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Chinese
Education System
The Chinese educational
system is the largest educational system
in the world. There are 330,000,000
students in China! This is greater than
the entire population of the US.
The Chinese educational
system is a comprehensive and complete
educational system comprising:
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preschool education
(before the age of 6); |
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primary (6 years of
schooling; 5 years in some rural
areas); |
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secondary (3 years
for middle school, 3 years for
senior); |
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university (4 years
for Bachelor degrees, and 2-3 years
for non-degree specialized courses
with the so-called associate
bachelor’s degrees offered ); and,
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postgraduate
education (2-3 years for Masters;
2-3 years for Doctorates; post
doctoral researches). |
Schooling starts at the
age of six and education is compulsory
for the next nine years. The curriculum
for primary and secondary schools is not
dissimilar to that in western
countries. Students begin to study
English in the third year of primary
school. Perhaps not surprisingly, China
has the largest number of students
learning English anywhere in the world!
There are 710,000 schools
in China and more than 1,000 colleges
and universities and 1,100 adult
colleges and universities, designed for
the
non-traditional students.
The Chinese educational system is a
highly competitive educational system.
After a number of years of hard work, in
2004, China reached a gross enrollment
rate of 19% (number of students enrolled
by colleges and universities divided by
the population of people aging 18-22);
up from 9.07% in 1997.
What will my
salary be?
For
university graduates with a Bachelor’s
degree the salary range will be 2500 Yuan per month
and up (Equivalent to $300 US Dollars). An instructor with
a graduate degree and teaching
experience will be paid at a higher
rate, which could be as high as 3500 –
4000 Yuan per month (Equivalent to $400
and $500 US Dollars) . The average
foreign teacher expenses are
approximately 2000 Yuan per month
(Equivalent to $250 US Dollars).
You
should plan on taking extra money to
cover your settling in expenses.
You
will also be reimbursed for your
airfare, ½ at the end of each semester
of your contract.
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How much do things cost
compared to the US?
Keep in mind that
the cost of living in China is
much lower than the US. In
cities like Beijing the average
person makes approximately 1000
Yuan or RMB per month
(Equivalent to $125 US Dollars). The
current exchange rate is about 8
Yuan to the US dollar.
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Can
I take my spouse or
other dependents?
Some
universities will prefer
a dual teaching couple
and provide the couple
with an apartment of
their own. Others will
not be able to
accommodate accompanying
dependents. Be sure to
specify your intensions
on the application form
when applying.
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What about
health care?
Some
universities
currently
provide medical
care to their
foreign
employees and
others are in
the process of
purchasing
medical
insurance for
foreign
employees.
Every university
has a clinic on
campus. If the
instructor has a
serious problem,
he/she can go to
the designated
hospital and the
insurance will
cover the
costs.
Reimbursement of
prescription
drugs may vary
from institution
to institution
but averages 70%
by most
universities.
Examples of
typical medical
expenses would
be, 200-300 Yuan
for medicine for
a cold. An
x-ray exam is
approximately 30
Yuan and a full
medical
examination is
about 200 Yuan.
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What
about
housing?
Accommodations
will be
provided
by the
university
for each
of the
foreign
instructors.
Each
university
has it’s
own
facilities,
however
at
minimum
instructors
will
have a
single
living
room
with
independent
bathroom,
public
kitchen
and
public
meeting
rooms in
the
building.
Some
institutions
provide
foreign
instructors
with a
small
apartment.
Housing
accommodations
are
either
on
campus
or
within
walking
distance
to
campus.
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What is the typical Chinese University calendar?
A school year consists of two semesters. Fall semester starts around September 1 and ends one week before Chinese New Year (often happens in January or February). Spring semester starts around 2 weeks after Chinese New Year and ends in late June or early July. National holidays include one week for Chinese New Year, one week for International Labor Day (May 1-7), one week for National Day holidays (Oct. 1-7) and one day for Western Christmas.
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What about my holidays and vacations?
Teaching appointments are for 10 months and include all Chinese holidays plus one day for Christmas.
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What about traveling around China?
There will be many opportunities for traveling throughout China. Depending on where your university is located, traveling is reasonably priced and accessible. Some university departments will also arrange group outings for their instructors and students.
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Will I have a contact person at my assignment?
Yes, all instructors will have a mentor or contact person at their assigned university, as well as a contact person at CEAIE headquarters in Beijing.
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What about internet access?
All universities have internet access, while some even provide broadband access in the instructors’ accommodations.
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What is a typical work week?
The work week is Monday through Friday and instructors have an average of 12 to 20 contact hours of class instruction. Classes vary in size, but average 40 – 50 students.
How do I get a Chinese visa?
Click here to enter the visa information page
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Do I need to know Chinese in order to apply?
Knowing another language always expands your knowledge of another culture and helps ensure a positive experience. However, it is not a requirement of the program. An intensive Chinese language course will be part of your orientation program. If you are interested in continuing your language studies, you will be allowed to take classes at your university at no additional cost.
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What should I take?
This is a difficult question to answer. Just about everything is available in the markets for a price. Many who have spent time in China have suggested bring good walking shoes and extra insoles. If you are of larger frame, you might want to bring extra clothes, remember larger sizes can be a challenge to find in the markets. If you are taking prescribed medications from your doctor, you should try to bring a years supply. You should also bring photos from home to share with your new Chinese friends and colleagues as well as reference materials to help with your classes.
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What will I do at orientation?
In order to better prepare new ESL instructors for their China experience, a one week orientation will be held in Beijing.
The objectives of this program are:
| Provide new instructors with basic survival Chinese skills. |
| Acquaint instructors with contemporary Chinese culture. |
| Address issues related to adjustment cycle of living and working overseas. |
| Explore TEFL techniques as they relate to teaching in China. |
The program utilizes Chinese and American instructors. Besides structured lectures and discussions, sightseeing excursions throughout greater Beijing are included.
The tentative schedule for August 2004 is as follows:
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Date |
Time |
Activity |
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Day 1 |
Not decided |
Arrival at Beijing Capital Airport |
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Day 2 |
08.30-10.00 |
Welcome Ceremony; Introduction to China today and Lecture on Chinese Education System. |
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10.00-10.15 |
Tea Break |
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10.15-11.45 |
Survival Chinese language course and Chinese Culture Discussion |
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Lunch Break |
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Afternoon |
Tour of Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square |
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Day 3 |
08.30-11.30 |
Survival Chinese language course and Chinese Culture Discussion |
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Lunch Break |
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13.30-16.30 |
Hutong Tour |
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Day 4 |
Morning |
Visit Beijing Normal University and Peking University |
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Lunch off-site |
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Afternoon |
Tour of Summer Palace |
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Day 5 |
08.30-10.30 |
Lecture Regarding TEFL Strategies and Adjustment to Living Overseas |
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10.30-10.45 |
Tea Break |
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10.45-12.15 |
Survival Chinese language course and Chinese Culture Discussion |
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Lunch |
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Afternoon |
Tour of Temple of Heaven |
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Day 6 |
08.30-10.30 |
Lecture Regarding TEFL Strategies and Adjustment to Living Overseas |
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10.30-10.45 |
Tea Break |
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10.45-12.15 |
Survival Chinese language course and Chinese Culture Discussion |
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Lunch |
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Afternoon |
Shopping at local market |
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Day 7 |
Entire Day |
Tour of Great Wall and Ming Tombs |
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Day 8 |
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All University Coordinators meeting in Beijing with Foreign Teachers |
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Depart to each site |
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