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.

No, training centers in China are not all being closed down! No, English teachers are not banned from teaching in China! Let’s look at the new education policy in a bit more detail and examine what the implications are for teachers and schools in China.

In July 2021 the ‘Opinions on Further Reducing the Burden of Homework and After-school Training for Students in Compulsory Education’, known as the “Double Reduction” or “720” policy was issued by the General Office of State Council in China. The purpose of the policy is to reduce the workload on Chinese students and to reduce the financial pressure on Chinese parents when it comes to educating their children.

What does this mean for the education industry in China and what impact will this have on English teachers in China and their schools? There has been a great deal of confusion and misinformation online around the implications, so this article will help to clarify the situation.

The main elements of the policy are as follows:

1 – Teachers living outside China will not be allowed to teach online classes.

It is important to note that this only applies to online teachers living outside China, who are teaching for online Chinese companies. Already, a number of large online teaching companies have announced they will be closing down in the coming months or pivoting their business model significantly, as they will be no longer be allowed to employ teachers living outside of China.

Teachers currently outside of China are still allowed to be legally hired by schools that intend to bring them in to China to teach at their schools. If you are looking to get a job with a school in China and to enter China from overseas to teach, that is still absolutely allowed and there are no plans to change that. You will need a PU letter from your school, which can be used to apply for a work visa to enter China. More details on that process here, an example of a school that is able to provide PU letters here and an interview with one of our teachers who has gone through that process here.

2 – After-school tutoring companies can not run weekend and school holiday classes for core subjects teaching the national curriculum (including English).

The good news is, for schools that have classes running Monday to Friday during day time, this will not affect them at all. We have a wide selection of teaching jobs at primary, middle and high schools, as well as universities, international and bilingual schools that are not affected by the new policies at all and continue to hire teachers. For current job opportunities with these schools, have a look at our Job Board.

For training centers and tutoring companies that run evening and weekend classes, the implications of the new policies still need to be clarified. As the new policies will be implemented by the local governments, there won’t be a single, nationwide policy that is consistent throughout China. Schools in cities throughout China are currently discussing with their local government how the policy applies to them and how they will have to adapt.

As a recruitment agency with over 12 years experience in the ESL market in China, Gold Star TEFL Recruitment has close contacts with hundreds of schools all over China. We have been communicating with various training centers that we partner with to get a better understanding of how it could affect them and what adjustments they may need to make. The most important area that needs to be clarified is regarding the curriculum being taught. Schools we have spoken to have either already or are in the process of adapting their curriculum, which then needs to gain approval from their local education bureau.

For their weekday evening classes, training centers can continue to run their usual curriculum. For weekend and summer and winter holiday courses, many training schools are adapting their curriculum to fall in line with the new guidelines. This means rather than focusing on national English curriculum exam preparation, they will be gearing the curriculum to teaching English through, for example, debating, journalism, drama, public speaking, story-telling, reading, science, craftwork, music, cooking, sports, brain development. These are just examples and of course, a school is unlikely to adapt all of these courses, but more likely will focus on just some of them. Many schools already have a varied curriculum incorporating some of these areas, so will not have much adapting to do. Some areas of China have announced there will be a ban on foreign textbooks for primary and middle school aged students, so schools might have to adapt the materials they use. It remains to be seen whether any additional qualifications might be required for teachers to be hired to teach the courses mentioned.

