GS: So, can you tell us a bit about how you first got into English teaching?

SK: I was volunteering a few years ago in China as well as participating in a culture exchange when I met a group of local children. They would speak a little English to me and I would struggle to create my sentences to respond to them in Chinese but somehow it all worked. Being able to immerse myself in another culture while contributing back was always something I’ve enjoyed. My love of learning new languages and cultures brought me into the world of volunteering and travel, which in turn introduced me into the world of teaching English.

GS: Could you give us some details about your dealings with Gold Star TEFL Recruitment?

SK: What can I say, they’ve gotten me this far. In the early stages of trying to get back to teaching in China, I had hit a brick wall with all the outlets I knew of. I had read somewhere that using an agency was best during this time and so research ensued. I didn’t know of many agencies but I did find a few on some job boards. Now it’s always up to someone to do their own research which is what I ended up doing. I found videos on YouTube about Gold Star and even dug a little further to find a few blog posts here and there about the company.

After applying online, all I had to do was wait. I was given an amazing person to correspond with and any questions I had were answered promptly within a day or less. Jeannie you’re the best. What I enjoyed the most about Gold Star was the information they had supplied me with every step of the way. If I needed certain documents to be sent over or had questions about my next steps, they were there. Even now as I’m writing this in my apartment in China, I’ve been in contact with the agency which is always nice.

GS: What advice do you have for people about the recruitment and interview process when looking for jobs teaching in China?

SK: Totally be yourself! The recruitment process was honestly thorough as you have to upload documents to verify your degree and background if needed. The interview was straight to the point and super professional yet the environment was relaxed enough where it felt like old friends catching up. During the interview you can bring up any specifics such as teaching in certain areas or age groups, but overall just have an open mind and be prepared for anything.

GS: COVID restrictions have made getting the work visa and flying to China a lot more challenging. Can you give an overview on your move to China and how Gold Star were able to assist you?

SK: How long can this answer be? Haha. First and foremost, I think the most important step before even thinking about moving to China would be to ask yourself if this is something you want to pursue during this time? If yes, then you’re already a step ahead of the game. Make sure your documents are in order. Your diploma, your teaching certifications, these are things you’ll need in order to get your visa. Coming from the states you’ll have to deal with closed Embassies or Consulates working on modified schedules, working online, other areas being modified etc.

If you’re up for researching about where to send documents, how to get documents returned and well equipped to be checking your emails constantly, you’ve entered the world of state side COVID restrictions. I’m only speaking from an American perspective here. A lot of things must be scheduled ahead of time such as consulate appointments or document pick ups, so prep for that. Make sure you’re ready for COVID testing and lots of them. But truly, if you have your documents in order and you’ve done your research, even during this difficult time in history, you don’t have much to worry about. Gold Star helped me a lot by sending over a list of documents I would need and steps I had to take in order to complete the visa process and prep for the move to China. I never felt alone in this process even though some steps were new to me.

GS: You are teaching in Shenzhen at the moment, can you tell us about your impressions of the city? What do you like most about living there?

SK: As someone who has visited Shenzhen a few times before, I’ve always found the city to be alive with endless things to do. This is still true. Coming from the US, I’m still amazed by the amazing Metro system this city has. The bilingual signage in both English and Chinese is very helpful for an expat like myself as well. China overall is amazing with the digital system and applications used for everyday life. It’s even helpful to use these apps during COVID because you don’t have to physically touch many shared surfaces. I love the greenery around the city as well, although it’s filled with buildings, there is nature to be found. This city is filled with people riding bikes and taking walks almost everywhere and it’s something I enjoy doing myself. Overall my life in Shenzhen so far has been a nice change of pace. I’m still making new friends, enjoying walks and bike rides as well as locally traveling around to discover new places I’ve never been before. Each day presents a new adventure to me and I’m enjoying it a lot.

GS: Can you tell us about your favorite class at the moment?

SK: As I’m awaiting to teach my littles at a Primary School, I can say that I’m excited to get into the classroom. I’ve passed a few kids on my way to the shop and the laughter and questions are amazing and endless, even though most of the questions are in Chinese. From previous experience I expect to help my students develop a curiosity for English and a comfort to speak the language.

GS: China is full of surprises and unexpected adventures, tell us about one you have had recently.

SK: Oh gosh. Shanghai. It was in Shanghai. So after quarantine I had to get my final two COVID tests done and I was able to walk to the location myself. Well once I had arrived, it clicked that I could only speak basic Chinese. Like, very little Chinese. So I pulled out this paper I was given previously and showed it to two guards who began speaking to me in Chinese, and I’m standing there like a deer caught in headlights. There was an English woman walking by whom said, ‘return at 1:30.’ I shook my head and said, ‘okay,’ as I couldn’t even process the time spoken to me. I know basic Chinese but apparently my brain was a little slow to catch up that day. So long story short, I’ll be brushing up on my Chinese and doing a lot more listening practices.

