This program is no longer offered.
About Disney English
The Walt Disney Company is renowned for engaging and inspiring stories. In addition to delivering world-class family entertainment, Disney has developed a number of innovative and immersive educational programs to support young learners around the globe. With Disney English, Disney is able to share the joy of language learning with children across China through their award-winning curriculum, iconic characters and unparalleled ability to share unique and timeless stories.
Disney English gives their Foreign Trainers the opportunity to shape young children’s futures as well as build rewarding relationships with them. This exciting opportunity in education provides successful candidates with the unique ability to make a world of difference in a child’s life while working for a leading international media enterprise.
Becoming a Foreign Trainer with Disney English
Disney English looks for passionate, outgoing, native-speaking English language teachers.
As a Foreign Trainer, you’ll discover a new culture, inspire children to learn a new language and grow and develop your own skills in ways you never dreamed. Foreign Trainers will help students improve their English reading, writing, listening and speaking abilities.
By using state-of-the art technology, activity books, listening materials, sing-along exercises and various onsite supplies and props, Foreign Trainers will provide a fun and exciting English learning experience. It’s all possible at Disney English.
- Foreign Trainers provide a highly engaging and effective learning experience to children between 3-12 years old through the delivery of innovative and immersive Disney educational content.
- Successful Foreign Trainers have high energy! Delivering the curriculum with liveliness and enthusiasm is a must. Disney English Foreign Trainers use immersive learning techniques such as storytelling, singing, dialogue and role-playing in combination with formal exercises.
- Foreign Trainers work a full-time salaried role at 40 hours per work week (20-25 contact teaching hours) including evenings and weekends.
- Each Foreign Trainer is paired with a native-speaking Chinese Learning Partner in the classroom to best engage and communicate with the students and parents.
- Foreign Trainers measure progress and educational results while providing ongoing support and development to the students.
- Foreign Trainers build strong relationships with parents and keep them “in-the-know” on their children’s journey.
Disney English Curriculum
The method used at Disney English is known as the Disney Immersive Storytelling Approach (ISA). The ISA is based on the theory of multiple intelligences and entails using experiential learning in the classroom.
Teachers, called Foreign Trainers, use a variety of interactive activities, songs, visual materials and movement to capture students’ attention and show them that learning is fun! In-class learning is combined with home study materials and online tools to provide a comprehensive learning experience for all students.
Disney English Salary and Benefits
- Discover the rich history and culture of Asia with opportunities to visit popular Chinese sites, as well as travel to India, Japan, and beyond.
- Form lasting friendships with people from all over the world.
- Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities, including the eligibility for promotion after 9 months of service.
- Robust academic training including assistance obtaining a TEFL certification as well as a Rosetta Stone Mandarin license.
- Various Disney discounts, including a limited theme parks admission pass.
- Receive health and dental insurance as well as paid sick and vacation time.
- Paid airfare to China and a monthly travel stipend toward return trip.
- Monthly housing allowance and 21 day stay in hotel upon arrival to China.
Disney English Careers: FAQs
General FAQs
Disney English opened its first center in Shanghai in October 2008.
Disney English centers are currently in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Ningbo, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Dalian, Shenyang, and Chengdu. Disney English will continue its expansion into other cities throughout China in the coming years.
English Foreign Trainer:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
2 years post-graduate teaching experience, preferably teaching young learners
Energy, enthusiasm & passion to inspire children in the classroom
Strong organizational skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities with grace
Exceptional guest service mentality
Flexibility, openness and professionalism
Internationally recognized TEFL certification preferred
Must be a fluent English speaker
Ability to commit to a 12-15 month contract
Language Learning Director:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
5-7 years combined teaching and management experience
Internationally recognized TEFL certification
Energy, enthusiasm & passion to inspire children in the classroom
Flexible, open and professionalism in demeanor
Exceptional guest service mentality
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities
People management skills, with the ability to train, develop and retain teams
Must be a fluent English speaker
The Disney English contract for trainers is 12-15 months, including your training prior
to your arrival in your center. Contract lengths are dependent on your start date, and the date on which a term ends. Please speak with your recruiter with questions.
