Shanghai is located by the ocean and is therefore generally humid during the late spring and throughout the summer with a major rainy season in May. Shanghai does get snow in the winter; however, it is usually light and does not stay on the ground for long. The highest temperature (in August/September) can reach 35 degrees Celcius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), the lowest (in December/January) minus 1 degrees Celcius (30 degrees Fahrenheit). Because of humidity, it feels hotter in summer and colder in winter (“cold to the bone”). The weather in Shanghai is similar to that of New York City.

If you have lived in cities with four seasons, then you should already know what you need; however, for those of you who have not, we have prepared the following basic list. (Remember that all employees are usually required to dress in business casual while teaching unless they are told otherwise. There are exceptions made by the schools.)

• Medicines: Please bring a copy of any prescriptions for medications that you may need to take or have refilled.
• Glasses/Corrective Lenses (Contacts): (Most items will be available in Shanghai but they may be more or less expensive or difficult to locate.) Please bring a copy of any prescriptions and a 2-3 month supply of the items you prefer using so that you will have time to either locate them in Shanghai or have a new supply sent to you by someone in your home country.
• Personal Hygiene Items: (Most items will be available in Shanghai but they may be more or less expensive or difficult to locate.) You may want to bring a 2-3 month supply of the items you prefer using so that you will have time to either locate them in Shanghai or have a new supply sent to you by someone in your home country. (Below are examples of items you may wish to bring with you.)
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Razors
  • Deodorant
  • Bath Towel
  • Washcloth
  • Shower Shoes (Flip Flops)
• Spring/Summer Clothes
  • Tropical weight dress pants, shorts, skirts and dresses (required)
  • Tropical weight Sport jacket or suit (recommended, not required)
  • T-shirts/Polo-shirts (Collared T-shirts)
  • Short & long-sleeved collared light weight dress shirts/blouses (required)
  • Ties and scarves (optional)
  • Dress shoes (at least one pair) (required)
  • Socks (required for men)
  • Stockings/Pantyhose (recommended for women during work)
  • Athletic wear (Gym or sports)
  • Athletic shoes/sandals
  • Bathing/swim wear
  • Light sweaters or jackets
• Fall/Winter Clothes:
  • Heavy/warm dress pants, shorts, skirts and dresses
  • Winter weight Sport jacket or suit (recommended, not required)
  • Jeans/khakis
  • Long-sleeved T-shirts/Polo-shirts (Collared T-shirts)
  • Long-sleeved collared dress shirts/blouses (required)
  • Ties and scarves (optional)
  • Dress shoes/boots (at least one pair is required)
  • Rain boots or Rubber Pullovers
  • Warm underwear & at least one pair of Thermal underwear
  • Socks (required for men)
  • Stockings/Pantyhose (recommended for women during work)
  • Sweaters, Sweatpants & Shirts, Hoodies
  • Warm Heavy Winter overcoat/jacket
  • Gloves
  • Scarves
  • Hats

These are suggestions and requirements based on our knowledge; however, you can choose to add or disregard any items not marked “required” and you may also choose to purchase any or all of your clothes and personal items in China. Occasionally employees will need to dress for company meetings, presentations and formal social events.

• BSK covers the costs of both your temporary and permanent Visas; however, because of the lengthy process of applying for your Visas in China, you must obtain a one-entry tourist Visa (L-Visa) Form Q1 from your local Chinese Consulate.
• You need to go to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate and apply for a one-entry 3-month tourist visa (L-visa) which allows the teacher to legally stay in China for three months. This is the most time efficient way of entering China for the first time.
• You can find the necessary forms and information on line at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/t355502.htm
• Please bring your Visa fee receipt with you to China and BSK will reimburse you for the costs.BSK will process all the work-related documents for obtaining Teacher’s resident working Visa within 45 days of the Teacher’s arrival in Shanghai.
• After the teacher receives their working Visa, they will be allowed to leave and return to China whenever they choose without the need for any additional paperwork.
• Your working Visa will be valid from the day you receive it until the last day of your contract.

• Yes you will be picked up.
• A BSK staff member will hold a sign with “BSK” and your name on it at the exit of the customs in the airport hall.
• Please pay attention to the signs when you walk past the Chinese customs and look for BSK and your Name!

• You should bring enough money to cover the costs of rent, deposits, utilities, personal needs, entertainment and food for one month! You will need approximately $750-$1,500 US Dollars for the first month’s living expenses depending on your choices; however, the following months will be substantially less costly (approximately $600 US).
• You will be paid in full on the 30th of each month (please see sections 3.0 & 3.1 of the employment contract) and depending on the number of periods you have chosen to work, you should be able to save between $750-$1000 US or more per month after all of your expenses are paid.

• BSK will arrange and pay for temporary housing for your first week in Shanghai.
• You will be required, with the help of BSK staff, to find permanent housing by the end of your first week in Shanghai.

