Major FAQ – China

More about the Paid Teaching in China

What are the daily schedules? Where are the teaching projects located? How long can I teach English in China ? How do I prepare myself to teach English in China ?

Teaching schedules vary from one school to another in China, however, the average teaching assignments range from 16 to 22 hours per week (5 days a week), roughly 4 teaching periods (each last 40-50 minutes) on a daily basis. Sometimes, you can request to teach on weekends, with your weekdays off. The emphasis of teaching is basic, conversational English for most teachers. Many teachers may teach English composition, reading and American/English literature as well when placed into university positions. On special occasions, you may be asked to teach history or science courses in some international schools. Just like most Chinese teachers, you are expected to write lesson plans, take part in staff meetings, correct homework and even assist in school recruitment as well as promote activities when needed.

Where are the teaching projects located?

IFRE placements are located in most major cities in China as well as rural areas - from its capital city Beijing to the largest city Shanghai . We also arrange teaching programs from the northeast city of Suifenhe (in the Heilongjiang Province ) to Shunde, in the southern Guangdong ( Canton ) Province.

When the teaching projects are open?

Teaching placement is available all year. But teachers are encouraged to apply anytime at their convenience. There are two semesters in each academic year, the fall semester starts in September and the spring semester begins in February. For those who wish to teach more than five months, commencements are expected to match each semester.

How long can I teach English in China ?

You can teach and live in China as a short-term teacher from one month upward, or as a long-term teacher for 1 month to 1 year. When you arrive as a very short-term teacher, your teaching duty will be slightly different from long-term teachers, and your salary will be lower than the long-term teachers.

How do I prepare myself to teach English in China ?

Traditional English teaching in China focuses on grammar-based learning. The new trend favors more toward speaking and listening with less emphasis on grammar-based content. In primary or middle school, you will be asked to primarily teach the basis of oral English (with textbooks provided in most cases). In the college or university, you may be asked to teach extensive/intensive Reading , Composition, English/American literature, conversational English, Business English, etc.

Primary school students are normally age 6 to 12, junior-high school students, age 13 to 15, high school students age 16 to 18, and college students age 18 to 24. In most primary and middle (junior-high) schools, the class sizes are around 60 students, which may sound large, but this is a very special country, and class sizes of 80 students is common in many areas. Their spoken English levels vary from beginner to intermediate, and some are even very fluent!