Quotes from training centers around China on their plans for the future

“For our company, there are no immediate changes. A lot of the changes are targeted towards company’s that do not have the proper licenses and those who have foreign or traded in foreign markets. The major change for us has been shifting some of our curriculum to follow the new policies. We do not see it having any impact on our schools, teachers, and hiring process for the time being.”
Training center in Shanghai

“The full policies will be implemented immediately in six or seven select Tier 1 cities and then a pilot city in each province as well. There is due to be a meeting in this city for all its training centers with provincial government officials where they will announce their implementation of the rules and which city/class of schools will follow the announcements on a trial basis. Basically, there are some minor changes affecting all the schools immediately with the other larger amendments being trialled elsewhere and all we can do is watch and wait for future developments.”
Training center in Shijiazhuang

“Because the new policy was recently promulgated, we have lots of details that have to be communicated with the government education office, including class schedule and subjects that foreign teachers can teach. We can continue to operate and we’re creating new course already. We have to submit the plan to education office and get the approval.”
Training center in Shenzhen

“Regarding core subjects, we are still working with the education commission for the proper interpretations as our lessons are not based on the national curriculum. Nonetheless, our team is working diligently to meet the high demands of the new regulations. The company has decided to grow with the times. We are implementing strategic plans to improve and expand our workforce. Our school is developing new products beyond the current products, which will require in-depth training and research. This will increase the need for teachers and leaders within the company. We will also continue with our current curriculum and develop and implement ways to improve it.”
Training center in Beijing

“The ruling around what can and cannot be taught hinges on the Highschool entrance exam. If there is a written section for the exam then that is considered a subject under the new legislation and no training at all is allowed if it is specifically for that subject. Not all areas are affected yet either. The pilot cities are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang, Changzhi, Nantong, Zhenzhou and Weihai. Xi’an and Xiamen have also enacted the policy. I have heard the whole of Liaoning Province will also soon enact it. As for non-profit that does not really have any bearing on our day-to-day as it just means all profits generated must be reinvested in the business.”
Training center in Xiamen

“To answer your question about the weekend/holiday classes, it seems certain groups of students can and can’t take classes during these times, that is what we are working around at the moment but currently for us, business is as usual, with all our classes going forward just as they were a month ago. At the moment what is happening is that our schedule is currently undergoing changes, as students who don’t meet the requirements to take classes on the weekend will have to have their classes shifted to the week days.”
Training center in Hangzhou

It is worth mentioning that the new policies only apply to a select list of cities for now, as test cases. In a year things will be reviewed and suitable policies, based on how the testing went, will be rolled out to more cities in China. By then we will know more about the real-world effects of the policy and how schools plan to adapt.

3 – Ban on companies listed on foreign stock exchanges

Foreign companies will not be allowed to invest in companies engaged in tutoring or training and these companies will not be allowed to be listed on foreign stock exchanges. The companies will not be allowed to raise capital. We have already seen the stock price of listed online tutoring companies such as such as New Oriental Education and TAL Education Group plummet and the IPO of VIPKid was cancelled.

For privately owned companies in China, this policy won’t affect them.

4 – Fee capped and advertising regulations

Tutoring and training companies will have a limit put on how much they can charge for their services, to reduce the financial burden on parents of the students, who pay for the classes. There will also be guidelines implicated around how these companies can advertise, ensuring they are not making inaccurate claims.

There will definitely be some changes to the industry and it does seem like some schools will have to adjust their curriculum. But the education and training industry is definitely not going away. Wen Zhan Wang, a former senior staff member from the Ministry of Education spoke about his interpretation of the recent policies during the 2021 China Internet Education Conference. His key message is that private tutoring companies need to keep the faith and adapt. The government wants to regulate the tutoring industry not to shut it down.

We will continue to update this article as we get the more information and receive more feedback from the schools we work with.

For further reading, this report provides a good analysis of the policy.

If you are interested in teaching English in China, have a look through our Job Board, it is updated daily with new opportunities and submit your resume here.

The post How will the new education policies affect English teachers and schools in China? appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

Year One: Fresh off the Boat

I still didn’t really know what that entailed, even as I stepped off the plane and into my new position as Foreign Expert at Starsplendor School of English. A Training Centre, for the uninitiated, is an extracurricular language school which operates outside of regular school hours. 6-8pm on weekdays, 8am-6pm on the weekend; all day, every day during the summer. At Starsplendor, I found myself working Wednesday – Sunday (with Mondays and Tuesdays off), teaching around 18 hours a week. Each class would be 40 minutes long, with a class size of between 15-80 (!) students. Being young, naïve and new to the industry, I had no idea whether these practices were standard or not (they are not) but threw myself into the job regardless. Even as the summer hit and my workload increased exponentially (teaching anything up to 12 hours a day), I had a blast in my first teaching position.

