Job description: 
This company was established in 1977. Since that time it has grown to more than 350 schools in five countries. Our focus has always been on providing quality lessons to students, young and old alike. We recognize that good lessons require good teachers therefore we provide excellent training, ongoing development as well as opportunities for promotion and advancement.
Located in the centre of Nanyang, our school comprises four well equipped and well resourced classrooms. The majority of our students are young learners with some adult classes.
Nanyang is the capital of Henan province. It is a bustling city of over ten million people including surrounding areas. As a transport hub, Nanyang is an ideal base for traveling to neighbouring cities and countryside. Over night sleeper trains mean that Shanghai and Beijing are accessible and Xi’an is just 5 hours away.
The advantage of living in Nanyang is that it is a much more manageable size than Beijing or Shanghai yet retains all the conveniences that a modern city is expected to provide. The cost of living is lower meaning salaries go further. Rent for a two bedroom apartment in the centre is typically 1,500RMB which is more than half the price of similar accommodation in Beijing or Shanghai. Being a smaller city means a much shorter commute time than other cities, usually less than 15 minutes.
Our Nanyang school offers a competitive remuneration package as well as comprehensive welfare support to ensure that teachers are happy and comfortable both at work and in their free time. A foreign academic manager is on hand to deal with any issues that may arise as well as support teachers.
Compensation
Guaranteed monthly salary of 9,000-10,000RMB (20hrs/week)
Fully furnished, modern apartment from 1,500RMB/month
End of contract bonus of 3000RMB
22 days of paid leave per year
Performance and student retention related bonuses
Consecutive days off (typically Mondays & Tuesdays)
Social events and annual school trip for staff and teachers
Free Chinese lessons
Resident permit and health check costs paid by the school
Cost of Living Guide
Typical dinner at a Chinese restaurant: from 6 to 20RMB
Monthly bills between 100 & 200RMB
Taxi: starts at 5RMB
Local Bus: 1RMB per trip
THE SCHOOLS
The school is located in the centre of Nanyang City. It is equipped with course books and classroom materials and has four classrooms. On the busiest days, the centre can have over 300 students. So on most days teachers will be working alongside teaching colleagues, although there may be some days when they are the only teacher in the centre. There is Chinese School Manager and receptionists available to deal with student enquiries and the day-to-day administration of the centre. Outside of the classrooms, teachers are expected to fulfill tasks asked of them by the school staff (e.g. interviewing prospective students, helping to place a new student into the right class for them, etc.).
There is a formal dress code for teachers and hairstyles and clothes must look appropriate for a business environment - male teachers are expected to wear a shirt and tie with formal trousers and shoes, while female teachers also need to wear clothes suitable for an office or business situation i.e. a blouse with a skirt or trousers, or a formal dress. In this and all respects, the company insists on high professional standards of its teachers.
THE STUDENTS
Around 90% of the students are children and 10% adults, although this can vary considerably from day to day. Teachers may also find they are teaching some off-site classes & corporate-client department, which sends teachers to clients outside, and so may teach a number of adult company as well as kindergarten classes. Kindergarten classes of up to 30 students are not uncommon.
Adult students are grouped by ability from complete beginners to advanced, but it should be noted that the vast majority of students are generally pre-intermediate level and below.
The maximum class size ifor a children’s class is 15 students, and is 12 students for an adult group. However, class sizes are sometimes lower (an average of 5 for adults and 8 for children’s classes) and teachers may find themselves teaching small groups and 1 to1 private classes as and when the need arises.
THE COURSES
A standard group lesson is 120mins for children and 90mins for adults in length. Students generally come to class once a week though some students opt to take private one-to-one lessons of varied frequency and duration, sometimes in addition to their group lesson. Private lessons are typically either 90 or 120 minutes in length, but in some special cases can be longer.
Courses are designed around a core of set texts and supplementary materials, cross referenced to in-house syllabuses and pacing schedules. Teachers are also encouraged to add their own extra resources, supplementary activities and ideas. The texts used for adult courses are predominantly in-house produced British English texts. Children’s courses almost exclusively use our own course materials, specially produced so as to meet our students’ needs more directly.
Teachers will additionally be given plenty of support and guidance as well as thorough training in all aspects of their lessons by their Academic Manager.
