China
TEFL, Paid Teaching
Destination Profile ChinaCapital: Beijing
Surface Area: 9,561 thousand sq km
Population: 1,334.3 million (2009)
Official Language: Mandarin
Exchange Rate: A$1 = 5.7006 Yuan (Aug 2009)
Placement Information
The China placement offers students paid teaching placements at schools in and around Beijing. The placement stars with a 1-month TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course. The course is a recognised accreditation for teaching English overseas. There is a huge demand for English teachers overseas and this course will provide you with some excellent knowledge and theory of teaching English. After completing the course, you will receive a TEFL certificate. During this first month, you will be part of a group of international students. You will be given an orientation workshop on Chinese culture and a day tour of Beijing. There are optional excursions such as visiting the Great Wall.
The following 5 months allow you to put this theory into practice in Chinese schools. During the first month you will be allocated a school where you can teach in a Kindergarten, Primary School, High School or Post Secondary. The teaching posts in China are paid placements, therefore participants must be aware of the importance of their role. You will be required to teach a certain number of hours a week and spend at least a similar amount of time preparing lessons. Suitable candidates must be independent, responsible, committed and have the ability to adjust to a new environment.
Payment is 2000RMB (approx AUD$340) per month plus 500RMB (approx AUD$85) on completion of a semester.
Accommodation
The accommodation during the first month is usually offered in a local university. Rooms are dormitory style and are clean and comfortable. Participants will be living amongst the group of international students. Food is provided at the university. During the teaching placement you will live in the teacher’s accommodation, either shared apartments or twin share rooms with a bathroom. Food is provided at the school.
Duration
Internships have minimum duration of 6 months.
Language Requirements
Many of the staff in the organisations you will be working with speak English. You will have the opportunity to learn some Mandarin in-country.
Free Time Suggestions
There are many excursions provided during the first month such as visiting the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. During the 5-month teaching placement you will have weekends free to travel to the surrounding area as well as longer trips to Xi’an to see the Terracotta Warriors, Yunnan to see the beautiful city of Lijiang and the famous Hill Tribes people and the ancient city of Guilin surrounded by a stunning karst landscape.