GaijinPot: Can you tell us about EF English First China?

English First: Over the last several years, we have been growing very quickly in China. Today, we have close to 100 schools and are opening a new school every week. China is regarded as the most important English education market. Hundreds of thousands of students including children, on-campus students and professionals attend EF English First training courses throughout China every week. EF is looking for confident, qualified, native-speaking English teachers who are ready for an adventure of a lifetime.

GP: What is it like working in China? Any differences from Japan?

EF: Like living in Japan, you can experience a land of contrast: ancient culture and modern progress. As an EF teacher here, you can explore one of the world's most ancient civilizations and engage in the local culture as a true insider. We'll give you the opportunity to study Mandarin, travel the country and meet fascinating people.

In China however, the contract is that much bigger. The most important difference between teaching in China and Japan right now is that the demand for English education in China is growing... and fast. China is on the edge of an economic boom, and your RMB salary will appreciate against the dollar literally before your eyes. China today looks like the bubble year in Japan. But with a population of nearly 10 times that of Japan's, China is rapidly growing their economy and requires the language skills to get there. Times are good here, and it is an exciting time to be onboard as China prepares to talk to the world.

From the source! What is it that attracts you most to China?

GP: What are the working conditions like at EF English First China?

EF: Our contracts are for a 40 hour work week, with an average of 20-25 teaching hours. Hours of work will usually involve some evenings and most weekends. Within your work week, there will be enough time to plan, prepare and perform other duties as needed in the centre. Non-teaching duties can include class preparation, meeting with potential students, parent-student conferences and travel. Class sizes range from one-on-one private lessons to workshops of 30 plus.

EF Students

The mainland Chinese spend more of their disposable income on education than on housing. Education is serious business for the Chinese and the students are there to learn. In some EF schools, approximately 50% of the students are children aged 7 to 4. Parents are looking towards their children's future and actively seek out the best programs for them and communicative English courses are becoming more and more popular.

GP: What qualification(s) do I need to teach in China?

EF: In each candidate, we look for some key qualities: professionalism, organizational abilities, good communications skills and a team player as well as meeting general standards:

1. Bachelors degree or equivalent. In the US, this is the equivalent to a 4 year college. In the UK, this is a 3 year degree program.
2. Professional experience. If you do not have teaching experience but want to become an English language teacher, we can work with you to develop your experience.
3. TEFL Qualification, such as CELTA, Trinity TESOL or equivalent. If you have not completed a TEFL certification, we can help you get one.

From the source! What are the pros and cons of living in China?

GP: Will EF provide any training or support before newbies step into a classroom?

EF: EF provides all teachers with the tools to start off on the right foot, excel and give their best to our students. Our teacher training program includes product training, skills workshops and on-line academic seminars for our teachers to exchange best-practices. You will also receive guidance from EF's Director of Studies and receive structured feedback and performance appraisals.

GP: What other types of support does EF provide?

EF: We at EF want to give you the opportunity to see and experience China in a comfortable way. To help make your first few days and weeks more manageable, we offer assistance sorting out the logistics.

Our arrival assistance includes:

Flights from Japan and to your home country
Flights to and from your school's city will be reimbursed from EF in full. For you in Japan, we will reimburse you for your international flight to China from Japan, as well as an international ticket to your home country at the end of your contract.

Free temporary accommodation
You will be put up for up to two weeks - free of cost to you-in an international standard hotel upon your arrival to China. During your transition period, EF and our network of real estate agents will help you find appropriate accommodation.

Loan for start-up expenses
We have prepared a sufficient loan to help relieve you of any upfront expenses during your first few weeks in China.

Help upon arrival
Upon arrival, we offer you a welcome package (300 RMB value including transportation and meal cards) airport pickup, city orientation, help finding an apartment, opening up a local bank account, and setting up internet and mobile phone accounts.

Induction program
Our comprehensive two-week induction program includes teacher handbook, EF orientation, and a specialized training course.

On-Going Support Includes:

Official visa and work permits
EF English first pays for and arranges all visas for your arrival to your new position.

Paid vacation in addition to public holidays
Ten days paid vacation in addition to two-weeks of public and national holidays in China.

Mandarin lessons
While you are teaching a foreign language, you may want to learn one yourself. Mandarin lessons will be made available to you through your EF school.

Annual bonus
Upon completion of each one year contact, you will be entitled to a bonus equivalent to one-month's salary.

