Welcome Package for New Teachers

Welcome Package for new teachers

How to apply

When is the best time to apply to FirstLeap? - First Leap accepts applications year round. Our busiest times for teacher arrivals fall in January/February and July/August, which means we are heaviest recruiting about 3-4 months before. What are the requirements to apply? - We are looking for motivated individuals, with a bachelor’s degree who are looking to explore a new culture. Additional qualifications such as experience teaching or TEFL/TESOL are given preference. Do I need a passport/Visa already to apply for the job? - Yes, in order to come to China you will need a valid passport with at least 1 year remaining and multiple visa pages empty. We will help you apply for a Visa before entering China. What is needed for the application process? - You should submit your information on our website or through email to [email protected]. You will be asked to fill in a new teacher information form (NTIF) so we can better get to know you, as well as a resume and passport information. I have no teaching experience, can I still apply? - Yes, many of our teachers had never taught before joining First Leap. As long as you have a positive attitude toward teaching, we can help you become a First Leap teacher. What is the interview process? - We will conduct two interviews with our recruitment team. The 1 st interview will be used to get to know you as a person and introduce some basics about First Leap and answer any preliminary questions. The 2nd interview will be a short teaching demonstration. For both interviews, we strongly recommend the use of a webcam. Can couples or groups of friends apply together? - Yes, we have many couples or groups of friends who have come to First Leap. We find that having someone close to you that is also going through the experience with you helps teachers adjust to China that much faster. Do I need to speak Chinese to apply? - No, many of our teachers don’t know a single word of Chinese before applying and speaking Chinese is not a requirement in any part of the job.

About the company

What is First Leap? - Started in February 2009, First Leap is an after school English training center. Based in Beijing, China with branches in 20+ cities around China, First leap is a business that aims to provide additional English education to students ages 1.5-15 on weekday nights and weekends. It was Business Unit of Tomorrow Advancing Life, a registered company with New York Stock Exchange What is TAL? - TAL Education Group is a leading K-12 after-school tutoring services provider in China. The acronym “TAL” stands for “Tomorrow Advancing Life,” which reflects our vision to promote top learning opportunities for K- 12 students in China through providing both high-quality teaching and content, as well as leading edge application of technology in the education experience. TAL Education Group offers comprehensive tutoring services to students from pre-school to the twelfth grade through three flexible class formats: small classes, personalized premium services, and online courses. Our tutoring services cover the core academic subjects in China’s school curriculum including mathematics, English, Chinese, physics, chemistry, and biology. We operate our small class math and science business under the brand Xueersi, our small class English business under the brand Lejiale, our small class Chinese business under the brand Dongxuetang, and our small class young learners ages three-to-eight business under the brand Mobby. Zhikang is our personalized premium services brand and xueersi.com is the domain name for our online school. Our learning center network includes twenty-five key cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi`an, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Taiyuan, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Suzhou, Shenyang,Jinan,Shijiazhuang,Qingdao,Changsha,Luoyang,Nanchang,Ningbo, Wuxi,Fuzhou and Hefei. We also operate www.jzb.com, a leading online education platform in China. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "XRS."

Is my contract or benefits any different if I am signed with an agency, instead of First Leap directly? - No, you will make the same money no matter if First Leap signs you directly or you are signed through an agency. First Leap’s fees to any agency don’t come out of the teachers’ salaries. Am I working for an agency or First Leap or both or neither? - Our agencies and First Leap have a strong business cooperation. All teachers who work at First Leap, whether signed directly with First Leap or through our agencies will have contact with both companies. Agencies can help all our teachers locate appropriate accommodations as well as pick-up and transportation during your arrival to Beijing. Because of this strong relationship, they are able to provide the same service to all teachers who work at First Leap, no matter if they are signed directly with First Leap or through an agency. If any problems arise, you can contact both parties simultaneously and they will reach a quick solution. What type of classes do you teach? - We teach fun interactive classes that get the students moving around the classroom and using English. We do this through a process called CLIL, which means Content Language Integrated Learning. We use subjects like Art, Music, Drama and Science to learn new words and interact with them. Do I have the same classes every week? - Mostly, we have a set roster of classes in each school, however, you may be asked to pick up classes from other teachers because of leave or overcrowding. What age students? - Students range in age for 1.5 to 15 years old, although most students fall between 2-10 years. Are materials provided? - Yes, all classes are already lesson planned with presentations ready made for the classroom, as well as a supply closet as each center stocked with all the needed supplies to carry out fun and interactive lessons. How long are the lessons? - Lessons range from 20 minutes to 50 minutes, depending on the age of the students What does a typical classroom look like? - Here is a picture of a typical classroom ->

How many students in each class? - Classes have no more than 14 students.

