Work in China

About the Company Taiyuan Mercan School was founded in 1997 as a professional English training institute and is the first private school with a full-time staff of native English speaking foreign teachers. Currently Mercan School enrolls over 6,000 students. Most students study English, although Mercan School also offers courses in Spanish and French. In order to maintain our dedication to making sure that students get as close to native English as possible, 15 of our staff members are full time employees from the United States and Canada. We also have a staff of over 100 full-time Chinese employees. Our school's staff is well-equipped, friendly and competent; always ready to help students. Mercan School's facilities are incredibly modern and up to Western standards including the use of high-speed internet, in order to give students as much support as possible, thus enhancing its commitment to be the best English school in the province. The offices are all equipped with high-speed internet. All our teachers are highly qualified and possess degrees. Our foreign teachers are from different areas in Canada and the United States giving students a wider variety of knowledge and cultural perspective. The majority of our classes are held after-school, during evenings and weekends. All classes are held on-site at one of our six campuses around Taiyuan. We are the first school in China to also teach at a club, in a private, relaxed atmosphere. Mercan Club holds one on one classes for adults and is also a place where teachers may go to relax. Students at our other campuses range in age from pre-Kindergarten to adult and typically enroll in courses that are taught 2 hours, once per week. Classes range in size from one on one to one on 25 which is our maximum. About the Opportunity There has never been a better time to go to China. The Olympics have just opened China's eyes to the world and vice versa. "Beijing 2008 organizing committee Liu Qi declares, "We sincerely hope that China's time-honored history and civilization, vibrant urban and rural lives and the hospitality of the Chinese people will leave you all with pleasant memories of the country." -taken from "Ni hao from the Bird's Nest", a blog written by Alan Abrahamson covering the 2008 Olympics Mercan School invests in your personal and professional growth by providing you with education and training opportunities to keep current in your field. The culture is relaxed and laid-back. You two main priorities as an employee of Mercan School will be: 1: Enjoy your time in China 2. Teach English Mercan School is a leader in the Education and you will become a part of this great company by acting as the English as a Second Language Teacher who promotes and nurtures the education of students; educates students; tailors course of study; develops and presents lesson plans; monitors, assists, corrects, and grades student results; and provides student suppor

Qualifications

Listens attentively and actively.

Presents information effectively and persuasively across communication settings.

Familiar with various classroom management strategies. Can create an effective learning environment by setting limits, arranging physical layout, and enforcing procedures.

Trained in methods of K-12 education which engage learners in interactive activities.

Basic teaching skills and experience.

Capable of facilitating discussion between individuals with differing perspectives.

Supports diversity and values differences among people.

Demonstrated ability to provide direction, motivation, and leadership.

Motivates others to achieve. Raises morale and increases productivity.

Remains objective when listening to conflicting perspectives.

BA or equivalent experience. The BA need not be in the field of Education.

Benefits -free airfare (reimbursed up to 8,000RMB or approximately $1,075) -fully furnished, modern apartment provided by Mercan School -includes heat, electric and broadband internet (all you pay for is groceries!) -free shuttle bus home after class -health insurance provided -biweekly pay schedule -$1,200 per month at hours 30/week -2 weeks paid vacation during Chinese holidays

About the Community Our campuses are located in and around the city of Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province. Shanxi is one at the heart of China. A number of China's first capitals were located here and the province has over 2,500 years of history. The location of this wonderful city provides all foreign teachers with a spectacular to experience a wide range of Chinese scenery and a variety of historical attractions. Shanxi Province is centrally located within the country, on a plateau west of Taihang Mountain. The Yellow River and others run through parts of the province, while the Great Wall creates a border between Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. Today the province has a population of over 33,350,000 giving it a population density of 550 people per square mile. Taiyuan city was established in 500B.C. as an ancient capital. Today the modern metropolis is home to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), acts as the hub of provincial transit with convenient public transportation systems within the city as well as overnight connections to Beijing, Xi'an and Zhengzhou and is home to over two million people. Highlights include the Chongshan Monastery, a magnificent Buddhist Temple originally built during the Tang Dynasty; the Jinci Temple, an ancient Buddhist Temple at the heart of the Jin River; Twin Pagoda Temple, twin thirteen story octagonal structures rising nearly 55 meters into the sky; and Mt. Wutai, the ancient home of Manjusri, the revered bodhisattva of wisdom, is the only place where Chinese Buddhism and Tibetan Lamaism are practiced. Taiyuan also has a great shopping district (Liuxian) and has been praised by the UN Environmental Programme for the variety recreational areas and parks that exist to improve the environment in the area. The New York Times very recently published an article about Taiyuan and Shanxi Province. The link is as follows; http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/travel/10journeys.html?scp=1&sq=taiyuan%20shanxi%20china&st=cse

*Mercan School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. Applicants encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Drug-free work environment. Average weekly hours are 30, overtime hours are paid at 80RMB per hour.