Support

• SES China offers teachers full support and help where possible in coming to terms with the everyday problems faced by foreigners living in China.
• Chinese welfare staff, the Directors of Studies and school owners are approachable and have plenty of experience of assisting teachers with everyday needs.
• In the initial first weeks, teachers are helped with visa process, hospital visits (Beijing only) apartments, and opening bank accounts.
• The company also organises and subsidizes social events for staff. This compliments the strong teacher social network that exists in all the school locations.
• Teachers working in franchises outside of Beijing and Shanghai are supported by their school managers but a greater level of independence is required.
• There are plenty of opportunities to learn the language by taking a variety of classes both formal and informal.

Research

• It is vitally important however that teachers conduct research (Chinese embassy, websites, literature) into China and the problems faced by foreign residents adapting to life there before making a commitment.
• Remember, this is not a working holiday, but a demanding and fun job in a completely different country.
• China can be a difficult county to adapt to and teachers face a lot of challenges Living there will be great and rewarding if you are positive, open-minded, flexible, culturally-aware and patient.