China is one of the most popular destinations for international teachers and it is easy to see why. This country has one of the largest TEFL jobs market in the world, and every year thousands of international teachers are hired. Salaries and packages are very attractive and there are so many places you can live and work.
Top Reasons to Teach in China
• Booming job market
• High salaries
• Immerse yourself in a different culture/country
• Make friends from all over the world
• Friendly students
How to Teach in China
For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences. But in the 19th and early 20th centuries, China was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under Mao Zedong established a dictatorship that, while ensuring China’s sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life. After 1978, his successor Deng Xiaoping gradually introduced market-oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision making. Output quadrupled by 2000.
Modern China has a real need for teachers of English. Over the past few years, there has been a remarkable explosion in the number of private language institutes and companies. The rising emphasis on education at all levels also means that teaching positions at all levels are becoming available.
China is now the “it” place to teach English abroad. China’s rise on the world stage has also led to a rise in the number of people who want to teach there. You’ll find a lot of young (and old ex-pats), an interesting culture, some pollution, and a pretty crazy nightlife.
Teaching English in China is a great opportunity for people who are interested in learning about one of the biggest economic superpowers in the world as well being going to a country not completely westernized just yet. While some private institutions are just looking for native speakers to teach conversational English, most universities will only hire teachers who have a bachelor’s degree.
The demand for teachers is high throughout China but especially so in Shanghai and Beijing.
The main types of teaching are:
State university training & language faculties (General English, Business English)
Private university training & language faculties (General English, Business English)
State primary and secondary Schools (Conversation English, English for Young Learners)
In-company : General English, Business English
International Schools: General English
Private Language Institutes: General English, Business English
The busiest period is September to July. Salaries vary greatly. RMB4,500 is considered average, with higher salaries for teachers with TEFL qualifications and/or experience.
What’s to Like Teaching and Living in China
Life in China is exactly what you make of it and it is best to approach China with an open mind and a sense of cultural adventure. Being shy and reticent will land up working against your China experience, as the more you become involved in activities which draws from all aspects of life in China, the more complete and enjoyable your experience will be.
It’s impossible to see all of it. Each area differs enormously from another, as does the language and food. One person’s experience of China may differ entirely from someone who lives even in the same province. The only unifying factor appears to be the seriously complex orthographic system.
The cost of living in China can be very low, especially if you eat local food from local restaurants or food stalls and shop in local markets – 3 Chinese dishes and rice for 2 is roughly 30RMB in Shanghai.
China can be very expensive if you eat in Western restaurants or 5 star hotels and shop in Western supermarkets- a TGI Friday Burger is around 100 RMB. China has an excellent public transport system that is also very cheap. Overall, China is a cheap country to live in and you can save a lot of money teaching here if you are frugal. The biggest expense most teachers have is drinking. If you avoid the big clubs and imported beer, you can cut your costs down.
You should also be aware that many Chinese teaching companies can be pretty unscrupulous. Hiring and firing at random, benefits not given, apartments not looking like they promised. Things in China operate on an informal relationship system meaning while laws are there, what’s more important is who you know (and who you bribed.) If teachers work for companies in good favor with the officials, teaching in China will be easy.
TEFL Salaries in China
A beginner teacher with a bachelor’s degree can expect to make about 3000-6800 CNY ($471.95-1069.76 USD) per month in an urban area and 5000-9,000 CNY ($786-1415 USD) per month in a more rural area. A more experienced teacher or one with a master’s degree can make up to 15,000 CNY ($2,359.78 USD) per month, depending on if they are teaching in a rural or urban area. You are sometimes able to negotiate your salary or terms of employment, such as living conditions and medical insurance. Moreover, you may be able to earn overtime pay, particularly in larger cities.
One thing to remember is that working conditions and salaries vary greatly in China. Pay in the cities is much, much higher than it is in the countryside. There is even a big difference between top cities like Beijing and middle cities like Nanjing. However, once you leave the big cities, teaching salaries drop drastically. Typically, you will earn about 1/3rd of what you could in the big cities. However, your living expenses will be lower in the country side.
Rural ESL jobs in China pay the least amount of money but the upside is that there’s virtually nothing to do there and cost of living is cheap so you’ll save a lot of money.
TEFL Job Requirements in China
In China, all you need really need is a bachelor’s degree to teach English. Anything else is extra. Some places might require a TEFL or some experience but you can get away with little qualifications and even less experience in China than other places. If you don’t have a BA, a TEFL will be a valid substitute.
Visa Information for China
You’ll need a proper work visa to teach long term in China. To get the proper work (Z) visa, you’ll need to be sponsored by a school. Visas cost US$150 dollars. You will have to leave the country to turn your tourist visa into work visa but your school will help you with all the paperwork. The Z visa is only granted if you and the employer meet certain requirements. First, the organization must be accredited to employ foreigners. You must meet the requirements as a ‘foreign expert’ and the employer must obtain a certificate stating that you comply. After you get a job with your school, the vast majority of people go to Hong Kong to get the Z visa put in their passport.
Best Places to Teach in China
You can find positions throughout the country but these are some of the most popular destinations for TEFL teachers: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dalian, Yangzhou and Nanjing.
TEFL Courses in China
If you aren’t already certified some companies offer TEFL courses in China but we recommend obtaining an online TEFL certification before arriving.
English Teaching Jobs in China
You can find TEFL jobs in:
• Private Language Schools
• Public Primary and Secondary Schools
• Universities
• Kindergartens
• Freelance
• Online
• Summer Camps
FAQ
Language:
Mandarin Chinese – living in China offers a great chance to learn or improve your language skills.
Currency:
Chinese Yuan Renminibi (RMB)
Requirements to teach in China:
You will usually need a 120-hour TEFL qualification and also hold a BA degree (in any subject) in order to obtain the your Z working visa. No previous formal teaching experience is required for most positions but there is a general under 55 years of age restriction only.
What is the average salary for teaching in China:
As a general guide the normal monthly salary is around 9,000 – 18,000 RMB (£1,000 – £2,000 / $1,300 – $2,575) per month. If you get a positions at an international school salaries can be much higher, you could earn around 30,000 RMB (£3,330 / $4,300) per month. Some schools offer attractive packages to entice teachers including free flights, bonuses and accommodation.
Term times:
September to July
Is China a good country to work in?
Yes, it can be a bit of a shock at first with the language barrier and cultural differences but this country offers such an incredible cultural immersion experience. You might also be surprised to learn it is one of the safest countries to teach in Asia.
China TEFL Reviews & Testimonials
If you have been to teach in China and would like to share your experience please contact us.
Recruiting?
Contact us to get your positions listed on our website.