For my second year in China, I decided to seek out a more regulated kind of school, with formal training and opportunities for career growth. I sought out the biggest name I could find in ESL, and quickly found a job working for EF Chengdu. Another franchise of training centres, this school would teach me the nuts-and-bolts of TEFL education. In addition to the training and career opportunities (I progressed to senior teacher within my first year), the workload was more stable, and the class sizes much smaller (no more than 15 per class). While training centres – certainly the big corporate ones – leave much to be desired in holiday time and wages, they provide excellent on-the-job tra

ining and consistent working hours. Still, after two years of prancing about to Baby Shark for the amusement of three-year-olds, I was left hankering for something more.

To Be, or Not to Be…

And so I sought out a middle school position in Shanghai, as grade 7 Literature Teacher. As a literature graduate and lifelong lover of reading, this would be my dream title. Additionally, I could expect a large pay bump, lowered ACH (actual teaching time), and summers off. Best of all – no more Baby Shark. Instead, I would be teaching one of my favourite stories of all time… William Shakespeare’s (abridged, graded) Hamlet!

Working as the grade 7 Literature Teacher, I currently teach sixteen classes per week (each 40 minutes long), with weekends off. Class sizes are larger than one can expect to find at most training centres – roughly 30 students per class – with a much higher emphasis on exams and test results.

I had some experience working with older children, but none of the students I had previously encountered in training centres could have prepared me for the level of English at an international school like this one. While there are still some who can barely string together a sentence, many are almost fluent; allowing me to have in-depth conversations on such wide and varied subjects as Full Metal Jacket and the John Wick franchise. “Excuse me,” I said to one particular student, who had been talking to his classmate through the entirety of my lesson. “Would you like to tell the rest of the class what you were gossiping about during your Literature lesson?” He blushed. “I was just telling him about this film I watched last night,” he said… “Friday the 13th Part Five.” As a horror fanatic myself, I didn’t have it in me to reprimand him any further.

With a higher degree of fluency also comes a rise in answering back and a greater accuracy in insulting the teacher. “Gay shirt!” shouted a student as I entered the classroom last week, wearing my brand new polo shirt, “gay purple shirt!”

A different kind of classroom requires a different kind of classroom management system, no longer relying on stickers or pretend money to reward my students for good behaviour. A class of thirty or so rowdy thirteen-year-olds is an intimidating prospect, and not for the faint of heart. Instead, incentives now include less homework on the weekends, or a movie lesson later during the term. Another advantage of teaching middle schoolers over language centre babies is that the former are usually more capable of caring about their grades than the latter. Some can’t be motivated, try as you might, but most can be persuaded to knuckle down when it comes to the crunch. Which is more than you can say for a class of overexcited six-year-olds who just want to watch Paw Patrol instead of their scheduled flashcard drill.

With school events such as mandatory exams, flag raising ceremonies and sports days a regular occurrence, there is also a higher likelihood of classes being cancelled, making the already low (compared to a training school) workload feel even lighter. Teaching in a middle school is far from an easy prospect, but it does have its distinct advantages.

… That is the Question

Having experienced both, I found myself missing some parts of one job while loving elements of the other. I miss the cuteness of a Training School audience – the lack of responsibility to only seeing them once a week, like some sort of language-teaching clown or ESL babysitter. On the other hand, I have enjoyed getting to know students that I see every day of the week – building real, lasting relationships, and enjoying the kids’ banter (even the off-colour stuff).