About the job

How many hours do I work? - Your working time is 32 hours each week. Wednesday 3:30-8:30pm, Thursday 4:30-8:30pm, Friday 3:30-8:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-7pm. (1 hour, unpaid for lunch is provided Saturday and Sunday) Where am I located? - During the interview process, we will discuss which city we wish to place you. Your specific location within the city will be discussed and decided once you have started training. If you have a specific preference or need, please make it known before your arrival and we will try to accommodate this. - It is not guaranteed that we can place couples or friends at the same center. We can try to accommodate this request but it will depend on the current center needs. If we can’t accommodate, we will do our best to make sure the centers are relatively distanced so you both have the same commute to work, if you are planning to live together. Is there a dress code? - Yes, teachers are given a work shirt to be worn in the classroom at all times. Teachers must also wear socks at all times in the classroom, and pants/dresses/shorts should be mobile, clean and unripped or not overly revealing. How long does my contract last? - Contracts last for at least 12 months, starting from the first day of training and ending on the 15th of the final month, which is our pay day. Can I stay longer than 1 year? - We really like and encourage teachers to stay longer than 1 year and have many attractive options for teachers, such as a pay raise, paid vacation days and more! Are any meals provided? - No, our schools don’t have a cafeteria so all meals are up to the teachers to provide for themselves, but most schools are located in or around shopping centers with plenty of eating options. When and how do I get paid? - You will be paid on the 15th of every month for the previous months work (Eg, September 15th you are paid for all work done in August. Is payment often delayed for any reason? - No, payment is always sent to the banks before payday so it arrives in your account at the correct day. As long as you have set up your bank account properly with our help, there will be no problems with your payment. Keep in mind, it may not arrive until later in the day in some circumstances, we don’t control the banks. - Teachers should confirm their working hours with the AD each month and if a problem arises, they can contact the payment personnel. When do I get paid my first paycheck? - If you start training after the 15th of the month, we will try to pay you in the following month, however, this might not always be possible. In some circumstances, we will have to pay you the month after next. (Eg. Training starts April 23rd, paid on June 15th.) Are there other requirements of my time besides teaching? - Yes, teachers are required to prepare their lessons, interact with our students, use our interactive APP to give feedback to students, participate in periodic training programs, take part in marketing events, communicate with co-workers daily and generally work to the betterment of your school. Is there any time off to travel? - We provide time off for all official Government National Holidays as well as giving teachers the option to take Dec 25th off as well. The two major holidays, Spring Festival and National Day provide a week or more of consecutive days off to travel around China and Southeast Asia. The handbook is really long, can I just skim it? - We provide the handbook as an extension to the teacher’s contracts to clearly lay out the working conditions for all teachers. While we can’t force any teacher to read it all, they are liable for all of its contents as ignorance of a policy does not excuse a mistake.

About China

What is the food like in China? Is it fortune cookies and sushi everywhere? - Food is extremely diverse in China. Not just the local food which each region has its own flair, but in the major cities, many western restaurants exist. As for fortune cookies, they are an American invention and you won’t find them in China. Sushi is growing in popularity in China, but is originally a Japanese dish, not Chinese. Chinese main dishes include kung pow chicken, egg and fried tomato and hot pot. How do I best get around in China? - China has tons of public transportation. Most cities have large numbers of public buses and Nanjing and Beijing have a subway line. On top of this, taxis can be taken to most locations, although are comparatively much more expensive. Are the laws much different in China? - Most laws that affect your life in China are similar in China to that of the west. However, China has an extremely strict drug policy. They have zero tolerance for drug use and impose strict and harsh penalties for those caught. Is China safe to live in? - China’s major cities are no more unsafe than the major cities in the west. Most apartment complexes are gated and police are a constant presence. How can I learn Chinese? - There are many different ways to learn Chinese in China, depending on your preferences. Most commonly, teachers choose to find a personal tutor, which can run about 30-150RMB (10RMB = 1 pound, 6.5 RMB=1 dollar) for 1 hour. Is travel restricted in China for foreigners? - For the most part travel is not restricted in China. Keep in mind, whenever you travel, you need to carry your passport and register with the local police upon your arrival (Hotels and hostels will do this for you). However, Tibet is the one area that can pose some difficulties for foreigners to travel to. It is possible to access, but you must go through the right channels. Should I read anything before coming to China? - There are plenty of great books on China. Whenever traveling to a new country, it is always handy to purchase the Lonely Planet guide. If you are looking for something more novel-based, you might try China Road, by Rob Gifford. How much English is spoken in China? - English is not spoken as much in China as it is in South America or Europe. However, that doesn’t mean you need to speak Chinese to survive in China. Most people will understand simple phrases and you can usually get your meaning across with some hand gestures and patience. There are also many restaurants with English or picture menus and most major businesses will have a token employee who can speak English. What are some big cultural difference between China and the west? - Any time you are coming to a new country, you must expect that things will be different. Before discussing any specific issues, it is best to say that teachers who do best in China are those people that can take a step back from each new situation no matter how bad or different it might seem and relax and try to work through it. - Here are a few things that teachers find to be different in China, however this list is not exhaustive: o Often schedule changes or additions are made last minute (this is because it is seen as a loss of face to say something will happen and then cancel, so people often wait until the last minute) o When eating at a restaurant with friends, it is seen as a great thing to pay the bill, so often Chinese people will fight to pay. If you want to pay, you need to really insist. o Also in restaurants, tipping is not allowed in most restaurants. This is because it is seen as you telling them that they need more money than they are already paid. o Foreigners are still a novelty in China. As a result, many people have a hard time hiding their curiosity, which might manifest itself in staring at you, asking you to take a photo with them or something as nice as everyone saying hello to you. o Toddlers under the age of 2 often wear clothing that has a split opening in the crotch. Commonly called “split pants”, these allow children to quickly potty train, however, often in public places. o Toilet paper is not common in most public restrooms and is not flushed down the toilet (it is put in the waste bin), so always carry some with you.

