TEACHERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS

In addition to the great demand for English teachers, FOC also receives requests to recruit those with other professional qualifications in such fields as computer technology, agriculture, the medical and health professions, and physical science. We continually receive enquiries from people with a wide variety of professional backgrounds who are looking for opportunities to work in China. During the year 2003, we successfully placed personnel in all the above fields of expertise.

In addition to recruiting teachers, FOC this past year worked with W. W. Norton & Company Ltd., UK, to supply anthologies of English and American literature to universities and colleges in the PRC. Between March and November 2003, more than 800 of these anthologies (with an approximate retail value of USD 40,000) were distributed by the FOC personnel in Henan to Zhengzhou University, Yunnan Normal University, Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management, Yili Normal University, Henan University of Finance and Economics, and Henan Agricultural University. Norton kindly offered their extra books free. FOC and Zhengzhou University shared the shipping cost. These world-famous textbooks provide students with an excellent resource, and enable them to increase their overall proficiency in the English language.

A further important educational initiative by FOC during 2003 was the establishment of Cornerstone Training Center (officially opened in September 2003). FOC Associates in Henan, in partnership with Henan Agricultural University, opened this new training center, consisting of three classrooms and two offices on the main campus of Henan Agricultural University. The training center staff provide English training programs for children, adults, and teachers living in the Zhengzhou area.

The number of requests for English teachers, unfortunately, always exceeds our ability to supply. As mentioned previously, we are committed to recruiting teachers of excellent quality and high moral standards, so our selection process is stringent. As a result of strengthened recruitment efforts, however, the number of FOC English teachers has significantly increased in 2003.

By "excellent quality", we are referring not only to academic qualifications and professionalism, but also to cultural sensitivity and a willingness to accept conditions simpler than would be expected in the foreign expert's home country. In order to assist the teachers to adapt to life in China, FOC provides an orientation to all teachers and experts who are recruited to work at Chinese educational institutions. Continued monitoring of their adjustment to life in China and their performance as teachers is also one of our priorities.

In the year 2003, FOC was also able to arrange for several short-term groups of English teachers. These teams provide opportunities to study and communicate with native speakers of English for those who may not be able to attend regular classes taught by foreign teachers. In cases where highly qualified teachers can be recruited, these short-term programs provide opportunities for training of middle and high school English teachers.

Some teachers may initially offer to work in China for one or two semesters, and FOC is pleased to introduce them. We are even more pleased if they are able to continue teaching for a longer period.

Teachers are sometimes employed as Foreign Experts, and sometimes as Foreign Teachers, depending on their qualifications and experience. Contract terms vary, in terms of accommodation provided, salary offered and assistance with annual traveling expenses.

The map shows the provinces and municipalities where teachers who were recruited through FOC were working during 2003.