Teaching English in Ronggui Shunde, China
Report submitted on 23 October, 2014 by Rhonda.
Teaching English in Ronggui Shunde, China:
How can teachers find teaching jobs in Ronggui Shunde, China?
ESL web sites and the institution you did your ESL qualifications through. In my case, Australasian Training Academy.
The main English teaching jobs available are:
Full time English language school positions.
What are the minimum teaching requirements?
You must have a BA in any subject. This is now a must in China to get the correct visa. They have clamped down on this since 2013. ESL teaching certificate. Experience helps but is not essential.
What teaching requirements would you recommend?
You need the basic ESL training certificate, but further certificate for extra modules are helpful. These days you must be under 60 to get a 12 month working visa in China. They are strictly sticking to this.
What are the levels of payment?
Most teaching jobs in private schools, kindergartens, etc are paying between 10,000rmb and 13,000rmb per month (US$1,640 – US$2,120). They supply 2 meals at the school per day usually, and an apartment (shared) with own bedroom is the norm. Language schools can pay more but you do more hours. Some language schools pay less.
How many teaching days a week is normal?
5 days per week.
How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
15 – 20 hours per week.
What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
6 weeks during summer holidays and 2-4 weeks during spring holidays. Public holidays, but beware that if the Government offer more days, i.e. Golden week in October, you will have to work a couple of extra days to make up the time. Quite normal in China. We get 50% off or pay for the holidays.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Ronggui Shunde, China to teach English?
Bring some resources with you if possible as often they are difficult to find in certain areas.
If you have certain products for personal use, bring those as finding substitutes can be challenging.
What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Ronggui Shunde, China?
Making new friends. Learning a new culture. Learning a second language yourself. Sight seeing.
What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Ronggui Shunde, China?
There aren’t many negatives. At least with my school. Language barriers of course. Get used to squat toilets. It is a different culture and as such things like spitting in the street, dropping litter is common.
What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
Lack of the local language while working with teachers in the classroom to get your lesson plan across to them. I teach young children, and you have to be very specific in songs and books to get the correct meaning across. I have large classes 35-38 children, so it is impossible to make sure they are ALL saying the correct words and correct pronunciation.
Living in Ronggui Shunde, China:
Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in China?
You must have a visa which the school usually organises for you. To teach in China you must have a 12 month working permit.
What is the cost of living like in China?
Apartment is supplied. Utilities are about 200rmb (US$33) a month, food is very cheap, movies are about 30rmb (US$5), travel on bus is 2rmb (US$0.40). Taxi’s are also cheap. Bullet train is reasonable and has good coverage across China.
Apartments range from 1000rmb to 3000rmb a month (US$165 – US$490).
What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
The school will organise your accommodation. Usually it is a shared apartment with your own room.
Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Ronggui Shunde, China?
Learning the culture in a way you couldn’t do with a tourist visit. Making new friends. Eating new foods.
Total acceptance for who you are. Fast bullet train to most of the rest of China. Excellent public transport.
Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Ronggui Shunde, China?
We take for granted how easy it is to get around in your own country, to buy an necessity, going to a restaurant with only Chinese writing on the menu. Without a willing and competent national to help you, these things are next to impossible.
Stairs are everywhere. Most buildings have 8 floors and no lift. People constantly taking photos of you, novel at first, bit annoying after a while.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Ronggui Shunde, China to live?
Research not only the country of your choice, but the area in that country. Customs, food, language can all change within a very short distance. Make sure you get everything in writing from the school of your choice. Ask lots of questions, and ask for an email address for a previous teacher to get feedback. Make sure you read the contract carefully and if it is in Chinglish or a variety thereof, translate it and sent the school a copy to sign. Get a VPN number to be able to access google, facebook etc.
What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
Regular foods that you are used to. Ease of getting around. Familiar places. Hearing your own language, because a foreign language spoken around you all the time can make you feel isolated.
What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country (e.g. things that are difficult to get in your location)?
Any personal items. Hair colour if you have light hair and colour it. Pain relief. Tummy tablets, very greasy food does take a regular toll. Clothes unless you are a size 8. You can buy online. Some resources. Crepe paper, stickers, Blue tac (never found any).
What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave Ronggui Shunde, China?
The friends I have made. The absolute acceptance by most of the people in the town. I am not in a huge town by Beijing standards, so people take the time to say hello.
About Me and My Work:
My Name: Rhonda
Nationality: Australian
Students I’ve taught in China: Toddlers (2-4 years), pre-school / kindergarten (4-6 years), elementary (6-12 years), junior high school (12-15 years).
Where I teach: Alcanta International Kindergarten / various private language schools. Working here for 2 years.
How I found my current jobs: I worked for an agency (bad idea) the school bought my contract from the agency and I work directly for the school now.
My school facilities: Excellent – Technology access / school library / classrooms / teacher participation/ Principle’s character / apartment provided is brand new / friendliness of teachers / support from teachers and Chinese liaison teacher.
Do you teach English in China?
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