Teaching materials and documents
You will be teaching oral English and listening skills to the students. The schools will offer you a textbook and the curriculum for the grades you will teach. You will have to do your own lesson plans to meet the needs of the students. Picture dictionaries, simple word games, flash cards and magazines with lots of food, clothing and homes will be useful. Most of our students are children (7-12 years old) and teenagers (13-18 years old) with low and intermediate English level.
The hard copies of all your documents (Diploma, certificate, reference letters), the original Physical Examination form and 8 passport size pictures.
A traveling book, such as the Lonely Planet about China will be very useful for you traveling all over China during your holiday.
Clothes
Clothes are very cheap to buy in China . Our teachers are required to dress in a professional manner. This does not mean that you need to bring your best suite, a T-shirt and Jeans are acceptable as long as they are neat and not ripped. Shorts and muscle (tank tops) are forbidden in the classroom. Modest sun dresses are allowed, but be conscious about wearing any dresses, sweaters or tops that are low cut and tight. We recommend that you bring the basics with you and then go shopping once you are here and find out what you still need, after all you will want to travel light. Please use common sense and bear in mind that China is a more conservative country than the country you are coming from. Teachers are held in high regard, dress like a professional.
Daily toiletries and cosmetics are also very inexpensive and available everywhere. Again we recommend travel light and buy when you arrive.
The weather in Hangzhou on February is still quite cold and rainy, about 0-4 centigrade degree; 25-33 centigrade degree during the Summer.
Medical supplies
If you require prescription medication bring as big a supply as possible with letters from your doctor and other documents supporting what the medication is and why it is needed. We also recommend that you bring a good supply of pain killers such as Ibuprofen, a multi vitamin and anti-diarrhea and/or travel sickness pills. Most other medicines such as cold and flu tablets etc. are available at all Chemist's shops in China .
Gifts for students and Chinese friends
Chinese people love receiving gifts from other countries. Small flags, pins, post cards, coins, and inexpensive stamps make excellent gifts and also good rewards for students with outstanding work. Try contacting your national heritage office or government representative, they will usually supply you with many of these items free of charge, such as flags, pins, stickers. A map of your country is also a good thing to bring.
Money
You should bring enough money with you for the first month, we suggest between 300 and 500 USD. This will get you through the first month as you may not get paid until the end of your first teaching month. The living expense is very low in China , about 500 Yuan RMB per month is ok.
Travelers Cheques can be exchanged in Hangzhou or Maoming. The VISA and other international credit card are also acceptable in the Bank of China.
Electrical goods
One thing you need to know is that Power Voltage in China is 220 V and Power Frequency is 50 H. This is the same as Europe, so if you are from America or Canada then you may want to consider bringing a travel plug. The Video operating system in China is as same as the European System (PAL System). |