While working in a Training Centre was never going to be a long-term thing for me, those who thrive in the environment really thrive, with plenty of opportunities to rise through the ranks fairly quickly. For those who just want to teach – and not just ESL – the international school is the place to be; allowing for such a range of subjects as literature, science, geography, art and PE. It’s a rewarding feeling – seeing one’s students respond to something like Hamlet, watching them tackle the material and form their own opinions on one of my favourite stories. Which is more than I can say for dancing to Baby Shark.

Training Centre or Middle School? There are distinct pros and cons to both. Not least, the prospect of two months’ holiday during the summer break. Two months off work? No summer course? Getting to teach some of my favourite books and stories of all time? With benefits like those, you can insult me and my gay purple shirt all you like.

The post Teaching at Training Centre vs Middle School appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

The first cases of COVID 19 appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2020. Despite this, I decided to move to China to teach. And the question I frequently get asked by family and friends is what the reality of teaching English in China during the COVID pandemic is?  So, I thought I would share my own reality of teaching English in China during the COVID pandemic.

In general, the reality of teaching English in China during the COVID pandemic is pretty normal. China is one of the only countries which have succeeded in tackling the outbreak. For example, I was surprised to go to school, interact and teach my students face-to-face after moving to China from Canada during the pandemic. At the time of writing, April 26, 2021, Canada is still in strict lockdown.

The Reality of Teaching at My School During The COVID Pandemic

At school, we are back to normal. Classes are run normally, and no one wears a mask in the classroom unless they don’t feel well (no COVID symptoms). Since I started work in February 2021, we have had no cases of COVID at the school. And, I am pleased to report that we had our first mock examination with around 30 students in class.

To prevent any issues, the classrooms are cleaned often, and windows are usually kept open to allow air to enter, and all classes are in person, and there are no online classes at this time.

Students can participate in all extracurricular activities such as basketball, football, ping pong, and physical education. However, it is the teacher’s responsibility to watch for any symptoms of COVID and inform the school administration.

Is it safe to Teach English in China During the COVID Pandemic?

Generally, China is a safe country to travel to and teach English; however, with the COVID pandemic, you will need to be extra careful. Even though China has now successfully contained the outbreak well inside its borders, there is still the underlying risk of a resurgence, mainly from imported cases of COVID-19. Therefore, there are various travel restrictions currently, and many preventative measures are policy in China you need to be aware of.

Here are a few things to keep in mind while teaching English in China during the COVID pandemic.

– Wear a mask on public transportation – During the COVID pandemic, everyone wears a mask on public transit; however, social distancing is not required. My primary method of transportation is the subway and the subway in Guangzhou is well maintained, clean, and on schedule; I use it all the time.

– Accept temperature checks at shopping malls – Most shopping malls require a temperature check or green health code. You will need to use WeChat to scan a QR code at the shopping mall entrance. Ask for help whenever you need it.

– Government buildings and offices – Contrary to Canada (and most of the countries in the world), where all workplaces are locked down, all government buildings in China are opened and accessible to the public. However, when accessing government buildings, you will be required to have your temperature checked and scan your phone for a green health code. When I went to get my residence permit, I got my temperature checked, and I used my WeChat to scan a QR code to get a green health code before entering the building.

– Traveling within China – You can still travel within China, but most schools recommend limiting your travels within your provinces. Some provinces are still considered high-risk zones for the COVID pandemic. Also, to access airports and train stations will be required to scan a QR code.

– Health and fitness facilities are open – This month, I joined Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), yoga classes, and the gym. We are not required to wear masks during the yoga classes, BJJ classes, and gym workout.

– Public parks are also open – All outdoor activities are accessible and open. I love running, especially in public parks, and usually, temperature checks are not required to access public parks.

– Avoid busy public places whenever possible – Even though there is no lockdown, it would be wise to avoid large crowds, or if you do, do not forget to wear your mask.

– Bars and restaurants are back to normal – Most of my colleagues meet after work or on the weekends for drinks or dinner parties. Two weeks ago, there was a beer festival in Guangzhou.

