1. Why use teaching supply to find jobs in China?
We are the only Western teaching agency, based in the UK and China. The western team deal with the teachers and the Chinese team work directly with the schools and colleges.
Since most schools and colleges do not have the resources to recruit the teachers they require they work with us in order to find the best foreign teachers.
2. How to apply for positions in China through our agency?
First, register as a teacher on our site use the following LINK
Once you have submitted the details needed we will send you a list of what else we need from you. Any changes in your profile can be updated by clicking on the login function on the site and entering your email and password. You can then look at the jobs list and pick the school’s ID (No more than 5) based on the information we have provided you.
Once the application has been submitted and all your documents received we approach the school and ask them for a decision regarding your application. We will then contact you with the result as soon the school contacts us.
After making a final decision with further communication with the school, you are expected to fax or scan the signed contract to us. We together with the school will assist you in obtaining a work permit (Z Visa) to come to China. If the for any reason the school declines your offer we will give a full debrief why the application was unsuccessful and how to improve your prospects in the future with other schools.
3. What’s the basic qualifications one should acquire to apply teaching positions in China?
The basic qualifications required by most schools include:
TEFL or equivalent qualification
English native speakers
Bachelor degree holders
Aged between 20 and 60
4. Does the agency take money from the teachers who apply through us?
No, we only take a fee from the schools only once we have successfully completed the contract and you have started with the school.
5. Why does the pay for different post vary so widely?
The differences between schools and provinces in China vary hugely. Whereas a private international school in Shanghai maybe be looking for an experienced professional teacher in Maths a state school in Jilin City maybe looking for a native English speaker who has just graduated from university. As a result the Shanghai post could be paying 35,000RMB per month and the Jilin City job 3500RMB per month.
6. What is the best time to travel to China?
Given the varied Geography of China, its seasons and climates vary depending on when and where you visit. A particular rule to follow is April – May and September – November a when the weather is the least extreme in most areas of China, and pleasant to work and travel in.
7. The Chinese School system
Broadly speaking it follows the American system of schooling in terms of age and grade. However, in some more remote and rural areas, due to lack of money and staff grades are taught together in one classroom by a single teacher.
Kindergarten 3 years
Elementary 6 years
Junior High 3 years
Senior High 3 years
College 2-3years
University 4 years
Masters 2-3years
PhD 3-4years
8. Laws and regulations governing foreigner teachers in China?
It is a relatively simple rule of law in China. Once here be respectful of all the people you meet and use Chinese where you can. The chances of you being taken into custody as a result of a problem are no greater than living in any other country. If you break the law then the likelihood is the police will take this up and fine you as a result.
We advise people not to drive or ride motorbikes here in China and take the cheap and numerous taxis. Doing so is done so at your own risk and most legal problems in China are related to traffic accidents when driving as a foreigner without insurance and proper permits.
9. Chinese laws on prescription medicine, alcohol and drugs?
The main issue with prescription drugs here in China is the different name in China compared to western countries. Most are western medicines are available over the counter here in China, but if you can bring a 6 month supply with you this would be most useful. Once here you can ask a Chinese member of staff to write down in Chinese the name of your drug and then visit a doctor or local pharmacy to obtain your drugs.
Alcohol is a part of everyday life here in China. Most men drink beer with all lunch and evening meals and on occasion drink Rice Wine. The beer is normally low in alcohol content, but the rice wine is very strong and should be drunk only sparingly (most people only do this once).
Recreational drugs in China are illegal and we strongly suggest you do not and try and buy these. Many dealers use their connections to provide details of the people who bought the drugs to the local police who then arrest the buyer.
10. What are all the different kinds of visas in China?
The “Z” Work Visa allows a foreigner to live and work in China. Once a letter of invitation from a school and province has been received you are able to apply for a Z visa for the duration of the contract plus a 30 day period of travel following the end of the contract. This is a standard visa used for by foreign teachers and professionals.
You must ensure you enter into China on time and do not over stay your visa expiry date. The document that verifies where you are living and working is the Residency Permit issued to you by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) near your school. You must register with your local PSB within 30 days of your arrival in China through you school.
Once you have done this and had you medical examination your time in China will be hassle free from red tape. When leaving, you must present your passport and your visa in your passport. If you overstay you visa you either need to extend it or be subject to a fine of 500RMB per day.
