Reach to Teach - Teaching jobs in China
You will serve as an English Teacher for children of all ages. You may teach Kindergarten to children aged 4-6 years old, and you may teach children as old as 15 years old. The age of the children you teach can be modified according to your preferences. Your teaching duties will include:
- The preparation of lesson plans (your school will have materials to use for this).
- You will teach approximately 20-30 hours a week, depending on your school.
- You will serve as an English teacher, helping your students learn conversational English and improve their accent.
Reviews
100%Overall
Rating
80%Overall
Rating
My review must be taken as a dual review of the program (Reach to Teach) and the school (Anji Shangshu Private High School). Reach to Teach and their staff were and have been nothing but helpful during the process of applying for the job and getting over here. They are in no way related to the conditions of my every day life here in Anji.
As far as the school is concerned, I'm really incredibly disappointed: the school has provided no help in the way of determining student level and required materials; finding and procuring teaching materials; developing a syllabus; enforcing student discipline, etc... In fact, I asked what methods for disciplining students there are and was told that there are none: this even extends to the point of other teachers having told me about students attempting to physically assault them last year! (an offense for which there is no punishment: the students are kept at the school to keep their parents' money flowing in. Additionally, the students are incredibly unmotivated, poorly behaved and disrespectful, including such behaviour as talking over the teacher at normal, conversational volume during class and unplugging the teacher's aids (e.g. dvd player) to plug in and charge their cellphones. After just 2 months of trying to teach them, I've really reached the end of my rope.
In short: my reviews are as follows: Reach to Teach: 9 out of 10, Anji Shangshu Private High School: 2 out of 10
Critical Feedback:
See above
100%Overall
Rating
For anyone interested in moving abroad, I highly recommend Reach to Teach. I have worked with other recruiting agencies in the past, and from my experience, Reach to Teach has offered me the most assistance. I mostly worked with the China Recruitment Department, and was very impressed with the updates and callbacks post-interview. Reach to Teach matched me with the best job through Kid Castle. Kid Castle is an after school academy that relies on the Total Physical Response teaching method. I find this school a very effective program for teaching English, and am so happy with my job situation. From both sides, Reach to Teach and Kid Castle made a great effort to help me, up until I arrived in China. If I had questions, I continued to ask both sides for answers, and both provided the best solutions. I have heard stories of people never hearing from their recruiters after they take a job offer, but I never experienced this with Reach to Teach. I felt they were honest, listened to what I wanted in a job (rather than trying to fill the next available spot in any school), and gave immediate response to e-mails. I know that anyone going through Reach to Teach will find what they need.
100%Overall
Rating
My experience in China has been unforgettable. There were times throughout my time here that I wanted to pack my bags and run back home. Then one of my students would speak a perfect sentence to me in English and the world became right again.
What can I say about China. The food was delicious and sometimes questionable. All in all, every bite was an experience waiting to happen. I remember once a month taking a trip to the bank and how a 20 minute transaction always ran for an hour and a half.
Walking out of my apartment, I can hear my neighbor gasping at the sight of me, hauling in a long breath and letting out a piercing scream...after the second time, it wasn't funny anymore. However, she taught me to be aware that I was different, an as an African-American, whenever I stepped out of my apartment, I was a lesson to be learned for some people.
I enjoyed my time here immensely. I made life-long friends and will leave with the satisfaction that I had somehow touched someone's life clear across this vast world.
60%Overall
Rating
Reach to Teach did a great job during recruitment, and really made us feel comfortable about picking up and moving to China. They did pick a great location based on the preferences we had communicated. However, we did end up in a very isolated location, at a school that basically left us to our own devices and offered very little support. We didn't rely on Reach to Teach as much as we should have, but it seemed that their presence was really much greater in Taiwan. All the Reach to Teach events happened in Taiwan, which, at least as of '08-'09, wasn't the easiest place to get to from the mainland. Anyway, I think Reach to Teach as an organization was great, but our experience was tainted by our (naive) preconceived notions of what we thought we would like (small town, away from big cities and pollution). And while that would have been great for someone who knew a bit of mandarin and enjoys isolation, we knew no mandorin, and there was really nobody around who spoke English, thus, no social life whatsoever. It was also very difficult to leave our town for the nearest city with any kind of expat presence. I would definitely recommend Reach to Teach, especially if you have interest in Taiwan, but otherwise, stick to the big cities (we loved Hangzhou, and visited as often as possible).
