Careers and training

Professional development and training

What can you gain from us?

It doesn’t matter if you’re starting a teaching career with EF, taking a gap year, career break or just figuring things out after graduation. We’re here to help you start meaningful work overseas, and take the stress out of moving abroad.

We aim to develop and nurture your teaching credentials by placing you in one of our fun, engaging and dynamic teaching institutions to make your work, social and cultural life in China as fulfilling as possible. We’re looking to bring on board those teachers who are committed to teaching not only as a career, but to also develop themselves in a position that provides stability. Thus we provide teachers 15 month and 2-year contracts (2-year contract would be given higher priority and a more rewarding salary package).

In addition to a competitive salary, we also provide our teachers with a housing stipend, visa reimbursement, flight allowance, quarterly performance bonuses, medical insurance and more. Don’t have a TEFL? Don’t worry! If you apply through us we can offer you a full 120 hour TEFL course at a subsidized price, significantly cheaper than the standard cost. We can even begin proceedings with your application prior to you obtaining the TEFL certificate.

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What academic support & development can you expect from us?

Initial onboarding

Within the first 2 weeks after arrival, we place our new teachers onto our comprehensive training and onboarding program with other new arrivals. This features a thorough introduction to our courses, processes and procedures.

During training, you will have the chance to meet and greet some of our current teachers and observe their classes. This is a perfect opportunity to take on board their methods and advice before constructing your own lesson plans and demo lessons, after which you will receive constructive feedback and guidance.

Mentor system

After finishing onboarding, teachers then go to their schools where they are assigned a mentor. The mentor’s role is to proactively involve themselves and give help, advice and feedback on all aspects of the job from lesson planning, teaching and admin tasks. The mentor reports back to the DoS so extra help can be provided if needed.

Probation period induction

All teachers have access to an online self-study program which gives further guidance and training in all aspects of teaching such as:

Classroom management
Classroom interactions
Motivating students to learn
Error correction
Pace in the classroom

Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test qualifications

We’ll train you and pay for you to take these internationally recognized qualifications. They’ll enhance both your knowledge and classroom skills as well as boosting your CV with evidence of continuous, formal learning.

Hub training

Each quarter we run a city wide training session that focusses on key aspects of our teaching context with topics such as:

Developing phonics skills
Teaching grammar
Cognition in the classroom
Condition for language learning

In center training

Regular trainings and workshops that focus on developing key classroom skills, sharing of ideas and activities and developing technical teaching knowledge.

Quarterly appraisals

We believe in giving regular feedback (both informal and formal) and conduct bonus linked appraisals that review the previous three months but also give development goals and targets for the upcoming three months. This transparent feedback allows teachers to know exactly how they’re doing and what they need to do going forward.

Career ladder

We offer a ten-step career ladder with clear criteria so all staff who want to progress get the opportunity to reach their full potential. We pride ourselves on developing our teachers and nothing gives us greater pleasure than seeing a teacher progress through the ranks and developing lifelong skills and expertise.

Logistics

We provide logistics support in regards to finding an apartment in which to live, setting up a bank account and more, ensuring that the transition to life in China is as smooth as possible

Learning Chinese

Learn Chinese while you teach. Take advantage of free Chinese lessons to better equip yourself with all the language necessities for living in China. Classes are held every week and you have the option of choosing the topics you’d like to learn with small group classes

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Our team

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George Zhu

Position: Associate Senior Teacher

My name is George, and I am a local teacher. Since graduating from university in 2017, I've always wanted to work for a multi-cultural company. And I also believe children are the world's future. With knowledge there comes power. EF courses aim at holistic learning and have helped a great number of students. I appreciate the opportunities EF has given me and I am enjoying this journey.

Sylvia

Position: Teacher

My name is Sylvia and I am from Canada. I stumbled upon this opportunity by accident, as I did not think I would have the courage to move my life halfway across the world. I love not just the city of Hangzhou, but China in general. On days off, I love to explore the city – there is a nightlife in Hangzhou as well as many scenic areas for those who love to get in touch with nature. Every day presents new challenges and new experiences for me to grow not only as an individual, but as an English teacher.

