertheless, petty theft, pick-pocketing in particular, can be a problem, and one has to be vigilant when in crowded areas such as railway stations, buses etc.

Of course it should never be forgotten or underestimated that China is a communist republic. Although this could not be said to affect the everyday lives of foreigners at all, it does make a big difference to any bureaucracy that you will come into contact with. To give a few examples; you will need to register with the police within 24 hours of entering the country. Failure to do so will attract a fine. In order to get working papers you will have to undergo a medical examination and a blood test, which will include testing for HIV. The visa, which is issued to you to permit working for EF English First, is non-transferable and becomes invalid on the termination of employment. It may be necessary to show your passport or working papers to purchase certain travel tickets. If you are in any doubt, please don’t hesitate to contact EF for information.

Section Three – EF English First Schools in China

There are currently more than 55 EF English First franchise schools to be found throughout main land China, serving thousands of students, including:

Shanghai (4 schools), Guangzhou, Shenzhen (4 schools), Daqing, Fuzhou, Hangzhou (2 schools), Xian (2 schools), Shenyang, Tianjing, Chengdu, Kunming, Haerbin, Dalian, Jinan, Wuxi, Changchun, Wuhan, Chongqing, Zhengzhou, Qingdao, Lanzhou, Shijiazhuang, Urumqi, Jinzhou, Taiyuan, Qinghuangdao, Huizhou, Zhangjiagang, Nanjing (2 training centers), Hefei, Tangshan, Wenzhou, Changsha, Nanchang, Xieman, Ningbo, Beijing (2 schools), Dongying, Xiaoshan, Kolomy, Linyi, Zhuhai, Yiwu, Guiyang, Weihai and many more planned to open in the very near future.

Section Four – Teacher Applications

If you are interested in joining the EF English First team in China please fax, mail, or email your resume stating your preferred choice of location in China to:

TRT, EF English First

26 Wilbraham Road,

Fallowfield,

Manchester

M14 6JX

t: 0161 256 1400

f: 0161 256 1936

e:

EF China/Recruitment/2-month contracts / Page 1