Maple Leaf International Schools New Teacher Handbook 2013 Created'by'Kent'Tamblyn,'MLIS4Dalian' 2014 Maple'Leaf'Educational'Systems' Index 01 Welcome 02 School Map 03 China 04 Preparation 06 Health 08 Money 09 Transport 11 Connect 12 Dalian 17 Foreign National 22 Tianjin 27 Zhenjiang 32 Wuhan 37 Chongqing 41 Credits Welcome I am pleased to welcome you to Maple Leaf Educational Systems (MLES). Choosing MLES offers an amazing opportunity. All students in the BC Program are taught in English by BC certified teachers. They receive two diplomas when they graduate; the Chinese Graduation Diploma and the BC Dogwood Certificate. It is the BC Dogwood Certificate that is very important to our students. With it, they apply and are welcomed by universities and colleges from around the world. Maple Leaf graduates are sought after by many of the world’s top 100 universities, with scholarship offers bestowed on the majority of our graduates. MLES offers a wonderful teaching experience, filled with rich cultural explorations, and incredible opportunities for personal and professional growth. We are thrilled you have decided to join us, and look forward to welcoming you to the Maple Leaf team in China. Cheers, George Watson Superintendent, BC Program ' 01 3 Schools Maple Leaf International Schools are fully accredited by the British Columbia Ministry of Education Global Education Program - Offshore Schools and offer the British Columbia Graduation Program, leading to the British Columbia Dogwood Diploma. ' Philosophy The Maple Leaf Educational Philosophy is based on the belief that through blending the best of the innovative and enquiry-based western educational model with the culturally rich and disciplined traditional Chinese educational model, students will be best prepared to meet the challenges of living and working in an internationally diverse society. ' 02 ! China Overview China is a developing nation with well over a billion people. China’s largest cities are modern and efficient while the rest of China is mostly an agricultural nation. China is developing and its economic boom has led to many changes. At the same time, it isimportant to be aware of its long history. ' History China has evolved from humble beginnings at the banks of the Yellow River to expand to an emerging global economic power. Chinese history has lasted thousands of years and there are connections between the people of 5000 or 6000 years ago and the Chinese of today, making it the longest lasting civilisation on earth. ' People Chinese people lie at the heart of the countries massive transformation. Chinese people have been described as pragmatic and hardworking and as a result the country is becoming increasingly wealthy. ' Language The official language is Mandarin. Cantonese is one of eight major dialects. With the exception of the western and southernmost provinces, most of the population speaks Mandarin, although regional accents can make comprehension challenging. ' Climate 03 China has four distinct seasons. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to early November) can be the most comfortable times, since you will avoid the heat of summer (June to August) and chill of winter (November to February/March). ' Preparation Visas Visas are issued to teachers before they arrive in China. Visa’s are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The Vancouver office arranges all of the paper work, and you must pass a health exam as part of the visa process. Resident permits are issued after you arrive in China. ' Vaccinations Specialized travel medicine clinics are your best source of information, since they stock all available vaccines and can give timely recommendations for what you need for China. Bring records, including the dates, of any immunizations that you have had done. ' Medications Pack any medications in their original, clearly labelled containers. Bring a copy of your medical records for you and your family members. If you have a chronic medical condition, get your physician to write a short medical history for your new doctor in China. . Sundries ' Most personal items that you need or use regularly can be purchased in China. Mainstream brands may be available, while lesser known brands can be hard or impossible to find. Many teachers purchase a one-year supply of sundries in Canada to be brought to China in checked baggage. ' Electronics 04 China uses 220v power. Small appliances from Canada may not work, even with an adapter. Small electronic items are easy to find and purchase in China. A laptop with a power cord adapter, rated between 100 - 240V will work in China. ' Preparation Formal Clothing You will need semi-formal clothing for special occasions such as a dark business suit. Classroom attire for men includes a collared dress shirt and tie, with dress pants and closed shoes. Women can wear sleeved blouses and tops, and closed-toed shoes are preferred. PE teachers can wear a collared shirt and running shoes. ' Informal Clothing Most