Teach English in China with CIEE + Rent Free Housing + Predeparture & Visa Assistance

I decided to teach abroad with CIEE after studying abroad with them in Paris, France my junior year of college. I had a great experience with the staff both on site and in the US. CIEE Teach was an opportunity for me to gain international work experience while continuing my own education of the world — all with a great support system! I chose to come to China in hopes of learning more about the country and their educational system. CIEE helped me find a great position in Shanghai, that has allowed me to do just that! They were so supportive during every point of the pre and post departure process. I am so grateful for the Teach in China team! Since arriving in Shanghai, I have had an experience of a lifetime. From learning a new language, to trying new food, to making new friends, China has so much to offer. I was fortunate to have amazing coworkers and students; everyone was so supportive of me and the learning process. The CIEE staff was there throughout my entire contract and beyond. The team is full of people who genuinely care and want to help you make the best of your time in China. I am so thankful for all CIEE teach in China team has done. I whole heartedly recommend them!

Without the support and guidance of CIEE, I can honestly say I would not have been willing to embark on this adventure. Prior to coming to China to teach abroad, I had never before been to Asia and the visa process was a complete mystery to me. I highly recommend that anyone considering teaching abroad - especially in China where the government requirements can be confusing and stressful - do it through CIEE. My program coordinator went above and beyond in her generosity with her time. She made herself available to me in phone calls and email and was so quick to answer any questions and concerns I had during the application process as well as in the months leading up to my departure. Whether it was working with me to ensure that my visa paperwork was completed accurately or taking my countless questions regarding life in China, what to pack, how to prepare, what to expect, etc, she was ready to help and made me feel as though she was personally invested in my journey which eased any anxieties I might have had about embracing this entirely new and unfamiliar experience. I have the highest regard for CIEE and their continued commitment to me even as I am now currently abroad. CIEE does so much more than just set you up for your time abroad; they have remained in touch during my time here and have proven that they are available to help with any concerns that might arise even after you are settled in China. I have taken advantage of the in-country CIEE staff on multiple occasions and it is incredibly reassuring to have them as an option to contact should I encounter an issue that I couldn't handle on my own. As someone who does not speak the native language, it is a comfort to know that CIEE staff in China are just an email or phone call away and willing to help with any questions.
When it comes to my decision to leave home for a year and commit to teaching overseas, my only regret is that I did not investigate the school I have been placed at very much at all. In the excitement of being offered a contract, I didn't look into the location or school as much as I probably should have. I would urge anyone who is about to accept a position abroad to take some time to really study their contract and the information provided about their school. Make sure you are fully aware of what you are committing to - the number of hours you will be expected to teach per week, any other responsibilities you will be given, and what your living accommodations will be. Don't be afraid to ask questions before signing the contract. Ask to be provided the email addresses of any previous CIEE participants who taught at the school and get their take on the job. Try to seek a firsthand account of what life at the school will be like as a foreign language teacher. What the school tells you about the living accommodations and work expectations will likely be vague and it would be extremely beneficial to hear what you are about to get into from someone who you can identify with. Do not hesitate to ask specific questions regarding living conditions. The CIEE participants currently employed by the school or who previously worked at the school will be able to give you a more accurate picture than the CIEE staff who are mediating the contract. Take the time to get in touch with these participants - CIEE will be more than happy to put you in touch with them.
Also, be sure to do research on the location of your school and make sure that the setting will be a good fit for you. My city turned out to be much smaller than I had anticipated and I do wish I had taken the time to read up on the city ahead of time. I know fellow foreign teachers who prefer the smaller population setting, but personally, I do feel isolated at times and would rather have accepted a teaching position in a city with more to offer in the way of an expat community, subway system, and perhaps access to some western or recognized stores or restaurants. These things might not be priorities for some, but personally I find myself traveling to larger cities on the weekends in order to escape the bubble of my smaller city.
So far my experience teaching abroad has been the most challenging, but also amazing time in my life. Every day brings new discoveries and cliche as it may be, I can already attest, three months into the adventure, that this experience has been life-changing. It's difficult to put into words the impact that teaching abroad has had on me - I am constantly learning new things about those around me and also things about myself that I never knew. Living and teaching in China is shaping my worldview and my self-esteem in ways I could not have predicted. To be living a world away from everything and everyone that is familiar to me and to be fully immersed in and engaging with a foreign culture day after day, has taught me invaluable lessons and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be here and to CIEE for making it a reality.

