Appliances:  China uses 210 V AC current.  Most home wall outlets accommodate three kinds of plugs. First, a standard US two prong flat plug. Second, European style 2 prong round plug. Thirdly, a three prong plug (one straight up and down and two at approx. 35 degree angles.

[Left: Standard electical outlet in China]

Do check your appliances before you bring them. Most computers and many small appliances do have 210/110 dual capabilities.

[plugs in China]

Do not attempt to bring any 110 Volt only items here.  Converters, if you could find them, would be expensive. In addition to the two plug types pictured above, you can use standard flat two prong plugs too.

You probably do not need to bring any appliances with you.  Any small appliance you might need can be purchased quite reasonably here.  DVD players run about 400 RMB (about 50 US dollars) and they are the most expensive appliance you would normally buy.

Your refrigerator, washing machine, etc. will all be provided by the school.

Airline Tickets:  You will be met by someone from the school when you arrive.  You should fly in to Changchun International Airport (Jilin Province).  From there we will pick you up and take you to your apartment to get settled in. 

When you buy your ticket, you should be able to buy a one-way ticket since you can show you have a Z Visa (Working Visa) in China.

Many airlines will refuse to let you board the plane to China if you do not have a round-trip ticket. Some airlines just don't understand the rules and want you to buy a return ticket even if you have a work permit (this is an exception, ask to speak to a supervisor). If all esle fails, buy a REFUNDABLE ticket to Malaysia or somewhere very near China (NOT Taiwan!). The requirement is only that you show you are exiting China. Then refund the ticket in China.

You can eat a meal ranging from 6 RMB at a clean, simple noodle shop up to 50 RMB for a Western style all-you-can-eat buffet at a luxury hotel.

You can shoot pool (billiards) for 5-10 RMB per hour depending on where you go.

You can go bowling (two games plus shoe rental) for 20 RMB.

A 30 minute massage will cost 15 RMB.

A 1 liter bottle of beer ranges from 2 to 20 RMB depending on where you buy.

A haircut costs 5 RMB

A McDonalds meal (supersized) will cost about 20 RMB.

High speed ADSL Internet access (including voice phone) will cost 100 RMB per month.

One half kilo of onions are 2 RMB.

A bottle of fresh yoghurt is 1.5 RMB.

A new release movie DVD (buying, not renting) is 6 RMB.

Heating: Heat is provided to you without cost.  Heat in your apartment comes from steam radiators in the rooms.

Most of the students are pleasant, and many quite delightful to teach.  There are of course, a few bad apples in any barrel.  Unlike most English Training Centers, our teachers are empowered to remove disruptive students from class. If necessary, we will expel disruptive students.

In our school, where we use a escalating method of discipline.  We have a Chinese teacher in every class who is responsible for maintaining classroom order as well as helping translate when necessary (primarily for administrative and safety issues).

Class sizes:  In our English Training Centerl, class sizes are limited to a maximum between 25 to 30 students, with the average class size 22 or under.

Chinese schools will provide you with the resources they feel necessary.  Most classes are taught with a book, a blackboard and the occasional flash card or handout.

In our main school, we use pretty much the same resources except we have developed a considerable collection of A4 sized (slightly larger than standard 8.5 X 11" paper) laminated flash cards to teach vocabulary words.  We use real clocks to teach time, plastic fruit and vegetables and the like. 

Thumbnail Sample of A4 Flash cards

You will find the books and materials adequate to teach the assigned classes.

We use games, songs and blackboard activities to reach all learning styles.  We will teach you these methods when you arrive if you don't know them. In addition, you always can rely on other instructors here to share ideas on teaching methods.

Distance to School:  We do not require you to live at the school or in any sort of gated compound. You can come and go as you please.  Our apartments are currently located in one housing area in the city; this helps build our own small community.  As a rule of thumb, you will be within 10 minutes by taxi from your school.  Public transportation is inexpensive and widespread. 

Normally, there will be an open market near your apartment where you can buy eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables and the like.  There are also large, Western style department stores where you can shop for food, clothing, electronics and household goods.

Spare time:  You will have spare time to explore the city and experience life in China.  We understand that teachers need a balance in their lives. After all, why come to China if you are going to teach forty class hours a week or work six days a week? This is why we provide teachers two (consecutive in most cases) days a week off as well as 42 days vacation/holiday time each year. 

