All Chinese students are required to study English. In addition, many Chinese adults, from taxi drivers to market vendors, are also studying English. In fact, one in six persons in China (of 1.4 billion Chinese) is studying English. Chinese educators invite native-English speakers to teach our language, especially spoken conversational English and listening comprehension. YingwenTeach sponsors both long-term and short-term (summer) conversational English programs in China.

What will I do in the classroom?

By middle and senior middle school (equal to U.S. high school), many Chinese students read and write English fairly well. However they have very little exposure to spoken English. You will use ESL/EFL (English as Second/ Foreign Language) methods and activities such as games, debates, discussions, role playing, and other exercises in organized lesson plans to encourage your students to practice listening and speaking. YingwenTeach provides you with extensive information on ESL teaching materials and resources. These ESL materials, teaching guides, and curricula are found in the Red Chamber on this website.

How old are the students?

Students in these English programs include all ages – from primary to adult. We have programs for primary and elementary students, middle school and senior middle school (high school) students, university students, and for adults. One of our most successful programs is to place American school teachers to teach ESL and ESL methods to Chinese English teachers. We refer to these as our “teacher-training” programs. You can apply for a program with the age group of your choice depending upon your qualifications. See the Programs link to see which programs are currently open.

What are the benefits for teachers?

In addition to being a challenging, rewarding, and fun experience, teachers receive a free housing, a salary which is low by American standards but well-paid when considering the low cost-of-living in China), and additional benefits depending upon the specific program. Examples of extras include free local touring, free meals, or free Chinese classes. Teachers who go for at least one semester receive partial reimbursement for airfare, and they receive round-trip reimbursement for one year’s teaching. Airfare is NOT provided for summer programs.

What kind of accommodations can I expect?

Long-term teachers stay in private apartments, usually on-campus. Short-term/summer teachers stay in private, air-conditioned rooms with a private bath, usually in a hotel.

What kind of food will I eat?

Chinese food! This seems obvious, but some westerners don’t like eating Chinese food every day and are surprised to discover that the kind of food they eat at home may not be available. There are an increasing number of western-food restaurants in Chinese urban areas. In the small cities and towns, western food is difficult to find.

What are the required qualifications for teachers?

You must be a native speaker of English and have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some individuals who are not native speakers but who have lived in the U.S. many years and who speak English like a native can also be invited to teach. Individuals with training in teaching English as a second language and who have a TESL certificate are preferred. Naturally, the Chinese would like to invite experienced teachers, but they will consider applications from non-educators. You do not have to be an English teacher, you do not have to have a teaching certificate, and you do not have to speak Chinese to teach English.

Who does the hiring?

We screen applicants on the basis of qualifications, and we send the applications to our Chinese colleagues. The Chinese administrators, not YingwenTeach, hire the teachers. Chinese administrators have the final say over who gets hired.

What help will I receive from YingwenTeach?

After you apply, YingwenTeach provides you with comprehensive information on important topics including:

• Travel Resources: Traveling Tips (health, money, clothing, insurance, etc)
• Passports and Visa information
• Fact Sheet on China and additional information on Chinese culture, Chinese language (including English-Chinese translations), and background on education in China
• Information about travel in China, including info on specific destinations popular with tourists.
• Extensive ESL (English as a Second Language Teaching Resources. This includes teaching guidelines, lesson plans, in-class activities, readings, and day-by-day curriculum books designed for specific student populations.

NOTE: This extensive information about China and teaching English is located in a restricted area of this website called the Red Chamber. After you apply and are accepted, you will gain access to the Red Chamber using a personal password.

Can I bring along a spouse, child, or friend for summer programs?

It depends on the program. Usually the person accompanying you is expected to act as a classroom assistant. That person will receive free housing shared with you (two in one hotel room), but will be expected to pay for his/her meals and tours. The assistant will not receive a salary. Children over the age of 15 are welcomed if they act as teaching assistants.

Do I have to have a passport and a visa?

Yes. The passport is issued by the U.S. State Department and the visa is issued by the PRChina consulate.

Are there age limitations?

We require participants to be at least 21 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Some schools in China have upper-age limitations. The age cut-off varies depending up on the requirements of Chinese administrators.

Can I teach at the same location as a friend who is also a teacher?

Yes. On your application, indicate with whom you wish to be assigned.

Can I take a tour before or after teaching?

Yes. Click on the Tour link to read about available tours. You can bring your friends and family on a tour.

Can I retrieve my email in China?

Yes. Many schools provide internet access. For very low rates (from 12 cents to one dollar an hour), you can access the Web at an internet bar off-campus. You can also bring your laptop if you wish.

Are there health considerations?

Traveling and teaching requires good health and stamina. Many Chinese cities have serious air pollution problems that may affect persons with respiratory problems. Talk to your physician about vaccinations and about traveling if you have a chronic health problem. We suggest you begin a fitness program so that you will be up to the demands of travel and of teaching. You should remember to always drink bottled water when in China. There is more information about health issues in the Red Chamber.

Is China safe?

According to the U.S. State Department web site, China is one of the safest countries in the world to travel in.

I’m interested. What do I do now?

Subscribe to the YingwenTeach newsletter on our homepage, read the blog and participate in the forums and on FaceBook. Your name and email address will not be given to anyone without your permission. Read the newsletter. When you find a program that interests you, apply to teach by clicking on the Apply link on the home page.

How do I apply?

Click on Apply on the home page of this website for general information, then email info@yingwenteach.com and request application materials. You will be asked to provide more documentation such as a photocopy of the interior pages of your passport, a copy of your diploma, or other documents. We will screen your application and forward it to China if you are a suitable applicant.

How much will this cost?

You will be required to pay fees for the following:

• An up-to-date U.S. passport
• A visa from the Chinese government
• Airfare, if you go for short-term programs (airfare is reimbursed for long-term jobs)
• Application fee:  $200 if you are a returning YingwenTeacher (participated in earlier programs);   $350 for first-time applicants

Click on Policies on the YingwenTeach home page to learn more.

• Spending money until your first paycheck