This school is holding interviews for teachers now. Submit your resume to set up an interview today.

The post Talking to Teachers – An Interview with Sakari Nichols appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

GS: So, can you tell us a bit about how you first got into English teaching?

JP: I first became an English teacher in China after finishing my degree at university. My first teaching post was meant to be just a break point between my undergraduate and graduate program while having the advantage of being a good opportunity for some travel abroad. However, I took a very keen liking to teaching English to Chinese students that prolonged this experience. Seeing a student progress whether at the age of 3 or 13 still gives me a sense of accomplishment unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Being able to provide the educational underpinnings and guidance for students so that in turn they can go one to have a brighter future and better career is an element of this job that interested me when I started and keeps me motivated today. After almost 3 years of teaching in China, I don’t see this career trajectory changing very much.

GS: Could you give some details about your dealings with Gold Star TEFL Recruitment?

JP: In my experience working as an English teacher in China, I’ve depended greatly on recruiters across many companies for finding posts for myself and for hiring new teachers when I happened to find myself in management positions at some schools. My experience with Gold Start TEFL Recruitment primarily dealt with finding a new teaching post for myself after spending years at a pervious school. Throughout this process, Gold Star was very professional and helpful with setting up interviews and giving many options of schools to pick from.

One of the aspects of Gold Start that I believe puts them a bit above the other recruitment companies I’ve worked with is that they are very detailed and are great at following up after interviews or contact with other schools. During my transitioning process between schools, Gold Star provided structured follow-ups and asked me for any details that would help match my experience with the correct school.

GS: What advice do you have for people about the recruitment and interview process when looking for jobs teaching in China?

JP: All the advice I have for the recruitment process is very simple. Your recruiter’s job is to help match you with the best school that fits your experience and expectations. So firstly, I suggest sitting down and making sure you know what you want and what kind of school do you see yourself in? If you have a clear vision for the position and school you want, that makes the recruiter’s job that much easier. There are so many opportunities for teachers in China that there shouldn’t be too much of an issue finding a school that is the correct fit for everyone. Communicating experience and expectations clearly is the key for developing a positive and efficient relationship between a teacher and a recruiter.

Interviews are simple as well. Be yourself and be prepared to present your abilities as a teacher. I suggest keeping a file with lesson plans for various ages of classes or difference topics. Teaching videos are good examples to keep on file that show how you manage a classroom and actual teach a lesson. However, these are sometimes difficult to attain because of proprietary materials and coursework some schools don’t want open to the public. If videos aren’t possible, be prepared to do demo classes in person at the school or online via one of the various video chat software. Online teaching demos can be tough for both the teacher and the interviewer so make sure to have something visual to present and be fairly active in the demo class.

GS: You are teaching in Guangzhou at the moment, can you tell us about your impressions of the city? What do you like most about living there?

JP: My experience in Guangzhou is quite a change from my previous city. After living in China for almost three years, I’ve grown accustomed to the environment of northern China. My previous work was done mainly in Inner Mongolia so moving to a place where bananas and mangos grow on trees right by the street is very different. Getting use to the humidity and rain has been an experience, but it is a lot better than dealing with the cold and snow up north.

Guangzhou is a much more international city. Seeing other foreigners on the streets and meeting new people is a common daily occurrence here. Eating at a lot of foreign restaurants that have food that I have missed from back home is a great experience. This international community is more diverse and exciting. I’ve enjoyed making new friends and meeting new people even in this short time. In my free time, I enjoy taking walks around my neighborhood and getting know the other local people in the area as well.
The food in Guangzhou has interesting spices and flavors that are different then the food in the north. We rarely ate seafood beside fish, but now we are enjoying many different types of tropical seafoods every week. The restaurants are very vibrant down here and are very warm and welcoming to foreigners. Other teachers in the area have had great recommendations for local places that I will for sure be checking out during my time here.

GS: Can you tell us about your favourite class at the moment?

JP: One of my 2nd grade classes is very fun and full of energy. My favorite classes to teach are when the traditional positions of the teacher and the students are kind of dropped for a few minutes and what is left is just a single group enjoying a topic and speaking with each other. For example, I was teaching animals and the various habitats that they live in with this class when we started discussing colder climates like Antarctica. We sat on that section of the class for almost 20 minutes just talking about why rabbits in Guangzhou and rabbits in Antarctica were different colors. Discussing ideas of snowy weather and camouflage (at a limited ability) in this 2nd grade class was a great experience
especially this early in the semester.

GS: Talk us through a typical day teaching English in China.