teachers prefer to buy clothes while in Canada, especially shoes such as athletic and dress shoes, since it may be difficult to find shoes that fit well in China. Also, Chinese fashion is more conservative compared to North America. Women typically do not wear sleeveless shirts or tank tops in public. Vaccinations Resources Specialized travel medicine clinics are your best source of information, since they stock all available vaccines and can The School provides basic desk supplies such as tape, give timely recommendations forare what you need to forbring China. pens, pencils, and staples. You encouraged Bring records, including the dates, of Canada. any immunizations that school resources and materials from Most you tests you have had done. classrooms have digital projectors, and it is best to contact your school’s administrator for a more detailed list of school resources that will be available to you. ' . Flight ' The Vancouver office arranges travel from your home to Vancouver on onwards to China. You will depart shortly after the 16th of August. Some routings require an overnight stay in Narita, Japan. Your baggage will be checked through to your final destination in China so you will need to pack a few overnight supplies. Someone from your school will greet you at the airport. ' Shipping 05 Airlines have slightly different baggage allowances so make sure your check the details with the airline you will be on. MLES will reimburse up to $100 CAD for one extra bag – make sure you save your receipt as it is needed for reimbursement. Hygiene Health China is a reasonably healthy country. Outside of the major cities, medical care can be inadequate, and food and waterborne diseases are common. School bathrooms don’t always stock soap and toilet paper. Squat and unclean toilets are common throughout China. It’s a good idea to carry tissues and sanitizer at all times. ' Medical Teachers working at the school are insured though MSH China. The plan entitles you to 1200RMB of dental treatment and, 100% coverage for preventative and basic medical coverage. For more information, you can visit their website at www.mshchina.com. Well-being ' Maintain your social well being by staying connected to friends and family at home and become involved in afterschool staff activities. Transitioning to a new country can be stressful and you may have feelings and worries that you do not normally experience. It is important to be aware of your feelings and reactions, as you begin life in China. . Culture shock . Adapting to a new place takes time. Many teachers go ' through a period of personal frustration with new environments. This is known as culture shock and it’s a normal part of adjusting to a new culture. The four phases of culture shock are fascination, hostility, acceptance and adaptation. . Transition . 06 ' Give yourself time to adjust. Attend a club or activity that meets regularly so that you meet new people and make friends faster. Contact friends and family back home since these connections will help you feel grounded. Manage your stress by staying healthy, eat well and get enough sleep and exercise. ' Health Fitness Take care of yourself physically by exercising regularly. Some teachers visit local gyms while others work out at home or enjoy indoor sports such as hockey, basketball and badminton. Outdoor activities include hiking and cycling or staff team sports such as baseball, soccer, and football. ' Nutrition Food is the fuel that sustains our energy and ability to concentrate. Of course, it’s not always easy to maintain normal eating patterns when you’re adapting to a new environment. Stress, unfamiliar foods, and hectic schedules may affect your diet. Try to be aware of these factors, plan around them, and make healthy eating a priority. ' Water Follow these tips to avoid becoming ill; never drink tap water; bottled water is generally safe; avoid ice; avoid fresh juices since they may have been watered down. Boiling water is the most efficient method of purifying it. ' Safety If you must walk alone, know where you are going and look confident. Stay alert, using a cell phone or earphones can distract you.If you go out at night, go with friends. ' Theft 07 In China, the most common crime is theft. To prevent theft, carry only what you need and put your valuables in a safe place. Avoid leaving your valuables unattended in a public place. As a westerner most Chinese will see you as rich – be careful not to reinforce this image by flashing your money in public.' Money Salary Your salary will be deposited into your Chinese or Canadian bank account on the 15th of each month. You will have the option to deposit all or a portion of your salary to your Chinese or Canadian account. The school can help you set up a Chinese bank account. ' Tax When you work in China, your income is taxed at roughly between 18% and 25%, but this can vary from year to year. If you continue to be a Canadian resident, you may be subject to Canadian income tax. A teacher