100%Overall
Rating
I taught in Taiwan for just over a year after I graduated. It was an amazing experience that I would not change for anything! Taiwan is a great country with friendly people and is great to live in. It is so easy to travel around the island and to other countries.
RTT ( Mitch Gordon) was very helpful in accommodating our needs.My husband and I both needed a job and had lots of requests ;-) But RTT made it happen and placed us at a school (Uncle Sam American School) in Sanxia, just outside Taipei. RTT was very efficient and before we knew it we were on a plane. RTT also helps you to meet other people by hosting social events and we have made lifelong friends over there.
We had about 7 foreign teachers at our school.I taught the little ones ( 2-3 year)and just LOVED it. It is great to see them grow and learn. It is not always easy, but you learn how to deal with the issues and our Chinese teachers were very helpful. After kinder garden we taught the elementary school kids. This was a bit more challenging because I did not study to be a teacher and you need to know how to handle some kids, but like I said you learn quickly and there are lots of ways to get nice tips;-) For me it was important to keep it highly energized, the kids love to learn via games. You get training for the first week or two and then you are on your own with lesson plans and the actual teaching, but luckily you always have a Chinese teacher in the class to help you out.
Living in Taiwan is a great experience. You can earn a lot and the living costs are really not high.
I would recommend teaching in Taiwan and using RTT to anyone.
Enjoy
Alida
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Alumni Interviews
Meet Jacqueline Scott
Why did you decide to teach abroad with Reach To Teach in China?
Jacqueline: I was in Bulgaria in the Peace Corps when I was looking for another job. I realized that I wasn't ready to end my experience traveling and I wanted to see Asia. I was looking for jobs in China and Korea and Reach to Teach China had the most knowledgeable staff who were helpful and friendly and answered all of my questions and concerns.
What made this teaching experience unique and special?
Jacqueline: When I was teaching in Bulgaria, I taught high school students. Here in China I am teaching with other foreigners and teaching young children which is very different for me. Way out of my comfort zone, but I am enjoying it a lot.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Jacqueline: Well I have met my fantastic boyfriend here. But seriously teaching here has given me the work and travel experience that anyone with a degree in International Relations needs to be taken seriously in the job market.
What is one piece of advice you would offer something considering teaching abroad in China?
Jacqueline: As a woman, realize that if you are coming here by yourself, that in many places in China you will not be the norm. Most women come to China with husbands or boyfriends. So you have to be able to make friends with men easily and you have to not take everything so seriously. Also be ready for the most adorable and cute kids ever.
Meet Laura Wilbourn
Laura is from Austin, Texas. She will be in Shanghai, China, September 3, 2012 to September 2013. She is 31 years old, and attended university for art. She teaches English at Kid Castle Academy. While she is not teaching, she is writing and illustrating children's books.
What inspired you to teach ESL?
Laura: I have always been interested in living overseas. When I was younger, my family and I lived in Thailand, and I loved it. We visited many countries during that time, and I always wanted to continue gaining more cultural experiences.
Why did you choose Reach to Teach?
Laura: I was searching the Internet for recruiting agencies. I submitted my resume and application to several. I found Reach to Teach actually checked up on me. Another recruiting agency just past me off from one person to the next, and I would never hear from the people I was sent to. If positions are filled for a country, I would like to be told so. Reach to Teach told me where there was availability, and did not leave questions unanswered.
Describe your day to day activities as a teacher in China.
Laura: The job I have now is very nice. The school I work for, Kid Castle, relies on the Total Physical Response method for teaching. It allows me to use my creative side with the children, which is a lot of fun for me. It also requires quite a bit of energy, as I am working with kids. I try to get them out of their seats as much as possible, jumping up and down, acting out vocabulary, dancing, and anything else that involves movement. I usually work 4-9 pm Wednesday to Friday, then 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. It is a great schedule, because during the day I can study Chinese and work on art.