JP: One of the issues that I’ve been getting use to is teaching around 30 kids in one class. At my previous job class sizes were smaller. The biggest class was only ever around 16 students. So, a lot of my games and activities have needed to be adapted or changed. As well as, developing new games to keep students engaged in class. One of the positive things about the class size is the number of interactions the kids can have with each other has expanded exponentially from what I’ve previously been able to achieve. All the kids can have a partner for speaking activities and group work is more effective here as well. I’ve mostly been teaching the 2nd grade since coming to this school. These kids are full of energy and excited to speak English with their teachers. Speaking activities and games have been easy to in these classes because of the energy the kids have for speaking English.

GS: China is full of surprises and unexpected adventures, tell us about one you have had recently.

JP: I get lost a lot which I’m sure is something most other foreign teachers can relate too. Especially when moving and adapting to a different city. One night, I misjudged the battery on my scooter and was left a few kilometers away from my apartment right after the sun had gone down and was a bit turned around. My phone’s battery was almost dead, so I was only looking at maps intermediately to find my way back. However, I ran into some very friendly locals who helped me with my scooter and walked with me most of the way back to my apartment. My Chinese is pretty bad and their English wasn’t great either, but it ended up being a fun evening of conversation and a start of some new friendships.

This school is holding interviews for teachers now. Submit your resume to set up an interview today. 

The post Talking to Teachers – An Interview with Jerimiah Phillips appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

Thankfully, there is more than enough to do within China. After all, travel is the reason most of us came here. Whether it’s the Avatar Mountains of Huangshizhai, or a big city like Shanghai or Beijing, there’s no shortage of options, catering to every kind of traveller imaginable. For maximum rest and relaxation, however, it has to be the beach. And when it comes to beach destinations, the obvious choice is Sanya, known as ‘the Hawaii of China’. 

For the uninitiated, Sanya is a small island off the coast of China, located in the Hainan province. Offering silky soft sand beaches and idyllic blue seas, it is the ideal beach destination for any traveller looking to unwind. More than that, visiting in late 2020, it’s like stepping back in time – all the way back to the halcyon days of 2019.

We’re all Going on a Summer Holiday

As is to be expected, travelling during this time of COVID is not without its challenges.  First of all, when researching the vacation, one has to make sure that the hotel you’re travelling to actually allows foreigners. Several friends and colleagues found, while on their travels, that their hotel of choice was not able to accept international visitors. Thankfully, this one is fairly easy to navigate, checking the small print of the booking service (Ctrip, in this case) and reading reviews on TripAdvisor and other review aggregates. 

Next up; the flight. As anticipated, checking in to fly is full of stringent airport checks. Not only did we have to display a green QR code to get into the airport, we were then required to sign up for and display a second code specific to our airline. Then, upon landing, we had to sign up for and download a third QR code for the Hainan region. None of which is too difficult, but be sure to leave plenty of time for check-in and queuing at the airport.

Naturally, the wearing of a mask is mandatory at all times – in taxis, in the airport and on the flight. Thankfully, it was only a 2-hour flight from Chengdu to Sanya. Nothing compared to the 12 hour journey I undertook in February, returning from my Spring Festival break to the UK – masked the whole time, on a hot, crowded plane. After that, a mere 2 hour flight felt like easy street. Or easy airways.

We’re Going Where the Sun Shines Brightly

Upon landing in Sanya, we took a taxi to our hotel in Haitang Bay (approximately 45 minutes from the airport) where we had booked a room at the Shangri-La Hotel, on one of the island’s quieter beaches. This 4-star hotel was much cheaper than its Western equivalents, giving great value for money. And, having checked into the hotel, it served as our own private bubble where one might forget that COVID-19 even exists.

Indeed, it felt like stepping into yesterday’s world as we lounged by the swimming pool unmasked, watching similarly unmasked families pass by without care. Unmasked! Unmasked children peeing in the bushes; unmasked old folk hawking and spitting on the concourse; it was as though COVID-19 had never happened. It was only when we went for a meal at the hotel restaurant that some semblance of our new reality snuck back in; being required to mask up upon entering, and when perusing the buffet’s delights. Or on the occasional trip in and out of the hotel, when required to prove one’s health with a quick scan of the QR Code.

At a time when foreigners are no longer able to travel the world as easily as they once were, resorts like the Shangri-La see a rise in Western tourists, looking to get their beachside fix in lieu of Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia. Swimming up to the pool bar to order a Pina Colada while surrounded by fellow tourists from America, the UK and Germany, I found myself forgetting that I was still in China, where I have been living for the past two years now. Even forgetting about COVID, a holiday in Sanya is closer to a vacation in Europe, or a beach destination in Egypt than any Chinese-style holiday I had previously undertaken. Not a temple in sight.

