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China Education Association for International Exchange

China Education Association for International Exchange

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Nowhere on Earth has a TEFL market like China – around 400 million Chinese people are English learners, currently taught by over one million TEFL teachers.

To help join up Chinese and foreign education, and to improve standards of English and cultural knowledge throughout the country, the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) program encourages English teachers from abroad to come and work in the country.

The CEAIE is a great pathway into teaching English as a foreign language in China. And with flights, accommodation and health insurance costs all covered, the CEAIE offers a clear route to discovering this ancient, fascinating country – from skyscraper-filled megacities to wide open rural areas.

What is the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE)?

The CEAIE is a non-profit organization, affiliated to the Chinese government, that has been working with overseas partners since 2005 to help both young people and experienced teachers come and teach foreign languages in Chinese schools – particularly in smaller cities and rural areas, where English proficiency is low.

Its mission is to “provide excellence and accessibility for students, teachers, scholars, school leaders and administrators from China and the world to foster understanding and respect … in every aspect of the development and reform of education.”

With provincial associations for international exchanges in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, along with local chapters in 16 major cities, the CEAIE has members from institutions across China’s entire education sector.

Program overview

The CEAIE is more than just a language-learning program. Alongside long-term educational benefits, it wants teachers to share cultural knowledge and demonstrate a different world view to students.

Offering you the opportunity to work at a Chinese state school, college, or university, it’s a hands-on experience of Chinese culture and education, enabling you to earn a living, and develop your teaching skills.

TEFL teachers are placed across provinces, covering vast areas of the country. Although you can state your preferences in your application, you can’t choose where you go, so you won’t know in advance if you’re working in a rural or urban area. Either way, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Download our teaching English in Asia guide

CEAIE program benefits

With a salary and impressive benefits, the CEAIE program is a fantastic opportunity to live and work in the world’s biggest TEFL market.

Teachers of English in China earn a salary of around $720 – $2,200 (£550 – £1,700) per month. There are further perks to the CEAIE scheme, including:

  • Visa: Your Z Visa fee payments should be covered, up to 2,000 RMB (£213 / $286). Your school will cover any further visa fees when you arrive in China.
  • Flights and transport: If you’re a successful applicant, you’ll receive 10,000 RMB (£1,068 / $1,433) to cover flights, train tickets from Beijing to your school and airport pick-up in Beijing.
  • Accommodation: You’ll have access to a private bedroom within a shared living space.
  • Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage is part of the CEAIE package.
  • Medical: The CEAIE will cover the cost of the basic medical exam that you must complete to receive the correct visa and permits.

Eligibility requirements for teaching English with CEAIE

To apply for the CEAIE program, you need:

  • Native English skills
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • A passport from one of the following countries: the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia
  • To be between 20 and 55 years old
  • A TEFL certificate or two years of teaching experience – the industry standard for a TEFL qualification is 120 hours of study.

You’ll also need a clean criminal record and will have to pass a basic health screening.

Application timeline and process

The online application process for CEAIE’s Teach in China program is fairly straightforward, and there is plenty of guidance online to help you.

You’ll be asked to provide the following:

  • A completed online application form
  • A transcript of your bachelor’s degree
  • A resumé (no longer than three pages)
  • A personal statement (check out our guide to cover letters for tips)
  • A video lesson recording
  • 1-2 letters of recommendation.

Tip: To boost your application, include your interests and hobbies in your resumé to show what you can contribute outside of teaching hours.

Teaching role and responsibilities

Once you’ve been offered a place, you will be asked to sign a 10-month teaching contract from a Chinese school, starting with a two-week ‘training camp’ provided by CEAIE. This aims to teach you about the Chinese education system and give you your first opportunity to learn Mandarin.

As a TEFL teacher in China, you’ll be responsible for leading classes, supported by a local teacher. Classes can vary widely in size, from 10 students to 60 or more. You’ll typically have 16-20 hours of teaching time per week during regular school hours in mainstream Chinese schools, which are Monday to Friday, 7am-4pm for primary school pupils, and as late as 7am-9pm for high schoolers. The long hours often include breaks between lessons and extended lunch hours for rest or to do prep.

You’ll mainly be tasked with helping students improve their confidence and ability in speaking English, through lessons, games, events and other activities. While there will be a curriculum to follow, you can usually put your own stamp on things – the main aim is for you to share cultural knowledge, not rigid academic teaching.

Where you might be placed

One of the key pillars of the CEAIE program is placing teachers across China, which means placements tend to be outside of the major cities. You don’t get to choose where you’ll go, so while you could end up among the bright lights of Beijing or Shanghai, it’s more likely that you’ll work in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 city or in a province like Xinjiang, Guizhou or Gansu, where access to English education is less widely available.

As a language teacher, you’ll teach in a university, primary school, middle school, college, or university. 

