Teach English in China
Teachers
Teaching English in China-a job of
growing popularity. But what does it take to teach English in China, and how
can you know this job is for you?
IEEA has found that of ten teachers coming to China, five will love it and five will hate it. This doesn't have so much to do with China's schools as much as it does with how well teachers can adjust to them.
In order to teach effectively in China, you must be flexible, reasonable and adaptable:
* Flexible, because plans can change at any moment and without warning;
* Reasonable, because no one will accept the excuse, "But this is how we do it at home";
* Adaptable, because there's no manual for teaching here, and every class is different.
It takes great skill to cross the cultural divide for any extended period. If you are a scheduled person, someone who needs everything in black and white no questions asked, China will "beat you up." She's not scary, but she certainly is different.
If you wonder if you qualify as a "Native English speaker," ask yourself these questions:
* Was I born in a country whose mother tongue is English?
* Have I been speaking English since I first learned to speak?
If you can answer "Yes" to both of these questions, then congratulations, you're a native English-speaker and have a fulfilled the first requirement of teaching English in China.
There are many ways to find a teaching job in China. The internet is full of want ads, etc, and maybe you're already looking to go on your own. But keep in mind we've been assisting teachers since 2000 and we can tell the difference between the easy way and the correct way: let us find the right job for you.
If you're still convinced that going on your own is best, be aware that some Chinese schools will invite you without going through the proper channels. Your arriving in China with incorrect documentation will prove problematic, so familiarize yourself with the appropriate procedures by visiting the Chinese embassy websites.
The documentation we require as an application before you arrive as well as what to expect at the school, inside the classroom, and outside the classroom can be found under the sidebar links above.