Which isn’t to say that Sanya doesn’t have its peculiarities that are local to China. Shallow, heated swimming pools; a large proportion of noodle, Durian and rice dishes at the buffet; being forbidden from swimming in the actual sea (for fear of drowning); strict height and weight limits on water slides and rollercoasters. Sanya is the traditional Western-style beach destination… only not. 

No More Worries?

Near our hotel was the Hotel Atlantis water park. At 500 RMB for a full day in the park, a steal. This too was open, and offering the full water park experience. Again, nothing was required to enter but a quick temperature check and a QR code. Inside, masks were non-existent amongst the patrons, and, drifting down the easy river in the baking midday sun, the pressures and worries of COVID were once again forgotten.

This did not come without its own peculiar sense of guilt. After all, who was I to enjoy a luxurious beach holiday like this, while my friends and loved ones face fear and uncertainty back home? As China – and other parts of the world – begin to reopen and move on from COVID, it’s hard not to feel guilty for returning to a state of normality, and allowing oneself these luxuries. Floating down the easy river on a glorious summer’s day, in the middle of a beautiful beach destination, I found myself longing for gloomy, grey, miserable Birmingham, England.

But these feelings inevitably pass, as will the worst of COVID, in time. And what better to take one’s mind off the pressures of the world than a water park? I padded from the lazy river exit down to the park’s biggest thrill attraction – a high-speed raft ride through and around a gigantic funnel. As I climbed the metal stairs to the entrance, the island of Sanya rose up around me, off into the horizon. At the top, the lifeguard looked me up and down. He shook his head. “No ride,” he said. “Too fat.”

Dejected, I slunk away. Yes, I thought, I am definitely still in China. 

Then, a smile. How I’ve missed this.

The post Sun, Sea and Sanya: Travels in China During COVID-19 appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

The 14-day quarantine had begun. I was exhausted from travelling and looked forward to settling in my new room. I loved the decor of the hotel.  I also liked my room especially for the view that I had. It was a view of a highway and buildings nearby.  The hotel was called the Holiday Inn which was located in Chengdu, China.

The hotel room amenities consisted of: a TV, 2 double beds, Air conditioning and fan, fast Wi-Fi, towels, mini-fridge, kettle, tea, bottles of water, hand and body soap, shampoo, toothpaste and a toothbrush, robes and slippers, in-room phone, menu for daily food provided. There was a choice for Chinese or Western food.

The other option was that you could order food from outside of the hotel but only after the first test was received back as a negative result.

Unlike other people’s experiences, we were not charged for the hotel when we checked in. We had to pay at the end of our stay. It cost 350 RMB per night plus food.

When you do go to collect things from outside your room, the rule was to always wear a mask.

On the first day, I was provided with a letter that I had to sign. It explained the process of the daily routine and that I must abide by the rules. The daily routine consisted of having temperature checks in the morning and in the afternoon. Breakfast was usually provided around 5am and left on the door handle then lunch at 12pm and dinner was after 5pm.

Due to the language barrier I used to communicate with them via WeChat so it definitely helped to make the communication much easier. The staff at the hotel were fabulous as they were super accommodating and helped to make my stay very comfortable. I never felt neglected as they were always there to provide a helping hand. Anything that was needed for the room was quickly sent to the door so it was overall a stress-free experience.

My advice is to bring things that you enjoy doing even if that is exercise stuff or games. Also, bring snacks or any type of favorite foods that you may not be able to have access to while at the hotel. I brought my favourite cookies and candies from the UK. I also would order from Taobao or fruit from the local market which delivered. Make sure that your phone has a local SIM card / telephone number.

3 meals were too much for me so I ended up only having breakfast and dinner. Dinner was my favourite meal of the day. The food overall was very delicious.

On the 7^th day they did a blood test and on the 12^th day, they did an oral test.

For the first couple of days it was a bit challenging but I used meditation and yoga throughout the time. It truly helped me to stay calm and make the best out of the situation.

On the 12^th day, I was given a code that I had to scan and add the details of where I was travelling.

On the final day of my quarantine the checkout was at 1 p.m. I went downstairs to the front desk and was provided with the outstanding charges which included the room and meal charges per day. It came to 5,800 RMB and I paid via WeChat.  The other options where to pay via Alipay or credit card. After making payment, I was guided to a table where I collected my passport and was provided with a paper to show my test results and a letter explaining that I had successfully completed the 14-day quarantine.  I was free to leave so I ordered a DiDi and headed back to the airport to continue with my final destination to Shanghai.

I would recommend for anyone who’s travelling to try to arrive in the place where you’re going to be living and not doing a connecting flight.  Many provinces have implemented an additional 7 to 14-day quarantine if you have travelled from province to province.  I’ve shared my experience but remember every province and hotel will vary in regards to the rules and the procedure of how things are done.

