Learn Japanese, Chinese Lessons, English Classes :: JABLI Intercultural Centre, Melbourne, Australia

What is Internship program?
An internship overseas is the opportunity of a lifetime and a fantastic chance to develop your professional experience and build international networks.

Teaching English Language In China (TELIC) Program

What kinds of people are required?
Qualifying requirements
Conditions provided by Chinese institutes or universities
Fees and Expenses
Rewards of teaching in China
Expectations
JIC's Responsibility
Testimonial

What kinds of people are required?
Educational organisations in China are seeking professionally-minded English speakers with an educational background of Bachelor Degree or above.

The period of employment is either one semester or two semesters (one year).

Classroom responsibilities will include teaching classes in English conversation, listening, writing and reading; as well as western literature, history and culture. You do not need to have teaching experience, know Chinese or be an expert on China in order to apply, although both teaching experience and Chinese language skills would be an advantage.

Download Application Form

This program is designed for Australians who:

want to experience contemporary Chinese lifestyle in this rapidly developing nation.
love adventure and exploring new things.
are interested in Chinese culture.
are interested in being a professional English teacher.
have good organization skills in a classroom environment.
want to develop some skills in the Chinese language by being a part of Chinese society.
are interested in discovering traditional and contemporary China through personal first-hand experience rather than other, second-hand sources.
are people-oriented.

Qualifying requirements

You must be a native English speaker (completed all schooling in English.)

You must have confidence in your ability to communicate and explain things in an educational context.

You are patient, active, positive, well organised and have good time-management skills.

You have the personal characteristics of responsibility, self-motivation, initiative and creativity.

You are a good organizer with students and classes.

Your physical health is good.

You are emotionally stable.

You must have a Bachelor Degree or above (There is no prerequisite area of study).

The minimum term of a contract is one semester (five to six months).

Teaching experience and Chinese ability are not essential.

Conditions provided by Chinese institutes or universities

Classroom teaching time varies between 12 to 20 hours per week.

Free housing in a western style apartment/flat on campus. Air conditioning, power and water supply are all included. You will have a one bedroom apartment with a private room, sitting room, kitchen, toilet and bathroom with hot-water shower. The standard of the accommodation is equivalent to what local professors receive i.e. you will be provided with high-standard living conditions.

Average monthly wages of RMB 3,000 to RMB 6,000 (Chinese currency, which is equivalent to the salary of a local professor) depending on your background and host institute or university, this will more than cover living expenses in China. Please do not simply convert the amount into AUD and be surprised. Actually, the buying power of RMB in China is very close to that of the Australian Dollar. The living cost in China is very low. The cost for food should be between RMB 600 to 800 per month. People who teach in china do so for the incredible experience, teaching and travel, not for the financial gain only.

The possibility of a three to six week vacation with pay, if you teach there for two semesters (about 10 months).

The possibility of the inclusion of weekday lunch meals.

The possibility of a subsidised international airline ticket (one way/return economy) from your country to the host institute or University City in China.

With one semester contract, there is also the possibility of a travel allowance of about RMB 1,100 at the completion of your contract. With two semester contract, the allowance is about RMB 2,200.

Free Chinese lessons are provided by the host school.

Provision for free computer (with Internet access) in your apartment.

Note: Pay and benefit packages above may vary in different colleges, institutes or universities. In particular, the Italicised items above are subject to variability between Institutions/Cities.

Fees and Expenses
Application Fee and Administration Fee
The application fee and administration fee are AU$100 per person. The application fee and administration fee above are non-refundable.

Working visa application fee and relevant expenses
You have to pay the relevant Visa fee and any expenses incurred in the Visa application process eg health examination costs; certification etc.

Travel Insurance
For your own benefit and peace of mind, you should consider travel insurance for the obvious advantages such insurance offers.

Airfare to China and back to Australia
If the package provided by your host school does not include airfare, you will have to meet the airfare costs by yourself.

Please Note: Due to Winter Holidays in China during January and February, it will be necessary to start making arrangements for your placement as early as possible for semester starting in March. We therefore ask that all Applications for a March placement be submitted as early as possible.