THE SCHEDULE
Work patterns can vary tremendously. Full-time teachers are usually given a regular schedule of five working days per week. As far as possible, we aim to provide teachers with two consecutive days off. These are usually on weekdays as weekends tend to be busy. One or two days of teaching each week may well consist of teaching outside in companies, schools, kindergartens and cultural centres. Teachers generally work at two locations on any given day, apart from weekends where they will generally work at the school.
The schedule is designed so that teachers will, as far as possible, see the same students, at the same location, at the same time each week. Occasional work on a 6th day in a week is necessary (e.g. to undergo additional training, attend social events for students, cover for absent colleagues, or do demonstration classes on special promotional ‘open days’).
The majority of teaching takes place at the school. The contact teaching time is generally between 4-6 hours per day, with a fixed start time of the day typically being either 12, 12:30 or 1pm. Earlier starts are the norm with Saturday and Sunday schedules. When teachers teach at off-site locations (such as companies, universities, private houses, kindergartens etc.), lessons may take also place in the morning.
Teachers are expected to teach the equivalent of around a minimum 20-25 hours per week throughout a quarter.
HOLIDAYS
The school is open everyday of the year apart from national holidays, school holidays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Should a teacher wish to take some time off work they must apply to their Academic Manager at least a month in advance and are subject to the requirements of the company. First year teachers are entitled to 24 days of paid annual leave including national and school holidays. Any additional leave will be unpaid and subject company approval.
SALARY
The basic starting salary for a CELTA, or equivalent, qualified teacher is 10,000RMB plus 3,000RMB bonus upon completion of a 12 month contract.
Income tax is at present approximately 800RMB per month based on a salary of 10,500RMB. This is deducted at source. The company also arranges compulsory medical insurance which will cost the teacher 1680RMB for the year. Full details of this policy will be provided to all new teachers upon registration with the insurance company. Teachers may choose to arrange their own medical insurance instead if they wish.
TRAINING AND INDUCTION
Prior to arrival teachers will sign a contract of employment and will be provided with the company and employment conditions, and other documentation relating to the job and life in Nanyang.
Teachers recruited outside of China will normally be provided with written manuals containing information to prepare for arrival, and will also generally arrive a little earlier than locally recruited teachers and have an additional day of training and orientation.
All teachers employed should have a basic qualification in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Normally this will be the University of Cambridge/RSA CELTA or equivalent. All teachers must have at least two years previous teaching experience. As many, if not most, teachers do not have any training or experience in teaching English to children, the first week of a teacher’s employment usually consists of an induction period based around a 5-day course aimed at teaching Younger Learners, but also introducing teachers to the Company’s other courses and its administration systems. However, depending on the time of arrival, this training is occasionally phased into the first few weeks of work.
In addition, there are a series of monitored training seminars and workshops, assignments, observations and follow up meetings throughout the first three months of employment. At the end of this period (or when the teacher has satisfied us of their capabilities in the teaching of children), the teacher is awarded the Certificate in the Teaching of English to Young Learners (TEYL).
Teacher training and development (not only related to children but also related to the teaching of adults) continues throughout the teacher’s employment. At the end of their time with the school, teachers will be given an official training record indicating the training they have attended and competency they have achieved whilst working for us. In addition regular individual and group meetings will continue to be held between the teacher and their Academic Manager. These occasions are an integral part of the support structure offered to its teachers, being a forum for a beneficial exchange of ideas as well as an opportunity for the teacher to discuss any problems they may be having in their classes. As part of the academic support structure the teacher is observed in the classroom during the first couple of weeks, and then on an on-going basis thereafter.
VISAS & CONTRACTS
The company arranges working visas (normally a 12-month working, multiple entry visa). for all full-time teachers who are offered and accept employment.
Teachers are advised on all the necessary documentation required to obtain a working visa. This process takes from 4 to 6 weeks depending on the time of year.
All initial contracts are for a period of one year. Subject to the agreement of both parties, contracts are renewable at the end of that period. During the recruitment process, teachers’ terms and conditions will be looked at in detail.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
The company offers good opportunities for those wishing to progress within the company. Senior Teacher positions provide teachers with the chance to get involved in teacher support, and helping the school to run smoothly and successfully, whilst those with a relevant Diploma in EFL (e.g. RSA DELTA) and at least one year’s teaching experience can apply for academic management positions (ADoS, and DoS). If you are interested in such a position, please let your Academic Manager know. |
