GENERAL INFORMATION

PLEASE SEE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2003 IN "INFORMATION" SECTION - CLICK ON "INFORMATION" TILE.  ONLY CANDIDATES QUALIFIED FOR PLACEMENT-ONLY STATUS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN 2003.

The China Teaching Program places college and university graduates in one-year teaching positions in the People's Republic of China.  Prior to departure for China, program participants are trained in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) methodology; Chinese language, history and culture; and preparation for living in China.  The intensive five-week CTP training course, taught by both American and Chinese instructors, is held on the Western Washington University campus in the summer, and participants are in class approximately 35 hours per week.

A placement-only option is available for applicants with substantial background in Chinese studies or extended experience living in China and a significant amount of teaching experience, preferably in ESL.  Candidates wishing to be considered for the placement-only option should consult with the director.

Placement levels and locations: The China Teaching Program places participants as foreign teachers (graduates with a bachelor's degree) and foreign experts (graduates with an advanced degree) at institutions of higher education and secondary schools throughout China.  Past participants have been placed at schools in Chengdu, Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Kunming, Guangzhou, Changchun, Tianjin, Harbin, Shenyang, Lanzhou, Nanning, Xiamen, Hohhot, Wuhan, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Dalian, Wenzhou, Changsha, Hefei, Shantou, Yan’an, and many other locations.  Teaching assignments begin in late August to early September, coinciding with the start of the fall semester in China.

Program costs: Please see details listed under Program and Teaching.

Qualifications: The program is open to college or university graduates from all fields of study.  China background is not necessary. Participants are chosen on the basis of academic and work experience, maturity, flexibility, motivation, and commitment to teaching English as a foreign language.  FOR 2003, TESOL / TESL / TEFL CERTIFICATION (EITHER COMPLETED OR IN PROCESS) WILL BE REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION. TESOL certification is available through Western Washington University’s TESOL Program and may be coordinated with China Teaching Program placement by arrangement with the two program directors.  For more information on the TESOL Program, please consult the website at  http://www.wwu.edu/~extended/tesl/or call (360) 650-4949.

Please note: The Chinese institutions with which we work require that foreign teachers of English and foreign experts teaching courses in English be native speakers of that language.  Rare exceptions are made for applicants with near-native ability, in consultation with the director.