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 1-to-1 classes

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Our team

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Edwin

Position: Teacher

Hello, I’m Edwin from New Zealand. I have the CELTA teaching qualification and have taught young learners and adults in New Zealand and China. I am proud to be a teacher in EF as I aim to enrich and invigorate my students and broaden my horizons here in beautiful Hangzhou. I am especially happy to be in Hangzhou, as it is one of the most beautiful cities in the China. Education First gives me chance to use all my teaching methodology and practical experience in each and every class.

Julian

Position: Teacher

Hello, my name is Julian and I’m from the US. I am very excited to be teaching English in China! I was a children’s soccer coach for four years during my time in university. Learning Chinese and living in Hangzhou, one of the most beautiful cities in China, just happens to be a wonderful bonus. Education First has provided me with training and support to help me on my path to become a great teacher, and I look forward to the rest of this journey.

Byron

Position: Teacher

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.

Dieter

Position: Teacher

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.

Jacqueline

Position: Teacher

Hi, I’m Jacqueline. After deciding to teach abroad, choosing a city in China was a daunting task. But I’m happy I chose Hangzhou and I’m having a great time. I love city life and Hangzhou is alive with activity. We’re close to nature too: The West Lake is beautiful. I’m also developing as a teacher and enjoying the creativity that comes with this job. I have bonded with lots of students already and living in China has given me a feeling that the world isn’t that so big after all!

Philip

Position: Teacher

My name is Philip. Ireland is where I was conceived, educated, and fattened up, in roughly that order. My love for the English language spurred me to become a teacher, and I came to China to share that passion in the classroom. I arrived in June 2017 and found Hangzhou to be different from everything I’d ever known, in the most delightful ways. The people I work with and the children I endeavor for have made Hangzhou remarkable to me. That and the sweet and sour pork. Yes, definitely the sweet and sour pork.

Janine

Position: Teacher

EF Hangzhou & Huzhou gave me the opportunity to live and work in one of China’s most beautiful cities. EF was a natural choice as it is a company that provides extensive support to its teachers as well as providing further training to expand my teaching knowledge.

Chloe

Position: 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.

Andrew

Position: Teacher

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

Sachin

Position: 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.