I’m deeply grateful for the Facebook group called, Foreigners Stuck Outside of China and the WeChat groups where people took the time out to share valuable information to help others.  Without these groups, I would have probably made many errors and quickly became discouraged. I wish you all a very safe and smooth journey back to China. I hope my articles can help as a guide.

The post My 14 Day Quarantine in China – The Details appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

Before we start, if you haven’t read my article on the application process for the PU letter and work visa, you can read it here.

Arrived at the airport

I arrived 3 hours ahead of my flight at Heathrow Airport. I set aside an extra hour just in case something went wrong so I had enough time to fix it without rushing.

Check-in at the airport

Prior to traveling to the airport, make sure you print out a copy of your Health Declaration Form, photo page from your passport and Visa for China. You’ll need these documents to show when you check in at the airport. There was some confusion with my Health Declaration Form as the person who was checking me in thought I needed a QR code which is required by Chinese travellers. The rules change every day and they vary based on the country so please stay up-to-date prior to traveling so that you can ensure that you have the proper documents required. Also, make sure that you take your COVID test within the required time frame that is needed for traveling to China. When I was traveling it was within 5 days but they were preparing to change it to 3 days.

Transiting via Greece

My flight departed on September 1st at 10:15 pm and arrived in Athens, Greece on September 2nd at 3:50 am. The bad news was I had 18 hours and 25 minutes in Athens International Airport. I slept, ate delicious Greek food, read a book and talked to friends and family on the phone.

Boarding the flight to China

9pm arrived and it was almost time to board my flight to China. I didn’t know what to expect so I was feeling many different types of emotions but trying to remain calm. I decided to go to the front desk to ensure that I had the required documents to board the flight. I was met by a man in a hazmat suit and given a form to read and sign. The form stated that there may be a possibility that I may not be allowed on the flight if my temperature is high. I was then reissued a boarding pass due to the flight not traveling directly to Beijing but rerouting to Chengdu, China.

Soon we began to line up to board. It was unlike what I was used to. The stewardess and other workers were dressed in hazmat suits, face masks, face shields, googles and gloves. This was now the new normal. I noticed the majority of travelers were Chinese with maybe less than 10 foreigners. While boarding, I was given sanitizer wipes. Once we all boarded, there was an announcement that said that you must stay in your seat that is assigned to make it easier to identify if you come into contact with someone who is sick.x

The flight

I realized that the aisle seat next to me was empty so I was happy to practice some social distancing for the long flight ahead. I used the wipes to sanitize the area where I’d be seated just to be safe. Throughout the flight there were:

– regular temperature checks
– Chinese snacks in a box provided with a bottle of water or milk.
– entertainment

I think 95% of the flight was occupied so overall it was a great flight.

Arrival in Chengdu, China:

We arrived at 1 pm. People began to exit the plane in groups, starting at the front of the plane. Finally, it was my groups turn. We walked down the steps and were directed to a bus that was waiting for us.  The bus transported us to the airport terminal. We then sat down in chairs and were instructed to download a health app that was only valid for 24 hours.  This app required you to write down your personal details, previous history of travel, have you been exposed to COVID-19 in the past and the address of where you will stay. Once I completed the form, the app provided me with a QR code that I would need to use while in the airport. The COVID-19 testing consisted of:

1. Body temperature screening
2. Nasal and saliva swab testing

When lining up for the tests, you must show your QR code. The nasal and saliva swab test weren’t painful but very uncomfortable. I was more freaked out seeing something go up my nose.

Customs

After surviving the testing, I filled out the arrival form and then waited in line for customs. This was the normal procedure that entailed the four fingers on the machine for right then left, followed by both thumbs and look into the camera. Next, the Customs officer stamped my passport and I was free to go.

Collect bags and board bus

I collected my suitcases and put them through the X-ray machine and then collected them. I walked to the waiting area where I was provided with a sticker with a number on it to show that I was with the same group of people from the flight and we would await a bus that would take us to the hotel. The bus ride took about 40 to 45 minutes.

Arrive at the hotel

After we arrived at our hotel, we were greeted by people wearing hazmat suits. I was so amazed at how nice the hotel looked as I was not expecting it be fancy and modern.  We collected our bags from the bus and then were informed that we had to scan a QR code. I scanned the QR code which provided me with a form. I had to fill out the form with my personal details such as name, birth date, my final destination / address. Next, we had to line up to go into the hotel where we were provided with additional forms to fill out, such as agreeing to abide by the quarantine rules. Once I had signed the forms, I was given my room key, had my temperature checked again and was then on my way to my room for the 14 day quarantine.

