Careers

BSU-AIS Sessional Teaching Positions

The Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation (KSR) currently has a number of sessional teaching vacancies for 2024/2025 at the Beijing Sport University Alberta International School of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, in Hainan Province, China (AIS). The Faculty is looking for instructors to teach the following courses during the 2024/2025 School Year.

Term dates: Fall term starts in September with instruction completion prior to the University of Alberta Winter Closure. The Winter term (AIS refers to this as Spring term) begins in February. Exact term start dates TBD- dates vary each year due to holidays and other events.

Fall 2024

HE ED 110 Introduction to Personal Health and Well-Being
KRLS 104 Introduction to Sociology of Sport and Leisure in Canadian Society
RLS 122 Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Organizations
RLS 130 Collaborative Skills and Processes for Community Recreation and Leisure

Winter 2025

KIN 205 Introduction to Outdoor Environmental Education
RLS 210 Recreation and Leisure Scholarship
RLS 232 Marketing for Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Course Descriptions are available on the University of Alberta Course Catalogue

Key Responsibilities

Development of course material and provision of instruction of KSR courses in the BARST degree at the International School in Hainan China
Completion and application of cultural training
Travel to the International School for teaching duties, assisting in relationship maintenance through collegial interaction with BSU/International School partners
Teach courses assigned within the BARST degree program as assigned per teaching workload allocation.
Must be willing to work outside standard hours (i.e. occasional evening and weekend meetings to accommodate the time difference between Alberta and Beijing/Hainan)
Follow UofA and KSR policies and procedures in regards to monitoring academic progress and degree compliance for the BARST undergraduate degree.

Qualifications

Minimum Masters degree in Kinesiology, Sport, Recreation, Tourism or related area
Demonstrated teaching excellence/potential at the post-secondary level
Facilitation, negotiation, and problem solving skills and an ability to advise on challenging student situations
Experience teaching in an international setting advantageous

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to collaborate in an international environment
Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
Committed to the creation of safe and supportive learning and working environments, including knowledge of and commitment to KSR and U of A equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) policies and practices and AIS policies and practices
Ability to effectively use and adapt to teaching, educational, and practice technologies
A commitment to learner-centered innovative teaching and learning practices, and continuous quality improvement

Application

Please email ksrintl@ualberta.ca attaching a cover letter, current CV, and the names and contact information for 3 references. Current KSR graduate students must also provide a letter of support from their supervisor. In your cover letter, please outline your interest in teaching identifying a specific list of courses. Please highlight your relevant qualifications and experience, including those pertaining to teaching in an International setting.

Applications will be reviewed starting in January and applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.

Appointments and compensation are subject to Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) Collective Agreement. KSR Grad Students will be considered for positions as a learning opportunity subject to the Graduate Students Association (GSA) Collective Agreement and subject to degree progression and support of Supervisor.

Please direct any general questions to ksrintl@ualberta.ca

Applications from individuals external to the university are welcome. Please note that current Academic Teaching Staff are notified of available positions and will receive first consideration in accordance with the terms of Schedule D of the Academic Collective Agreement prior to considering external candidates.

About the International School

The University of Alberta's Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation and Beijing Sport University (BSU) launched the Beijing Sport University Alberta International School of Recreation, Sport and Tourism officially in September 2023. The School is located in the International Education Innovation Pilot Zone in Hainan, China. Hainan, known as the “Hawaii of China”, is an island located in the South China Sea, Southeast of mainland China. The campus is located on the southeast part of the island.

The School offers the KSR Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Sport and Tourism (BARST) undergraduate degree. Students enrolled in the School take all of their courses at the campus in the Pilot Zone.There are 63 undergraduate students recruited from all over China in the 2023/24 first year cohort. Up to 200 students will be recruited to start in 2024/25. KSR courses are taught in English. English language experience varies between students, however all students are required to meet English language capacity benchmarks and to meet the University of Alberta English Language requirements in their 4th year of study. The School provides dedicated English language support for students.

