Please find below a selection of Frequently asked questions which have been asked over the years. If you do not find the answers you are looking for here, or would like more information on any topic, please do not hesitate to contact us
Generally speaking, the minimum qualification is a Bachelor degree in any subject. Apart from that, you need to be a native speaker of English with clear and well-spoken English, a good grasp of fundamentals of English grammar and commitment to teaching.
Students with A-levels are accepted in some schools. TEFL qualification and experience are preferred but not essential. But it is strongly recommended that you should do a TEFL course even if it is just a weekend course.
Mainly conversational English or English for Special Purposes, for example business English.
Yes. Every school will provide you with designated textbooks. However, it is advisable to bring some teaching material from your own country, especially any information relating to your country’s history, pictures of famous places, cultures and traditions, family pictures, music, CD, DVD's, newspapers, magazines, posters, children’s games, etc., which will be useful teaching tools.
You are responsible for your own classes, lesson planning, homework marking, and exam paper writing at the end of each term. Sometimes you will be assisted by a teacher assistant. This happens quite often if your students are under the age of 8.
Usually smart casual dress code. Best check with the school after your arrival. Jeans and shorts are not advisable.
Yes. The contract of employment will specify what insurance the employer provides but you should always take extra care to buy additional and much wider travel insurance from your own country before departure.
Yes. You do initially and the employer will reimburse you the return air ticket if you work there for one academic year. If it is one term (5 months), you will get half of your air ticket reimbursed.
You will need a “Z” visa (work visa) to work in China.
To obtain “Z” visa, you need to provide your employer with a copy of your Bachelor degree, passport copy, CV, and two recent references. Your employer will apply for work permit from the local Foreign Expert Bureau. You will need the original work permit to apply for a "Z" visa. You must watch the timing of processing the work permit if you apply in July or August for September positions. However, some schools will ask you to obtain an “L” (tourism) visa to enter China and then they will have it upgraded to “Z” visa after your arrival.
For full details of the application process, please visit:
For “Z” visa, you need to provide the following documents:
You can either turn up at the visa centre or apply by post.
Morley House,
26 Holborn Viaduct,
London,
EC1A 2AT
Office Hours: Monday-Friday:
The Centre is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Call: 0207 842 0960 or Fax: 0207 842 0961
E-mail: ukcentre@visaforchina.org
Not always. Please refer to your contract of employment, which will specify whether it will be reimbursed.
Yes. You will be picked up and greeted by a school representative.
Yes. You will. Most employers will provide 2-hour free Chinese lessons each week. Also, it is often easy to exchange English lessons for Chinese lessons with students and Chinese teachers. China has one English channel, CCTV 9, which provides Chinese learning programme each day.
Public Holidays in China Include:
Most schools will allow foreign teachers to have one day off on Christmas day.
Yes, as long as your mobile phone is not tied with any particular British mobile network, so make sure your phone is unlocked to be able to use any network. You need to buy a Chinese SIM Card to use your mobile phone in China. Your employer will assist you in buying a SIM card.
Yes, very easy. Just bring your passport and sign a simple form. Your employer will assist you with opening a bank account. You need 6 digits for password.
Power Voltage in China is 220volt/50 hertz. Plugs and sockets are mostly 2 pin round plug.
Please consult your local GP or the World Health Organisation website for the latest recommendations.
Chinese are one of the most hospitable, friendliest and generous people in the world. They generally demonstrate a great deal of respect for foreigners. Teaching as a profession is highly respected in China. During your stay in China, you will be invited to many dinners and banquets for various occasions, which can be some of the most exciting, impressive and unforgettable experiences of your work in China.