• You will be responsible for paying your own rent.
• The landlords in Shanghai usually require two or three months’ rent upfront, including one month’s rent as the deposit.
• Normally, a one-bedroom apartment costs between RMB1500 – 2500 ($200-$350 US Dollars) per month and two-bedrooms cost RMB2000 – 3500 ($280-$490 US Dollars) per month. The commission fee for the real estate agent is about 30% of the first month’s rent.
• When possible, we recommend that you try to share an apartment because your costs will be less and you may get a much nicer place!

• BSK coordinators will provide you with assistance in locating, negotiating and finalizing arrangements with real estate agents/landlords and arrange apartment visits.
• BSK will assist its teachers in finding apartments in the most convenient locations possible so that you will be close to either one of your schools or reliable transportation.

• There are lots of big supermarkets and shopping malls in Shanghai, in addition there are thousands of convenience stores (similar to 7-Elevens) everywhere.
• Shopping and buying food should not be a problem in the bigger stores and malls; however, you will need to know a little Mandarin in the smaller convenience stores or point to what you want.

• There are currently 7 subway/metro lines and numerous bus lines which can take you in every direction of Shanghai.
• You will receive a pre-paid transportation card from the company which can be used in all the subway lines and most of the buses.

Employees have the right to enjoy 11 paid Chinese statutory holidays for which you will be paid your normal daily rate (except for the 3 days of Chinese New Year which are included in Winter Break Pay*):

During the winter break in January and February, 95% of the schools will be off. Sometimes BSK will have work available during the winter break and if you choose to accept it, you will receive your normal rate of pay plus your winter break vacation pay of 1500RMB. If you prefer not to work during the break, you can choose to do some traveling or whatever you like to enjoy your time off. It's totally up to you.

• The Comprehensive Accidental Insurance provided by BSK costs around RMB2400 a year and is paid for by BSK. You will receive a copy of the policy which will explain your coverage in detail. In many countries this is called Major Medical Insurance.
• Please note that China is a developing country with an immature public welfare system and therefore, even Chinese citizens do not have any insurance that covers general outpatient visits.
• As far as we know, there are only a few ESL companies/schools that list the Comprehensive Accidental Insurance as one of their benefits.

• Vaccinations are not compulsory.
• Hepatitis vaccinations are recommended but not required. It is up to the teacher to ensure that he/she is healthy before entering China.
• All teachers will have to take a government required comprehensive medical exam upon arrival in Shanghai.

• BSK schools are located all around Shanghai. Teachers are usually assigned to teach in one or two schools. The class size ranges from 18 to 40, depending on different schools. The teaching schedule usually remains fixed throughout the semester unless something unexpected happens.
• BSK will not change your schedule if you are doing well unless the schools require changing the foreign teacher due to his/her poor performance or the school itself makes a change in its schedule for some reason.

• YES!
• There are 13 districts in Shanghai and most of our schools are in six districts, i.e. Hong Kou, Pu Dong, Zha Bei, Jing An, Chang Ning, and Jin Shan District.
• There will be an evaluation after the one-week training session and then the schools will be assigned accordingly.
• BSK teachers typically teach in the same schools during the entire semester and often the entire year.

• BSK has its own textbooks and teaching agendas which will be provided to you.
• We will also provide you with resources and instructional materials to aid you in preparing lesson plans.
• Once every three weeks, you will be required to come to BSK office for a professional development workshop in which you will meet fellow teachers and share your experience/pedagogy and solve problem(s) you may have in your own teaching.
• Most schools, 70% of classes, have Chinese speaking teaching assistants (TAs), the rest do not. TAs are usually Chinese teachers assigned by the schools. They are present in the classroom only to help BSK teachers with discipline. Some of TAs do NOT speak English.
• BSK will provide lots of things for the teachers to decorate their classrooms.
• You will learn more about our project and our support for teachers during the orientation in February.

• The G1 (First Grade) kids are 6 or 7 years old, and one year older for each following grade.
• One teacher usually teaches three or more grades.
• BSK Oral English Programs cover students from 7 to 15 years old.
• The class size ranges from 18 to 40.
• Chinese schools have different classroom.

• Yes, on the condition that the Teacher gets BSK’s consent in advance, and the part-time work does not impair the Teacher’s performance in BSK schools.
• You must receive written permission or BSK may reprimand or release you from your contract.

• BSK provides free Mandarin lessons once a week on Wednesday evenings at BSK offices. (Exact times will be given at orientation.)
• Teachers will learn some basic Chinese words and expressions to help them to shop, travel and deal with basic daily needs. These classes are provided as a basic benefit for all the teachers.
• If you are interested in learning to speak, read and / or write Chinese conversationally or fluently, we suggest that you take some regular courses in Mandarin through an established school, tutor or community class.
• BSK can provide you with the name and numbers of a few local schools, tutors or community learning centers for you to explore.

Yes, if the teacher and BSK are mutually satisfied, we will be glad to renew the contact.