Next up – read about my experience during the 14 day quarantine.

The post My Flight from England to China – The Entire Process appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

Before I explain the steps I’d like to explain how I ended up being stuck outside of China: the place that I’ve called home for the last 2 years.  So due to the rapid spread of Covid-19 globally, the Chinese government decided to suspend the entry of foreigners who hold Visas and Resident permits effective from March 28th 2020. In order to obtain a visa now, you must apply for a PU letter.

Step 1: Apply for a PU letter

What is a PU letter? A PU letter is an invitation letter issued by the Foreign Affairs office or also known as the Commission of Commerce.  This letter is very important because it allows you to then apply for a Work Visa. My new job applied for a PU letter on July 16th and it took about 2 to 3 weeks to receive it.

Step 2: Begin looking at airline tickets online

The reason why I began to look at airline tickets right after receiving the PU letter was because I heard that tickets were super high in price, like $5,000 dollars. Also, there were very few flights traveling internationally back to China. As you can see when you search online there are many flights that show that they fly to China but in reality they don’t so you must be very careful when you book. The best advice I can give you is to try to book with a Chinese airline as there is a higher chance that the flight will not be cancelled. I booked two flights and unfortunately both flights were cancelled and therefore I finally booked a flight via Air China for £1700 which allowed me to come back in time. The other issue with booking flights that will most likely be canceled is that it takes months to receive a refund, so please keep that in mind.  I booked my flight in advance so that I had enough time to follow the other important steps to help me to get back to China.

Step 3:

I applied for the visa application online via www.visaforchina.org. I applied for the F Visa which is a non-commercial visa. You’ll need the following documents in order to process the application:

– a recent colored passport photo with a white background
– a passport that is valid for at least 6 months with blank pages available
– print out the completed online visa application form.
– my new school provided an invitation letter to explain the purpose of the visit

Once I submitted these documents, I was then allowed to choose an appointment for when I can visit the Visa facility in London. I attended the Visa appointment at 12pm on August 20^th and was there for about 3 or 4 hours so please make sure you have enough time as it can get super busy.  They took all of the documents including my passport and told me to come back in 7 days. I paid £151 for a single entry visa. It was pretty straightforward as long as you have all of the proper documents that are required. Also, make sure you attend your visa appointment at least 30 minutes earlier as the lines can get long. On August 27th, I went to the Visa office and received my Visa.

Step 4:

I immediately made an appointment online through the NHS British website to arrange for my nucleic acid test to ensure that I do not have COVID-19 and I’m safe to travel. I attended the testing location at 10:30 a.m and it took less than 10 minutes. It was not as scary as I imagined it to be and the people were very helpful and patient with the process. I was able to do the self test with the instructions from the person who worked there. I had to do the nasal and the oral test, then insert in a bag and drop in a box. It took less than 24 hours, so by Saturday morning I had received the results by 9:30 a.m.

Step 5:

Then I forwarded the nucleic acid test results from the email, a copy of my photo page in my passport, and the Health Declaration Form filled out to the Chinese Embassy via email for authorization and it was sent back within 5 hours.

Finally, I was all ready for my trip back to the country I call home, China!

For the next steps, read my articles on the flight from England to China. and my 14 day quarantine in China.

The post Returning to China – My Visa Process appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

We are in close contact with hundreds of schools across China. Submit an application today and we will send you suitable teaching job options, based on your preferences, and assist you through the work visa application process.

Demand for teachers in China

The demand for English teachers in China is higher than ever with a lot of schools now actively recruiting for start dates throughout 2023. If you are interested in applying for teaching jobs in China, whether or not you are currently in China, please browse our Job Board and apply. You can also read articles from some of our teachers on our blog.

When will English teachers be allowed to enter China?

The China border has reopened. The work visa application process is back to pre-pandemic times, with no PU letters required anymore. From early 2023 there is no more quarantine required on arrival in China and all restrictions have been removed.

Flights to China

All flights and prices have returned to normal, as they were before the pandemic.

Work visa application process

In most cases, to secure a ‘Z’ work visa required for working in China, you need to:

– Bachelor’s degree – notarised by issuing body and and authenticated by Chinese embassy
– 120 hour TEFL certificate – notarised by issuing body and and authenticated by Chinese embassy
– Clean criminal background check – issued within 6 months – notarised by issuing body and and authenticated by Chinese embassy
– Medical check – issued within 6 months

We are in regular contact with various visa agents that can give useful advice and assist with the required steps for the visa application process. Please contact us if you would like more information on visa agents.

PCR COVID test no longer required

All requirements for COOVID testing to enter China have been removed.

At the Airport

Get to the airport at least 3 hours before your flight. Bring all your notarized documents (degree, TEFL, criminal background check) as they may be needed to get your residence permit in China.

