The Canadian International School of Guangzhou
Living in Guangzhou
Long known as the "Flower City," a city built on China’s southern coast along the banks of the Pearl River, Guangzhou is the largest modern metropolis in South China with more than 2,800 years of history. As it stands today, Guangzhou enjoys a prosperous economy and dynamic changes in its cityscape. The city is also a cultural center known especially for its arts, crafts, and cuisine. While Guangdong embroidery and ceramics are well known, it is the food in Guangzhou that brings it international attention. Boasting the country’s largest number of restaurants per capita, the city offers Cantonese cooking at its best and has shaped the way the world perceives Chinese food.
Guangzhou is a good place to raise a family, offering a variety of education options in the form of quality private and international schools, a wide selection of real estate options, and healthcare facilities of international standard.
Travel a world away. Make a world of difference！
Working at CISGZ
The Canadian International School of Guangzhou (CIS) has one goal - to provide a Canadian accredited world-class education from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12. CIS follows the Alberta curriculum and was the first fully-accredited Alberta school in China to graduate students qualified for top Canadian and international universities. CIS meets the high quality standards and needs of international expatriate families whose children looking for academic excellence in the Guangzhou area. Alberta’s education system is recognized internationally as one of the best learning systems in the English-speaking world. Alberta students have placed among the top academic performers in all five cycles of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) held since 2000. CIS campus has capacity for 1000 students and boarding facilities for students in Grade 7-Grade 12.
CIS teachers are passionate, committed and caring professionals, who nurture and guide each student in exploring their talents and fulfilling their dreams. 100% of our teachers are Alberta certificated and have proven teaching and assessment practices. CIS employs highly qualified teachers with degrees in Education, with an average of 8 years of experience from Canada and internationally.
CISGZ is always looking for lively, dedicated and talented teachers to join our team.
CIS Current Job Opportunities
Job Opportunities for Foreign Staff
Teaching Roles
· Secondary EAL (for high school Social Studies and ELA)
· Secondary Social Studies (Grades 6-10)
· Secondary Band (with ability to teach strings)
· University Guidance Counselor (should not be underlined; no JD required)
Leadership Roles (preference given to qualified Alberta school administrators)
· Assistant Principal, ECE & Elementary
Job Opportunities for Local Staff
Teaching Roles
· Mandarin Coordinator
Support Staff
· Early Childhood PE
· Learning Partner
· Receptionist
CIS Teacher Recruitment
- Possess a bachelor's degree or above
- Expatriate teachers require a Bachelor of Education degree
- At least two years of teaching experience in an accredited school unless the teacher is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Education degree from a university in Alberta, Canada
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
How to Apply
CIS Guangzhou is still recruiting teachers. Do you want to know more about teacher CIS recruitment? Please see the follow procedures!
Apply through Schrole
CIS job openings are posted on the CIS page of the Schrole website, typically in November. To apply, please submit your application through Schrole.
Apply through 51job
Job openings that are open to Chinese local applicants are also posted on 51job.
For other inquiries, please contact us at recruitment@cisgz.com
We thank all applicants for your interest in a position at CISGZ, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Frequently Asked Questions about Working at CISGZ
Can you tell me something about Guangzhou?
Guangzhou is a Tier I city in China with a population of over 18 million people. It is located in the south of China on the Pearl River, just 120 km northwest of Hong Kong and 145 km north of Macau. The Tropic of Cancer runs through the northern part of Guangzhou, so we have very hot summers and quite pleasant falls and springs. Once called Canton, Guangzhou has a history dating back over 2,000 years, and it wears that history proudly. Ancient temples, walls, and dynasty sites abound in Guangzhou. It is a city full of some of the largest walkable parks in any Chinese city. It has one of the busiest airports in the world, but it is very easy and quick to board flights due to its high level of automation. The school itself is situated in the southern district of Panyu, which is known for its quieter pace and family-friendly amenities. The school is also a 15-minute drive from the South High-Speed Train Station. As a result, it is very easy to use Guangzhou as a hub to reach any destination in China or the world.
Do I need a work permit to work in China?
Overseas or foreign staff employees do require a work visa to legally work in China. There is a process that takes some time to complete. Our Human Resources team will guide you through the process both in the employee’s home country and here in China. Once the employee arrives in China, there is a finalizing process to obtain a residence permit, which the school arranges for the employee.