A one-day orientation is provided on the Monday after you arrive, and is followed by 6 business days of academic training. During academic training, you will learn about the Disney English interactive storytelling approach, our curriculum, classroom and service standards, and on how to use our interactive technology.
Yes, you will be paid during this period.
Pre-entry medical checks are, at times, required. The Labor Bureau in Beijing, Tianjin and Guangzhou require a pre-entry medical check in order to secure your invitation letter and employment license. Additionally, some Chinese consulates require a pre-entry medical check in addition to other documents to secure your Z visa (regardless of your city of placement). Please be sure to check with your local consulate to confirm regulations. If you need a medical form, your recruiter will provide you with one.
After you arrive in China, you will need to complete a medical check to secure your work and resident permit. The cost of the physical in China is approximately 700RMB, which Disney English will reimburse, typically between 4-6 weeks after submitting receipts. Please note: Be sure to bring two 2-inch color photos with you, as they are required for the medical check in China. Also, Disney English does not reimburse for vaccinations.
Foreign Trainers spend 40 hours per week in their centers, of which, approximately 21-24 hours are spent in the classroom. The remainder of the time is spent preparing lessons, conducting demonstration lessons for potential students and their parents to help market our program, hosting referral events, attending staff meetings and development training, and engaging in other center activities as needed. Trainers work a 5-day week with two consecutive days off during the week. Shifts do not start earlier than 8:30am and would end no later than 9:00pm.
Saturdays and Sundays are Disney English’s busiest (and longest days) at the centers. Everyone is required to work both days, and you can expect that one of the days will have a 12-hour shift. You will receive 2 consecutive days off during the week, to serve as your “weekend”. Usually the days off are either Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday.
Your recruiter will discuss available openings and their corresponding location during your interview. Please note that occasionally, because of our rate of growth and the changing nature of business in China, your city assignment or arrival date may shift prior to your arrival. Upon your arrival, you will be assigned to a center and corresponding schedule.
Disney English provides English classes for children ages 2-12 years old. There are 3 programs offered:
Hello World: 2 year olds
Foundation: 3-6 year olds
Step Up: 7 year olds +
Learners are placed based upon their language assessment. All Foreign Trainers work with each age group.
Hello World: Lessons are 45 minutes during the week, and 1.5 hours on the weekend
Foundation: Lessons are 60 minutes during the week, and 2 hours on the weekend
Step Up: Lessons are 60 minutes during the week, and 2 hours on the weekend
Trainers meet with the young learners for approximately 2 hours per week
No class will exceed 15 students. Trainers teaching the Foundation & Step Up programs will have an Assistant Trainer accompany them for 80% of the time. Trainers teaching the Hello World class will have an Assistant Trainer accompany them throughout the entire class. Additionally, the parent and/or guardian will also be permitted to attend Hello World.
Initially, you may be required to provide coverage in multiple centers, however, once you complete this “floating” period, which can last up to two months, you would be placed in one center for the remainder of their contract. Please note: You may be required to work temporarily in a city other than the one you were initially assigned to. In this case, Disney English would provide your hotel accommodation for the duration of your stay and transportation to/from the city.
Yes. Disney English cast members are eligible to apply for a promotion after they’ve completed 6 months of service. Promotional eligibility is dependent on performance, and what positions are available at that time.
All Disney English academic cast members are required to maintain a consistent look. Disney English will provide you with khaki pants and 4 Disney English polo shirts for your uniform. You must also wear black, close-toed leather shoes and a matching black leather belt, which are not provided by the company. Your pants will be custom ordered upon your arrival. Custom orders may take time, so please bring a couple pairs of basic khaki pants from home. Cargo pants and capri pants are not permitted. Once the tailored pants have arrived, you must wear them while in the center. Male cast members must be clean-shaven and have haircuts above the collar. Female cast members must have neat hairstyles off the collar. Tattoos must not be visible wearing a short-sleeved shirt, and must be covered at all times. Facial piercings must be removed when in the center. During orientation and training, the uniform will not be available, and business casual attire is required.
You do not need to speak Mandarin in order to teach English. Disney English is an English immersion curriculum, so Chinese will only be used when necessary by the local cast.
