Teach & Play
Teach & Play
Kickstart Your Fashion Career in China
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**WE ARE ABLE TO GET YOU A VISA TO COME TO CHINA IN 2021**
Why Should I Come To China?
China is the perfect place for emerging fashion designers.
There is no better place on earth for emerging young fashion designers than China. You will have access to the most diverse and lowest cost fabric and accessory markets in the world, allowing you to develop your own garment concepts without being restricted to the limited selection of fabric and accessories available back home. Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are three of the best fashion production hubs in the world with access to the best in the business for pattern making, sample making and small and large scale production. You will join an exciting and supportive international community of likeminded and adventurous young fashion designers from all around the world.
Teaching English in China is the foot in the door that allows you to earn a good salary to cover your financial needs (US$2,500-3,500 per month) while also giving you the flexibility to develop your own design concepts and fashion brand (most English teaching jobs in China have 15-25 teaching hours per week).
What are the requirements?
Applicants need to have a Bachelors Degree to qualify.
For us to get you a teaching job in China, you need to be eligible for a China Work Visa. This means you need to have a clean criminal record & have completed a Bachelors Degree or higher. However, there is NO TEACHING EXPERIENCE or TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS required. If you meet the above requirements, we can get you teaching a job that will allow you to explore your creative ambitions in the world's best playground for emerging fashion designers and fashion startups.
World Class Lifestyle & Nightlife
"China is the perfect mix of sophisticated futurism & low cost living..."
As well as having everything you need to thrive as a young fashion designer, China also offers a stimulating lifestyle and world class nightlife. China's international community is extremely diverse and includes a large enclave of energetic fashion designers and entrepreneurs from all around the globe who will be both your support group and a source of inspiration for what you can achieve yourself. Your new community will possess all the knowledge and connections needed for you to succeed in the fashion world from sample making and production to getting your finished products to the consumer via online channels, boutique outlets and mainstream fashion retailers.
Aside from the fashion and thriving social scene, China is incredibly rich in culture and cuisine. Whether it's visiting ancient temples or sampling Shanghai's best street food, China offers adventure for even the most discerning wanderlust.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much will I get paid?
Salaries are paid by the school and are usually CNY16,000 - 22,000/month. This equates to USD$2400 - $3400/month. You can earn much more on top of this if you take on a few private tutoring hours or have China experience. (Currency Converter)
2. What is China like?
China is the center of the universe. If you want it, it's here. We guarantee no lifestyle sacrifices - you'll have a ball. Check out TimeOutBeijing or TimeOutShenzhen for inspiration.
3. Are there VISA eligibility requirements?
Yes. For this opportunity, China requires that you:
i. Have a passport from either USA, Canada, AUS, NZ, UK, Ireland, SA or Jamaica. AND
ii. Have a University Bachelors Degree or above (any degree qualifies). AND
iii. Have a clean criminal record
4. What are the jobs like?
Teaching China is a stimulating and fun experience. All your classes are taught in English. Most jobs for foreign teachers in China are English teacher roles. jobs are English teaching jobs. We have different school types and student level groups available from kindergarten all the way up to high school. Teaching hours are usually 15-25 per week leaving you plenty of time for learning Chinese, making friends in your home away from home and enjoying everything that China has to offer.
5. What's the deal with Accommodation?
You will have an accommodation fund as part of your salary package. We also have some schools that provide free accommodation although schools do not commonly offer this to teachers without teaching experience.
6. Accommodation cost?
CNY2,000 - 4,000/month. (Currency Converter)
USD$300 - $650/month
Most landlords require 2 months of rent in advance however there are accommodation options where you can pay month-by-month
7. Any language barriers?
Living in China is definitely easier if you speak the language, but most of us can't. It's entirely possible to exist here super comfortably without language skills. If you want to learn Chinese then there's no better place to learn! With regular part time study you can become fluent in Chinese within 12 months.
8. Can I bring my partner and/or family?
Yes. We can find opportunities for your partner too. Spouse VISA's are a thing as well. Most schools will assist with covering education cost for dependents. Partners and families are made to feel welcome at all our opportunities.
9. Living costs?
Beers: $0.5 (Stores) $1.5-5 (Bars)
30 min Taxi/Uber: $5-8 (super cheap)
Subway ride: $1-1.5
Western Restaurant Lunch/Dinner: $6-15
Chinese Restaurant Lunch/Dinner:$2-8
Weeks worth of groceries: $20
Mobile Phone Plan: $5-10 / month
10. How long will my contract be for?
Employment contracts with schools in China are generally for between 10-24 months. Shorter term contracts are not available. Keep in mind that it's always possible to leave China before the end of your contract if you have to leave for personal reasons or another opportunity elsewhere.
11. Do I need to do quarantine when I arrive in China?
No! China is now back to pre-covid normality.
12. Do I need to be vaccinated to come?
No. You do not need a covid vaccination to come to China.
13. How do I sort a visa?
We provide full support for preparing visa documents and processing your visa.
14. What is the timeline and costs for coming to China?
Week 1
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Register Interest with Teach & Play
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Online Job Interview
Week 2
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Obtain Formal Job Offer
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Start Preparing Visa Documents:
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Police Clearance From Own Country (processing time 1-10 days depending on country)
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NZ/AUS/USA/IRE/SA/CAN: Free
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UK: £40
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TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate - NOTE: this certificate is issued INSTANTLY upon purchase with the course work being done at a later date if you choose
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COST: $100
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Take a SCAN / PHOTO of your University Degree Certificate
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Week 3 - Week 7
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Visa Document Authentication - We guide you through this process to make sure it is done correctly
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Cost & Processing Time
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UK: £225 / 4 Weeks
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NZ: NZ$250 / 2 Weeks
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AUS: AU$300 / 3 Weeks
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IRE: €200 / 4 Weeks
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USA: $300-450 / 3-4 Weeks
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CAN: $300 / 3-4 Weeks
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RSA: R3000 / 6 Weeks
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Week 7
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Apply for Visa at Chinese Embassy / Consulate / Visa Centre
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Processing time: 4-7 days
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COST: $150-200 (depending on country of issue)
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Week 8
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Fly to China
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COST: $400-800 (reimbursed by employer)
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NOTE: The timeline for coming to China can be reduced to 4-5 weeks if needed.
15. What are the total costs for coming to China?
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US$600 (approx) for Visa Document Preparation & Authentication (this cost is reimbursed by SOME SELECT employers, however this cost must be covered personally by the teacher with most employers in China.
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US$400-800 for Flights (this cost is reimbursed by all employers)
16. Is China Safe?
Generally speaking, tier 1 cities in China are safer than most major cities in western countries. People living in China enjoy a very high level of personal safety and freedom due to good law and order, strong economic growth and cultural norms which keep most of society on the straight and narrow. Chinese people are extremely friendly towards foreigners so there is no barrier to making local friends (or girlfriends / boyfriends for that matter!).
17. Will I be able to learn Chinese
With regular part time study you can achieve fluency in Chinese within 12 months. Many employers provide free Chinese lessons and local colleagues will always be happy to help you practice your newly learnt language.