Rewards of teaching in China
China is definitely different to anywhere you have ever been before. China has a history of more than 5,000 years. People from around the world have been enthralled and enticed by the mystery of Chinese culture. Living in China is an opportunity to experience some wonderful cultural diversity and immerse you in a totally different lifestyle.

Teaching and living in China is an incredible experience. You suddenly find yourself the centre of attention when you teach there. People around you want to be your friends and they would like to know your opinion about all sorts of things. After living and teaching there, you will be a much worldlier person.

The process of teaching is one of learning as well. Through working as a professional English teacher in China, you may come to know in even more depth your own culture and gain new insights into Western Culture in general. It is also a good chance for you to develop your personal values, compare the differences between western and eastern cultures and absorb advantages of the Chinese culture.

As well as cultural opportunities, this program is also a fantastic opportunity to familiarise yourself with the Chinese market and economic/political environment. Lots of Australian companies are involved with the Chinese market, but there are not many individuals with a broad knowledge of China. This experience of living in China could therefore open up career possibilities you had never even thought of upon your return to Australia.

Expectations

Teaching speaking, listening, reading and writing English to Chinese students in high schools, colleges, institutes or universities.

Teaching English literature to University students majoring in English language.

Introducing and sharing the culture and economical or political systems of your country.

Once you are accepted into the program you have a contractual obligation to us and your contracted educational organisation.

JIC?s Responsibility

Arranging the placement as an English Language Teacher in China on behalf of the participant upon receipt of the participant?s full payment, application form (including resume and a copy of current Passport), education and/or qualification certificates and other necessary documentation.

Help the participant to get the necessary documentation from the host school for application for working visa to China upon successful placement within a Chinese Educational Institute.

Provide orientation to the participant for the city and the educational organisation in China, before the participant goes to China.

Arrange, on the participants behalf with the host Educational Organisation in China for accommodation and pick-up at the nearest airport to the host school upon arrival in China.

Provide support for the participant during his/her stay in China.

Spending a year or six months teaching in China is not a decision to be made lightly. It will be a difficult, challenging and occasionally frustrating year, but it can also be one of the most interesting and memorable times of your life. We do ask that all Applicants seriously consider the emotional, physical and financial aspects of the position before making the commitment.

Testimonial
Testimonial from Mr. John Ayres- our previous applicant:

Hi my name is John Ayres and JIC organised for me to teach English in a middle school in Shanghai, China in 2005.

I arrived in August 2005, a week before school started on the 1St September 2005. I had the opportunity to meet the Chinese English teachers and the Japanese teachers, to settle in and to prepare for my classes. I left China on New Years Eve 2005 to return home.

The school had over 2000 students and 300 teachers, which is common in Shanghai. I was given 16 classes to teach from Grade 6, Years 7, 8 and 10 (they call year 10 senior 1), plus 3 classes of combined Japanese and Korean students of various standards of English (they were a challenge!).

As most schools have classes every day except Sunday; make sure that you do not work on the weekends. The maximum number of classes you should have is 16. Some may try to get you work 20, but I would not recommend that. The local teachers have around 12 classes per week.

The classes all had over 50 students, which again are common in China, and the students were jammed in like sardines. The students were a delight to teach as they are always happy, but sometimes very noisy. I really enjoyed my teaching experience and will certainly go back again sometime in the future.

Things you need to be aware of are:

You need to make sure you see and sign your contract prior to leaving for china,
Make sure you know exactly what furniture you have in your apartment,
Make sure they include a computer and printer for you in your room (my room was fantastic and I got everything I ask for)
Make sure the school arranges your working visa prior to leaving and make sure it includes at least one exit on it so you can leave China and return during your stay if you need to, otherwise you can leave but not return.

I travelled to Beijing, Nanjing, Hong Kong and other major cities when I was there. The people and food was great and I was treated very well by every one I met.

I would recommend that you learn Mandarin through JIC prior to leaving for china. Knowing the language is a great advantage as it will help you mix with the locals and get around China more easily.

Go to China, experience the fantastic food and people, travel and see what a great country china really is. See the real China, not what the tourist see

John Ayres