Disney will book your hotel accommodation upon your arrival, where you may stay for up to 3 weeks. During this time you will attend orientation and training, and conduct an apartment search. Please note that you do not begin to accrue your housing allowance until you check out of the hotel.
You are required to secure your own permanent housing. Though Disney English does not have an in-house realtor, we encourage you to speak with your new colleagues about realtors and websites with whom they’ve had success. Upon arrival at your center, you’ll be provided with a document that contains the contact information for a few realtors, as well.
Disney English recommends you bring a minimum of $2,500 -$3,000. This money is necessary for initial out-of-pocket rental deposits & fees. Disney English offers an optional advance of your first 3 months housing allowance. Please be aware that if you elect to receive this advance, your taxable income for the month increases significantly, and those taxes will be withheld from your first paycheck. Additionally, you will not start receive your regular monthly housing allowance until the 4th month. If elected, the cash advance is typically issued 2-3 weeks after you’ve filled out the necessary paperwork.
Many apartments are furnished. You will need to work with your realtor to ensure the apartment has the amenities you desire. Utensils, pans, sheets, towels and other standard household goods are easily found in China.
Living & Teaching in China FAQs
Disney English will take you to open your bank account within the first 3 days of your arrival in China.
The daily ATM limit is 2,500 RMB.
Yes, but Disney English hires each person individually. Couples will be assigned to work in separate centers, and we cannot guarantee that couples will always start at their assigned center on the same date. Additionally, while we try to make accommodations, there is a possibility that couples may not have the same days off, though you will always have at least one common day off each week.
Many members of our cast are able to save money, but this depends on personal spending habits.
Disney English is unable to provide shipping assistance or storage facilities for belongings.
Disney English does not provide any assistance or counsel on animal transportation. We recommend that you refer to the Chinese Embassy website to learn more about the requirements.
Yes, Disney English delivers exciting, energetic content to help our learners connect with English in a totally original way. To successfully secure a work permit in China, all candidates must complete a thorough medical check. Academic positions require frequent standing, bending, squatting, and reaching. With very limited amounts of time, you are running around setting up chairs, breaking down tables, and gathering realia, etc. Frequent lifting of one to five pounds and occasional lifting of up to 40-50 pounds is required.
Living & Teaching in China with a Spouse and/or Dependents FAQs
Disney English can add your legal spouse and/or children to your invitation letter, which will allow them to enter China on a spousal or dependant visa.
Spousal Visa: In order to process the entry visa, you will need to send soft copies of their resume, passport photo page and marriage license along with your documents for processing.
Dependant Visa: In order to process the entry visa for your child, you will need to send their passport photo page and birth certificate or adoption decree along with your documents for processing.
Once in China, Disney English will help secure their resident permit(s). Please be sure to bring eight 2×2 passport photos to China for the resident permit applications.
Your first month with Disney English will be intense! Because of this, though not mandated, we strongly recommend that you wait 1 month to bring your accompanying spouse or dependant(s). Please note that a spouse or dependant visa does not legally qualify one to work in China.
Due to Chinese visa regulations, Disney English cannot sponsor a spousal or dependent visa for your unmarried partner. Please refer to your national embassy, as China regulations, requirements and process can vary depending upon country of origin.
Benefits FAQs
Disney English will book a one-way ticket, from your city of origin to your city of orientation
You will be provided a (taxable) travel allowance of 420 RMB, added to each month’s salary, for your return flight
3 week stay in hotel upon arrival
7,000 RMB training bonus (issued 2-3 weeks after arrival)
3,000-4,350 RMB monthly housing allowance (varies on location)
– Direct deposited with monthly salary
– You will not begin to accrue your housing allowance until you check out of the hotel
– If you elect to receive the 3 month housing advance, you will receive your first regular housing allowance in month 4
Monthly salary
100% paid monthly health insurance premium (co-pay not included)
Dental insurance included in healthcare package
– Spouse’s and dependants’ premium covered at 50%
– Please see Benefits Highlight Sheet for details
10 sick days per calendar year
10 accrued vacation days
Disney English observes 11 Chinese national holidays
TEFL-C certification
Mandarin lessons provided by Rosetta Stone
Disney English will arrange a one-way ticket from your city of origin to China. Should you need to book your own travel to China, DE will reimburse up to $700 USD, with prior approval from your Travel Coordinator. We also provide a (taxable) travel allowance of 420 RMB, which is deposited with your monthly salary. This allowance may be used for a return flight or travel to another destination. Please note: Disney English does not pay for the airfare for accompanying spouse or dependants, unless they are employees of Disney English.