Chloe

Position: Senior Teacher

I’m Chloe from the UK. I first taught English in South Africa and I’ve also taught in Spain. I have wanted to live in China for many years and in September 2017, I made the move to Hangzhou. Hangzhou is a beautiful city and everyone has been so welcoming! This job combines two things I love, teaching and travelling so coming here was an easy decision for me. Teaching at EF has been brilliant, filled with so many opportunities and experiences that will help me to learn and progress.

Dieter

Position: Associate Director of Studies

Why did I join EF? I was attracted to EF Hangzhou & Huzhou because of the excellent support they provide to both students and teachers. I was particularly interested in working in the beautiful city of Hangzhou to use it as a base to enrich my teaching skills, discover China as well as learn Mandarin.

Betty Yu

Position: Associate Senior Teacher

My name is Betty, and I am a local teacher at HZ9. I've been working as an English teacher for 4 years after graduation. I love teaching kids and I also love working with my EF colleagues. EF courses are interesting and systematic. I believe that children can benefit from an EF education, as it will broaden their horizons.

Sachin

Position: Senior Teacher

Hello, my name is Sachin and I’m from Johannesburg, South Africa. It has been a privilege to come half-way across the world and teach English to children. In life, one always seeks for purpose and seeing these children learning and producing English in a fun and friendly environment gives me that purpose. I am honored to be here, and I cannot wait to experience more of what China has to offer.

Byron

Position: Associate Director of Studies

I’m Byron from South Africa. On the quest for a unique experience, I found myself teaching English in Huzhou. By Chinese standards, Huzhou is a smaller city but its pace of life and buzzing atmosphere still give off that big-city vibe. I have been in Huzhou since April 2017 and it has been an awesome adventure. Huzhou is a modern city with lots of western influences but it still has its local and traditional Chinese roots. With its culture, heritage, traditions and local dishes, this city has truly intrigued me.

Jon

Position: Teacher

I'm Jon from the UK. Teaching in China was my first time as a teacher and the training and support given by EF gave me the confidence and skills to jump into the classrooms and discover what an amazing and rewarding career this is. Hangzhou is an ideal place to teach with both the old and new portions of the city and a welcoming people that make every day a pleasure to be here.

Andrew

Position: Director of Studies

My name’s Andrew and I hail from the land of the Scots. What’s it like to teach in Huzhou? Honestly, if you like exploring new places, cultures and cuisine you’ll find plenty of new things here. You might not find a Tunnock’s Teacake but you can find all the comforts of home. Sort of. It’s hard to sum up a “small” Chinese city in a few. China is so different. There’s millions of people to meet, thousands of restaurants to choose, hundreds of attractions to visit and one great experience

Daisy Zhou

Position: Local Teacher

My name is Daisy and I am a local teacher. I am from Huzhou and I've been working in Hangzhou since 2020. I enjoy my life and teaching in Hangzhou. The culture, humanities and landscape of Hangzhou contribute to its great attraction. Hangzhou to me is a second hometown since I spent my wonderful university life here. English was my major and now I find it a great pleasure to teach kids English. I'm honoured to take the responsibilities and I appreciate the opportunities that EF provides me, which encourages me to learn and develop with kids together.

Jessica

Position: Senior Teacher

My name is Jessica, and I’m from the UK. After completing my Masters at Newcastle University, I wanted to build up my confidence and self-awareness through teaching English as a Foreign Language. Hangzhou seemed like the right choice for me. The mixture of contemporary buildings as well as traditional architecture made it particularly attractive. I have definitely made the most of my journey so far, and it has been an unforgettable experience. Working for EF has been challenging yet rewarding; it has not only allowed me to learn and grow individually, but my students have grown alongside me.