Does CIS have medical insurance and a dental plan?
CIS provides medical coverage to all staff, which includes clinical visits and hospitalization through MSH China. Some dental coverage is provided through the same carrier. With this plan, the insurance provider covers 80% of the fee, and the employee covers 20%.
How many sick days do we have?
Foreign staff get 5 sick days and 5 compassionate days in a contractual year. A certificate issued by a registered physician is required if an employee claims sick leave prior to or immediately following a school holiday.
What does the school year look like?
Our school calendar looks very similar to a school year in Canada. We provide a mix of Eastern and Western holidays. We have a one-week holiday for China’s National Day in early October, a two-week Christmas break, a two-week Chinese New Year break, and a one-week Spring/Tomb Sweeping break in late March or early April. Our school year begins in late August and lasts until the last week of June. We have around 185 teaching days every year.
What types of accommodations are available in Guangzhou?
Our staff live in apartments either within walking distance of the school campus or a short 5-minute drive away at the Clifford Wonderland complex. Our HR team will guide and assist you in finding the right accommodation for you or your family. The school will loan the employee the damage deposit and agent fee, so the employee does not have to arrive in Guangzhou and pay that amount upfront. Fully furnished apartments cost in the range of 3,500–4,500 RMB ($685–$885 CAD) for a two-bedroom apartment. More bedrooms will cost more. Utilities are also very inexpensive in China.
What are the extracurricular responsibilities for staff members?
CIS runs After School Activities (ASA) like all international schools in China. CIS runs two 16-week ASA sessions during the year. Staff are required to offer an ASA option after school twice a week from 3:10 until 4:05. This is often a pursuit of a passion for the staff member, like Robotics or Dance. Coaching also counts towards this requirement. Staff are paid extra for this extracurricular responsibility.
What meetings will I be required to attend?
CIS has a standardized meeting schedule. Every Tuesday, teachers attend a division meeting, elementary/secondary meeting, a committee meeting, or a general staff meeting. Most meetings are 45–60 minutes long. Each grade level and subject area also has a lateral meeting each week in order to co-plan or create projects.
Is there Professional Development?
Every teacher belongs to a Professional Learning Community. PLCs explore essential questions and focus on student learning. The goal is to develop and improve teaching pedagogy. There are two designated PDs in the school year. Teachers are encouraged to seek out PD opportunities that match their Professional Growth Plan. They can access a school PD fund to support that goal. There is also the opportunity to visit other international schools in the area.
Is there a dress code?
Teachers should dress in a professional manner that befits the professional nature of the job. Business casual is appropriate.
Men: long pants and a collared shirt; no jeans, shorts, or t-shirts.
Women: long pants, capris, or skirts; no shorts, and no tops with spaghetti straps. Clothing should not be too tight or revealing.
Athletic wear such as yoga pants, jogging pants, and athletic shorts is to be worn by PE staff only. Smart athletic wear, rather than casual athletic wear, is required.
What is the best way to get to work?
Some staff are able to walk to work as they live very close. There is a staff bus that picks up and drops off staff at Clifford Wonderland. Some staff use Didi, which is a ride-hailing system similar to Uber. It is very inexpensive to use the Didi hailing app.
What about holidays and what are the travel opportunities?
As we try to balance Western and Eastern holidays each year, there are many opportunities to travel—especially within China. As the world resumes normal travel, Guangzhou is a great place to springboard to many places in Southeast Asia. The longer breaks allow families and teachers to travel and enjoy the sights and sounds of new places.
What kind of taxes do we need to pay?
The school will calculate your income tax and deduct it from each month’s paycheck. The tax rate is between 14–20%, depending on your income. It is important to seek out tax advisors or accountants in your home country to understand your tax responsibilities.
What is the cost of living in Guangzhou?
The cost of living here in Guangzhou is extremely reasonable. From apartment costs to food and dining out, it is quite easy to save money if you so desire. Most staff send money home and still live quite comfortably. They travel often, and some are even able to hire locals to watch over their children or clean their flats.
CIS Employment Network
Canadian International School of Guangzhou is affiliated with these Canadian International Schools:
·The International School of Macao
·Canadian International School of Phnom Penh in Cambodia