When I decided I wanted to teach abroad, I had no idea how to go about it. I had just graduated from college and it was first time going into the work force so finding placement let alone obtaining a work visa had me feeling overwhelmed. The study abroad coordinator at my university recommended CIEE to me and I am all the grateful for it. CIEE gave me the support that I needed to be able to accomplish my teach abroad goals as well as secure me a teaching position in China. The main highlight of my experience with CIEE was the preparation they gave before my trip. This goes from offering two detailed orientations: An online as well as a live one. Best of all, CIEE also offers comprehensive TEFL training so lack of teaching experience should not be a cause of discouragement. A major plus for the CIEE tefl course is that for online course it is hands-on as well. Like your typical online Course, it is broken down into modules: each divided into sections in which require you to do quizzes, write essays as well as take tests. Each module separated over the course of a week. Students are each divided into groups that are each headed by a an experienced tefl teacher who serves as the groups mentor with whom the students meet with once a week so as to ask questions and discuss each weeks module. What sets apart CIEE’s tefl from other courses and what makes it truly hands-on is that each student is required to to complete a a twenty-hour internship period in which the student may choose to observe tefl classes, shadow an ESL teacher or conduct classes of there own. Most other tefl courses only offer online modules and since teaching is a hands-on job, no matter how well the material is explained all of it is useless unless you step into a classroom and put the theory to the test. CIEE gave me that push I needed to be able to take the first step to becoming a teacher which greatly reduced the stress of my first days of teaching in China. Even though living in a foreign country comes with many challenges and can feel overwhelming CIEE’s support system will help you pull through any tough situation. The coordinator for the teach in China program, Kelvin is extremely helpful and easy to talk to. He can help you resolve any issues that occur with your school, while helping you get accustomed to life and Chine while securing you a good placement. CIEE was the ship that helped me sail the world and I recommend you let them be the same for you because in the tough seas of the world no one else sails smoother.

I signed up with CIEE back in July, 2015. I have now been in China for almost a year at a school that CIEE set me up with and I couldn't be happier with the decision. They have been incredibly supportive both before and after my departure. Having them manage all visa related issues and provide a pre-departure course was so helpful. And upon arriving in China they have an event to introduce you to other CIEE english teachers in your area. They are also always just a text or an email away if you need any support. I am very happy with their service and am planning on a second year in China. Highly recommend these guys!

I chose CIEE because I wanted to teach in China, but didn't want to go through the process without a support network. It is possible to do so, but you expose yourself to risks like being scammed by your school, especially if you don't speak Chinese. The fact is, having foreign English teachers in China is a business maneuver by schools to increase student enrollment, so having CIEE in your corner provides you with leverage. These schools rely on CIEE to provide them with teachers that have TEFL certification, so it is in their interest to make sure you have a good time at their school. The program director, Kelvin, is great at his job. I never had any serious emergencies and so cannot attest to CIEE's assistance in such a scenario, but whenever a coworker or I had issues or questions that our school could not handle, we could reliably turn to Kelvin for assistance.

Teaching experiences in China will vary widely, based on student age group and teaching location. China is a very different place to live and do business in if you are coming from a western country, especially if you aren't proficient enough in Chinese to get by on your own. Having a support system to rely on for serious problems allowed me some peace of mind to more fully enjoy the challenges and differences of living in China.

I chose to teach abroad because I wanted adventure, I loved teaching and I thought it was a good way to live overseas. I chose China somewhat randomly... The timing of the program was the best for me. I applied with my boyfriend and we were both accepted and placed at the same school. We read that CIEE had a good reputation for placing couples, so we went for it. The placement that we ended up with is ideal. Honestly, the whole process has been great. Of course, the visa and pre-departure tasks are a headache (mostly just because they are time consuming), but it's all worth it in the end. Our coordinator, Allison, was so helpful throughout the whole thing. Being able to just call her and speak with her directly whenever we had questions gave us such peace of mind that CIEE would support us with whatever we need. Teaching in China has been a great experience so far. I would highly recommend it.

The last thing I wanted was for an agency to take advantage OF me to advance their own business and to leave me in the dust to fend for myself after getting me the job. I was glad I came across CIEE, who never did any of those things, and I found the organisation to be transparent and honest. They listened to my worries pre-departure and assured me, and they continued to do so even after my arrival. The webseminars and the forums on the pre-departure training course are useful because then you see some of the questions and concerns that others have that you might have never considered. They also provide you with a list of the previous CIEE teachers who taught at the school so that you can get into contact with them. I asked to be placed in a less developed part of China where I could be immersed in the culture and practice my Chinese, which is what I am getting, so I am very pleased with my placement via CIEE and for all their their help.

I like the program it is a good program. The orientation was enjoyable and helpful, i love my placement. My boss is amazing. Everything is going well in my day to day life. difficulties are being overcome.