Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), located in Wenzhou, China, is one of three Sino-American universities (along with NYU Shanghai and Duke Kunshan University), and is approved by the Ministry of Education of China. Launched in 2012, WKU offers a unique model of higher education in partnership with Kean University, a comprehensive, public university in the state of New Jersey that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
WKU sits on approximately 500 beautiful acres and currently enrolls about 5,500 students, and it is now in the midst of a rapid growth that will bring enrollment to 7,000 students within the next five years. All instruction is in English and all curriculum is provided by Kean University.
In addition to its current 18 undergraduate programs, WKU has been approved by the Ministry of Education to offer 14 Master’s and 3 Doctorate programs. WKU highly values research-powered teaching and learning, and the average number of faculty publications and the Field-weighted Citation Impact are among the best of leading Chinese academic institutions.
Wenzhou is one of the most vibrant and economically advanced developed cities on China’s East Coast, located one hour by plane and three hours by high-speed train from Shanghai.
About the Job
The College of Liberal Arts is seeking highly motivated individuals to join the Learning English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) department at WKU. All faculty positions are full-time assignments, effective for the start of the 2027 Spring or the 2027 Fall semester. These positions are full-time assignments appointed on a 3-year contract at the first instance and are renewable upon successful reappointment review.
A Lecturer in LEAP at WKU is a full-time, 11-month employee who teaches 39 credits per year and provides students with learning support services during the assigned period. Lecturers will be expected to provide high-quality teaching, and learning support services, as well as service to the university, college, department, program, and/or professional community related service, and perform other related work as required.
Teaching assignments and related responsibilities may include day, evening, and weekend. Interest or experience in using advanced instructional technologies to improve the teaching/learning process is highly desirable. All faculty may be required to teach General Education courses as needed. Opportunities are also available to teach disciplinary support courses.
Qualifications
M.A. or Ph.D. in English, Applied Linguistics, TESOL, ELT, EAP is preferred, though a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a different field paired with a CELTA, TEFL, or DELTA certificate will be considered. A minimum of two years of teaching language acquisition or academic writing in a college or university setting is required.
Teaching experience with non-native speakers in a foreign country is highly desirable.
To qualify for a work visa in accordance with Chinese laws, English language teachers at the university level must be designated as native English speakers. Chinese law recognizes passport holders from the following countries as native speakers of English: UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Faculty positions at WKU offer:
Annual lecturer salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience with the range from USD $55,000-$65,000. The salary of extraordinary candidates shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. A generous benefits package includes well-rounded healthcare coverage, housing options and subsidy up to $3,000, home travel up to $6,000 (2 international round-trip airfares), a reimbursement to cover relocation expenses up to $1,000, and shuttle bus to campus for work. WKU tuition waiver up to 50% is available for spouse/dependent children of faculty for undergraduate programs. WKU offers a collegial environment, three-year initial contract, and the opportunity to teach high-quality students. About 50% of WKU graduates have been admitted to graduate schools at the World’s Top 50 Universities, and about 60% of graduates at the World’s Top 100 Universities.
Application Information
Applicants are REQUIRED to apply online. To receive full consideration by the search committee, candidates need to submit the following documents via Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/195370).
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until positions are filled. Candidates should send a cover letter, CV, statement of teaching philosophy, unofficial transcripts, and contact information of three professional references, including one from a current or recent direct supervisor. Please note that your immediate supervisor may be contacted for the purpose of conducting a reference check. Official transcripts for all degrees are required before appointment.
Background Screening
Wenzhou-Kean University conducts background screenings on all candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings.