Are you a foreigner who aspires to either alter your career path or further your current experience by instructing at a Chinese university? The expansion of the Chinese higher education industry provides fresh openings for those foreign professionals wishing to take a teaching role; due to your proficient English abilities, you possess the potential to outshine other applicants and be successful in obtaining a preferable position.
Securing a desirable teaching gig in China for internationals may appear complex, what with the myriad of options concerning institutions, metropolitan centers, and job vacancies. This piece of writing intends to lay forth an examination of the admissions process, as well as a few hints to aid in the realization of the perfect opportunity for oneself.
Getting Prepared for Teaching University in China for Foreigners
Prior to commencing your hunt for a Chinese university professorship, it is of paramount importance to guarantee that you are adequately ready and equipped to match the specifications of the opening you’re focussing on. Whilst each vacancy could contain slight variations in the criteria, the following resources should facilitate your assurance that your talents, aptitudes and background are suitable for a Chinese college’s foreign teacher criteria.
Experience: Do you have past teaching experience at a university, or in another capacity? Are you qualified to teach a certain teaching subject? These are important questions to consider when applying for a university teaching job in China.
Qualifications: The Chinese government typically requires foreign teachers to have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of teaching experience for most positions. If you’re working towards a degree or haven’t been teaching for long, you could consider starting your teaching career in China with a language center or kindergarten.
Language: Are you a native English speaker? Are you comfortable speaking Chinese? If not, could you take an online Chinese language course to demonstrate this ability? Chinese universities are typically more open to non-native English speakers than language centres, but having a grasp of the language will help during the recruitment process.
Document Preparation: Documents such as a resume, passport, degrees, language certifications and references need to be prepared ahead of time since many jobs will require applicants to submit their documents as part of their application.
Finding a Suitable University Teaching Job in China
Once you’ve got the basics- such as qualifications and documents – sorted, it’s time to start the search for your university teaching job in China.
Many job postings are published on recruitment websites such as Laowai Carer, Hiredchina, and TEFL.com. You can also apply directly to a university, as many institutions have job openings listed on their official websites, or contact agents or other expats who work within the education sector.
When selecting a job, consider the following:
Job role: Is the role full-time or part-time? What kind of students will you be teaching?
Benefits: What are the benefits? Will you get a salary, health insurance, visas, or other benefits?
Location: What kind of environment and people you will be exposed to? Are there other expats nearby to help you settle in?
Types of Universities in China
Chinese universities are categorised into two groups, the public, beholden to central or local governments for their financial upkeep, and the private, attaining their money from either their own endowments or from charging tuition fees from the students.
Due to their higher degree of prestige and status, Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Fudan University are all acclaimed as leaders of higher education in China. Though applications from foreign students may be more welcome than those of more localized, less renowned establishments, the standards of admission shall still remain stringently demanding.
In terms of private universities, there are over 400 in China, most of which specialize in specific subjects or regions. However, international students have reported facing difficulty in applying to some top private universities, due to their preference to locals and lower levels of attention to international applicants.
Things to Bear in Mind When Applying
When applying for a university teaching job in China, it’s important to bear in mind the regulations for foreign teachers and visas.
Foremost, it’s illegal to be employed in China without the appropriate visa. Recruiters may try to offer you positions without the proper visa, but it’s best to avoid these positions as it’s not only illegal, but could harm your reputation as a professional.
Taking into account all of the associated costs and benefits that come with a university teaching job in China is a vital step of the application process. Be sure to review the visa situation, requisite benefits and any ancillary charges such as health insurance, airfare and housing in order to ensure a reliable and secure occupation is achieved prior to moving to the country.
Wrapping Up
Securing a teaching position in a Chinese university for non-natives can be a particularly intimidating undertaking, but with meticulous arranging and investigation, it is possible to improve one’s prospects. Rather than simply responding to a job listing, it is paramount to verify that the position satisfies all of one’s needs, and to make certain that the institution provides an effective visa and the fundamental amenities to assure a protected and secure job while in China.
Good luck!