English 1 Onboarding

It all begins on the day you arrive. On that day, you'll be picked up from the airport by an English 1 driver. They’ll be holding a small sign that says “English 1” along with your name, so you’ll know exactly who to look for. The driver will take you to your hotel, where you can relax, rest, and prepare for your training. All of our new teachers stay at the same hotel, so there’s a good chance you’ll meet some of your future colleagues there too!

The following day, Day 1, is when onboarding begins. You’ll be taken to the onboarding centre, where you’ll meet your trainers and, in some cases, your recruiter. You’ll also be introduced to the other new teachers who will be going through the process with you. The morning kicks off with some icebreakers to help you get to know each other, and you’ll also learn a bit about English 1 as a company – what we do in education, and some of our other activities as well.

Then it’s time for contract signing! We’ll be there to support you through this, helping you read through everything and making sure it all makes sense before you sign. We know that signing a contract in a new country can be daunting, and we want to make sure you feel confident and informed.

After the contract signing, you’ll attend a visa presentation. Our visa officer will walk you through each step of the process to become a temporary resident in China, making sure you understand everything clearly so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Then we’ll share some tips on finding housing – we know this can be another intimidating part of moving abroad. Don’t worry! We have a list of trusted agents and practical advice on what to expect and look out for in your new city.

Next, we’ll head out for lunch so you can sample some local cuisine and socialise a bit more with others from the company. The last thing on the schedule for Day 1 is getting your SIM card – this will give you a working phone number in China, provided by English 1, so you don’t need to worry about sorting that yourself. You’ll also begin the process of opening your bank account to ensure you’re ready to be paid on time.

Day 2 starts a bit earlier, as it’s the day for your medical checks. As with the previous day, a visa officer will collect you from the hotel and accompany you to your appointment, so you’re not navigating it on your own. After the medical check, you'll return to the onboarding centre and get the opportunity to meet staff from the centre where you'll be working. Your line managers and senior teachers will be your mentors and support system during your first few months. They'll take you to your school, show you around, and help you finish setting up your bank account. You'll then have the weekend to settle in, explore the city a little, and start your search for housing.

Day 3 has a more academic focus. You’ll begin learning about common challenges Chinese students face when learning English. You’ll also explore the concept of a growth mindset and how it can support your teaching. We'll provide an introduction to English language teaching, including a brief history of teaching methodologies over the past century. In addition, you’ll receive guidance on career development at English 1, and get an introduction to teacher engagement activities – including teacher events and travel opportunities you can enjoy while you’re with us.

That’s the end of Day 3! After that, you’ll move on to your specific departments, where you’ll receive more targeted training based on the classes and students you’ll be working with.

If you'd like to find out more about English 1, feel free to follow our social media channels.

We hope to see you in China soon!