Career promotion
EF English First specializes in teaching foreign language abroad or at home. We offer you global career development with a number of options.

From the source! What do you like about China?

GP: From application submission to teaching my first lesson, what kind of time frame am I looking at?

EF: It varies of course, but generally it can take from 1-3 months. Depending on your situation in Japan, we can expedite the process. If you are a former Nova teacher low on funds, we can fly you over to China on a tourist visa and being the work permit process from China. If you need more time, we can extend the start date until you are ready. Ideally, it should take about 6 weeks from time of application to arrival in China.

After arriving in China, you will participate in a two-week teacher training program which includes teacher lead seminars and observation sessions. Generally by your third week in China you will start to teach in the classroom. Of course you will have academic support from our trainers and directors of studies all the way through.

GP: I have seen enough movies about communist China to make me ask this question. Will I be safe?

EF: Is China Risky? This depends on you and on your attitude to risk. But part of China's attraction is its relatively low level of political risk. The country is stable (notwithstanding some very localized disputes, largely over land) and we judge the risk of significant unrest posing a risk to foreigners to be low. Equally, central Beijing and Shanghai are relatively safe from crime, apart from petty theft/pick-pocketing, which you will find in any major city.

From the source! Now that you are in China, what do you think?

GP: I know Mandarin is a good language to learn. How easy is it to learn the language?

EF: You can teach for EF in China without knowing how to speak Chinese. In general, the Chinese are quite good at speaking English and it will be easier to navigate than you think. Chinese does not have the hiragana and katakana that Japanese does so initially, the sea of characters can be intimidating. However, the big cities in China have a strong English speaking presence than does Japan.

Being in China, it is a good opportunity to learn Mandarin and we encourage all teachers to take the challenge. Our schools offer daily Mandarin classes with a certified teacher that work around your class schedule. If you have the will and the inclination to learn, the opportunity is there.

GP: Will I make enough to support myself?

EF: EF offers a competitive salary that offers a good standard of living in China. Our teachers generally find that their salary with EF gives them a purchasing power in China that is much stronger than in their home country.

We have done a cost chart to compare your expendable income as an English teacher in Japan and versus China. What we have found is that though you might have a slightly higher expendable income in Japan, your quality of life will be higher in China. You will be able to take taxis, have a maid, get massages, eat out every night and travel throughout China.

Download Cost Comparison PDF

From the source! What do you think about working at EF?

GP: How easy is it finding all the necessities from home?

EF: Believe it or not, China has a much larger metropolitan expatriate population than Japan. It is estimated that in China, there are now over 60,000 foreigners living and working in China, most of them concentrated in the big cities where EF has centres. With larger foreign communities comes more variety in terms of dining out, and shopping. International department stores like Carrefour and Wal-Mart as well as pharmacies like Watson's are easily accessible. Hankering for some comfort food from home or need western products? Not a problem.

As for dining out, in China you can have dumplings for lunch and authentic Spanish tapas for dinner. In short, China has more international variety that is more easily accessible than Japan.

Internet ADSL connections are cheap and simple to set-up. Generally you will pay about 100-200 RMD for installation and between 100-300 RMB for unlimited access (1400-4400 yen).There are also many internet cafes that offer fast access at around 4 RMB/hour (58 yen/hour)

Bear in mind that access to some website (like BBC and Wikipedia) can be locked by the authorities - generally however, you will have access to most if not all of the sites you may want to surf!

GP: Anything else I should know about EF English First or China?

EF: Yes! EF is the Official Language Training Services Supplier of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. We are the most recognized and largest language training organization in China. Because we are experiencing such growth--opening nearly a school a week-- we are looking to hire up to 1,000 qualified teachers and academic leaders to guide English education. If you join us, you will have ringside seats to help China talk to the world in preparation for the 2008 Olympics.

GP: How do I begin the application process?

EF: If EF in China sounds like the place for you, we would love to hear more about you. The application procedure is simple:

1. Apply online -- Go to our website and fill out a short application (should take less than ten minutes).
2. Interview -- We will contact you for a one-to-one interview.
3. Offer -- You will be notified shortly after your interview if you have been successful
4. Visa -- Apply for the work visa in Japan and enter China with the proper Z-visa. This process can take up to two months so plan accordingly.
5. Arrival -- Arrive in China. An EF representative will pick you up at the airport and help you get settled.