Teach English in China

Overview

Are you wondering what it is like to teach English in China? China is, without a doubt, the world’s TEFL powerhouse. Whether you wish to teach English to Chinese students online or work as a TEFL teacher in China, the market is vast and continually expanding. Some speculate about when the TEFL boom in China will slow down, but there is little evidence that this will happen anytime soon, with an increasing number of Chinese individuals enrolling in English classes to improve their education and professional prospects.

If you’re seeking an unforgettable teach abroad experience, China is the place to be. Hike the Great Wall, learn Chinese, sample new and delicious cuisine, and collaborate with students who are ecstatic to have you. What’s not to like about this? The Chinese teach abroad sector is flourishing, and with more vacancies than teachers, landing a fantastic career teaching abroad in China is almost too easy.

We’ve prepared a comprehensive guide for those who would like to teach English in China, whether you’re passionate about getting a job in China or just eager to learn more! We’ll go through the different types of jobs you can apply for, the qualifications you’ll need, how to apply, and what kind of salary and benefits you can expect. We’ll also go over some of the finest places to apply to and teaching opportunities to look into.

Teach English in China: Types of Jobs

Public schools, training centres, and foreign schools are the three primary types of schools where you could find a job teaching English in China. Because these schools are all so different from one another, it’s a good idea to get to know each one so you can figure out which one is right for you!

Chinese Public Schools 

Many Chinese public schools employ oral English teachers to help pupils improve their speaking and listening skills.

You’ll most likely be a supplemental English teacher in a public school setting. Your students will most likely have a Chinese English teacher who will teach grammar and prepare them for the test; nevertheless, these lessons will nearly never include any spoken English. Your role will be to come in once a week (or twice a week!) and assist your pupils in becoming more comfortable with English.

Class sizes in Chinese public schools are often relatively large. Depending on their age range, you’ll probably be teaching 30-50 pupils in a class. You’ll also hold your classes on a very irregular basis.

Private language schools

Taking an English teaching job with a private company in China has the advantage of providing you with a support network, a set curriculum, and instructions for managing your classroom. Working for a private company may relieve some of your stress if you have little or no experience teaching English in another country. On the other hand, private schools are interested in expanding and making money; therefore, you will be considered not only a teacher but also a business partner. Working in a private ELL school might be advantageous if you don’t mind following corporate restrictions. There is usually a possibility for advancement within the firm.

In China, private ESL schools pay more than public schools, but you will also work longer hours. You will primarily teach English in smaller groups of 5-20 students in the evenings and on weekends. These for-profit ESL companies will put a lot of pressure on English teachers to please the paying parents. Working for an ESL school is the simplest method to find a job teaching English in China, and most businesses provide a variety of locations to choose from, ranging from China’s largest cities to smaller, less cosmopolitan towns. As a teacher, you will have a choice of places, and many firms will even allow you to shift to a different city after a few months if you like.

Training centres

Another common area to work in China is at a Chinese training institution. Students are frequently seen in these private for-profit centres in the late afternoons, evenings, and weekends. While this may work for some (especially if you’re not a morning person!), bear in mind that if you work at a training facility, your schedule will most likely not be Monday through Friday.

You’ll most likely be teaching basic oral English at a training centre, but plenty of other opportunities are available. For example, you may work as a SATs tutor, a TOEFL teacher, a college counsellor, a debate coach, a public speaking coach, or anything else! While some of these positions are available at public schools, they are more commonly found at training facilities.

International School

International schools are the most incredible option for you if you’re a qualified teacher with a degree in your own country and two years of teaching experience. You may teach anything in English here, including math, science, business, history, and…English!

These schools primarily serve the children of international residents or Chinese students planning to study abroad in high school or college and have plenty of opportunities to teach English in China.

While the requirements for this type of position are slightly more significant than those for a public school or training centre, the benefits and pay are also higher!

Work culture in China 

Teacher-Student Relationships

Students in China generally regard foreign English teachers as a delightful break from their regular sessions. They anticipate you being more relaxed, personable, and engaging than their prior teachers. As a result, some students may fail to attend class or attempt to complete assignments during class.

Teachers are allowed to be considerably more hands-on when it comes to youngsters. So feel free to embrace and play with your youngest students. Foreign teachers, especially those from England, are widely expected to bring ‘new and inventive Western learning approaches’ to the classroom. You’ll be asked to build new games and experiment with new teaching methods, and offer variety to a test-driven learning environment.

Dress code

In China, the teacher clothing code is very relaxed, especially in the winter when the classrooms are chilly. Many professors come to class dressed up in denim. When instructing older students, ladies, be careful not to expose too much skin. While some female teachers wear short skirts and dresses, they always cover their shoulders and chests.

Workplace Environment

Everything in China is done at the last minute. Expect to learn your holiday schedule only a few days before the holiday, which can make travel planning highly stressful and costly. Also, keep in mind that schedules might change at any time. Don’t be surprised if you get a text at 8 am telling you to be at school in 20 minutes.

Furthermore, many schools, particularly public schools, have a lack of communication. As a result, the school may overlook important dates, times, or activities, resulting in missed classes and frustration. Thankfully, most schools understand and apologise if they forget to notify you of your timetable change. However, most teachers, who come from a society where timetables are set months in advance, find this exceedingly frustrating.