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Teach in China FAQ
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Teach in China Program
How is one accepted and then placed in the Teach in China program?
Instructions for application to Teach in China can be found here. The Chinese Cultural Exchange Program maintains relationships with 12 educational institutions in 8 cities (Partner Institutions), and places Teach in China participants in 8 of these institutions. Maintaining such a variety of relationships allows for a wide variety of placement options for Teach in China participants. Applicants are asked to consider the level of students they prefer to teach (middle school, high school or college), desired size of city of placement and proximity to other program participants. Applicants sharing more details about their goals in participating in the program allows program staff to determine which placement is most appropriate for each applicant.
What are the terms of my employment?
In return for teaching an average of 14-16 hours per week, program teachers will receive:
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A salary of 3,500 Yuan per month (approximately $510)
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Private, furnished housing
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Emergency medical insurance
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Reimbursement for airfare to and from China*
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An additional travel allowance of 1,100 Yuan (approximately $160)
*Except for placements in Guilin.
What are the fees for the Teach in China program and what do these program fees cover?
The program fee for the Teach in China Program '09-'10 was $1,375, the fee for '10-'11 will be comparable and finally determined prior to December 1, 2009. This fee includes:
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Placement and negotiation of participants' teaching contracts
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Ongoing in-country and Drake-based support throughout the placement procecedure and program year.
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A five-day training in May which covers visa and contract procedures as well as 15 hour certification training for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
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A five-day training in Shijiazhuang in August prior to the beginning of your teaching assignment which includes 15 hours of basic Chinese language instruction, an orientation to the culture and history of China, and experiential learning exercises to help teachers adjust to living in China. Travel from Beijing to Shijiazhuang, accommodations, a group outing, breakfast and lunch during the five days in Shijiazhuang, as well as transportation to your placement location are all included in the program fee.
Does the Chinese Cultural Exchange Program arrange for my visa and travel arrangements?
Program participants are given all necessary materials required to apply for their entry visas as well as instruction on application during the program training and are responsible for getting their visas. Program participants are also responsible for booking their own tickets to arrive in Beijing on the date requested by the program for the in-country portion of the training and orientation.
What type of accommodations are provided for me?
Program participants are provided individual housing by their host institution as part of their compensation. While the quality of accommodations vary slightly between institutions, all housing includes private bathrooms, telephone, and television. Accommodations are comparable to those provided foreign students or University faculty.
Will I be able to travel during my time in China?
Program participants who teach for a year at a partner institution are provided a stipend (approximately $150) for travel during the interim Spring Festival break between semesters ( mid-January to mid-February) and teachers are often allowed to travel during national holidays in October and May.
What kind of health or medical insurance will be provided?
Partner institutions provide emergency medical coverage for program participants and often do not cover expenses associated with routine illness. Since specific terms of the medical coverage provided by our partner institutions varies slightly, CCEP requires participants to purchase the International Student Identity Card for major medical emergency coverage. Partner institutions will provide this or similar insurance policy to program participants. Program applicants are asked to provide information about special medical needs during the application process so that proper arrangements can be made with partner institutions to ensure medical care can be correctly administered in case of medical emergency. For information about program liability, please see the participant's Statement of Understanding.
How safe is it to work and live in China?
While crime rates in China are very low, and most foreigners report feeling physically very safe, depending on your location it is not uncommon for foreigners to be the target of pickpockets and other petty criminals when out in public (especially at tourists sites and markets). While some program participants live within the grounds of their host institutions, which are enclosed and guarded, or in dormitories or apartments that have additional guards as well, others are provided apartments outside of the school grounds. Much care is taken on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Offices of partner institutions to protect the safety of foreign teachers.
For more information on safety in China, see the Department of State’s consular information sheet on P.R. China.
If I am graduating with students loans, how will I be able to afford paying them back after graduation?
All federally-guaranteed loans extend are subject to an economic hardship deferment, but applicants are encouraged to check the terms of their loan agreements and call their lending institutions to ensure they can receive such a deferment. Such deferment is rarely given for private loans. Given the amount of compensation received through the Teach in China program, participants can most often receive an economic hardship deferment from their lending institutions. This allows graduates to defer paying their student loans until after they return from the Teach in China program. More information can be found here.
Do I have to pay taxes on my earnings in China?
The salaries earned through the Teach in China program are well below the threshold for filing taxes on foreign income. Click here for more information.
2010-2011 Drake University Teach in China Program Calendar
10/09-11/09 Director conducts class visits, informational sessions
12/1/09 Application process begins (application instructions here)
3/10/10 Teach in China application deadline. Those submitting applications at the deadline will need to schedule interview prior to 3/12/10.
4/1/10 Deadline for accepted participants to submit program deposit to Drake Student Accounts Office
Mid-April Placements announced
5/3/10 Registration deadline for Teach in China Training (CRN 2283), remainder of program fee due.
5/17-5/21/10 On-campus participant training (administrative and TESL training). All required support materials (materials for invitation letters, physical examination, ISIC card, etc.) must be completed prior to the beginning of training.
Mid-July Participants receive invitation letters from Chinese institution, apply for visa with Chinese consulate.
8/11/10, 5:00 p.m. (To be confirmed) Participants meet in Beijing, bus to Hebei Normal University in Shijiazhuang for in-country training (Chinese language, cultural orientation, homestays, cultural outing).
8/16/10 (TBC) Training ends. Participants placed in Hebei picked up by representatives of placement institutions, taken for medical examinations in Shijiazhuang, taken to placement institutions. Participants placed outside of Hebei depart Shijiazhuang for placement city.
9/1/10 (TBC) Fall semester begins at placement institutions