– Hotels – If you recently arrived in China, make sure to call the hotel before booking. Always, double-check if your hotel can accept foreigners, as very few hotels do right now. I remember, after my quarantine, a hotel refused to let me stay in when they discovered that I just come from Canada. However, the hotel staff actually helped find a different hotel that accepts foreigners regardless of whether they are new to China or not.

Wrap Up

Overall, the reality of teaching English in China during the COVID pandemic is constantly changing. However, in general, the situation is back to normal in almost all areas. I would recommend you always do your research, ask for help from your school and agency.

The post The Reality of Teaching English in China during the COVID Pandemic appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

The post Interview with Altiné Moumouni about Teaching in Shenzhen appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

For any questions please get contact with your Gold Star recruiter, or contact us here or speak with the HR department at your school.

1) Get Criminal Background Check notarised and authenticated

Apply for a Criminal Background Check, also known as an Identity History Summary Check. This is an official statement stating that you do not have a criminal record. This document will be valid for the purpose of the China visa application for six months from its issue date.

There are two options: a) federal level check (FBI) b) state level check . Check with your school which is required, usually a federal level check if preferrable.

Procedure for criminal background check from the FBI:
NOTE: submitting your fingerprints electronically via the post office service is significantly quicker than submitting via mail:
-Visit the FBI page here for instructions
-Confirm your nearest post office which is authorised to submit your request by entering your zip code here. You may also choose an FBI-approved Channeler or if you are already in China, refer to the US embassy page.
-Submit your request here. IMPORTANT: check the box requesting a hard copy of the results
-They will email you your results within 24 hours and send the hard copy by mail within 7 days
-Get your Criminal Background Check document authenticated by the US Department of State. Make sure to inform them the document is intended for China.

Procedure for criminal background check from state level:
-Go to your home state website and request a criminal history check
-Get the document authenticated by the Secretary of State from the state where you live. You can see a list of the Secretary of State offices for each state at the bottom of this page and also on the Chinese embassy page here.
-Make sure to inform them the document is intended for China.

We have also heard Accurate Biometrics offers a very good service for getting your criminal background check.

2) Get degree diploma notarised and authenticated

1- Obtain from the registrar of the University an official true copy of your degree diploma. The registrar should then execute an affidavit attesting to the validity of the document before a notary public.
2- Take the document, with the notarial certificate to the State Notary Public Administrator (scroll down to bottom half of the page) for authentication. Make sure to inform them the document is intended for China. Check this website for samples for each state.
3- A diploma authenticated in some states must be further authenticated by the US Department of State. These states include Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Island.

Please see this guide for more details on the process.

Check with your school whether you need to get your TEFL certificate notarised and authenticated. In some cases, if you have sufficient teaching experience for example, you do not need a TEFL certificate for the work visa application.

The process is the same as for your degree diploma, it needs to be notarised in the state or country where it was issued.

4) Documents do NOT need to be authenticated by Chinese embassy anymore

-On 7th November 2023, China joined the Hague Convention, meaning that your documents do NOT need to be authenticated at the Chinese embassy anymore.

5) Medical Check Certificate

You may be required to provide this, however, you may not. Please check with your school to ask if it is required.
-Book an appointment with your local doctor
-Download and print this form and take it to the doctor’s with you
-You might not have to have the blood test, chest x-ray or ECC tests done, please check with your school
-Make sure the doctor writes ‘healthy’ and signs at the bottom of the form
-Doctor must stamp over your photo on the top right of the form and at the bottom of the form
-The health check certificate is valid for 6 months from date it was issued

6) Email notarized and authenticated documents to your school in China

The school will use the documents to process the Work Permit Notification letter that you need to apply for the work visa.

