Overview
Public schools in China are public institutions (事业单位), so teacher hiring follows the national rules for open recruitment by public institutions (the 2005 provisional rules, in force from 2006): publish a plan and notice, check eligibility, examine, run a medical examination, select, publish the result, and sign a contract. The exam can be run by the hiring unit itself or by the government personnel department or the unit's superior authority, so the format and organiser vary. Read the notice for the post you want.
Who can apply
Under the national rules for public institution recruitment, applicants must hold Chinese nationality, obey the law, be of good conduct, have the skills for the post and meet the physical requirements. The post's own conditions are set in each notice. Notices may not set discriminatory conditions.
Exam pattern
The national rules allow written tests, interviews, or several methods together, so the structure varies. A guide posted on the Ministry of Education's student platform describes interviews that use a teaching demonstration or lesson explanation, with the interview score combined with the written score in some areas. Check your notice for the written subjects.
Levels or stages
Interview and teaching demonstration
The guide describes a typical interview day, which varies by area and is set out on your admit card. You report about 30 minutes early and have your identity checked, wait, draw a topic, prepare a lesson, then give either a teaching demonstration (试讲) or a lesson explanation (说课), and in some areas answer follow-up questions. Preparation time is usually 30 to 60 minutes, and the demonstration or explanation usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes. A question and answer segment generally does not exceed 15 minutes. Scores are averaged after dropping the highest and lowest. Candidates must give only their draw number, not their name, in the room; giving a name can lead to disqualification.
After the exam
After the examination come the medical examination, the selection of candidates, and a public notice. The public notice period is generally 7 to 15 days. A probation period is included in the contract term. A candidate who fails probation can have the appointment cancelled.
Preparation tips
Read your local education bureau's notice first for the subject, level and test content.
Practise timed lesson explanations, since time limits are strict.
Check the admit card for the exact procedure, as the process differs between regions.