FAQ's: Teaching at the international school

Do I need to know or be proficient in Mandarin in order to teach at the International School?

No. KSR courses are delivered in English.

Will instructors require a work visa to work in China?

Non-Chinese instructors must first obtain a Chinese work visa in order to teach. This process starts about 5 months prior to the start of the semester. The process includes obtaining a police background check from the country(ies) that you have lived in for the past year., traveling to the local Chinese consulate in Canada for consular authentication of a document, and completing the required paperwork for the work visa. The Faculty will provide as much support as possible, but the gathering of documents and going to visit the Chinese consulate will be the responsibility of instructors. Failure to meet deadlines could result in not being able to teach.

Once in China, instructors will have to obtain a residence visa to continue their stay for the semester. To obtain a residence visa, individuals will have to register at the local police department by the Pilot Zone and undergo a medical examination. Colleagues at the School will assist instructors with these steps.

Where will instructors live while teaching and are accommodation expenses covered?

Instructors will be placed in furnished apartments in the faculty residences located in the Pilot Zone. This accommodation is provided at no cost to the instructor. These residences have apartments equipped with a small kitchen, balcony, washing machine and a private bathroom. Apartment sizes and layouts vary and efforts will be made to meet instructor needs and preferences.

The Faculty Residences are shared by staff from many other international partnerships that run their programs in the pilot zone. Other non-Chinese schools include universities in England, Scotland, and Germany.

Beyond accommodation, what expenses will be covered?

Instructor pay is outlined above and is defined by the relevant University of Alberta collective agreement. There are also a number of expenses covered as part of teaching at the International School. These expenses include economy airfare and ground travel expenses to and from Canada to the International School and fees associated with obtaining a work visa.

Other expenses are the responsibility of the instructor. Instructors are responsible for their meals, other living expenses (e.g., cell phone), and transportation following arrival at the School.

What amenities are on campus and nearby?

On campus, there are currently two dining halls offering a variety of food items, as well as coffee shops for snacks and beverages. The International School has a post office and a fitness facility which instructors can use. The major city, Lingshui, has grocery stores, shopping malls, and amenities within a 30 min drive from the campus.

Are North American credit cards accepted in China?

In China, North American credit cards are not directly accepted at most retail outlets. In Hainan and throughout China, some establishments will accept cash (RMB). Much of the retail payment operates on a cashless system through credit card payment via WeChat and Alipay. Thus, instructors may wish to download and set up WeChat Pay and/or Alipay accounts to facilitate making purchases.

Aside from obtaining a work visa, what other preparation is required in advance of traveling to Hainan?

Prior to leaving for the International School, the Faculty of KSR will provide cultural training (required) as well as a manual to assist instructors teaching at the international school.

Instructors will need to follow U of A Health and Safety travel requirements

Instructors will have to prepare their reading materials prior to leaving for the semester in order to make sure that they are accessible to the students at the International School. Textbooks/reading assignments to be used in your class must be provided in advance so that we can share them with Beijing Sport University for review.

What online platform will be used to support instruction?

Instructors will use the U of A Learning Management System to deliver course content, similar to what would occur if the class was taught in Edmonton.

What is the climate like in Hainan and what cities are nearby?

Hainan is located on a similar latitude to Hawaii and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Its tropical climate lends itself to average high temperatures ranging from the mid 20s to the low 30s throughout the year. It is generally very humid given its location in the South China Sea. It is also rainy with average rainfall close to 60 inches per year according to some estimates.

Lingshui is the closest major city which offers many different amenities including tourism, shopping, and cultural events. The city of Sanya is the closest major airport to the International Pilot Zone. The city of Sanya is a popular tourist destination while the airport provides flights to and from Mainland China, the South Pacific, and all over Asia. Haikou, the provincial capital, is located on the other side of the island but is also a popular tourist destination.