7) Apply for China ‘Z’ Work Visa at the Chinese embassy / consulate

-Visa applications should be made via http://cova.mfa.gov.cn. For questions email the embassy in DC at washington_visa@csm.mfa.gov.cn

-List of Chinese embassies and consulates and here in The US.  The embassy in Washington DC is now dealing with the all matters for the Consulate in Houston, as the Consulate in Houston is currently closed.

-Be sure to check for updated announcements from the Chinese embassy on procedures.

8) Book flight to China

9) Arrival at the airport

IMPORTANT: When you arrive at the airport you may need to provide the name, email address, phone number and address of a contact person from your school in China.

-Get to the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.

Things to bring:
-Passport
-All your original notarized documents (degree, TEFL, criminal background check)
-Phone with WeChat installed (recommended but not required)
-Name, phone number, email address and address of a contact person in China
-Download a VPN, if you wish, for use in China as they are hard to get once you arrive

Procedures may vary so be sure to check at each stage.

For teaching jobs in China please browse our Job Board.

The post Tick list for USA citizens applying for work visa and flying to China appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

For any questions please get contact with your Gold Star recruiter, contact us here or speak with the HR department at your school.

Important note about your passport:
Your passport must have at least 1 year validity and 2 blank pages and have no damage such as creased pages or water damaged pages. If your passport does not meet these criteria your work visa could well be rejected, so please apply for a new passport.

1) Get required documents notarised and authenticated

Apply for a criminal background check at from a local police station in Canada or here. This is an official statement stating that you do not have a criminal record in the country that issued your passport. This document will be valid for the purpose of the China visa application for six months from its issue date.

-Get your degree certificate, TEFL certificate (in some cases required, check with your school) and criminal background check notarized and authenticated.

Process:
1- Get a high quality colour copies of your degree certificate and TEFL certificate notarised by a local public notary or lawyer.
2- Then get your degree certificate, TEFL certificate and criminal background check documents authenticated by the provincial authority responsible for authentication, as listed here:

Québec – Chambre des notaires de Québec

Ontario – Official Document Services

British Columbia – Order in Council Administrative Office

Alberta – Deputy Provincial Secretary’s Office

Saskatchewan – Ministry of Justice and Attorney General

Manitoba – Commissioner for Oaths/Notary Public

New Brunswick – Executive Council Office

Nova Scotia – Department of Justice

Prince Edward Island – Department of Justice and Public Safety

Newfoundland – Deputy Minister’s Office

Nunavut – Nunavut Court of Justice

Northwest Territories – Department of Justice

Yukon – The Commissioner of Yukon

List of all contact details for locations in Canada where to get documents authenticated.

Visa Agents

-Consider using a visa agent to assist with the process. They can offer free advice or take care of the entire process for a fee. Some suggested visa agents:

ALSC
CIBT Visas
China Visa Canada Service

Google China visa agents in your city for more options

Medical check certificate
You may be required to provide this, however, you may not. Please check with your school to ask if it is required.
-Book an appointment with your local doctor
-Download and print this form and take it to the doctor’s with you
-You might not have to have the blood test, chest x-ray or ECC tests done, please check with your school
-Make sure the doctor writes ‘healthy’ and signs at the bottom of the form
-Doctor must stamp over your photo on the top right of the form and at the bottom of the form
-The health check certificate is valid for 6 months from date it was issued

2) Documents do NOT need to be authenticated by Chinese embassy anymore

-On 11th January 2024, China joined the Hague Convention, meaning that your documents do NOT need to be authenticated at the Chinese embassy anymore.

3) Email notarized and authenticated documents to your school in China

They will then send you the Work Permit Notification letter that you need to apply for the work visa

4) Apply for your Chinese “Z” work visa from the visa center

– https://www.visaforchina.cn/globle/ – select your country and city

5) Book flight

6) Arrival at the airport

IMPORTANT: When you arrive at the airport you may need to provide the name, email address, phone number and address of a contact person from your school in China.

-Get to the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.