What should I avoid in China? - Like most places around the world, China is a really friendly open place. However, there are certain people who prey on this openness and we hope you can keep your guard up. In particular there are two areas you should display extreme caution. Any time you go to a very tourist heavy or western heavy area, you will meet lots of people who can speak English, offer to help you, accompany you and tell you they would be happy just to be able to practice their English. Most often they will suggest going to a tea house or an art gallery to experience and show you more Chinese culture. Once at the tea house or art gallery, you will be charged an exorbitant amount of money from 1,000 to 10,000 RMB for your tea or entry fee. A general rule of thumb is to not add anyone to your party once you are out. This way you can avoid any unpleasant situations as the police are not very helpful in these situations. The second area to avoid is so called “Black Taxis” or taxis without meters. Make sure to look for real taxis and don’t go with people who just offer a ride for a set price. - Pretty girls/handsome guys talk to me all day at a tourist site, should I go with them to a local tea house/Art gallery? I mean, they are REALLY pretty / handsome! - We know, however, a good rule is not to add anyone to your party when you go out. You might be lucky and they could just want to be friends, so invite them to a different location on a different day and see how they react. If they want to be friends, they will accept. If not, they will insist on their location.

Visa How do I apply for a Visa? - If you are from the UK, you can use this website (http://www.chinese- embassy.org.uk/eng/visa/) or (http://www.visaforchina.org/LON_EN/) - If you are from the US, you can use this website (http://www.china- embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/) You can also contact an agency to help you, like this one (http://www.abriggs.com/) I am applying for a Z (work) visa. What materials do I need from First Leap? - You will need a working permit as well as an authorized invitation letter (both from the Chinese government) What materials do I need to obtain myself? - You will need to obtain a passport, additional photographs, your resume, your degree certificate, a medical exam (we will provide you with the exact details) your address and home phone number. I am applying for a F (business) visa. What materials do I need from First Leap? - You will need an invitation letter from the company. What materials do I need to obtain myself? - You will need to obtain a passport and additional photographs for your visa. Why am I applying for a F/L/Z visa? - Our visa specialists will read your profile and help you apply for the visa that best suits your background. Your working conditions or contract is not affected by this. My visa is only for 6 months, what happens when it expires? - Please let our visa specialists know 2 months before you visa expires so they can help you apply for a new visa. If you wait too late to inform us of your visa being close to expiration, you might incur certain costs yourself. How long does the Visa process take in my home country? - The whole process time from start to finish can take up to 3 months. This is because certain documents are needed and must be submitted in sequential order with the next document only available once the previous submission is accepted. Am I reimbursed for my Visa expenses? - All regular expenses incurred under contract in China are reimbursed in regards to your visa, except for transportation; however, your initial visa to enter the country is not. I am applying for an F visa, but it says it is illegal to get paid on an F visa, what gives? - Technically, it is illegal to work on an F visa; however, some people can’t apply for a work visa because of their background. Thousands of people work every year in China on F visas. It is not ideal, but if we apply for you to have an F visa, we do everything necessary to make sure your working situation does not differ from those on work visas. Just listen to all our instructions and everything will be smooth. What additional documents do I need to bring with me? Can they be copies or originals? - We might also ask for you bring an original copy of proof of no criminal record. This can be obtained from your local police station. They will know the procedure. Also, don’t forget to make a few copies of your passport and visa and carry them with you, as well as leaving a set at your home with someone you trust. In addition, bringing extra passport pictures is suggested to help with medical or visa checks you might encounter during the year.

