It takes an open minded and daring person to teach English abroad. You need to be able to go beyond your comfort zone by leaving your home country, living and working in a foreign environment. But that’s what makes teaching abroad such a rewarding journey!
However, just because you have the ambition and the English proficiency, you’ll still need to refine your abilities in the classroom to have a successful career teaching English in China.
Read on to find out how you can not only get into the TEFL world but build a successful career teaching English abroad.

Maximize Your TEFL Qualifications and Skills
Now you know the value of an English teacher in China, it’s important that you don’t undersell yourself. English teachers can earn anywhere from $1,200 to $4,000 USD per month, and benefits. However, it depends on your qualifications, experience, and skills as an ESL teacher.
Here are some of the basic requirements you’ll need to have a successful career teaching English in China:
Educational Requirements: To obtain the Z visa - which is necessary to work legally in China - you’ll need a bachelor’s degree. Because of this, most positions will require that English teachers have a bachelor’s degree in any field to apply for a TEFL job. A degree in education is particularly advantageous for working in China.
Teaching Qualifications: While the TEFL certificate isn’t essential, as some jobs may provide TEFL training, most English teachers at least have a 120 hour online TEFL certificate. However, this has become the minimal requirement for most positions. Teachers who invest more time and money into acquiring qualifications such as a CELTA or Postgraduate Certificate in Education have significantly higher earning potential.
Soft Skills & Personality: Experience and qualifications will play a part in a successful TEFL career, but you also need soft skills such as communication, adaptability, patience, and enthusiasm. An entry-level teacher can be just as effective as a qualified one if they demonstrate natural soft skills and a strong initiative to guide their students towards language acquisition.
2. Find the Right Job
Depending on your qualifications, experience, and also your job preferences, it’s important that you find the right TEFL job in China. If you’re looking to teach in China for the long-term, or for a few years at least, you’ll want to maximize your earnings and professional development by working at the best institutions.
Here are the types of TEFL jobs you can find in China:
Public Schools: Public schools are ideal for entry-level teachers who want to get their foot in the door. While still well-paid, public school teachers earn towards the lower end of the scale, but they benefit from a good work-life balance. If you’re looking towards a long career teaching English in China, don’t be afraid to start at public schools, which offer a good salary, healthy lifestyle balance, and rewarding experiences.
Private Language Centers: Teaching at a private language center offers a similar role to that of a public school teacher. However, classes will be smaller, your work schedule will be different, and you may not get access to as many benefits such as paid vacation, reimbursed airfare, and so on.
Universities: Working at a university requires a high level of qualifications, typically a Master’s Degree. While the requirements are high, it doesn’t necessarily translate to high pay due to the low contact hours. However, teaching at a university in China will bolster your resume and professional prospects.
International Schools: Teaching in an international school in China is potentially the most financially and professionally rewarding TEFL job in China. While you’ll have many responsibilities, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic salary in addition to job perks and benefits.
Read more: Your Guide to TEFL Jobs in China
Keep an Open Mind While You Adapt to Life in China
Living in China can be vastly different to living in Western countries. It’s important to keep an open mind and allow yourself time to adapt to this unique culture. Culture shock is inevitable, especially when you are living somewhere.
While travelling allows you to see the best aspects of a culture throughout the “honeymoon phase”, living and working in a foreign culture can expose you to cultural differences which you don’t agree with. If you’re in this for the long haul, it’s important to give yourself time to adapt.
Here are some tips on how to navigate Chinese culture as a teacher:
Learn the local language: As a foreign teacher, you’re not necessarily expected to learn Mandarin Chinese or any other dialect because your school will want you to use English only in the classroom. However, learning the local language will enrich your experience tenfold. You’ll have positive interactions with locals which can help you make friends and establish yourself within the community.
Be kind to yourself: Culture shock isn’t uncommon, in fact, it’s almost inevitable. It’s important not to be too hard on yourself for struggling to adapt to a new culture.
Create a support network: Whether you frequently call friends and family members from home, or you’ve made some friends in the form of foreign teachers, don’t be afraid to reach out to them for help. Your foreign teacher friends can offer insight into similar experiences. It also helps to remember that your home, friends and family are never more than 24 hours away!
Be patient: Remember that the first step can always be the hardest. Entering a new country and culture can be very overwhelming at first. One day at a time, you’ll feel at home in your new country more and more.
Create Strategies for Career Growth
Once you sign your teaching contract, it can be easy to become complacent. Since your next year (or two) is already established at this school and location, you may feel relaxed and not in a hurry to think about what’s next.
While that can bring peace, it’s important to be proactive and envision yourself 5 years down the line. Consider creating a 5-year plan or aim towards a goal to ensure that you’re constantly improving. Yes, you’ll be gaining more experience with each passing day as a teacher in China. However, having an ambitious (but realistic) plan will take you further than if you were to take it day by day.
Here are some of the steps you can take to create career growth strategies as a teacher in China:
Define your goals: Where do you aim to be? Do you want to work at an international school in China, or become a curriculum developer? It’s important to have an objective, no matter how big or small, to develop as an English teacher abroad.
Consider upskilling: Just because you’re teaching English in China, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to improve your qualifications! Consider upgrading your online TEFL into a CELTA, or consider sidestepping into the realm of teaching Business English!
Understand the market: It’s important to understand how the market is changing and how teachers are valued in China. Researching the average salaries, the demand for teachers, and so on will give you an advantage when it comes to job applications and negotiations.
Network: As a teacher, you have the opportunity to network. Whether you meet teachers from other schools, or Chinese professionals who want to learn English, you can network in order to cast a big net and enhance your career prospects across a range of industries.
Build a reputation: If your behaviour displeases co-workers or your lack of effort results in poor student grades, it will reflect poorly on your character. It’s important that you maintain a professional image and a high reputation as a teacher in China - inside and outside the classroom.
Create a Future Teaching English in China
Teaching English is a fantastic opportunity for those seeking a short-term career break, a gap year, or those who want to teach English as a career. If TEFL is a long-term plan for you, it's important to create strategies to not only get by but to advance your career as a teacher. Ambitious and proactive teachers will define their goals, upgrade their qualifications, rassess the job market, network, and build a reputation within the TEFL scene in China.
Read more about teaching English in China:
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