Is there a curfew while teaching?
If you live on campus they typically close the gates around 10pm on school nights. If you live in a hotel off campus there is no curfew but we ask you not to be out past 11pm on school nights.
Is there a dress code for teaching?
Chinese students respect teachers very much, so teachers have to foster a professional image. Teachers should wear appropriate clothes while teaching. For men this includes wearing trousers, no open toed shoes, no hats, shirts with excessive images or writing on them, no tank tops, and no pajamas to class, and women no skirts that are too short. There is no punishment for wearing inappropriate clothes. You will only find that your students will not take your class as seriously as they do with other Chinese teachers. They may think they can ignore you and talk to each other during class. To maintain a good learning environment you should keep in mind that serious behavior and appearance will show them they need to keep focused and serious as well.
What are the other teachers like?
Most of the participants are licensed teachers from California, but we will have other participants from college students to retired professionals, from Boston down to Texas. This year we plan to take roughly 120 teachers.

How can I arrange my own traveling when the program finishes?
There are a few things to be aware of, is the plane ticket return date acceptable for your travel plans? If not then you will need to extend the plane ticket. Is the date on your visa valid through the period you hope to travel? If not you will need to extend the visa in the country. Besides that you just need a Lonely Planet guidebook, about $500 a week for budget travel, and an adventurous spirit. Note that you can not change the city of your departure from China, so that's important to consider prior to your trip.
Will someone meet me at Shanghai or Guangzhou airport?
Yes. Whether it is for the summer or the long term programs we will always have our Chinese staff there to meet you at airport of your arrival carrying a sign with our company name or your personal name if you are coming alone.

If my passport will expire within 6 months can I still go?
No, the Chinese consulate will not give you a visa if your passport will expire within 6 months. You must renew it.
If the visas are good for only 30 days at a time, then what if but my program will last longer than 30 days?
ACT and your school will take responsibility for renewing your visa at the local police station.
What if I want to leave and re-enter China after the program?
All Chinese visas will be good for up to 12 months with a 30 day limit per period. You can enter and leave as many times as you like under this plan.

What about SARS? How can you make sure we don't get it?
SARS is not a problem now. There are no travel warnings by the World Health Organization or any other international bodies and no new cases have been reported for almost a year. Even during the height of the epidemic, your contraction chances were 1 in 10 million.
Are any special vaccinations required?
China is currently on the same health status as the US so no vaccinations are required. If you travel to a rural area you may consider taking malaria pills, but you are more likely to get sick from these rather then from actually contracting malaria. Teachers often get a season flu while in China so we recommend getting your flu shots before arriving in China . Please refer to the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control website to update yourself with any vaccine recommendations.
Who do I contact in case of an emergency in China ?
You will have the number of your local school host and your local ACT representative to contact in case of emergency.
Is crime a serious problem in China ?
China has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. That being said you must take the typical precautions; Watch your belongings when you are traveling, don't flash money around, lock your hotel room when you leave…

What if I can't speak Mandarin, can I still participate?
Yes, most English teachers that take part in the program do not speak Chinese. As an English teacher, your main duty is to teach English, thus proficiency in the Chinese language is not necessary. If you need help with translations during class, ask for your Chinese teacher assistant. Sometimes if students don't understand, try to explain one more time by either slowing down, using simple words or incorporating body language. We will provide textbooks and lesson plans to help you with your teaching responsibilities.
If I was born in another country but raised in America can I still go?
Yes. The number one requirement is fluency in English. Although we mainly advertise to people from English speaking countries, it is open to anyone who is qualified. If you think your English is good enough, apply and we will give you an interview and judge for ourselves.
If English is my second language but I speak fluently can I still go?
If your English is as good as a native speaker that is enough qualification. Please apply and if your other qualities match our requirements, we will hold an interview and go from there.
If I do not have a US passport (but from another country) can I still go?
As long as you have all the correct paper work to reenter the US it will be fine. However, there are higher restrictions to acquire visas from some countries than others. Persons with passports from neighboring Asian countries and African countries may have a little more difficulty.
If I have no passport can I still go?
No, you cannot go without a passport. But only if you act to get a new passport at least three weeks prior to us booking the plane tickets then you can still go. We cannot book your plane ticket until you have received your visa and you have sent us a contract and check. We will book tickets by roughly May 30. Three weeks is the standard processing time, there is also expedited service which will take up to 7 days. We will not cover the costs of getting a new passport. A new passport will cost between $85 and $145 depending on speed of service

How much money will I likely spend in China ?
The program covers all necessary transportation, accommodations, and food, yet we do not pay for personal expenditures. Some teachers may wish to buy souvenirs, clothing, or treat themselves to a night out on the town. Have fun, but it's on you. In China , these things will be cheaper then in the States, but keep in mind, these little expenses add up. We recommend you bring at least $300 USD for spending money. If you plan to travel after the program is finished that will set you back substantially. Plan to bring $500 a week for budget travel.
Can I do extracurricular work in China to earn extra money?
We currently do not have any opportunities in China to earn additional funds. Only those teachers participating in our long term program receive a salary.
How can I withdraw money?
In smaller cities ATMs may not accept your home back card, traveler's checks are difficult to cash anywhere, and outside the big cities most places do not accept credit card. Your best option is to bring cash from home and convert it in China upon arrival, or use your ATM card in big cities to withdraw. Those teaching long term can open up a local bank account through the Bank of China to deposit and manage their salary.

If I am vegetarian how will I fare?
Being vegetarian is not easy in China . Even dishes that are in the vegetable section of the menu usually have meat in them. There have been many past participants who went through the program with a vegetarian diet so you can do it, but there are extra challenges you will probably have to face.
What about laundry service?
There will be laundry service either on campus or close by the hotel we are residing in. The laundry fee should be covered by the program during the summer program.  You will need to cover the expenses independently during the long term program.  One load of laundry is typically $1-$2.
If I am in a relationship should I keep it discreet?
You rarely see public displays of affection in China even in the big cities. Out of cultural propriety it is best to do as the locals do. It is also important to keep it discreet in the school since the Chinese students come from a more conservative background.
How can I reach my family while I am in China?
You may either email your family or call them via a international phone card. Our local staff person can assist you in finding the right facilities to contact them. Internet cafes are very common throughout China and it is usually only the equivalent of .20 cents an hour to use.
Can members of my family come to visit me and stay with me?
Yes, but we cannot cover their accommodations, food or travel expense. As long as their visit doesn't conflict with your teaching responsibilities or the group touring arrangement, it will be fine.