Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q: Where in China are your placement locations?

A: Most of our placements were in Shanghai (90%), Beijing (5%), Zhengzhou (5%)(capital of Henan Province). We don't have placements in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Q: What are my chances of getting the teaching position? How often are applications to the program rejected?

A: If you meet all the application qualifications stated in our program application procedures, your application will NOT be rejected. We don't have limits on the number of teachers we accept. We accept applicants based on qualifications. Rejection can occur if an applicant doesn't speak native fluency English or has a speech problem or if the applicant does not pass the physical examination.

Q: I will be graduating from a University in middle May this year, will I still be able to apply to the program and be accepted for the fall placement this year?

A: Yes. You can apply before your graduation to start the application process if you expect to obtain your bachelor degree about 3 months before departure for China. A bachelor degree is a must for the teaching position to be approved by the State Bureau of Foreign Expert in China.

Q: When would I be notified of my acceptance?

A: We normally arrange a phone interview with the applicant soon after we receive the applicant's complete application. Applicants are notified of their acceptance within one week after their phone interview.

Q: Does the program help/arrange for work permits/visas? Are visa fees and the medical examination cost covered by the program fee?

We handle all the employment authorization and visa paper work for our teachers before departure to China. The program fee does not cover visa fee, which is $130 in 2008, and the medical examination cost, which is around $80 if done in China. About 70% of our Chinese host schools reimburse our teachers for their visa fee and medical examination cost if the medical exam is done in China.

Q: Could you tell me more about the "free medical care?" Who provides it, what does it cover and how is it administered?

Foreign teachers usually have the same medical insurance or health care policy as the Chinese faculty does. The policy varies from school to school. Normally the individual pays 20% of the medical bills and the school/insurance pays 80% of the medical bills.

Q: The website says that a round trip airfare is included as a benefit. Is a round trip plane ticket from the United States to China covered by the program costs or by the Chinese institution? Do most teachers receive round trip?

The Chinese host schools pay for the airfare. Very few schools pay for airfare upfront. The majority of the schools may pay a flat fee between $1000 - $1300 or reimburse your actual cost of the airfare when you complete your 10-month teaching contract.

Q: Are there limits on the amount of Yuan that can be converted to dollars per month? Is there a limit to the amount that can be taken out of the country?

Usually at least 70% of the monthly salary can be changed to $US by policy. There is no limit to the amount that can be taken out of the country if the earnings are from legal jobs.

Q: What are the average monthly expenses for an English teacher? Will I be able to save money to do some light traveling.

A: The average monthly expense is about 2500 yuan. It varies from city to city. Most of our teachers can save enough from their salary to do some travel during the school break and holidays. You are able to live comfortably on the salary as your host school provides free accommodations to you. Your major expenses will only include food, daily necessities and of course entertainment.

Q: Is it possible to be accepted for Spring placement and miss the August Orientation in Shanghai?

A: Only those applicants with TOESL training and living experience in China are accepted for the spring/February placement without being required to attend the orientation program. This is for the particpant's benefit as experience has shown us that without prior experience, this acclamation process is critical to the participant's success in making the cultural transition. Spring placement is limited and can not be guaranteed. If the spring placement is not available, the participant will be placed for the following fall placement with the full program fee..

Q: Can the on-line TEFL training and the certificate be used upon my return to the United States for teaching purposes in the public school system?

A: The certificate you will receive upon completion of the on-line TEFL training program is a "Teach in China TEFL Certificate". It can be helpful for ESL and other teaching jobs, but it's not the TEFL certificate required for the U.S. public school system.

Q: How much teaching experience do I need? I have only had some tutoring experience.

A: Teaching experience is preferable, but not mandatory.

Q: Would there be other Americans working in the school?

A: Yes, most of the schools hire more than one teachers from our program.

Q: How are the accommodations? Will I have a roommate?

A: Most schools have other foreign teachers living in the same building on campus. In most schools, foreign teachers have their own apt/dorm with a private bathroom and kitchen; in others, foreign teachers share a common kitchen on the floor. No teacher shares a bedroom with another teacher unless it is a couple situation.

Q: Is there a list of past teachers that I would be able to talk to?

A: Please understand that in order not to overload our program participants with large number of questions, we only give contact information to accepted applicants.

Q: In case of acceptance and placement, does your organization assist with deferment of student loans?

A: Normally we contact the lending agency with a letter certifying that you are participating in a program similar to the US Peace Corp. We explain your level of salary and your affiliation with an educational institution in China. We can't not guarantee loan deferment from your loan agency, but in the past, the majority of our teachers are approved for loan deferment by their loan agencies, especailly if the loan is through the US government loan agencies. You must also follow up with your loan agency to inquire if there are other forms such as financial hardship form you need to complete to meet the loan degerment requirement.

Q: Would the students be children, young adult or older?

A: We have placements for schools of all levels,including K-12, vocational schools, colleges and universities.

Q: Do we get to choose or at least indicate where we would like to be placed?

A: Teaching placement is a two-way process. The Chinese host school will choose the teachers who meet their needs and you are also provided the schools' information before you choose your school. You can indicate where you would like to be placed either during the phone interview or on your application form. If you are accepted, you will be given two or three choices of schools according to your preferred location and preferred student age.

Q: Could my spouse/friend and I be placed together?

A: Yes, if you request to be placed together either on your application or during the phone interview.

Q: I read that the position is for ten months. If I went in August, can I be assured that I would be done by the following June/July?

A: Yes. The teaching contract for fall placement usually starts between September 1st and ends between June 30th and first week of July of the next year.

Q: I know the apartment is paid/provided for by the Chinese host schools. Are utilities also paid?

A: With most schools, if the utility usage is within the basic amount, utilities are paid by the school. Some schools will ask the teachers to pay the utility amount that exceeds the basic amount.

Q: Do most schools provide private apartments to teachers or might they be shared apartments?

A: Mostly, it's a private studio or one bedroom apartment for each teacher. A few schools may have two bedroom apartment that two teachers share.

Q: I have a 3 year. diploma from a Community College, and am planning to get a TESOL certificate in the near future. Would this qualify me to apply for the program?

A: Unfortunately, a bachelor degree is a must and is required by the Chinese Foreign Expert Bureau to obtain a teaching visa in China. Some other Teach in China programs that offer summer teaching program may take applicants without the bachelor degree, especially if you will get a TESOL certificate.

Q: Will I need to pay U.S. federal and state taxes with the income earned in China?

A: Normally, our teachers income from non US source in China is taxed in China by the Chinese governemnt and is not taxable in US. However, each individual has a different situation and we are not able to generalize an answer to this question. Please refer to the IRS official website on "Foreign Earned Income" and "International Taxpayer" category for accurate information to determine your own tax situation.

This site is maintained by Teach in China Program gochina@marshall.edu.
Last Updated: September, 2008