In today's increasingly interconnected global community, cultural awareness has emerged as a supreme currency in virtually every public arena. English is currently the most widely used and studied language in the world, while Chinese is quickly becoming an international business language. So why not use your English reading and writing skills as a passport to traveling and working in the world’s fastest developing industrial nation -- China?

Cultural Embrace offers an exciting and affordable opportunity for native English speakers to live, work, and travel in this fascinating country.  Expect to teach English language skills to students at institutions ranging from private academies, public elementary and secondary schools, universities, and professional businesses. You will teach an average of 20 hours per week, leaving you ample time to see the sites and explore the rich cultural backdrop of China’s expansive history. China includes English in its schools’ curriculum starting in elementary school, so most students are already somewhat proficient with English reading and writing. Many, however, remain shy and embarrassed about practicing their conversational skills.  As an English language skills teacher, you will engage with and make your students feel more comfortable by interacting with them in your native tongue, a task made easier by implementing the skills that you will have learned in Cultural Embrace’s online TEFL course.

Popular placements have been along the coastal cities of: Qingdao, Shenyang, Yantai, and Xiamen. Placements are available in Beijing and Shanghai, but they are very competitive due to the population of foreigners living there, and the demand for experienced teachers. The Fall semester begins at the end of August/beginning of September, and the Spring semester starts a week or two after the Lunar New Year (~January/February). Most schools request their teachers to be there 1-2 weeks early for orientation and training. 2010's summer program starts in July. The average salary is ¥4000/~US$575 - ¥5000/~US$600 per month for full academic semester(s) positions. This is more than double the salary of local professors and it easily covers the local expenses of living in China. Summer teach salary is ¥4000/~US$475 for degree holders. Teachers without a degree may apply for a summer teach position and receive a stipend (up to ¥1000/~US$150) based on experience and demand. Chinese knowledge and classroom experience are helpful, but not necessary. A bachelor's degree is required for semester and academic year long positions, or you can opt to volun-teach, which is another affordable way to live and travel in China!

With Cultural Embrace's Teach in China programs, you will gain invaluable, lifelong communications skills as a result of your time abroad, and your international experience with the varied cultures and communities in China will put you a step ahead as both a culturally sensitive individual and a well-rounded professional!

Discover the Similarities...Share the Differences...

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Teaching in China Offers:

• The satisfaction of helping others
• An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
• An economical way to live and travel abroad
• An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: language, taiqi, calligraphy, cooking)
• Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about 
• The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
• A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume
• A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills  

Cultural Embrace Offers:

• Guaranteed Paid Teaching Position Prior to Departure
  Teach placements throughout mainland China (primarily in Yantai, Qindao and Xiamen).  Beijing & Shanghai are available but very competitive and require teaching experience.
• Paid Salary
  Varies with each school and your level of education. The average salary is ¥4000/~US$550 - ¥5000/~US$730 per month for full academic semester(s) positions. Summer teach salary is ¥4000/~US$550 for degree holders. Teachers without a bachelor’s degree may apply for a summer teach position and receive a stipend (up to ¥1000/~US$150) based on experience and demand.
• Housing
  Furnished housing will be included with your teach placement. Schools will have comfortable living arrangements (shared or private teacher's housing, hot water, kitchen, laundry facilities, Western toilets, etc).
• On-Line TEFL Preparatory Course & Certification
  Preparation of skills and techniques useful for inexperienced teachers, but not required.  Learn at the leisure of your own schedule and computer with our online course included with this program. This 20-unit course requires approximately 80-100 hours of attention. You may also take an on-site 4-week certification program in an internationally recognized TEFL course.  These courses are located in China, Thailand, New Zealand, Egypt, France, Spain, Italy, and Costa Rica.  There is an extra fee for taking these on-site courses, and accommodations can be pre-arranged.
• In-Country Arrival Orientation
  Training to include: Chinese culture, cultural adjustments, health & safety in China, general country and local information, curriculum training.
• Visa Assistance
  Cultural Embrace will assist you with information to obtain a visa, but we have no control nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.
• Travel Insurance:  Basic Major Medical Coverage 
  Our policy provides basic medical coverage at your teaching location. Cultural Embrace highly recommends additional travel insurance.
• Cultural Embrace Teacher's Kit
  Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the adventure of living and working abroad as well as advice on teaching in China.
• Full-time Representation
  Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and China prior to, during, and after your placement.
• Certification
  If you wish to receive a certificate indicating your hours and school you taught at, please let us know, and we will provide the necessary documentation.

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• Good command of the English language; Chinese knowledge helpful, but NOT required
• Bachelor's degree in any discipline; Education majors and classroom experience preferred, but not required (note: students currently enrolled in a university will be considered for placements on a volunteer basis )
• Enjoy leading groups and teaching children and/or adults
• Good lesson planning and organization skills
• Attendance at staff meetings
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
• High level of responsibility
• Dedication to the full term of commitment
• Health tests and immunizations to obtain the proper work permit-Class Z. (e.g.: EKG, HIV test, tetanus, hepatitis, typhoid, etc)
• A criminal background check may be required by some schools and positions

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Dates	Price (in US$)
1 Semester	$1295
1 Academic Year	$1495
Summer Only	$990

*Can$, Aus$, Br£, Euros€ can be accepted with an additional service charge for currency conversion
**20 Units on-line TEFL course included for semester & academic year placements

Contact us for more info about taking an on-line or on-site certification course.

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1. Obtain the Teach Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways: 

(a) Download the forms:  Teach Application (pdf).  Teach in China Details and FAQ (pdf).

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or (US/Canada toll-free) 1-888-214-8570 to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to:

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Rd.
Austin, TX 78745 USA 

Completed packet should include:

• Teach Program Application
• Signed Teach Program Agreement
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter explaining why you want to teach in China
  
• Copy of your Bachelor's degree and other significant credentials
• Copy of your passport (information page only)
• Three Letters of Recommendations (your referrer can send it directly to us via post or email)
• Four passport-size photos
• One full-length picture
• US$200 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee)

 

 

 

Upon receipt of your application, we will contact you for ~20-30 minute phone interview to learn more about your skills, experience, needs, etc; and to discuss the program details and expectations.  After acceptance to our program, we will invoice you the remainder of the program fee.

*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or fewer before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to your desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received fewer than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.

Upon receipt of full program fee enrollment, your placement will be confirmed by email including the following information: teach abroad placement and confirmation date, details of host family (address, family members, house rules), details of the community, hours of teaching per week, start and end dates, geographic characteristics of the host community location.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at teach@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or (US/Canada toll-free) 1-888-214-8570.

NEW! Receive a Scholarship Towards Your Travel Program

Apply now for Cultural Embrace's Adviser Abroad Internship. Advisers Abroad intern for Cultural Embrace and receive a travel scholarship while building their professional experience as  travel writers, photographers, advisers, and representatives abroad. This year, our Advisers will be traveling abroad to Teach in Chile, Teach in China, Volunteer in Guatemala, Volunteer in Brazil, Work in New Zealand, Work in Spain, Au-Pair in Europe, Volunteer Nicuragua, Career-Training Intern in France, Intern in Argentina, and Intern in Ecuador. March 1st, is deadline to apply for many of the Adviser Abroad positions.