Position: English Literacy Teacher, Grades 6-9
Location: Shenzhen, China
Start Date: August 2027
ABOUT AVENUES SHENZHEN
Avenues Shenzhen is a top-tier bilingual school which offers a truly global education. After launching in 2018 with a unique early childhood program, Avenues Shenzhen now serves about 500 students from 1.5 to 18 years of age with a cutting-edge educational program spanning the Primary and Secondary Schools.
At Avenues Shenzhen, teaching and learning happen through language immersion in both English and Chinese as well as challenging interdisciplinary projects. Our campus community fosters a culture of creativity, entrepreneurship and deep collaboration, with state-of-the-art technology throughout the campus. We are a community of talented and dedicated educators and colleagues who are passionate about learning and growth. There are unparalleled possibilities for professional learning and development. There is no place quite like Avenues Shenzhen.
MIDDLE GRADES
The pre-adolescent years are a time of dynamic transition and discovery for students. With that in mind, we designed our middle grades (Grades 6-9) program to develop foundational skills, nurture independence, and provide plentiful opportunities for the discovery of passions and strengths. Students benefit from a combination of rigorous academics, individualized social-emotional support and a robust menu of co- and extracurricular activities, which build their confidence and prepare them for even greater agency in their high school years. True to the Avenues mission, students in the middle grades develop into well-rounded, empathetic global citizens, while finding deep joy in their learning along the way.
- Learning for the future: Avenues' innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum
- Belonging and wellbeing: social-emotional, physical and mental health
- Making change for good: global citizenship and community engagement
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The English Literacy Teacher designs and delivers targeted literacy instruction to groups of middle grades students (Grades 6–9) organized dynamically by English language proficiency levels. Because student needs span the continuum from foundational language acquisition to advanced, above-grade-level literacy, you will tailor instruction to ensure high engagement, rigorous cognitive challenge, and measurable growth for every learner.
You will:
- Deliver responsive literacy instruction: Teach targeted literacy classes to cohorts grouped by language proficiency, seamlessly adapting pedagogy for students acquiring foundational English as well as those working above grade-level expectations.
- Bridge foundational and advanced literacy practices: Provide explicit, systematic instruction in foundational skills (phonics, morphology, and functional language usage) where needed, while scaffolding high-level comprehension, critical discussion, analytical writing about reading, and deep engagement with extended texts.
- Employ diverse instructional models: Facilitate student access to complex texts through whole-book teaching, student-driven book clubs, and close reading of rigorous short texts.
- Integrate contextual language and mechanics: Use high-leverage, engaging instructional structures to build word consciousness, academic vocabulary, morphology, and grammar—including mentor sentence studies and authentic contextual application.
- Collaborate on data-informed grouping and placement: Partner closely with the English literacy team to administer flexible diagnostic assessments, evaluate student progress, and dynamically regroup students to match evolving language and literacy needs.
- Develop and refine curriculum: Collaborate with department colleagues to plan rigorous units, prepare daily lessons, and contribute to the ongoing evolution and vertical alignment of the middle grades English literacy program.
- Partner with families: Maintain transparent, proactive communication with parents and guardians regarding student growth, placement benchmarks, and literacy development goals.
- Contribute through performing arts (as applicable): Bring artistic expertise to teach or support performing arts offerings within the division, integrating expressive performance with communication and literacy skills.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
English literacy educators at Avenues bring all or most of the following:
- Native or native-level proficiency in English; fluency in Mandarin is highly recommended.
- Middle grades literacy expertise: Demonstrated success teaching English literacy and/or English as an Additional Language (EAL/ELL) specifically within Grades 6–9 (or upper elementary through middle school), with clear evidence of student reading and writing growth.
- Expansive pedagogical knowledge across the literacy continuum: A deep conceptual and practical understanding of how language develops across varied proficiency levels, paired with the pedagogical agility to move between foundational intervention and advanced literary analysis.
- Evidence-based literacy toolkit: Hands-on experience with:
- Foundational decoding, morphology, and syntax instruction.
- Mentor sentence routines, academic vocabulary acquisition in context, and applied grammar.
- Rich comprehension frameworks, close reading routines, book clubs/literature circles, and writing-about-reading strategies.
- Data-informed assessment practice: Proven ability to use formative and diagnostic assessment tools to inform flexible grouping, scaffold instruction, and articulate student trajectories.
- Experience in performing arts: Background or instructional experience in drama, theatre, or the performing arts, with the enthusiasm to integrate performance into student learning or teach arts courses as part of the role.
- Collaborative design mindset: A genuine desire to co-plan, calibrate student work, exchange constructive feedback, and build curriculum collaboratively with interdisciplinary colleagues.
- Educational background: Bachelor’s degree in English, Middle School Education, Literacy/Reading Instruction, TESOL/Applied Linguistics, or a related field; a Master’s degree or reading/literacy specialist credential is ideal.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Frequent feedback, ongoing coaching and top-notch, job-embedded professional learning
- Competitive rewards package, wellness resources, relocation support (as needed), and other benefits to best support you and keep you healthy and happy
- A beautiful, uplifting, student-centric school environment
- The chance to impact education by demonstrating what's possible
- A thriving community with a healthy and inclusive culture where every individual is valued and respected
TO APPLY
Apply through the Careers section at https://www.avenueschina.cn/en/about/careers.html . Be sure to include a letter of application, in English, in which you thoughtfully explain why you believe that this role at Avenues Shenzhen would be an excellent match for your experience, skills and passions. If you have any questions, please email careers-sz@avenueschina.cn.
DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND SAFEGUARDING
Avenues is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our organization. We strive to uphold a culture in which every colleague feels that they belong, are trusted, and are valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities or groups to apply.
Avenues upholds the highest standards for safeguarding the physical and emotional wellbeing of children. As an essential aspect of this commitment, all offers are contingent upon successful completion of careful reference and background checks.