Things to bring:
-Passport
-Boarding pass
-All your notarized documents (degree, TEFL, criminal background check) as they will be needed to get your residence permit in China
-Valid Chinese visa or residency permit
-Phone with WeChat installed – this is needed for processing on arrival
-Name, phone number and address of a contact person in China for the customs form

Quarantine for people flying in to China

As of early 2023, you are no longer required to quarantine on arrival in China.

The post Updates on China border reopening for ESL teachers appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

While wages and rate of pay do vary from job to job and region to region, even a lower-paid teaching position leaves ample room to save money and lead a very comfortable life. My very first position, in an independent language school in Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, was not very well paid, but the cost of living was so low and I had such benefits that I still earned a tidy sum within a year’s contract. Enough for a month’s holiday in Thailand once my first contract was completed – unthinkable, on a comparable wage in the United Kingdom.

All Expenses Paid

Like many schools, I was provided with an apartment paid for by my school, and I was responsible only for the water, electricity and gas bills (all affordable). Even if this weren’t the case, rent in most areas of China is also very affordable, and there are extensive options available for all budgets. I currently pay around 4000rmb (roughly 450 pounds) per month for a large two-bedroom apartment in a nice district of Chengdu – over half the amount one would expect to pay for something comparable back home. Right now, I feel a world away (physically and mentally) from my first apartment back in Birmingham, England – a tiny, slug-infested (yes, slugs) one-bedroom studio where I nearly froze to death one fateful winter.

This leaves a lot of one’s paycheck for savings and consumables. My mind was blown when I bought my first can of beer for 3rmb – barely 30 pence in pound sterling. Likewise, one can eat for a king on 100rmb (about 10 pounds) a day. The cost of the average takeaway ranges from between 5 and 20rmb, depending on one’s location and taste. Of course, you could cook for yourself too, and fresh fruit and veg from the supermarket is also extremely affordable.

All this, paid for in a largely cashless society. Instead of cash and card, we use the phone apps WeChat and AliPay (connecting your bank card and passport to the app) to pay for purchases, to send and receive money. A quick scan of your QR code at the checkout, and you’re on your way. It’s a revolutionary system – easy even for us foreigners – and very quick to get the hang of.

Other travellers in Chengdu live similarly comfortable lives, and have little trouble finding their home comforts. From gym memberships to gaming (I myself am an avid PS4 fan), there’s something for everyone – and usually far more affordable than it would be back home. For those here to travel, that’s cheap too. Being on the other side of the world means that Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia are a lot closer than they otherwise might be, and airfares are much cheaper as a result. Or, at least, they would be if it weren’t for this pesky Coronavirus keeping us from leaving.

Saving Time

For myself, life in China represents an opportunity to build a savings account for the future and recoup debts from ten years working minimum wage in the UK. In addition to working full time at a Chengdu language school, China has also granted me the means of working extra with private students (1-1 lessons with diligent students in their spare time), and writing for ESL websites such as this one. In my time in China, I have also participated in voice recording jobs and have even been offered a position hosting a wine tasting evening! Putting aside the money, life in China is also good for bulking up one’s CV and trying out new things and potential career paths.

Sure, it could be made easier to transfer that money into my UK account (last time I tried, Bank of China would only transfer a measly 350rmb at a time), so I currently have to use PayPal, losing money in fees with every transfer. But for now, it gets the job done, and I feel comfortable and secure for first time in years.

All that, and the countless other opportunities for work and travel China has to offer. Money is certainly not the be-all and end-all, but it is another benefit of a career in ESL. Look ma, no slugs!

The post Money Talks: The ESL Teacher Quality of Life appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

This is true of countless other cities and provinces all over China – and even Wuhan, the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak has begun to ease its harsh lockdown measures. The threat, however, is far from gone. Travel outside of the city and one’s province remains restricted (unless you want to end up quarantined in a hotel room for 14 days) and local authorities remain on edge for a second wave of the outbreak.

There’s an App For That

Eager to monitor citizens’ movement and health, local governments have installed smartphone software within WeChat and Alipay. Either version of this software (or its regional counterpart) takes users to a short survey, where one enters a few details into the form. Have you been outside of China (or the province) in the last 14 days? Have you been into contact with anyone from the Hubei Province within that timescale? How are you feeling? Bit sick, maybe? After the survey has been completed, users will be issued with a coloured health code – green, yellow, or red. Anyone with a green code is healthy, and safe to travel. Yellow means that the user has likely come into contact with an infected person (and should be under quarantine). Red means that the user has coronavirus, and should get yourself under quarantine ASAP. Neither red or yellow is permitted to travel.

