China is  changing at  lightning speed, and now, during this transitional stage of ancient history meets futuristic technology, is the perfect time to experience it. Cultural Embrace offers an exciting and affordable opportunity for native English speakers to live, work, and travel in this fascinating country. Teach and tutor English language skills to students and/or professionals in private academies, public elementary and secondary schools, universities, and 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 TEFL course and in-country orientation.

Placements are available throughout China, and we try to meet location preferences. However, the schools' teachers and principals make the final selection, so we advise you to be flexible and adaptable. Popular placements have been placed in major cities such as: Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang. Positions 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). Cultural Embrace includes a cultural, language, and TEFL training before our Summer and Fall start dates. The local salary is RMB4800-7000 (~$775-$1125) per month for full academic semester(s) positions. This is more than double the salary of local teachers and it easily covers the local expenses of living in China. The stipend for a summer placement is ¥12000 (~$1875).

Read blogs of current and past participants teaching in China to get an idea of what life is like to live, teach, and work 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! Download program details here.
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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 about local cultural activities (e.g. language and tradition, taiqi, calligraphy, cooking, etc.)
• Memorable travel experiences and the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about.
• The opportunity to make lifelong friends from around the world.
• A valuable, marketable work experience that strengthens your resume.
• A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills.

Cultural Embrace Includes:

• Guaranteed Paid Teaching Position Prior to Departure

Cultural Embrace pre-arranges your teaching placement before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad. Most placements are for English language teachers, who will help students develop their English conversation and literacy skills. Some positions are available for specialty subjects in taught in English, such as Business, Tourism and Hospitality.

• Paid Salary

The average teacher’s salary ranges from ~¥4800-¥7200 (US$775-1160) per month for full academic semester positions. This is typically at least double than the salary of local professors, so it easily covers your expenses while living in China. Airfare allowance is available with completion of at least 6 months contract. The stipend for a summer placement is ¥12000 (~$1875).

• Pre-arranged Housing

Furnished housing will be included with your teaching placement. Schools will have basic but comfortable living arrangements. Usually, teachers will have a private room with shared common areas, hot water, a kitchen, laundry facilities, etc.

• Flight Allowance

Schools reimburse between ~¥1200-¥7000 (US$195-$1130) depending on length of contract and intensity of teaching schedule. Completion of contract is required to receive airfare reimbursement.

• Practical On-Line & In-Country TEFL Course

An 8 days TEFL & cultural training course is included prior to your 6 or 12 months contract. Accommodations are included and shared in same gender twin rooms. Orientation is located in historical Xi’An, or coastal Dalian. This intensive orientation will prepare the teachers with lesson planning and practical teaching skills. An online course is sent 3 months prior to course start date. A one day break in the middle of the course will allow you the opportunity to visit local highlights. Optional tours to visit Terracotta Warriors in Xi’An; and coastal sights in Dalian will be available on-site. Onward travel bookings to your placement may be made in-country via train or flight, and at your own expense.  An orientation will be made available in Xi’An for Summer only participants with included lodging.

• Cultural & Social Activities

Various Chinese cultural and social activities, including Chinese lessons, will be available to teachers at their institution and in their community.

• Visa Assistance

Cultural Embrace and your local host institution will assist you with information and invitation letters to obtain a proper visa, but we have neither control over nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.

• Arrival Assistance

Orientation and final school destination will have pick-up and transfer for you. A representative will pick you up from the airport or train station and take you to your accommodations and school. 

• Orientation & Training

You will receive an additional ~2 days training and orientation to acquaint you with your host school and city. Each local, in-country representative will have a varied orientation schedule, but most will last 2-3 days before the start of the semester.

• Travel Insurance: Basic Major Medical Coverage

Our policy provides basic medical coverage at your teaching location. Optional premium policies are available.

• Cultural Embrace Cultural Kit

Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the adventure of living and working abroad as well as advice on teaching English in China.

• Full-time Representation

Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and China prior to, during, and after your placement.

• Good command of the English language; Chinese knowledge helpful, but NOT required
• Bachelor’s degree for full semester & year-long placements. For summer teaching programs, a high school diploma and minimum 6 months classroom/tutoring experience.
• 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 or F. (e.g.: EKG, HIV test, tetanus, hepatitis, typhoid, etc)
• A criminal background check may be required by some schools and positions

 View our quick-glance comparison charts to see all of Cultural Embrace's programs and destinations

2012 Program Dates

6 & 12 month contract: September and March

Summer: ~July 10 to August 31

TEFL Course: March - Xi'An (Feb. 20-27, 2012)
           September - Xi'An & Dalian (August 22-29, 2012) 

*Can$, Aus$, Br£, Euros€ can be accepted with an additional service charge for currency conversion
**Participants who do not require TEFL training are elgible for a discount up to $250.

Click here for quick tips on how to make a smooth and successful placement.

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)
• Two passport-size photos
• One full-length picture
• US$250 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.

To follow and know what our current and past participants have experienced abroad, join our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and visit our blog. For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at teach@culturalembrace.com or you may call us at 1-512-469-9089 or Skype: Cultural.Embrace.