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What is CTTRChina TESOL Teacher
Registry acts as a conduit for aspiring ESL teachers for all government schools throughout [almost] all China. We are not a recruiting agency per se, but rather a fully accredited official
government intermediary that is specifically authorised to recruit foreigners for positions in China that are related to Cultural and Educational disciplines. However, by default CTTR has become the
leading and largest recruiter of teachers for Chinese government approved schools. Which Schools, Colleges and Universities? China TESOL Teacher Registry [CTTR] processes
applications in association with the Foreign Affairs Offices [FAO] for SAFEA approved schools [Schools authorized to employ foreigners, and there are less than 10,000 out of the 357,000] and to FAO
authorized positions [Schools have quotas and must have inspected and approved teaching conditions and Western style accommodation to a minimum standard].
Assessment & Evaluation of your application. After your application and support documents have been evaluated by the BEEC [Beijing
Education Evaluation Committee] your portfolio will be sent to various provincial FAO for assessment and matching with vacancies at approved schools under the jurisdiction of the local Education
Commissions. When a satisfactory match is found, the school or FAO will forward to CTTR an offer [Appendix A of the SAFEA Employment Contract and a completed Questionnaire] that will outline the total
terms and conditions together with comprehensive details about your accommodation and the institution. The appointment offered will be held exclusively for you for three days, pending your decision. I want to check on the Internet. No positions offered by CTTR will appear on the Internet, government appointments never do. If you seek surety of tenure, personal security and safety,
government guaranteed full entitlement to benefits and a true teaching experience in a real school, teaching bona fide students, then it is up to you. If you accept an appointment. If you accept
the appointment, you will be asked to sign and return Appendix A. Fax or scanned copy OK. It is not a legal document in its present format, merely an indication of your acceptance confirmation of the
appointment and sufficient for the FAO to proceed with processing your travel papers. On arrival at school, the original will be signed and sealed by both parties together with the SAFEA Employment
Contract. Contracts signed outside of China have no legal validity and cannot be enforced. About Entry Visas. The institution will prepare your Official Invitation and the Foreign
Affairs Office with prepare your Residency Acceptance Permit, these will be faxed to you within 7-21 days, where upon you should apply within seven days for a Z Visa [work visa] from your nearest China
Embassy or Consulate, together with your passport, application form, passport size photograph and fee; details will be sent to you. Sometimes a visa section head will call for additional personal
support documentation, such as a medical report. Will I be met on arrival? On your arrival at the nominated destination airport you will be met by officials or representatives from the
employing institution, or CTTR staff [Subject to airport and institutions requirements] and either transferred to your employer's institution by ground transport, or an outbound flight to an airport near
your final destination, where you will be met and transferred. Is my employment legal? After you have arrived at the institution and signed the employment contract the FAO and Public
Security Bureau will issue your "Green Card" [Residency Permit] and Foreign Experts Certificate [Work License]. Therein and after, you will enjoy almost identical rights with the Chinese, and
enjoy your adventure in China, with all that it has to offer; hospitable and very friendly people, best food, best scenery and a unique experience.
Do I need to be able to speak Chinese?
China has one of the highest literacy rates in the world and is one of the most personally competitive countries. English is a compulsory second language; therefore, you will be teaching students who have a
good understanding of reading and writing, but not necessarily spoken English, and will be most eager to learn from you, hear about your experiences and family, your country and Western culture. You do
not need to speak Chinese, albeit advantageous, as you will find your students, once they respect you, will offer you all the assistance in teaching you will need. Where will I be posted? You may
be offered appointments anywhere in China; however, the applicants preference is always considered. Many applicants read travel books and source information about China from travel related Websites. Although
this is a good way to learn about China it is flawed in so far as it does not reflect what you may be seeking from your experience. Remember that you will not be moving on to another fabulous sight at
another five-star hotel, you will be living in the midst the local Chinese for an extended period of time. If you want to travel, do so during on of the many vacations. Beijing & Shanghai
Other applicants insist that they only want to teach in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou because the city names are familiar to
them and comprehensively covered in the media of their countries. They are also over populated by overpaid foreigners, fiercely competitive [14,000 foreign teachers in Beijing], have the highest cost of
living and often the worst employment conditions because of the foreign mind set, foreign company spouses who care little about independent teachers and lack of understanding about China. A 500ml glass of
beer in Shanghai will cost $5.00 in a "English Pub"; thirty kilometres away in Jiangsu Province a 700ml bottle will cost $0.18c. On a foreign teachers salary you cannot compete with Fortune 500
company personnel, and they set the benchmark for prices in the foreigner enclaves.The "Warm Southern Province" Syndrome. The most beautiful area, the most interesting ethnic people very soon pale as a result of exposure, and then become an ongoing and often festering annoyance when you find that
everywhere you go you are treated as another tourist, rather than resident. This is especially true in the southern provinces of Yunnan, Hunan, Sichuan, Guanxi, Guangdong, Fujian and Zhejiang where safety of
personal property is at risk and prices are most often two tiered. Also, one should consider the annual typhoon season that can result in months of toreential rain, major flooding and large-scale lengthy
electricity outrages. The best employment conditions and most friendly and hospitable people are off the tourist track.Adapting to the Chinese lifestyle. A final point for personal
consideration is that no matter where you go in China, it is very different from the West and not all people can adjust and adapt to what many perceive as an alien environment. Please be conscious of the
malady of Culture Shock, an aberration that afflicts about one in five, to a lesser or greater degree. For more information click here. |