Your travel itinerary will be available approximately two weeks prior to your scheduled start date. Your travel itinerary is contingent upon approval and receipt of your China visa. Should there be an issue with obtaining your visa, your travel will be changed appropriately.
Your annual health insurance premium is paid for by Disney English. You will be charged a co-payment when visiting a physician. The insurance network includes English-speaking physicians. Disney English will pay 50% of the cost of the insurance premium for spouses and eligible dependants, and the employee is responsible for the remaining 50% of the cost.
Health Insurance starts once the contract is signed.
You will receive your training bonus via direct deposit approximately 2-3 weeks after you’ve filled out your paperwork and opened your bank account. If you start before the 15th of the month, you will receive your first paycheck at the end of that month. If you start work after the 15th of the month, you will receive your paycheck at the end of the following month. For example, if you started work on the 21st of March, you would receive your first paycheck at the end of April.
Foreign Trainers and Language Learning Directors accrue 10 paid vacation days.
Disney English observes 11 Chinese national holidays. They are:
New Year’s Day: 1 day
Chinese New Year: 3 days
Qing Ming Festival: 1 day
Labor Day: 1 day
Dragon Boat Festival: 1 day
Mid Autumn Festival: 1 day
National Day: 3 days
Please Note: Substitutions are not permitted in the event a holiday falls on a day you already have off. As is the case with your standard weekly schedule, due to the nature of our business, centers may observe a slightly different holiday calendar than the Regional and National Offices. Holidays and vacation time not observed on this calendar can be coordinated with your manager, in accordance with Disney English time-off policy and depending upon the center’s schedule.
Visas FAQs
Disney English will process your documents with the labor bureau, and will send you your invitation letter and employment license, which you’ll need to secure your Z (work) visa. The Z visa is typically obtained in your country of residence. Once in China, you will receive your official work and residence permits. You are responsible for the initial costs of securing your Z-visa, however Disney English will pay for or reimburse the costs for securing your work & resident permit when you arrive in China.
Once you have accepted the position, you will be introduced to a China HR Specialist, who will explain the visa document collection process to you. Candidates are required to provide the following documents:
Soft copy of resume
Soft copy of passport picture page
Soft copy of Bachelor’s degree
Soft copy of employee verification letter(s): Showing at least 1-2 years post-graduate teaching experience. These letters need to show proof of employment (specific employment dates are preferred); on company letterhead with employer signature or official stamp
Soft copy of TEFL certification
Note: Beijing and Tianjin require soft copies as well as the original documents, along with a mandatory pre-medical check. All documents will be returned.
Once the offer has been accepted, your recruiter will send an email introducing you to one of our HR partners in China, who will collect the documents required to process your invitation letter and employment license. Documents must either be e-mailed or postal mailed, depending on your city assignment. Your paperwork will be sent to the Chinese Labor Bureau for approval and, once approved, your invitation letter & employment license will be sent to you. Please be sure that we have your updated address so as not to delay delivery. These documents must be included in to secure your Z visa, along with any other documents required by the Chinese Consultate with whom you’re working. Depending upon the city, documnets processing may take up to 4-5 weeks.
While standard documents including your visa application, passport, invitation letter & employment license are always required in order to secure your Z visa, you must consult with the Chinese Consulate at which you will be applying about consulate specific requirements. Some locations mandate a pre-arrival medical check, regardless of the city in which you will be placed. Please speak with your recruiter for details. Many US citizens have had success using courier services such as http://www.mychinavisa.com and Canadian citizens using http://www.mychinavisa.ca
Please contact your recruiter for additional information and details surrounding the F visa process.
Once you have the Z visa in your passport, you must notify your Recruiter & Recruitment Coordinator immediately. The Recruitment Coordinator will book your ticket and send you the itinerary and e-ticket via e-mail. Flights can be issued & ticketed within 24 hours.
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