Embrace China matches qualified applicants with one  of our partners and by extension to a school as well; thus providing an unforgettable and enriching cultural, life and teaching experience.

Teachers are remunerated for their work.

Nevertheless, for anyone looking for a genuine volunteer teaching experience, we can also provide a program without compensation.

Embrace China  is the bridge between you and your China experience, seamlessly dealing with the hassle of visas and flights for you as well as guiding you every step of the way to your direct placement organization in China. You can become acquainted with our partners in China who will receive you and provide training and much more, taking you to your teaching destination.

While the schools will provide support for you, our partners will further assist you  when needed. Think of it, our experienced partners and your Chinese school will work together to enhance your China experience as they are eager to make this a positive experience you will always think of fondly.

Given the nature of the job, namely giving Chinese students the chance to speak English, the main qualifications fall under two criteria: being a native English speaker and genuinely wanting to help students learn to speak English. Furthermore, your direct placement organisation (our partner) works with you and the schools to make a positive and rewarding experience for all.

No, you do not need to be able to speak Chinese. As a matter of fact, schools will expect you to only speak English in the classroom, thus further immersing and forcing students into the culture and language learning. Please be mindful that students have other Chinese English teachers for grammar and otherwise reading/writing lessons. You will have the opportunity to manage ways to have them practice what most of them already know in their minds. You will be their UK cultural experience!  So help them practice what basics they would need to use to communicate effectively if they were in your country. On that note, make the lessons yours, own them, and build a fun relationship. You will then cultivate friendships that will last for many, many years.

Upon arrival to either Beijing or Changsha airport, your direct placement partners will pick you up.  They will then provide you with a place to stay while training takes place (about a week), prior to starting teaching at your assigned school.

After your period of training and orientation with your host placement organization is over, transportation will be provided for you (free of charge). Then, better prepared to face your new environment, you will embark on your teaching experience.

A LOT OF FUN & EXCITING STUFF! Due to the nature of the experience, even simple things will need to be re-learned. You will be instructed on things like opening a bank account, basically the essentials you will need to get around. Of course, TEFL/TESOL training and certification will be provided as well to more fully equip you for your tasks as English Teacher. You may also take your health examination check.

Yes. Depending on the program you choose you will either need to get it done in the UK or in China. If in China the cost is £56. All Embrace China teachers will be taken together and free of charge by the school. Transportation and translation is also provided.

All teaching positions are mostly within public schools. This translates to classes of 30 to 50 students, although public schools can have more than 50 students. There are hundreds of positions ranging from primary school to University level, still most placements fall in middle schools and high schools. If you have a preference for any  particular age group you may request it to Embrace China. Nonetheless we ask that applicants be flexible, working with other age groups if a position for their requested age group is not available. Please note that if participation depends on teaching a specific age, you should inform Embrace China before applying.

Your assignment is to teach conversational English. Inasmuch as schools generally do not provide either textbooks or a set curriculum,  your challenge is to be creative to deliver well thought and prepared lessons; although internet (ESL) resources can help.  Do not feel overwhelmed, as you start teaching you will soon find how the simplest of ideas can make for a great lesson. Your objective is to help and get students to speak in English.

Your dress code is casual business or higher. Jeans and a T-shirt are not acceptable teacher attire. For men we recommend docker type slacks, with a button down or Polo type shirt. A tie is appropriate but not required. Facial hair is often discouraged by the schools so grooming standards must be maintained. For women we recommend skirts below the knee, dress pants, blouses, etc. While teaching, no shorts, flip flops, sleeveless shirts, shirts that come above your belt line, or other revealing attire.

Working as a teacher in China requires flexibility, an open mind and optimism. Be ready to work in a new standard of school organization, try exotic foods, live an adventure with your students both in class and outside as you embrace their culture, like going Karaoke (KTV) or joining with them in school clubs. An example were keeping an open mind is fundamental would be in the area of communication; for instance, rather than looking for the person to deal with a certain issue, a school leader will deal with a matter following a (traditional) hierarchical chain leading to the right person for a proper answer.

During the transition period into a new country, as one adjusts and more fully realizes the new surroundings and cultural changes, it is normal to experience real feelings of loneliness. Being ready for this now will help you while in China. There are many things you can do to combat such emotions, like having a clear purpose for your time in China as a teacher; which will see you through this time away from home and friends. Most of all, the best way to ward off these emotions is embracing the culture around you, immerse yourself by regularly interacting with your students and other Chinese teachers. You will soon find that the Chinese are eager to welcome you by teaching you about their culture, songs, language and public holidays. Take advantage of this opportunity to both teach and learn from them, this is what will enrich your China experience.

Learning Chinese does not come by easily, but it is more than worth the try. Mandarin lessons can be organised with your host school. No matter how basic or what few words you learn in Chinese, the Chinese will appreciate your effort and say your Chinese is great. Learning some Chinese will allow you to better function, simply because you will better understand them.

