Before You Arrive

 

  1. Requirements
  2. Packing
  3. Transportation and Arrival

 

  1. Requirements

    Schools in China require foreign English teachers to have, at base, one of the following:
    * Bachelor's degree.
    * Associate's of Arts degree plus a TESOL certificate

    Once you inform IEEA of your intent to teach in Hainan, we will ask that you immediately send us your correct certification via e-mail:
    * Scanned copy of college diploma. If you have only completed an Associate's of Arts degree, you must also send a scanned copy of your TESOL certificate.
    * Resume
    * Two letters of recommendation. You can get these from college professors, headmasters, etc.
    * Cover letter. This letter is very important for informing us of your intentions as a teacher. You can tell us when you plan to arrive, how long you plan to stay, what you prefer to teach, what ages you prefer to teach, any special needs you have, etc.  Also, we need to know whether you are coming alone or bringing you family. 

    While this information is in the mail, we will begin searching for the right school for you. Please contact us for an overview of when we need each item.

    The most difficult piece of paperwork necessary is the health form. You must complete this form with doctor's signature, then take it your Secretary of State for the legal, international notarization.

    We must have this health form within the first month in order to send you your governmental letter of invitation. This Letter of Invitation is the document that you must take to the Chinese embassy to obtain your Z visa (teacher’s visa).

    For more information on what your Chinese Embassy requires for teachers, click on the following links: America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Be sure to follow this information meticulously.

    Concerning shots, it's best to visit your local physician to find what's currently required or recommended. China has had no malaria outbreaks, so malaria shots or pills are not necessary, but teachers often prefer to get typhoid shots, hepatitis A and hepatitis B shots.

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  2. Packing
    It's best to pack light, because airlines will generally charge more for bags heavier than 70lb.

    Toiletries:
    Most necessities are available in Haikou, though there are a few exceptions:
    * Deodorant-pack enough for your stay here, because the island has none.
    * Lotions-Most Chinese believe that the whiter the skin, the better. Thus, many lotions here contain bleaches. You may want to bring your own.
    Otherwise, Haikou has an abundance of name-brand soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, etc, so you mustn't over-pack on account of these items.

    Electronics:
    Haikou offers a vast selection of popular electronics, from computers and DVD players to razors and hairdryers. Unless you're emotionally attached to a certain item you have now, you can wait to purchase new at prices comparable to (computers and accessories) or less than those in your home country.
    Remember, also, that China has different-sized power outlets than other countries. We suggest you buy converters when you arrive. Even converters sold in your country that say, 'Made in China,' won't work here.

    Clothes:
    Every hiring school requires teachers to dress professionally in the classroom. This means men must wear collared shirts with clean-cut hairstyles, and women must avoid “suggestive attire.”
    Although Hainan is a tropical island, she still offers wet, chilly winters (40 F, 10 C). You should pack clothes for layering in winter. Windbreakers are also very smart buys.
    It's good to remember, too, that Chinese people are, as a rule, small and petite.
    * Men, if you are taller than 6' 1”, wider than 40” or have feet larger than US 10 ½ (UK 44), it's best to bring all the clothes or shoes you will need during your stay in China.
    * Women, it’s safe to say that if you're not petite, you should bring your own clothes.
    Hainan does offer many shopping districts where you can purchase tailor-made clothes of any material and any size for extremely reasonable prices.

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  3. Transportation and Arrival

    Meilan International Airport in Haikou, Hainan receives few international flights: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand. Thus, It's best to make your port of entry either one of the these or mainland China. The best ports of entry when traveling to Hainan are Hong Kong, Beijing, and Guangzhou. From these airports, you may catch connecting flights into Haikou.

    We suggest that you plan for two weeks to pass between your arrival and the beginning of your class. This will allow you to recover from the inevitable jetlag and to familiarize yourself with your area, your school and your curriculum.

    Warning: It's tempting to book your tickets on the internet as early as possible. That’s the beauty of the web. But doing so can pose problems later on. If, for some reason, difficulties arise with your passport, visas, etc, scheduled airline tickets can cause unnecessary and impossible deadlines to meet. It's best to wait to purchase your ticket once you know exactly when you’ll be able to leave.

    As we keep in contact throughout your application process, we will stay informed of your arrival plans. This way, once you land at in Haikou, we can be there for you along with your hiring school. This will ensure that nothing of first impressions is lost in translation.

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