*Be reminded that “Z” visas cannot be changed into tourist/visitor visas while you are in China. To change your visa, or obtain a visitor visa, you must leave China to get it and then re-enter. Hong Kong is the nearest location for that service.
11. Where will I be living and what will it be like?
As part of the agreement, schools provide free accommodation to all foreign teachers. This varies from guest house room, similar to a hotel, to a complete apartment with sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen area. Much depends on the school facilities and what they are able to provide for the teacher.
Normally, the teacher receives an apartment. At some schools, teachers share a living space but have separate bedrooms. In all cases, there is “private” space for the foreign teacher. Most institutions offer somewhere on campus. In some cases, the lodging are not on campus and the institutions are required to provide transportation to the school each morning and afternoon.
In a few instances, institutions allow teachers to live off-campus and they are willing to pay a supplement to help cover rental costs. This might not cover all costs, but will help to pay for most of the costs. The teacher can therefore choose their own apartment.
If on campus it will normally be well furnished. In some cases there is maid service during the week; in other cases, the teacher does their own cleaning. If a teacher lives off campus, they are responsible for furnishing their own apartment. Normally, if a teacher cooks for themselves, they are responsible for buying their own pots, pans, and other equipment.
Many institutions will not allow their teachers to live off campus, as it can be prohibitively expensive to rent the apartment near to the school. If the teacher lives away from the school (as arranged by the institution – not the teacher), it is the school’s responsibility to see the teacher’s transportation and safety are addressed.
12. Do I need teaching experience and/or qualifications to get a job with supplyteach.co.uk?
Due to the nature of the jobs we advertise all teachers require some level of experience and/or a TEFL type qualification. If you have neither of these we ask you obtain these prior to you coming to China and we can help you with this through our online TEFL course. This is then followed up by an intensive teacher training workshop when you arrive in China so you are well prepared when you arrive here. LINK
13. Why do I need to send all these copies of certificates?
All degree and teaching certificates are needed to copied and sent to the school prior to you being sent an offer. We ask you to complete a detailed application form and fill in a simple medical form which is the basis of the pack we send to the school on your behalf. We also ask for references to give us an idea of the authenticity of your certificates and suitability to work as a teacher.
14. What non-teaching duties are expected?
Most teachers are expected to keep office hours and remain on site for these times. In your non-contact time you are expected to mark books and prepare lessons where appropriate. Sometimes, teachers are asked to have their photo taken for publicity purposes and this might extend to radio or TV interviews. Some teachers have been invited to participate in a film as extras.
15. What is the normal Academic calendar here in China?
The academic year in China normally begins on September 1 of each year. In the case of some private schools, the academic year will begin earlier. The length of the first semester varies because the Lunar Calendar governs the year. The long winter break can occur anywhere from mid-January on into mid-February depending on the dates of the Chinese Lunar New Year/Spring Festival. Normally, institutions end their semester 2 weeks prior to Spring Festival eve and resume for the second semester 2 weeks following Spring Festival day. Length of the second semester is adjusted accordingly; most institutions end between July 1 and July 15 with some ending sooner.
Length of contract depends on the teacher and can be for one semester or for two semesters…or longer. Many schools have summer programs and wish the foreign teacher to stay for those.
A ten-month contract will allow for various paid holidays, including October 1-8 (National Day Holiday), May 1-8 (Labour Day Holiday); approximately 4 weeks during the Winter Spring Festival Holiday; approximately 4 weeks during the summer holiday if a teacher is continuing on at a school for the following academic semester/year. Most institutions will pay the salary for the long winter or summer break but some will not pay for the holidays. This should be clarified in writing prior to signing any contract.
Local leave is normally not granted. Schools/institutions sometimes allow a teacher to travel during the teaching time, but this is highly unusual and the circumstances would need to be extreme. The host institution does not normally tolerate unauthorized absence from duties. Teachers are bound to the teaching schedule and enjoy the same holiday breaks as everyone else.
16. What will me job involve?
Normally, a school will outline a position and the conditions of employment. That outline includes employment’s ID and location of the school, minimum qualification for the teacher (BA, MA), subjects to be taught, numbers of teaching contact hours, monthly salary, any additional benefits, accommodation type, medical insurance, permitted holidays, and other information relevant to the specific school.
Number of contact hours varies with 16- 20 being the norm. Some institutions require more and salary is normally adjusted to accommodate these extra teaching hours. If asked to teach beyond the contracted number of hours, the teacher is paid at a stated rate per hour, as stipulated by the institution. Numbers of teaching hours are stated in the contract.