Before coming to China

What should I pack? - Clothes are very easy to come by in China. Not only are most sizes and styles available, but also can be found relatively cheap (especially in comparison to western counterparts). One thing to consider however is shoes, mostly for men with US sizes about 12. Large shoes are harder to find in China and you should bring a couple pairs with you. - Phones can be found relatively cheap in China. However, if you are planning on bringing your own phone, please remember to unlock it before you come so it isn’t tied to your home network and unusable. You can find out online how to do this. Also, most American phones don’t work with the Chinese SIM network, so Americans should play it safe and just wait until China to buy a phone. You can find a really cheap smartphone for only a few hundred RMB. - Medicine is not extremely scarce, but it is wise to bring some with you, especially if you know you easily fall prey to certain illness. Ibuprofen is hard to find and I would also suggest some sort of upset stomach relieving medicine along the lines of Pepto Bismol, Immodium. - Body care products are often suspected to be in short supply in China; however, there are no shortages of shampoo, toothpaste, conditioner, shaving cream or razors. One thing however, that you should bring with you, is a supply of deodorant, as it is hard to find and there are not many options. - The plugs in China are three diagonal pronged, with some standard two prong plugs and use 220V, instead of 110 like the US. Other than your laptop, which has a power converter on it, it is advised to not bring other electronics as they might short circuit, especially things like curling irons and hair dryers, which can all be found here, relatively cheap. What about Health/Travel Insurance? - There are many different health/travel insurance agencies. First Leap provide this service for you and it can cover most of the accident injury in China. For further details, you can talk further with recruitment specialist. How much money do I need? - When it comes to money, too much is never a problem. However, here are some realistic estimations of what things will cost to help you decide how much money you will need. We recommend every teacher bring at least 500 dollars or 300 pounds for first month’s living expenses and day to day eating/shopping etc, to last you until your first paycheck. - If you are living in Nanjing or Beijing, you will also need to prepare some money to rent an apartment. Accommodations can be found starting as low as 500 dollars or 300 pounds for upfront costs, however most housing options will run teachers about 1600 dollars or 1000 pounds or more(This assumes you will be living with roommates, if you wish to live alone, you will need more, closer to 2400 dollars or 1500 pounds. These are the cheaper options that are available in the city. For better locations or excellent housing, this cost goes up. This is because most housing options in these cities require 5 months rent upfront (3 months’ rent at once, plus 1 months’ agency fee and 1 months’ deposit.) - If you don’t have a large amount of money upfront, you can choose to stay in our training housing and have the rent taken out of your paycheck each month. This housing option isn’t the most convenient, but it is an option for teachers who don’t have a lot of cash up front and still want to live in Beijing or Nanjing. Otherwise, we suggest teachers with less money to go to one of our other cities, where housing is provided and less upfront money is needed. - Although commonly used in the US, traveler’s checks are not recommended for China. They are a hassle to exchange and are not accepted outside of the banks. You can use most bank cards in China to withdraw money for a small fee, and might be able to get that fee reduced if you speak to your bank in advance. - IMPORTANT NOTE: Teachers not from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and European nations that use the Euro may have trouble exchanging their currency in China (Specifically South Africa and New Zealand). Please exchange to RMB before you leave your country. Is a flight booked for me or do I need to book my own? - You need to book your own flight, we will discuss with you during your second interview, when is best to arrive. If you complete your contract, you will also receive an airfare contract completion bonus to help offset some or all of this cost, provided you can provide a receipt to cover the tax bill. When is best to book my flight? - We will discuss with you during your interviews when is best to book your flight. Please follow our time table as we schedule your training to start on a specific day, often with other trainees. We suggest the best time to arrive is two days before the start of training. Who do I need to tell about my flight? - Once you have booked your flight, please forward that information to the person who conducted your interview at First Leap. If you are signed with an agency as well, you can cc them on the email as well. I am working in another city, why do I need to fly to Beijing first? - All teachers come to Beijing for at least two weeks in order to receive training at one of our training centers. Even if you are already in China, this is required of all new teachers.

