Teach in China BASICS Program
What's Included
- Secure Job Placement - CIEE partners with reputable Chinese schools, so you can trust that your employment is legitimate and proper.
- Schools Provide Rent-Free Housing
- Online TEFL certificate from local partner, if needed to meet visa requirements. Available Fall Only.
- Hands-on Visa Guidance - We'll help keep you on track with document prep and the visa application.
- Practical and Cultural Advice – Access to Before You Board; an online course to prepare you for life in China. Includes alumni advice and resources for health, safety, and Chinese workplace norms.
- Orientation & Teacher Training - Make friends, meet staff, and prepare for your upcoming year of teaching abroad.
- 24/7 support from local CIEE staff
- Designated Coordinator At Your School - Get local assistance with things like banking and phone plans from an English-speaking staff person
- Contract completion bonus - this helps offset the cost of return airfare
- Paid Chinese holidays
- International Insurance to reimburse you for unexpected medical expenses
The Destination
Participants are placed in large and small cities throughout China. Recent CIEE teachers have been placed in the cities of Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Jiujiang, and Guiyang, as well as Hebei Province and Hunan Province.
CIEE wants all our participants to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while teaching abroad. To that end, we've gathered information from local teams and perspectives from former CIEE teachers and others about conditions and cultural attitudes that teachers with specific identities might encounter abroad. We hope those resources are informative and helpful.
Please note—due to the visa process, it is not possible to plan any international travel in the two months before your program begins. Plan to be in your home country during that time.
The Take-Aways
COMPENSATION
All teachers receive a competitive salary and rent-free furnished accommodations. Two-semester teachers receive up to 8000 CNY airfare reimbursement at end of contract.
PREPARATION
All participants receive personal guidance with complicated visa documents, detailed pre-departure information, and an in-country orientation.
ASSISTANCE
All participants receive 24/7 in-country support from CIEE staff in China, as well as international travel and emergency medical insurance with CIEE/iNext.
Program Blogs
CIEE Orientation in China: Read Kari's Interview!
Kari recently arrived in China to begin her year of teaching abroad! She attended the Teacher Training and Orientation included in CIEE’s Teach in China programs. Read about Kari’s experience... keep reading
CIEE China Spotlight: Meet Erik - PART 2
Erik is back to answer more questions about teaching in China! Where are you from? What was your academic background or career before teaching abroad? I'm from Palm Springs, California... keep reading
CIEE China Spotlight: Meet Erik - PART 1
Erik is currently teaching in Chongqing, China! Read to learn more about his experience teaching English abroad and his life in China. Why China? Have you been before? I played... keep reading
Job Description
Many Chinese students are more comfortable reading and writing in English than they are listening and speaking. Through creative classroom exercises and interactive games, you will give your Chinese students the confidence to use English in conversational settings.
Compensation
You’ll earn a monthly salary of at least 8,000 RMB, plus rent-free housing. You will also be eligible for an end-of-contract bonus of 8000 RMB. Salaries tend to be higher at private schools and kindergartens where teachers work more hours.
Pay is competitive, far more than what local teachers make. Expenses are very low, and your income can go a long way, leaving you with savings or funds to explore all China has to offer!
Schools
In the fast-growing Chinese economy, English is a pathway to success. There are opportunities to work at primary schools, secondary schools, and universities. CIEE's partner employers include both public and private schools.
Workload
Jobs with younger kids have higher salaries and tend to have longer working hours. Candidates should expect 20-25 hours of teaching time, plus extra time for lesson prep.
A GLIMPSE AT THE COST OF LIVING IN CHINA
Typical Chinese Breakfast of soy milk and baozi [steamed bun filled with meat or vegetables]:
- 10 CNY (about $1.40 USD)
Lunch or Dinner with meat, vegetables, and rice:
- Shanghai & Beijing: 30-50 CNY/person ($4.25 - $7.00 USD)
- Small and midsize cities: 15-30 CNY/person ($2.00 - $4.25 USD)
Qualifications
You don’t need to speak Chinese to apply! You'll need a bachelor’s degree in any field, along with a few other qualifications. These, plus flexibility, patience, and a sense of adventure, will make you a great candidate.
Eligibility Requirements
- Native-level English fluency
- A bachelor’s degree in any field from the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
- Citizenship in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom
- Passport validity must extend at least 6 months beyond end of program
- Applicants must be 55 years of age or younger to get a Chinese work permit
To qualify for Teach in China Basics and get a Chinese Work Permit, you will also need ONE of the following:
- A TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate of at least 120 hours
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education, TESOL or ESL
- Signed letters documenting two years of full-time, lead-teaching experience
If you don't have any of these teaching credentials, you can either use the China BASICS package and get a China-specific TEFL certificate at no extra cost through our Chinese partner (Fall programs only), or you can use the China PLUS package which includes the CIEE TEFL 150-Hour Certificate Course, which takes about 3 months to complete, is available for both Spring and Fall programs, and is recognized worldwide.
Our Team
Kelvin Li
PROGRAM MANAGER
Kelvin has been a part of the CIEE Teach Abroad team since 2007. He is based in Shanghai, where he was born and raised. Kelvin loves to travel, read (especially detective novels), learn new things, and gain new perspectives!
Ready to change your life?
You might also like
Select the China PLUS option if you prefer to get a premium, internationally recognized 150-Hour TEFL Certification from CIEE. $1,900 program fee.