Things to bring:
-Passport
-All your original notarized documents (degree, TEFL, criminal background check)
-Phone with WeChat installed (recommended but not required)
-Name, phone number, email address and address of a contact person in China
-Download a VPN, if you wish, for use in China as they are hard to get once you arrive

Procedures may vary so be sure to check at each stage.

For teaching jobs in China please browse our Job Board.

The post Tick list for Canadian citizens applying for work visa and flying to China appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

For any questions please get contact with your Gold Star recruiter, or contact us here or speak with the HR department at your school.

1) Get required documents notarised and authenticated

Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate. This is an official statement from a national or local government agency stating that you do not have a criminal record in the country that issued your passport. This document will be valid for the purpose of the China visa application for six months from its issue date. The application may be made at any SAPS office by taking a copy of your identity document or passport, completing the application form at the office and paying the prescribed fee. Application forms are available online on the SAPS website and at all police stations.

Tip when applying for your Police Clearance: include a cover letter to the police captain explaining that you need the document urgently for a work visa application for China and include a copy of your school contract. There is a good chance they will issue the Police Clearance certificate much faster.

-Get your degree certificate, TEFL certificate (in some cases required, check with your school) and police clearance certificate notarized and authenticated
Process:
1- Degree certificate can be certified at South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
2- TEFL certificate can be notarised at a law firm and apostilled at the High Court of South Africa
2- The degree, TEFL and police clearance certificate documents can then be legalised at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). Email is Legalisation@dirco.gov.za

IMPORTANT UPDATE: DIRCO is now allowing walk-in appointments for documents to be notarised on the same day! Much quicker than doing it online.

The DIRCO office address is: OR Tambo Building, 460 Soutpansberg Road, Rietondale, Pretoria, 0084, Gauteng, South Africa.

The DIRCO office in Pretoria is the only office that issues the DIRCO apostille stamp in South Africa. DIRCO only accept original documents.

-Consider using a visa agent to assist with the process. They can offer free advice or take care of the entire process for a fee. Some suggested visa agents:
Easy Apostille
Be Authentic
SVS Services
Doc Assist
Road2Asia
VisaRequest

Google ‘China visa agents in South Africa’ for more options.

Medical check certificate
You may be required to provide this, however, you may not. Please check with your school to ask if it is required.
-Book an appointment with your local doctor
-Download and print this form and take it to the doctor’s with you
-You do NOT have to have the blood test, chest x-ray or ECC tests done
-Make sure the doctor writes ‘healthy’ and signs at the bottom of the form
-Doctor must stamp over your photo on the top right of the form and at the bottom of the form
-The health check certificate is valid for 6 months from date it was issued

2) Documents do NOT need to be authenticated by Chinese embassy anymore

-On 7th November 2023, China joined the Hague Convention, meaning that your documents do NOT need to be authenticated at the Chinese embassy anymore.

3) Email notarized and authenticated documents to your school in China

The school will use the documents to process the Work Permit Notification letter that you need to apply for the work visa.

4) Apply for your Chinese “Z” work visa from the visa center

– https://www.visaforchina.cn/globle/ – select your country and city

5) Book flight

6) Arrival at the airport

IMPORTANT: When you arrive at the airport you may need to provide the name, email address, phone number and address of a contact person from your school in China.

-Get to the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.

Things to bring:
-Passport
-All your original notarized documents (degree, TEFL, criminal background check)
-Phone with WeChat installed (recommended but not required)
-Name, phone number, email address and address of a contact person in China
-Download a VPN, if you wish, for use in China as they are hard to get once you arrive

Procedures may vary so be sure to check at each stage.

For teaching jobs in China please browse our Job Board.

The post Tick list for South African citizens applying for work visa and flying to China appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.

For any questions please get contact with your Gold Star recruiter, or contact us here or speak with the HR department at your school.

The post Tick list for UK citizens applying for work visa and flying to China appeared first on Teach English in China - Current TEFL / ESL Teaching Jobs.