Do you charge teachers to help them find a job?
Absolutely not! Some teacher recruitment agencies have an ‘admin fee’ to find teachers like you a job. We feel that this is completely unnecessary. All our services to teachers are 100% free to teachers. After you have found a job just perfect for you, the school gives us a fee for helping them.
What kind of schools do you have?
We have both private language centres and university positions. The language centres also range in the age of students studying there. No matter what the age of student you are looking to teach, or in whatever city, we will most likely have something to suit you. All of our schools are well-paid and with good support.
What kind of qualifications or experience do I need?
The regulations are now tightening in China, and for many positions teachers need a university degree, a teaching certificate (CELTA, TESOL, TEFL, etc) and some relevant teaching experience. However, there are some positions which will accept new teachers and some don’t even require a degree. The best thing to do is to get in touch and we can explain what is available to you.
Where do teachers need to come from?
We find teachers from the following countries: The UK and Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. We do occasionally interview and place non-native speaking teachers, however these teachers must be able to display a near-native pronunciation as well as an excellent knowledge of ESL methodology.
Are there any age limits?
Yes. Current Chinese visa policies mean that teachers should have a minimum of two years post-degree work experience (in any industry). Teachers are now not being offered new positions in China above the age of 60. However, all of our clients are asking that we do not send them candidates you are over 55. This essentially means that the age limit we can accept is 23-55 years old.
*If you don't have a degree, then we can still find you positions. However, you should be at least 23 years old.
Can I find you on YouTube?
Of course! Please stop by YouTube to check out all of our short videos about living and working here in China, teaching, how we can help you and also our teacher testimonials! You can find us by hitting the YouTube media button on the Home Page or by following this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/RAYRecruitment?feature=mhee
What kind of thing will be asked during the Skype interview?
Don't worry, we won't give you a grilling about grammar rules or anything like that. What we are aiming to find out is what kind of teacher you are and what it is that you are ideally looking for. If you are a new teacher, we might ask you how you got on during your TEFL course and why you are looking to come to China. If you have more experience, we might ask about the kind of students you have taught before and some classes that you think went well.
Our chat on Skype is also a good chance for you to ask us the million and one different questions you are sure to have!
When do your teaching positions become available? Have I missed the start of the semester?
We have nearly 250 private language schools, middle schools, high schools and universities all over China.
Public school positions only have jobs for teachers starting in September and February. These type of schools generally look for teachers between 30-90 days before the start of each semester in order to process visa documents. This means that if you are looking for a September start in a university, then the university will want to be speaking to you from May/June onwards.
Private language centres don't have semesters, but have rolling courses. This means that they hire throughout the year, either to replace a teacher moving on or because there is due to be an uptake of students. Basically, whenever you plan to come to china, we will have vacant positions for you.
Will I need jabs before coming out?
Not really. It is always prudent to speak with your GP before going out to foreign countries, but the majority of cities where English language schools are in China are free from Malaria and other insect-borne diseases. Rural China does have some lurgies, but you would have to be extremely unlucky to pick something up even there. However, if you are in any doubt, then feel free to get some inoculations.
Who pays for me to come to China?
It is now very, very rare for schools to pay in advance and send a flight ticket for teachers to come to China. What all schools now do is to give teachers a 'contract completion bonus', which usually covers your return-flight costs. Some universities may refund your ticket after a month or so, but they all have different policies on when this is refunded. However, in general, you can expect to get your flight money back at the end of your contract.
Is housing included?
Universities, middle schools, high schools, etc, will provide simple housing free of charge to teachers. This free housing is often on the campus and is usually a one-bedroom apartment.
Private language centres which teach children usually offer free shared accommodation with another foreign teacher working at the school. This is a fully-furnished, two-bedroom apartment.
Private language centres usually pay you a rent subsidy in your salary to cover the cost of finding your own place. Full assistance is given in helping you find your own apartment, so don't worry about that in any way. Please note that you will need to usually pay at least three months rent upfront here in China.
Will someone help me look for accommodation?
Certainly! You’d have a real job without! One of your new Chinese colleagues will be assigned to go out with you to a letting agent. You can then look for apartments which suit your lifestyle and budget.
How long are contracts usually for?
All of our schools have one-year contracts. Universities often have contracts from September through to the following July.
I’ve heard that I need to do a medical. Is this true?
Yes, as part of the procedures for any foreign expert, teacher or in other industries coming to China, you’ll need to do a medical. It is a key part of you getting your foreign experts’ certificate.
The medical takes about 30 minutes to do, but don’t worry, you won’t have to run on a treadmill or anything! The medical is either done at a private clinic or in a hospital. The doctor there will check your blood pressure, heart rate, an ultra-scan on your belly/liver (the worst bit is the cold gel they put on the stomach!), a chest X-ray and a blood test. Honestly, the worst part is the injection for the blood; everything else is painless and fast. It’s actually quite an interesting experience! It’s something that all foreign teachers here have done and can tell you about. Unfortunately, it can’t be avoided.
What will my salary be?
Well, this depends on the job, the amount of hours you work, and importantly, the location. Living costs in different cities vary enormously. A job in the west of China paying 6,000RMB will give you a better standard of life and more spending money, than 9,000RMB in Beijing.
When choosing jobs, don’t make the mistake of automatically assuming that the lower-paid jobs aren’t worth looking at. Do some research and you might find that the lower-paid job might afford you a wonderful lifestyle and in a marvelous location.
We have many different types of jobs, from lower-paid jobs in smaller cities (the ‘real’ China) to high-end jobs in mega-cities such as Shanghai/Beijing, etc.
Is China safe?
Completely. I have spoken to countless foreign ex-pats here in China and all of them agree that they feel far safer here in China than in cities in their own countries. You can go for a late night stroll through parks here in China with absolutely nothing to fear whatsoever. The people of China are warm and caring.
Crime obviously does exist here, but it is hard to see. One thing that teachers should look out for (and Chinese, too) are pickpockets on buses and in train stations. Stay alert and you’ll always be OK.
Will I receive additional on-the-job training?
Yes, especially in the private language centres. In all the jobs we have, you will feel well supported (it’s one of our pre-requisites for us to help schools find teachers), but you will get the benefit of teacher workshops, professional development programs and peer observation.
In universities, you’ll be treated very kindly by staff, but it’s a different kind of job and you won’t expect to get any special training or development.
I can’t read or speak Chinese, how will I get by?
This is part of the experience of travelling to work in a different country. There will be lots of pointing at things in markets and confusion along the way, but you’ll get through, and probably love the experience. You’ll also very quickly make friends here, either other teacher colleagues who have been here a while, or students. There are always people here to help and assist you, especially during those tricky first few weeks. Soon enough, you’ll have some basic Chinese under your belt and things will quickly get easier.
Should I bring anything with me?
Most things are available here in China, but you may want to bring with you something which reminds you of home or things not available here. My personal favourites are family photos, my local newspaper, malteasers (UK choccies!) and a bag of one penny coins (I give these out as prizes, the students love getting one!)
