Site Map and Topic Index

What You Need to Know Before You Arrive

Introduction to the Guide

EFL Industry

Impetus Behind Learning English

Is Teaching Oral English for Me?

Vocational Aspects Sociodemographic Aspects
Personal Aspects

Minimum Legal Qualifications

Qualifications in Practice

Issues of "Race" and Nationality

No Respect as a Foreign Teacher

So Why Do We Stay?

TEFL Certification

School Types

Compensation

Salary

Can I live on my teaching salary?

Income Tax

Sample Calculation of Income Tax

Housing

Understanding the Housing Quality

Paid Holidays and Vacations

Golden Week Holidays

Travel and Medical Benefits

Teaching Contracts

SAFEA Contracts
What Addendum Should Include
Misleading Wording
Employer Breach of Contract
How to End Contract

Teaching Location

Region and City Size
Pollution
Regional/Linguistic Differences
Maps of China

Teaching in Other Fields

Project 211 Universities
Hong Kong and Macau

How to Find Teaching Jobs

Exercise Extreme Caution
Beware of Recruiters
How to Apply for a Job
Speaking with Other Teachers

Preparing For Your Arrival

Obtaining a Z-Visa
What to Bring from Home

Your Initial Adjustment to China

Four Stages of Culture Shock

Language Barrier

Mianzi and Guanxi

Currency and Banking

Currency
Detecting Counterfeit Money
Everything is So Cheap!
Banking
Sending and Receiving Money
International Credit Card
Notary Services
Paying Bills

Social Etiquette and Customs

Dinner Invitations
Privacy and Personal Space
Business Cards
Fate and Luck
Visiting Sick Employees
Public Displays of Affection
Napping
Elevator Etiquette

Personal and Public Hygiene

Transportation

Ground transportation
Air transportation
Driving Licenses and Registration

Technology

Computers
Entertainment
Internet
Mobile Phones & IP Cards
Communication Security
Voltage, Plugs and Video Format

Shopping

Buyer Beware
Weights & Measurements

Eating, Drinking & Smoking

Chinese Food in China
Chinese Western Food
Breakfast Woes
Cooking at Home
Alcohol & Bar Scene
Cigarettes

Healthcare System

Medical Training
Healthcare Delivery
Western Meds, Chinese Use
Medication Availability
Live with the Pain
Eye & Dental Care
Mental Health Services

Personal Care

Bath Houses/Massage
Barber Shops/Beauty Salons

Work Adjustment Problems

Work Environment

Stark Environment
Absence of Support Services

Last Minute Changes

Split-Shifts & Overtime

Office Hrs & Other Free Work

English Corners/Contests
Free Advertising

Housing Problems

Off-Campus Housing
Noise Pollution

Office Politics

Foreign Affairs Officer
Chinese "English" Names
Given Names Only
Western "Colleagues"
Anti-Americanism

Ongoing Work and Social Adjustment Issues

Outside Employment

Non-Teaching Work
Private Teaching

Working on L- & F-Visas

Unnecessary Risk-taking
Chinese Visas at a Glance

Understanding Friendships

Potential for Exploitation

Dating and Relationships

Introduction

Unavailability & Underepresentation

What Chinese Girls Want

Attraction to Foreign Men

Dating Etiquette

Relationships Chinese Style

Finding English-Speaking Girls

Spoiled & Over-indulged
Big Boss Syndrome

Marital Advantages

Homosexual Relationships

Caution with Prostitutes

Family-Related Issues

Marrying a Chinese National
Marrying Another Foreigner
Having a Baby
Raising Children
Religious Worship
Traveling With & Buying Pets

Contract Renewal

Changing Jobs & Provinces

Concluding Remarks

References

Latest News

Appendices

Mini-Checklist (if you've read the guide)

Comprehensive Summary Checklist

Project 211 Universities

China EFL Teacher Resources

Foreign Expert Offices

Residency Requirements

Files

Sample Cover Letter

Sample Expert Work Certificate

Visa Application

Sample Résumé

Sample SAFEA Contract

Sample Invitation Letter

Physical Exam Record

Self-Assessment Tool and Surveys

English Teacher Self-Assessment

Reader's Survey

English Teacher Satisfaction Survey