Teaching in China: What Happens When You Arrive?

If you are looking to start a new adventure, keep reading to learn more about living and working abroad. Be sure to follow English 1's updates here and on social media to stay up to date with any changes and see recent happenings, as well as learn more about living and working in China.

Be sure to bring your original documents and other items as advised by your recruiter. When you land, you'll go through customs, pick up your bag, and finally you'll meet your English 1 driver outside the arrivals gate. You might meet some of the other teachers at that point, and the English 1 driver will transport you to the hotel. Be sure to have your cash on hand, about 10,000 RMB (approximately 1,400 USD). This is not a working day, so instead, take the time to know the other teachers in your onboarding group, have some dinner, and rest up! Finally, be sure to reach back home to your family that you arrived, and you can tell your recruiter, too.

This is orientation day. You will be meeting visa officers, trainers, and potentially your recruiter if you're based in Shanghai. You'll be going through several different presentations. Be sure to take advantage of the free breakfast at the hotel. The first thing you'll do upon arrival is contract signing. You will have received the electronic version beforehand, and you will be guided by the onboarding team in signing it face-to-face. Next up are the visa updates and what's to be expected. For a welcome lunch, you'll go with some central staff and your new colleagues to a traditional Chinese restaurant. After lunch, you'll come back to the head office where you can opt-in for the 12,000RMB cash advance to help you with housing and settle in comfortably in your new China life.

This will be your second day coming into the head office. Depending on the city and how many people are in your onboarding group, you could start your medical check or go to the local bank to get your bank account set up. These could also be potentially done on Day 2 depending on the size of the onboarding group. Visa officers will be there to help out this morning. Be aware the process can take a while, and you might spend most of the morning there. You could bring a Kindle to read on the side or have your Spotify account to keep you entertained. There will also be lots of people there to talk to. Once finished, we'll get you set up with your Chinese SIM card (be sure to bring an unlocked smartphone). SIMs are mostly pay-as-you-go, and you can pay the bill through your phone! Finally, this day is when you'll go to your centre for the first time. You will meet your teacher team and your manager and look around the centre where you'll be teaching for the next year. Be sure to be dressed in business casual.

Use your first full weekend in China as a time to apartment hunt, though schedules may vary depending on the day you arrive. English 1 will give a list of bilingual agents on the first day. You can start reaching out to these agents throughout the week and use the weekend to actually view the apartments. You have full control of where you live and who you live with. So don't rush and don't stress, as two weeks is more than enough time to look for an apartment. When you talk to your agent, be sure to give a list of requirements.

For example, some may request to:

• Being close to the metro and within walking distance.

• Having lots of natural light as waking up with the sun shining in makes for a homier experience.

• Stay in the price range!

or

• Have an apartment close to the metro.

• Live somewhere with amenities nearby; like a grocery store, a post office, and a bank.

• Live in a traditional lane house (called a hutong).

Your onboarding and training will start on these days. You will learn about English 1 methodology, lesson planning, in-class teaching skills, and many more, and will be evaluated by our trainers. You will be given feedback on what your strengths are and what things you can work on in your centre. Please wear your English 1 uniform this day. As a Kids & Teens teacher, we'll provide you with a short-sleeved navy-blue polo shirt. You'll need to wear black pants and black, comfy shoes as well.