China’s (relatively) recent history still shows  a China closed to the world. Its (rather) recent openness to the world means that you are about to enter a country with a new life-culture. Due to their desire to progress and expand the Chinese government has opened its doors to receive English teachers as a key component of a school’s English curriculum. If you were to withdraw after being accepted to teach at a particular institution, it would likely be left without a foreign teacher for the semester. Moreover, finding a replacement in only a few weeks’ time is extremely difficult. Therefore, we encourage you to plan carefully before making this commitment.

While in China, our partners are ‘‘devoted to making your transition to living in China a smooth process, but be aware that you are entering an entirely different culture, one that views you as a representative of [the UK] itself. Though many of the schools have the same standard conditions and agreements, problems caused mainly from misunderstandings may occur. This can be a part of daily life in China. You are expected to deal with and resolve these issues professionally and diplomatically. If you are unsure of what you are entitled to, you may contact [your direct placement organization] at any time to seek advice. If you are dissatisfied with the results, we can intervene in solving the problem. You are not alone in China nor at the mercy of the school’s decision. Seldom have we encountered a school that is blatantly dishonest and unfair to a teacher. Rather, most problems arise because of cultural differences and lingual misunderstandings.’’ – Our Partner’s Voice

On a personal note, it has been my experience (Founder at Embrace China) that when a leader of a school does not understand you, you will rarely be told so. Rather, you may receive a smile, a nod, or a polite reply which may not be expressive of understanding. Therefore it is advisable to follow-up in order to not only ‘‘get things done’’ but find out his/her intentions for a given task. Please remember that although a Chinese leader may speak English, his/her way of communicating is still traditionally Chinese. As such, without proper follow-up one is left to having to resort to reading between the lines.

Prices in China vary depending on the location you live, still, with a monthly minimum stipend of £546 you will be rich by Chinese living standards. If on top of that we add the fact that a furnished apartment is provided for FREE within the package, you are really not to be concerned about your purchasing power while in China.

Examples

It is £151 but is included in the program; at no extra cost. All that is required is for you to pay for shipping your passport (return) to Embrace China.

Please use special delivery , it is the most secure way for shipping, it also allows you to track your passport. First: purchase an envelope which must be -self addressed, prepaid and special delivery-. Second: Purchase another special delivery envelope addressed to Embrace China and inside it put both the self-addressed prepaid envelope and your passport. Simply go to your post office and this Royal Mail Special Delivery guarantees your passport to arrive the next working day, two working days if send from a further are in the UK. The total price is £15.60 (VAT included) which is the cost for sending items up to 100g

Once you have sent your passport to Embrace China, you can expect to receive your passport with the visa within 30 days. Although it is rare, you must be ready to present yourself to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Manchester, if you are called.

To apply for your Chinese visa, you must have a signed, current passport that will be valid for at least 6 months after your estimated return from China.

Yes, participants should apply for their own passport; still, Embrace China is available to answer any questions.

You can either apply online or from your local Post Office.We recommend applying via your local Post Office, as they will ensure you have the right documents and that these are in order for a total cost of £94.75 If you are applying for your first passport it can take up to 6 weeks (it can take longer if you apply online), otherwise it should take 3 weeks(longer if done online and the application is not filled correctly). If you need a passport urgently via online.

You should provide a copy of your passport when submitting your application, but you are still welcome to submit your application before your passport arrives. Please inform Embrace China if you are applying for your passport.

Volunteer Program – Airfare is included in the program fee, so as long as you have paid the program fee, you have paid for your airfare.

All other Programs –Yes.
You will only be reimbursed once you are at the school. To see when, during your stay in China, you will be reimbursed, please refer to the benefits section and under the program selected for your teaching contract.

Yes.  A representative from Embrace China will meet you at the Manchester Airport. All Embrace China  teachers meet at and leave together from Manchester airport to China. Upon arrival to Hong Kong (usual layover) the group splits into two, to fly either to Beijing or Changsha. Each group will then be received by one of Embrace China’s partners, your host placement organisation, who will provide orientation and ensure a smooth transition to your school.

Most international airlines allow two checked bags, however all domestic Chinese flights only allow one checked bag.  It is Embrace China policy to only allow one checked bag.

Please contact Embrace China for specific airline regulations.

No.  Embrace China will make and purchase all airfare reservations for the group.

Volunteer Programs – The cost of the airfare is included in the volunteer program fee.

All Other Programs – Each teacher is responsible for paying Embrace China directly for the entire cost of the airfare.

Yes.

After airfare has been purchased by Embrace China, you will be informed as to the exact time your flight departs. You will also be emailed your itinerary.

You will not be held responsible to “find your own way to China.