For your own protection and peace of mind, you should arrive in China with enough money to cover your first month's costs as well as an emergency fund.

We understand that this is not always possible sometimes and we do have a provision to allow teachers, if necessary (and there is enough office cash on hand), to draw up to one-half month's pay in advance.

You will be paid the first of every month for every full month you work. If you arrive after the middle of the month, your first payday will be six weeks later and include your first partial month's pay. If you arrive before the middle of the month, you will be paid a pro rata amount depending how many days you worked that month.

If you bring food products, be prepared to have them possibly confiscated.  The rules seem to be arbitrarily interpreted and enforced on this matter so just be prepared. Oddly, having foreign food products mailed to you seems to present no problems.

* deodorant * feminine hygiene products  * Prescription medicine  * dental floss  * large heavy socks 

We are not a "White-face-talking-at- random" school.  In our main campus, we give students both oral and written tests and consider student progress a serious matter.

Also, at our school we require written lesson plans and bookwork for every class.  We have an obligation to our students and parents to provide quality teaching and measurable results.

In the public schools, Chinese teacher's test student progress and books are used every lesson.

About 25 minutes by taxi, or one hour by bus is the Song Hua lake where you can take a boat tour of several islands. This is a beautiful all day activity.

You will be paid the first of every month for every full month you work. If you arrive after the middle of the month, your first payday will be six weeks later and include your first partial month's pay. If you arrive before the middle of the month, you will be paid a pro rata amount depending how many days you worked that month.

Pay and Payday: You will be paid once a month.  You will be paid in full and on time (minus any funds you owe to the school for cash advances, etc.).

Overtime and Supplemental Income:  Overtime, when available, will be paid at 100 RMB.  Teachers are not prohibited from legal outside activities to supplement their income as long as the activity does not involve teaching our targeted demographic (4-14 year olds).

Changchun International airport is only 1.5 hours from Jilin. You can take a shuttle bus to and from the airport for 40 RMB.

School Address:  The school address is:  Kenneth's English School, 5 th Floor, Annex B, Great Wall Building, Jilin City, Jilin Province, China  Phone: 0432-2454208

If you want to bring a few favorite Music CDs that would be fine, but almost any movie imaginable can be found here quite cheaply.

Currency Rate: The RMB is currently about 7.00 per U.S. dollar.

Bed and Bedding: Your bed and bedding, as well as all other common household supplies and cookware, will be provided by the school.

Our school pays up to 400 RMB, per incident, for medical costs related directly to unexpected illness or injury.  This also covers testing and medicine.

400 RMB is more than adequate to cover the basic illnesses and injuries you are likely to encounter during your stay here.

The best hospital in Jilin is down the block from our main school and we have excellent contacts there who not only expedite service but give us a considerable discount on the price foreigners usually pay in China.

We do not cover preventative medical procedures or testing, pregnancy, or emergency medical evacuation costs.

If you feel you need medical coverage beyond what we offer (catastrophic medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation services, etc.) you will need to find and purchase these on your own before you arrive.

Water:  Like all of China, bottled water is used for human consumption.  While the tap water is safe for bathing, it is not recommended for drinking.  The school will provide you with a hot and cold water dispenser.  You will buy bottles of water as you need them (about 12 RMB per 5 gal. bottle). Bottles usually last 10 - 14 days.  Notify the school when you need more water and we will arrange delivery to your apartment.

We do welcome job candidates who have passed our initial screening process to contact teachers at our school for an unbiased opinion.

Visas: You will need a Z Visa (Work Visa) to legally work in China. Our school is authorized to hire foreign teachers and we will take care of all the paperwork and expenses incurred on this end, including your China physical exam).

Utilities:  You are responsible to pay for your water, bottled gas, electricity and phone costs.  All together, you utilities should run about 300 RMB per month, more or less depending upon your consumption habits.  ADSL is available at approximately 100 RMB per month extra.

Washing Machine:: Your apartment will be equipped with a washing machine. You can use it or you can find a cleaning worker to come in once a week and do your laundry and clean your apartment for about 30 RMB.