who becomes a non-resident for tax purposes would be subject only to Chinese income tax. ' Cash Many teachers find that 2500 RMB, approximately $400 CAD, is sufficient for the first few days of purchases in China. It is a good idea to bring cash to use until you find an ATM that accepts your foreign debit cards or can set up your local bank account. ' ATM Chinese debit cards are similar to Canadian debit cards. If you use an ATM in China to withdraw from your Canadian bank account, a typical fee is five Canadian dollars. You can withdraw up to 2500 RMB ($400 CAD) at one time. ' Credit Cards 08 Be sure to notify your credit card company that you are travelling to Asia. This way your card can be pre-authorized for overseas use. Most hotels accept credit cards. Merchants prefer cash and most likely will not accept credit cards. ' Air Transport China’s air network is extensive, and the country’s rapid economic development means that its aviation fleet will triple in size over the next few decades. Airports are being built and upgraded throughout China, making air transport increasingly appealing and affordable. ' Train China’s train network covers every province except Hǎinán. A variety of seat classes on the trains means that you can travel according to your budget. Hard seats are the most affordable. If you want speed and comfort, look for softsleeper bunks. Express trains are modern and comfortable and can travel great distances.' Rail Light rail is an efficient and affordable option in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shànghǎi, Guǎngzhōu, Tiānjīn, Nánjīng, Shēnzhèn, Dàlián, Chóngqìng, and Wǔhàn. ' Bus Buses are one of the best means of getting around. Services are extensive, main roads are improving and the number of intercity highways are increasing, making for efficient bus travel. Local bus fair starts at one yuan. ' Taxi 09 Taxis are cheap and drivers speak little or no English. Show a map or have your destination written in Chinese characters. Meters are often only switched on in larger towns and cities. If the meter is not used, a price should be negotiated before you get into the taxi. Check with other teachers for a fair price and negotiate with cab drivers. Car Transport Driving in China is different from North American driving. Drivers may not signal and honk their horns quite often. If you want to drive in China, you will need a residency permit and a Chinese driving licence. You also have to undergo a health examination and perform a written test in Mandarin. ' Motorcycle There are many small villages with paved roads just outside of major cities. Chinese drivers treat motorcyclists with little respect and will expect motorbikes to yield at all times. Foreigners can legally drive motorcycles if they are residents in China and have a Chinese motorcycle licence. ' Bicycle Except in mountainous cities like Chóngqìng, bicycles are an efficient method for getting around China’s cities. Bike shops are plentiful and prices should be clearly marked. ' Pedestrian Cars do not stop for pedestrians and instead drivers choose to honk their horn and drive around people who cross the street. At the same time, most pedestrians do not use designated crosswalks or obey traffic signals. ' Other 10! You will find China has a number of small transportation options that range from donkey carts to rickshaws. You will find these in large cities and rural areas. Some are designed for leisurely use, while others are strictly used for practical ventures.' Connect Phone Your housing may have a land line available for a nominal fee. You can use your phone to place local or international calls. The majority of teachers prefer to use a mobile phone as their primary source of communication. ' Mobile Mobile phones and mobile phone stores are plentiful in China. You can buy a cell phone at the side of the road, malls, or telephone shops. You can easily activate an unlocked IPhone or other smart phone for use in China. Cell phone plans are much less expensive than in Canada and coverage is good throughout the country. ' SIM Once you buy a phone you need to activate it with a little chip called a SIM card. You can buy a SIM from one of two companies, China Mobile and China Unicom. These companies offer several plans that can include phone and data transfer both locally and overseas. One option is pay as you go, with 100 RMB lasting about a month. . Internet ' Internet availability and connection speeds vary according to your location. Connection speeds are typically slower compared to Canadian Internet connections, and may be less reliable. China censors a great deal of information and websites such as Facebook and YouTube. . ' VPN 11 A virtual proxy network (VPN) is software that allows you to access Internet content that is filtered in China. There are several VPN services and you can buy a plan online. It is easier to purchase a VPN plan in Canada, since VPN websites are blocked in China. Pure and Astrill are two of many VPN services. '