Chinese Lessons: Teachers will have the option of daily Chinese lessons (5 hours per week). Teachers will be sorted into different classes based on their current ability level -- this includes the possibility of private classes where necessary. ACES will also help find conversation partners for teachers who already have intermediate or advanced Chinese language skills.

Cross-Cultural Experiences: ACES arranges local travel opportunities and outings for teachers, students, and staff. You will be able to see the local sights and experience the local culture, not in the superficial way that you might as a tourist, but as a real and valued member of a community. As part of the ACES family, you will be surrounded by individuals who take an active interest in helping you expand your knowledge of the local surroundings while being part of an organization that systematically works to facilitate your understanding of China.

TEFL Certification: Like any responsible employer, ACES provides orientation and training for its teachers, but for those who are relatively new to teaching English as a foreign language, we provide training that goes even more in-depth so that we can provide teachers with TEFL certification by the end of the first six months of service. Note that this certification is not guaranteed, but is rather granted on a case by case basis to those individuals that show appropriate dedication to teaching and progress in the development of their classroom skills.

Financial Compensation: Teachers who already have some form of TEFL certification (including TESOL, CELTA, etc.) in addition to one-year of experience will receive a standard, reasonable salary. Teachers who require TEFL certification from ACES will receive lower monthly pay, but will additionally receive a bonus upon completion of a one-year contract.

Housing: Teachers are generally housed in private living quarters; these are usually 2 or 3 bedroom apartments with shared kitchen/living rooms. Basic utilities and access to telephone service are also paid for.

Travel Expenses: ACES budgets $1200US for round-trip airfare for each teacher who stays for a full-year. Upon completion of six months of service, ACES teachers are reimbursed for their journey to join ACES (up to $600US). Upon completion of a one-year contract, they are provided with up to $600US in airfare toward their next destination. Additional airfare is rewarded to teachers who wish to extend their stay with ACES for another year.

Variety of Work Experiences: One of the most common complaints that English teachers have about working in China is that the administrators at their school often don't understand the importance of effective communication and abiding by contracts. Often teachers at other institutions have signed on to a 15 hour workweek of teaching, only to find out that they are required to commit 40 hours of their time each week due to office hours that need to be kept and lessons that need to be prepped. ACES management is comprised of both Chinese and Americans, so we are better equipped to understand and meet the expectations that arriving teachers have. This means that our 25 hour week is a true 25 hours, including time needed for planning lessons, etc. Additionally, ACES staff is there to help you with daily needs when you need help going to the bank, buying a cell phone, arranging travel plans or anything else.

Paid Vacation: ACES teachers receive 22 days of paid vacation every year: four weeks for the Chinese New Year, as well as days off for Christmas and Christmas Eve (or two alternative days). In addition, three emergency, paid sick days are available for teachers if necessary. Additional, unpaid leave can be requested at times of low teaching activity as well.

Medical Coverage: ACES cares about the health, security, and safety of its teachers. For this reason, we help cover medical costs for any of our teachers who might require urgent medical services. The coverage provided is generally sufficient to cover the cost of a broken bone or minor surgery. Thankfully, very few ACES teachers have required this kind of support!