17. Is the cost of international round-trip air fare to and from China included in the contract?
This varies among the institutions. Many will provide reimbursement for a round-trip international economy air ticket at the completion of the first academic year. Others will provide reimbursement for one-half of the international air ticket at the end of one academic year. Some institutions provide one-half of the international air ticket at the completion of one contracted semester. Normally, the terms are written into the contract. Reimbursement is in Chinese Yuan RMB and always written into the contract from the start.
18. What guide sets salary standards for foreign teacher or expert?
This is according to the school, location and the type of job. Normally schools to the east and south pay more than schools to the west and north. However, there are exceptions to this rule but pay corresponds strongly with cost of living in that province or city.
19. When will salary be paid and in what currency?
Salaries vary from institution to institution and region to region. They also vary among public schools and private schools. Salaries are dependent on the teacher’s background experience. The base salary for a foreign teacher in China is 2,200 Yuan RMB. However, most institutions pay much more than that and salaries can range from 3,000 Yuan RMB to as high as 30,000 Yuan RMB, depending on the teacher qualifications. These are determined by the host institution and can be negotiated by the teacher if there is a question. Any salary earned above 4,000 Yuan RMB is subject to a 10% tax.
Salaries are paid in cash in Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB). Normally, salaries are paid by the 5th day of the month and are paid for the month worked. This means that an incoming teacher might not receive their first salary payment until the beginning of the second month of teaching. However, some schools will pay one month ahead as a courtesy, realizing the teacher has nothing for the first month.
20. Do I have to pay Taxes?
Foreign teachers/workers in China are subject to a 10% tax on anything earned above 4,000 Yuan RMB per month. In many cases, the host institution will absorb this cost as a benefit to the teacher. There are no other taxes levied on the foreign teacher.
21. Can I live on my salary?
The cost of living varies according to region and city. It is higher in the major cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou than in other medium or smaller cities. Normally, what a person earns in salary is sufficient for living in the area/city and have enough to travel in the holidays.
22. What about sick pay and maternity leave?
A foreign teacher is allowed up to 30 sick leave days with a doctor’s note. In some cases, if the illness is lengthy, the teacher receives a pro-rated salary for that time. The institution has the right to terminate employment if a teacher is not able to resume a normal working schedule after 30 days of sick leave.
In some cases, an institution will pay only 80% of medical expenses. Medical care is normally sought at the institution’s clinic or a designated hospital. If a teacher wishes to go elsewhere, they must bear the medical costs themselves. There are no provisions for maternity pay unless the school agrees to this prior to the contract being issued.
23. Do I need a medical examination when arriving in China?
Anyone coming to China to teach is required to have a full medical examination in order to meet the guidelines for working in China. This includes test results recorded on an “official” Chinese health form, chest x-ray, ECG, blood tests, Hepatitis and Syphilis test, and HIV/AIDS test.
These complete your file for the Public Security Bureau, allowing you to receive a Residency Permit. If the medical is not done in the home country, it must be performed in China after arrival at the host institution. Without a medical exam, a person cannot live and work in China. The medical form should be stamped with an official physician, clinic, or hospital stamp.
A teacher should be current with vaccinations and any other injections deemed necessary to international travel as advised by their local physician.
24. What about accident, health and hospital insurance?
The foreign teachers should bring any long-term medications with them, since many western medicines difficult to obtain in China. A person cannot count on renewing a prescription in China.
However, it is a good idea to have a copy of the original prescription with your documents so that in the case of emergency, people will know what medications you are taking for what condition. It is highly recommended that anyone travelling to China carry their own health insurance from their home nation. In China, insurance cards are not recognized and the person must pay for everything in cash, get receipts, and then take up reimbursement questions with their insurance company.
It is wise to bring an extra pair of glasses and/or contact lenses when coming to China. One should remember that the air quality in China is often poor and this affects those who wear contact lenses.
It is recommended that the person also bring the glasses/contact lens prescription and specifications for replacement purposes, if necessary.
25. What about the teaching and learning materials? What curriculum will the school cover?
We always ask the school to give an outline of their school’s curriculum and an example of the types of work they cover. We then pass it onto the teacher who will then arrive well prepared and not worrying about what they are teaching.
26. Can I speak to a current member of staff at the school?
If the school says we are unable to do this, we do not work with them. If you have any questions for current foreign teachers we will ask them for you and get the answers straight away.
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