Arrival / Training

Will someone greet me at the airport? - Yes, provided you arrive during the suggested time period and a reasonable hour, we will have a person from our partner agency meet you at the airport and take you to your training accommodation. I am bringing lots of luggage, will there be enough room? - How much is a lot? If you have more than 4 suitcases, please make this known to us before coming so we can arrange for a larger transport. Where will I be staying in Beijing? - You will be staying in a Hotel or house we own within travel distance of your training locations. What type of accommodation will I be staying in? - The accommodations are fairly standard. It is a local Hotel/Motel chain. Do I have to pay for this accommodation? - We provide 12 days paid accommodations to cover your training period. 2 days before training starts, 10 days during training. If you don’t use all the days, there is no extra compensation. What happens after the pre-paid accommodation ends? - If you are staying in Beijing, we will help you locate more permanent living situations. You are welcome to stay in the shared room, but you will be responsible for the rent after the two weeks, either daily or monthly. How long after arrival will training start? - Training usually begins within 2 days of your arrival if you follow our advised date. We try to give you some time to get settled and recover from some jetlag. However, this is determined by you and your booking of the flight. Keep in mind, if teachers miss the start of training, they will be asked to wait until the next group starts. How long is training? - Training normally lasts for two weeks or 10 working days. Is training paid? - If you pass the training program, training is paid. Is training hard? - Training is not designed to be excessive or weed teachers out. We have spent a lot of energy and time to get you to China and we want you to succeed. With that being said, we still expect you to put forth maximum effort to take in all that our training staff imparts onto you. What is my training schedule? - You will get your specific training schedule upon your arrival, however, training starts around 9am most days and can go as late at 7pm. What does training entail? - Training includes sessions on our students, curriculum, working standards, educational theory and tools of the job, as well as observations, mock teaching, observed teaching, and finally, assessments of your progress through the two weeks. Am I assessed during training? - Yes, you are assessed in multiple areas to see if you are ready to teach on your own. Should I take notes during training? - It is strongly recommended you take notes during training, as many things you learn in training might not occur right away and you will need to recall your training in later months.

To your center/City

I have finished training…now what? - After training, we will give you instructions on how to get to your center. The next working day, you will go to your center and start working your normal schedule. Upon your arrival at your center, your internatioanl trainer and assessor (head of teaching at your center) and other international teachers should introduce you to the center. I am living outside of Beijing, how will I get to my city? - We will arrange transportation to your city once training is finished. We will cover the cost of this transportation, as such, you won’t have the option to choose how or when you go to the city. If you have some strong reason to adjust, please let us know before training starts and we can try to make adjustments. I am living in Beijing, how do I find my center? - There are maps to all the centers in our company handbook. Additionally, you will get an email with your center information and the information on your AD(head of teaching at your center) of your center. They can arrange someone to meet you if you need. Once I arrive in my new city, will someone greet me at the airport/train station? - Yes, someone from your center will greet you upon your arrival and take you to your accommodation. We will let you know who that person is before you head out so you know how to expect to meet.

Settling In

Will accommodation be provided for me? - In cities outside of Nanjing/Beijing, First Leap may offer provided housing for you. There are two conditions if provided housing is offered. First, is that you agree to stay in the provided housing for the year as we rent it for that time. Second, is that you put down a 3000 RMB deposit to cover any damages that might be incurred during the year. If none are, then you will receive this deposit back after you leave the accommodation. How do I find an apartment? - In Beijing, we work with our partner agencies to help you locate an apartment within your price range. In Nanjing, our HQ office helps you. - In all cities, we will provide teachers with a housing questionnaire to fill out on day 1 of training to allow us to know what types of apartments you are looking for. How do I pay for my apartment? - Each month or every three months, you will just wire money to your landlord. First leap does not do this for you. We however can help you at the bank. How do I set up a bank account? Which bank do I choose? - Depending on which center you are located at, we will ask you to open an account in a certain bank. If you already have a bank account in china, you are welcome to keep that open, but you need to have the specific bank we require in order to get paid. We can help you during your off work time set this up, but it is very simple, you only need a passport, your address and a phone number. Where do I buy a phone/get a sim card? - You can a buy a phone in most markets and our welcome committee can help you with this, as well as any of our teachers in the center. Sim cards are even easier and are available at most little shops. I am sick and need medicine/need to see a doctor, how do I do this? - You should always contact your AD(head of teaching at your center) when you are sick. They will help you find a hospital or medicine. If you are still during training, please contact your trainer and he will contact the correct people. Do NOT just sit at home and try to get better on your own. We need to know if you are sick, we can help. How do I get around best in China? - We recommend you get a travel card for Beijing. They can be used on the subway and buses, and even reduce the costs on some buses. They require a 20 RMB deposit, but make traveling much less of a hassle. - As for China as a whole, trains are the way to go. They are everywhere and relatively cheap. We can help you locate and book tickets during your free time.