Ultimately, this quick and easy traffic light system dictates whether the user can leave their home… and where they can go. With a green health code, users are free to travel around the city as normal – entering subway stations, restaurants, shopping malls and (in the case of this ESL teacher) what few schools are open at the moment.

Chengdu being one of the least affected cities by the Coronavirus, its influence is felt less here than, say, Beijing or Shanghai. While one can expect to have their temperature taken in most shopping centres, restaurants and all subway stations, checking of the actual health code is not a constant. Our own school did need proof (screenshots) of its employees’ health status before opening, but beyond that, I have barely had to use my own code. But, as unrest grows, and the situation gets ever worse in the West, it is good to have this proof-of-health on my phone, just in case.

Red Code, Red Flags

The use of this health code based system by the government does beg some questions. Where, and by whom, is the collected data analysed? What else is this data being used for? How might a system like this be used and abused in future? Freedom loving Westerners are, naturally, skeptical.

But, right now, such a system is vital in making the country’s citizens and residents feel safe, and reassured that they are able to get out and mingle without fear of coming into contact with someone afflicted with the virus. Right now, these apps feel vital and necessary, not just in preventing further spread (or the return) of the virus, but in reassuring people that it is safe to go outside, to work, travel and have fun.

In the fight against COVID-19, these are unprecedented times, and unprecedented measures should surely follow. For some, this raises red flags, but right now these apps feel like the first steps in a return to normal, healthy life.

The post Green Means Go: Taking the Fight Against the Coronavirus in China to the App Store appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

I re-entered China to find almost everything in Chengdu locked down, and myself under advisory self-quarantine within my apartment. Sure, there were no armed guards at my door, but the security station at the compound entrance weren’t going to let me go anywhere for the next 14 days. All tourist spots, bars, restaurants and cinemas in the city were closed until further notice. Not long after my own return, I heard news that other friends and colleagues were being sent directly to quarantine in local hotels upon landing in Chengdu. Soon after that, it was announced that foreigners would no longer be allowed to enter China, visa or no visa.

Confined to my apartment with nothing to do but watch TV, teach online classes and get fat(ter), I began to wonder and worry whether this might be the new normal; whether things could ever be as they once were.

Baby Steps

Fast forward to May 2020. I have just attended the first pub quiz of the year, surrounded by friends, colleagues and locals. For all my worries, things did return to a state of normality, and far sooner than I had ever anticipated. All of my favourite bars, restaurants and shopping spots have now re-opened to the public. From the local hotpot joint to the Irish bar, Chengdu is once again humming with things to do and sights to see.

Thanks to temperature checks at the door and a newly-implemented health code system (via phone app), most local businesses are now free to run as normally. After proving my health at the door, I’m even free to go and get a haircut (while wearing a face mask, of course).

In recent weeks, the local football and badminton teams have also returned to the city; small groups of foreigners meeting once a week for practice and fun. Likewise, the neighbourhood gyms have all re-opened their doors, allowing the health conscious to get their fix (the home workout just isn’t the same!)

While my friends and family in the UK make do with homemade trivia sessions via Zoom (no thanks – reminds me too much of teaching online), we were able to join our local pub quiz at the American Barbecque joint down the street. After a lot of bumpy starts, tentative re-openings (and then re-closing again), all of our favourite bars and restaurants have reopened and are serving as usual. Social distancing has been dialled back for most, leaving patrons free to sit together and mingle in close proximity. Just make sure you have the QR code readily available on your phone to prove that you’re fit and healthy.

What we Left Behind

Still, we await the return of face-to-face classes in schools (while some Primary Schools have re-opened, most language centres such as mine remain shut), and there are rumours that kindergarten students may stay absent until September. Still, we head into school for admin hours and online classes, keeping up a facade of normality in this unprecedented time.

The cinema in China too, is yet to re-open. Even if it were to do so, it would have to without Black Widow or Mulan – delayed not only in China but also in the West.

Many tourist destinations too, remain closed, and a lot of hotspots (Chengdu’s QinQeng mountain, for example) is no longer allowing entry to foreigners. International flights in and out of Chengdu have been cancelled and, even if they were still running, I would no longer be able to re-enter if I did leave.

As tension grows back home and in the USA, I find myself worrying more for the well-being of friends and family over my own. The roles have reversed, and now China is heading out of danger as life in the West grows more and more chaotic.

In this respect, it feels something like living in a bubble, as I attend pub quizzes and eat hotpot while my family and friends stay home in fear, uncertainty and isolation. Although things aren’t yet as they were here, there’s a feeling that someday soon they will be. For now, Chengdu – and areas of China at large – has found its normality, albeit a new one. I hope that my friends and family can find their new normal too, whether that involves pub quizzes or not.

The post A New Normal – A Chinese City in Recovery Part II appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.