How did you adjust to your wariness of China and how did Reach to Teach help you with that?
Laura: I suppose I adjusted to my wariness of China just by deciding to come to China and experience it. I was basing my concerns of China off of two people I knew who really disliked living in China. I would say that this isn't a fair way to know if you like or dislike something. I don't know if this is the best approach to take when going into something, but this is my approach to living abroad. People always seem to post the most optimistic views on what your experience will be like. However, I just go in thinking it's the luck of the draw. You don't really know what your experience will be like, but your attitude can make or break it. Make the best of any situation. For some people being incredibly optimistic helps. For me, I just assume that I will have a good time, but there will be things that happen that will be frustrating. It's bound to happen. Just deal with it in the best way you can. Really, the reason I came was to find out for myself whether or not I would dislike my time here. I have to say, I am having a wonderful time! I love the friends I have made, and my co-workers have helped me in so many ways that make me grateful to work with them.
What is one piece of advice you would give to others thinking about teaching abroad?
Laura: I think it is important to reverse the perspective, and experience what it's like to be the foreigner in another country. When you go home, maybe you will bring some of these experiences back with you.
Staff Interview
Interview with Carrie Kellenberger
Describe the ideal candidate to teach English abroad in China?
Carrie: An ideal Reach To Teach candidate will be enthusiastic and flexible! They will enjoy teaching children and be a dedicated and caring teacher. Teaching experience is great, but not necessary. Enthusiasm, patience and cultural understanding are musts. We always tell our teachers that teaching abroad in China will be one of the most incredible experiences of their lives. However, there are challenges that come with living in China. Most teachers experience culture shock, some quite intensely. China is a different place- in both wonderful and frustrating ways. We like our teachers to be realistic about the experience. And they always know Reach To Teach will be there to support them!
How long has Reach To Teach been operating in China?
Carrie: Reach To Teach has been placing teachers in China longer than almost any other organization. We've been placing large numbers of teachers in China since 2005. Reach To Teach has grown each year, sending more and more teachers to China. This is a great thing for our alumni network, which allows teachers to connect with the many Reach To Teach alumni both in China and around the world. Reach To Teach also places teachers in South Korea, Taiwan and Georgia, among other countries.
What happens if Reach To Teach teachers run into problems while teaching English in China?
Carrie: First of all, we hope this never happens (and it's very rare!). If you do run into difficulties while teaching in China, having Reach To Teach to lean on for support is a great asset. Reach To Teach is a western organization and we genuinely care about our teachers. We keep in touch with our teachers on the ground quite regularly. Our teachers know Reach To Teach is ALWAYS available to help. This is true for big and small issues alike! We have teachers who ask our advice about little things like how to say a word in Chinese, or how to deal with a particularly sticky cultural situation. We enjoying helping our teachers in any way we can.
Further Info
About Reach To Teach
As any ESL Teacher can tell you, finding a good teaching job abroad can be difficult. Similarly, a lot of ESL schools feel that finding a good teacher is equally difficult. This is where we at Reach To Teach come in. Our motto is matching great teachers with great schools.
There are a lot of ESL jobs available abroad, however it can be difficult to find one which matches your wants and needs. Reach To Teach is here to help. We carefully screen all our schools to ensure our teachers know as much as possible about their school and the contract they will be signing. You can feel comfortable and confident moving overseas knowing what your job will be like.
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I am a teacher in Wuxi China. As a woman I feel very safe. Living here and working here is like have about 15 big brothers. My office is prominently male, and whenever I go out I feel like I am flanked like the president. Living and working in China has been great. My landlord is excellent and works well with me, because random things break all the time. My neighbors are nice too, even though we don't understand each other. I gave him the number to our foreign service officer in case I have ever had problems, and he called him once, when my key snapped in my door at 5 am and he came right out to help me. I have made some great new friends and it feels like a family here. Sure the buracracy can be a little awkward, but all in all I have enjoyed my time here so far and I think I may stay here longer.
Critical Feedback:
I would be nice if there were more women in my office, but that wouldn't be the program's fault.