ESL School

...attitude of openness to a new culture as would anywhere else. It is important to accept that many aspects of life will be different and, although this may be exciting, it will also be stressful. Working abroad is not like being a tourist. The experience is much deeper and the teacher will have to deal with the unsettling aspects of culture shock.

Apart from this mental flexibility, teachers need to seek out advice wherever they can. The UK foreign office issues the following warnings:

increasing number of British nationals are becoming attracted to opportunities to teach English in China. Most of those who do so have an extremely positive and enjoyable experience. However, some have experienced difficulties. The most common problems encountered arise from being faced with living or working conditions that do not meet expectations and complications over obtaining the correct visas and residence permits. There have also been complaints of breach of contract, confiscation of passports and of payment being withheld.

If you wish to take up teaching appointments in China it is illegal to work on a tourist visa, and we advise you to contact the nearest Chinese Diplomatic Mission for information on obtaining the appropriate documentation. In addition, you should research the educational establishment and the area in which you intend to work as thoroughly as possible. Further information can be found in the consular area of the web-site of the British Embassy Beijing at website: http://www.britishembassy.org.cn/.

The US Department of State is more expansive:

Many Americans have enjoyed their teaching experience in China; others have encountered significant problems. Some Americans travel to China under a contract with promises of good salary, bonuses and other amenities, only to find themselves in tenuous situations often lacking funds to return to the United States. The U.S. Embassy cannot act as a legal advisor or negotiate business or personal grievances on behalf of individual citizens. Americans experiencing problems can contact the Embassy's American Citizens Services Unit at telephone (86-10) 6532-3431, extension 5648, 5028, 5609 or 5344, or via e-mail to AmCitBeijing@state.gov to report problems with school employment contracts.

Americans considering teaching English in China should check that their contracts specify the maximum number of classroom hours per day and per week, maximum workdays per week, and vacation periods. Americans teaching in China, particularly at newly established private secondary schools and private English training centers, have often found their employers unable or unwilling to honor contract terms or to assist in obtaining Chinese employment-based visas and other permits required for foreigners to teach lawfully in China. Prospective teachers should always ask for references from other foreign teachers who have completed a contract teaching term and have returned to their home country. Prospective teachers should never come to China without first receiving the proper "Z" or work visa from the Chinese Embassy. Prospective teachers should not accept a promise by a school or organization to obtain the correct visa after their arrival. Health insurance provided by Chinese employers should be supplemented as described above. (Please see the section on Medical Insurance). Prospective teachers should always demand that they receive a contract from their employer rather than from an agent or intermediary. These agents or intermediaries often receive a large portion of the monthly pay promised to the teacher leaving the teachers without significant financial resources. These “fees” are sometimes not disclosed until after the prospective teacher arrives in China. To date, courts and police in many jurisdictions have refused to intervene in these cases on behalf of foreign teachers.

Western-style medical facilities with international staffs are available in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and a few other large cities. Many other hospitals in major Chinese cities have so-called VIP wards (gaogan bingfang). These feature reasonably up-to-date medical technology and physicians who are both knowledgeable and skilled. Most VIP wards also provide medical services to foreigners and have English-speaking doctors and nurses. Most hospitals in China will not accept medical insurance from the United States, with the exception of the following hospitals, which are on the BlueCross BlueShield’s worldwide network providers - overseas network hospitals’ list (http://www.fepblue.org/wasite/wabenefits/wa-benefitsoverseas04.html)
I quote these sites in some detail because I think it is essential for teachers to note the official advice. The US site, in particular, gives useful detail about personal safety, road conditions, the legal framework and so forth.

But beyond that, they should read all they can not just about the country as a whole but about the province they will be working in, as China is a vast and diverse country. I would advise them to ask for a contact with somebody already teaching in the employing organization to get first-hand impressions. And, given, the points made about health care, ensure they have insurance cover that guarantees repatriation in the event of serious illness or injury.

If possible, learn a little of the local language and try to go with a colleague so that you can offer each other mutual support. This is more important if it is the first time the teacher has taught abroad.

Finally, it is not worth taking up a post if you have suspicions about the employer. A genuine organization should be willing to offer advice and answer your queries. If you have the sense at all that the employer is holding back, then don’t take the risk. Plenty of bone fide jobs posts are on offer, so hold out until you find one.

If you have been, thanks for reading!

Brenda.