01. What qualifications should one have in teaching in China?
The basic qualifications are: being a native speaker of English, having a minimum BA degree and commitment to teaching, loving China and its people. Clear, well-spoken English and a good knowledge of the fundamentals of English grammar. Teaching experience/certificate is preferred but not a must. For those interested in a long-term career in ESL teaching, however, it is strongly recommended that teaching qualifications be attained. Retired teacher are also welcome.

02. What courses are required to a teacher?
Depending on the particular school you are placed in, you may be asked to teach some of the following courses: English & American literature, linguistics, reading, composition, grammar, cultural survey of English-speaking countries, conversational English and English for Special Purposes (ESP) such as business English. There are universities that need teachers to teach more specialized subjects such as accounting, international marketing and law.

03. What documents should a candidate submit when he/she apply for a position in TIETC?
If you are interested join in our program, please provide us with the following:
1). Your resume via email. Please state your marital status and date of birth in your resume.
2). Copy of the first page of your passport with such information as your passport number, expiration date and date of birth.
3). Copy of your highest degree and teaching certificates, if any.
4). Names and contact information of two references.
5). When you will be available to start teaching.

04. How about the teaching conditions in China?
Teaching conditions and compensation in China vary from school to school, but if you teach at a university, you will be teaching between 14 and 18 hours a week.

05. How about the compensation in China?
For your service at a state college or university, you will be paid between 4,000 and 6,000RMB/month (roughly $500-$700) in addition to free housing. If you commit to one year of teaching, we will reimburse la round-trip ticket. 4,000-6,000RMB a month is far greater than what Chinese professors get paid, it’s little money by the Western standards. In any case, things are cheap in China and 2,000 is usually enough to cover your basic expenses. However people come to teach in China mainly for the experience with the culture and the people.

07. Do the schools provide positions all year round?
Most teaching positions at universities start in September and some in February (the beginning of the spring semester, depending on when the Chinese New Year is). The schedule at private institutions is a little more flexible than that of state colleges and universities. Most of them accept teachers on an on-going basis. Due to the fact that demand exceeds supply, there is usually a number of positions available at any given moment.

08. How many foreign teachers do schools in China need every year?
According to a certain statistics about 100 thousand teachers will be needed every year in China.

09. Can you give me a rough estimate of the monthly living expenses in a big city (rent, food, transportation, etc?)
In big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the average food cost is much higher than in small to medium size cities. In most cases, you can get away about 800 to 1200 Yuan for food (eating out is fairly cheap). If you eat most often at western restaurants, that cost can be significantly higher.

010. How to apply for a work-visa?
Once you are offered a position, you may obtain a Z (work) or F (Business) visa from the Chinese embassy/consulate nearest you on the official invitations by the university and the State Bureau of Foreign Experts in Beijing. We recommend you come using an F (Business) visa. We would not want you stuck in a bad deal. Or when we confirmed your document, we will sign a contract with you and give you a work permit. You can go to Chinese embassy to do your work visa with the work permit.

011. I have never worked overseas before. How will I cope with living in China?
Most of our partner schools are well experienced in hosting foreign teachers and will make every effort to assist you in settling in. As long as you keep an open mind, stay as flexible as possible and set out to enjoy your stay you should have the time of your life. In the days that follow your arrival, you will have the opportunity to learn more about what to expect from our staff and other foreign teachers.

012. What is the exchange rate from Rmb to foreign currency?
About 1$ equals 8.00 Yuan RMB

013. How many students are in each class?
Classes have an average of 30 students. Primary school and semester classes can have 50 students in attendance. Occasionally, some teachers have a chance to teach a 5 to 10-student class, After-school classes have from 6 to 40 students.

014.What is the difference between a tourist visa and a work visa?
A tourist visa allows a foreigner to travel in China, but it does not permit a foreigner to work in China. To obtain a work visa, a foreigner has to be sponsored by a Chinese college. TIETC does this for all of its foreign teachers. This is standard practice in China and all applicants are processed by the People's Security Bureau.

015. What material should a teacher, who has just been hired, plan to bring to China?
It is necessary for each teacher to bring two copies of their university diploma, resume, teaching certificate, and 6-8 passport sized photos to be submitted for the work visa and medical exam. Though not absolutely necessary, it is a good idea to bring along photos of friends and family, English magazines, and holiday paraphernalia, all of which make good teaching aids. A phrasebook and a guide book are not bad ideas either. As for clothing, one pair of formal shoes is recommended for special events, a jacket, some sweaters, and long underwear are a good idea, and for the rainy season, a waterproof jacket is handy. Used or new stamps, coins, postcard etc. is always good for the future student.

016. Does a teacher have a special dress style?
A teacher is required to dress in a professional manner. This does not mean that they have to wear suits, but they should not wear tank tops, slipper, cut-offs or any other casual wear in class.

017. What immunization shots should a teacher who is going to China get?
Teachers should contact a health unit in their home country for current requirements. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, MMR, and Japanese Encephalitis are usually recommended. There are also several hospitals and clinics with English speaking doctors who can administer the shots for them, but they will not administer vaccination serums brought from outside of China.

018. Do teachers require a physical examination once they arrive in China?
A medical exam is required in order to obtain a work visa, and this is performed in local Hospitals. It takes about one hour. Two passport photos are needed for the exam.

019. What resources does the host school have available for teachers to use?
The host school supplies every teacher with the following teaching materials: textbooks, teacher's manuals, cassettes, cassette player, picture cards. The head office also has computers, with internet access.

020. Do teachers have a Chinese teaching assistant?
This varies from school to school. The rule of thumb is that the older the student, the less you will need a teaching assistant. Some private schools and kindergartens will however assign a T.A. to help translate (if needed) and maintain discipline

021. How do teachers arrange their tax payments?
Teachers ought to make their own tax arrangements with their home country, but your school will assist every teacher in filing local income taxes in accordance with tax laws in China.

022. How about my accommodation, do I need to arrange it by myself?
The school will offer you a free accommodation till your contract finish. There should be some basic furniture in the apartment such as bedding, camp stove, TV, fridge, heating things and air condition. But you should pay all the expenses by yourself, like gas, power, water, phone bill and Internet fees.

023 If I have some problem with my contract, what should I do?
Firstly both sides should consult with the problem friendly. If it doesn’t work, both sides can go to the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs to verdict the problem. If the contract didn’t mention about the arbitrage of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, you can go to the local court to indict about the contract.