Tip: While ‘college’ and ‘university’ are interchangeable in other countries, the two are very different in China – Chinese universities are state-owned and operated, while colleges can be run privately.

Life in China as a CEAIE teacher

No matter where you’re placed as a CEAIE teacher, you’ll have the chance to integrate into a new community. It’s not a requirement that you can speak Mandarin or Cantonese to participate in the CEAIE program, but some basic knowledge is useful. You’ll take Mandarin lessons in the role anyway, while your generous weekly schedule means plenty of time to explore your surroundings and speak to people.

The basic teaching salary can cover experiences like museums, restaurant meals, and travel. Cost of living can differ, but is generally low and should enable you to explore your surroundings, sample local cuisine and culture, and have the Chinese experience you’ve been dreaming of. The lower cost of living in rural areas makes it easier for you to save money.

You could be placed in a school where you’re part of a community with other TEFL teachers, or you may be on your own. Both options allow you to make new friends and discover life outside of teaching hours.

Opportunities and challenges

As with every TEFL teaching scheme, there are advantages and disadvantages to teaching through the China Education Association for International Exchange. These include:

Advantages

  • Comprehensive support: The CEAIE will support you from start to finish. Other teaching programs, like EPIK or JET (in South Korea and Japan), can be more hands-off, but the CEAIE helps with visas, accommodation, and more.
  • Authenticity: You’ll have an authentic Chinese education experience, somewhere that needs your expertise. It’s a great way to experience different aspects of Chinese culture.
  • Real-life teaching experience: CEAIE’s Teach in China program helps you to build experience – especially useful for new teachers. You are likely to find yourself running classes, designing materials, monitoring learning outcomes and fulfilling all the typical responsibilities of a full-time teacher.
  • Networking: The CEAIE places thousands of teachers across China, with plenty of networking opportunities. During orientation, you can meet like-minded TEFL talent and build connections and, once you start work, you’ll meet and learn from Chinese teachers.
  • Limited bureaucracy: The CEAIE may be a not-for-profit organization, but the Chinese government backs it. Your Z visa will be processed relatively quickly, and you’ll have no trouble getting into or moving around the country.
  • Opportunity to test yourself: Given the demand for English language exchange in China, there’s every chance you’ll be thrown immediately into an intense, demanding environment. It sounds scary, but it’s an excellent opportunity to test yourself.

Disadvantages

  • Placement choices: While you can state preferences for where you want to teach in China, you’re unlikely to have a say in the final decision. If you’re determined to work in a certain part of the country, it’s easier to apply for a specific job in a school there.
  • Salary: Salaries for CEAIE’s Teach in China program can be low. You may be stuck with a school that doesn’t pay teachers very well, which can limit your experiences in China. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that a low cost of living helps your money to go further.
  • Native speaker bias: The program’s bias towards native English speakers from certain countries means there’s little chance for non-native English speakers to participate.

China Education Association for International Exchange in summary

The CEAIE program offers qualified TEFL teachers a way to experience Chinese life and its education system. Here are some key takeaways to remember before applying:

  • Requirements: You need native English skills, a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate, and a passport from the UK, USA, New Zealand, Canada, or Australia. You must also be aged between 20 and 55.
  • Salary: The CEAIE Teach in China program offers a monthly salary between £550 £1,700 / $720 and $2,200, with benefits including accommodation, flights and visa coverage.
  • Location: You could be placed anywhere in China. CEAIE tends to focus on under-represented parts of the country.
  • Pros: Authentic experience of Chinese schools, chance to explore lesser-known cities and towns.
  • Cons: Lack of location choice, low salary.

Teaching English in China is a massive industry and, given the demand for learners, it’s no wonder programs like CEAIE exist to put teachers where they’re needed most. If you’re ready to embrace a different learning environment and can adapt to a new culture, this could be a perfect introduction to teaching in China.

More on teaching English in China

Frequently Asked Questions

    While it may not have the popularity or branding of a program like EPIK or JET, the CEAIE program is a fantastic opportunity for teachers. Here are the most-asked questions about the program.

  • Q. Who is eligible for the CEAIE Teaching program?

    To be eligible for the CEAIE Teach in China program, you must be a native English speaker, have a bachelor’s degree, hold a passport from the USA, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia, and be aged between 20 and 55 years old.

  • Q. Do I need to speak Chinese to join the CEAIE Teaching program?

    It’s not a requirement that you can speak Mandarin or Cantonese to participate in the CEAIE program, although a little knowledge can be helpful. You can learn Mandarin through cultural immersion and training once you’ve been assigned a school.

  • Q. What kind of schools will I work in through the CEAIE Teaching program?

    The CEAIE Teach in China program enables teachers to work in primary schools, middle schools, colleges and universities.

  • Q. How much will I earn through the CEAIE Teaching program?

    Salaries through the CEAIE’s Teach in China program vary depending on the school or institution you work in. You can earn around $720 - $2,200 / £550 - £1,700 monthly.