application - let's get started!

Your Teach Abroad application must be submitted electronically, with supplemental materials submitted via mail. This easy process will allow you to track and follow the status of your application, via your online My CIEE account and receive your pre-departure program information on an interactive online checklist.

Here’s all you have to do:

First, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements of the Teach in China program. You should also read the terms+conditions of participation.

  1. Create a My CIEE account. This will be the primary method of communication between you and CIEE.

  2. From your My CIEE account, begin the online portion of your application by choosing the program and term you wish to teach abroad. Complete the:

    • Personal Data

    • Placement Request

    • Educational Information

    • $50 non-refundable application fee, payable by Visa or MasterCard

  3. Address the following questions and enter your completed work into the Personal Statement tab of your My CIEE application. Remember, you are applying for a position to teach English – grammar, spelling, and punctuation are important! Total response should not exceed 1000 words.

    • Is English your first language? (If so, please write “yes” and skip to the next question). If English is not your first language, please provide a thorough description of your background with the language. Why do you feel you are a good candidate to teach English to others?

    • How does the Teach in China program meet your short-term and long-term goals?

    • What are your perceptions of China? Why do you think you will be successful living and working independently in China?

    • What previous teaching, tutoring, or other related experience do you have? Why are you a good candidate to teach English?

    • Describe a situation you have experienced in which you have had to make cultural adaptations. What skills or qualities did you draw upon to be successful?

    • Although China is the most populous nation in the world, being surrounded by people can be remarkably lonely. How will you act and what characteristics and/or strategies will help you avoid isolation and cope with homesickness?

      • Strong international competition makes China’s well-known international cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing) an unlikely placement except for qualified or experienced teachers. CIEE teaching positions in China are frequently available in the smaller cities outlying Shanghai and extending to urban areas around Beijing, Nanjing, and Chongqing. Placements are also common in Anhui, Jiangsu, and Hebei Provinces. Please briefly indicate your placement preferences below. Feel free to mention specific locations (ex: ”1-Hangzhou, 2-Suzhou”) or general preferences (ex: “urban”).

      • Teachers typically work with students at the university level, however positions are also frequently available at the primary and secondary level. Please briefly indicate your student age preferences below as either primary, secondary, or university. Or, write “no preference.”

  1. Collect all of the supporting application materials below and mail to CIEE. Make sure to update your checkbox so CIEE is aware that your items are en route.

    • Two official passport photographs with your name written on the back of each

    • Passport - Photocopy of the details page of your passport that includes your name, birth date, photograph, etc. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the program end date and have at least two blank pages.

    • Photocopy of your university diploma (bachelor’s and/or master’s).

      • If you’re an expected spring semester university graduate, you’re eligible to apply for the August program. If your diploma is not available at the time of your application to CIEE please obtain a letter from your academic advisor or university registrar that confirms you are on track to graduate in May. IMPORTANT: CIEE will need a copy of your diploma by early June! If your school’s regular schedule to issue actual diplomas does not coincide with this deadline then upon request CIEE can provide you with a letter that has previously been successful to expedite this process. Without a copy of your diploma we are unable to obtain essential visa documents from the Chinese authorities that are required by the Embassy.

    • Your resume - Please focus your resume on teaching, volunteering, international, educational, and other related experiences. However, please include all post-high school employment experience (summer work, internships, nannying, etc...). Please limit your resume to two pages.

    • Two letters of recommendation

      • Letters must be dated, signed, and printed on official letterhead or accompanied by a business card.

      • Referees should be persons that are/were directly responsible for the review of your academic and/or professional performance. Referees may include a current or previous professor, academic advisor, supervisor, or manager.

      • CIEE does not accept letters of recommendation from family members, friends, neighbors, or similar sources.

      • Originals of all recommendation letters are required. Faxes or emails may be considered to expedite applications, however they must be followed up by mailed originals that meet the above standards.

      • CIEE does not have an evaluation form for referees to complete.


    • Note: Once you have begun a CIEE application, you can save and return to it by logging into My CIEE and clicking on My Home.

    • Mail your supporting documents to:


    • CIEE Teach Abroad
      300 Fore Street
      Portland, ME 04101

  2. Monitor your application and pre-departure materials via your My CIEE account. Once your complete teach abroad application has been received by CIEE, we will contact you with more information.