You want to teach English in China, however, what kind of school will you work in? When applying for TEFL jobs in China, you’ll need to consider your qualification, experience (or lack thereof), and also what you’re hoping to gain from your travels abroad.
Do you want to teach in a public school which has lower job requirements and can ease you into life abroad, or at a prestigious international school or university in China to improve your resume? Are you aiming to maximize your salary, or are you just hoping to have an immersive experience in the land of the Red Dragon?
Here are the different types of teaching English jobs in China!
Why teach English in China?
Teaching English in China provides an opportunity for career progression and also to see the world. In the classroom, you’re constantly refining your teaching and presentation skills - while gaining a salary. Outside the classroom, you’ll make new friends and enjoy the endless native cuisine, cultural quirks, and landmarks that China has to offer.
Some of the main benefits of teaching English in China include:
High salary and benefits: The TEFL market in China is stronger than in most countries, allowing for English teachers to earn a high salary. The TEFL salary in China ranges from $2,000–$3,500 USD per month depending on location, experience, and qualifications. Not only that, they receive handsome benefits such as free accommodation, reimbursed airfare, and more!
Job variability: Whether you want to teach at a summer camp, university, or anything in between, there is a wide range of variability when it comes to TEFL jobs. This presents opportunities for entry-level teachers as well as experienced teachers who have been in the TEFL game for years.
Travel the world: In addition to gaining international work experience in China, you’ll be able to meet new people and travel the world! TEFL teachers in China are able to immerse themselves in an entirely new culture while also visiting some of the world’s greatest wonders.
Read more: The 5 Best Places to Teach English in China
1. Public school TEFL jobs in China
Pros:
✅ Great for entry-level teachers
✅ Plenty of opportunities for public school teaching jobs in China
Cons:
❌ Salary may be lower than other options
❌ Placements may be in more rural locations
Teaching in public schools in China offers teachers a more traditional ESL experience. Here, entry-level and less experienced teachers can deliver general English lessons to classes of around 30-50 students at primary or secondary schools.
Typical job responsibilities at a public school teacher in China include planning lessons, administering homework, grading papers, and more. However, while the working schedule is from around 8am-4pm, not all of these hours are spent in the classroom. Teachers will also have free hours throughout the day to complete their lesson preparation and grading duties.
One of the drawbacks of teaching at public schools is some (not all) of these placements may be in more rural locations. As a result, the salary and the standard of English may be lower, and this may present some challenges within the classroom. However, it also offers a more relaxed working environment when compared to other teaching jobs in China.
2. Private language school TEFL jobs in China
Pros:
✅ Great for entry-level teachers
✅ Smaller class sizes means you can personalize your lessons and get to know your TEFL students more
Cons:
❌ Teachers may have to work less traditional working schedules in the evenings, on weekends, and so on.
❌ Salary may be lower than other options
Offering a similar salary and responsibilities to public school teachers, teaching English at a private language school in China offers slightly different prospects. Class sizes are often smaller, and you may have to deliver more western or private curriculums to students.
While class sizes are often smaller than at public schools, you may encounter a greater variety of student ages. You may teach young learners, teenagers, or adults. Often, these classes are held later in the day to accommodate for the traditional studying or working schedule.
3. International school TEFL jobs in China
Pros:
✅ High salary and benefits
✅ Teach students who have higher levels of English
Cons:
❌ Greater levels of job responsibilities
❌ Often requires CELTA or teaching license from home country and previous teaching experience
When it comes to TEFL jobs, teaching at an international school in China is one of the best ways to bolster your ESL resume. With such a presence on the international front, Chinese and foreign students attending international schools often have great expectations from their parents. Not only will their English levels be high, but they may have hopes of studying abroad at English-speaking universities, working at international companies, or other ventures which require English proficiency.
While the salary and benefits will be far greater than other TEFL jobs in China, the job responsibilities are greater. Teachers at international schools in China are often required to have a teaching license from their home country or a CELTA, and their job duties will be much more intense than those at public schools or language centres.
4. University TEFL jobs in China
Pros:
✅ Teach students whose level of English is higher
✅ A wide variety of English courses to teach
Cons:
❌ Higher qualification requirements aren't reflected in the salary
❌ Requires thorough planning for seminars and lectures
While the requirements to teach at a university in China are high, the salary or workload won’t necessarily reflect this in the same way international schools do. University teachers in China will have fewer teaching hours than international school teachers at around 15 - 20 hours per week, but they still have to put in the work to prepare their English lessons.
On the other hand, the level of their student’s English is expected to be high, which can lead to interesting and thought-provoking dialogues in the classroom. Additionally, its flexible schedule may also be desirable to TEFL teachers who aren’t concerned about maximizing their salary.
5. Business English TEFL jobs in China
Pros:
✅ Teach an aspect of English which is more niche and valuable
✅ Pay rates are often negotiable, allowing you to earn more per hour of teaching
Cons:
❌ Schedule will require you to teach in the evenings and on weekends
❌ You may have to develop your own curriculum
With many international businesses not only hailing from China but also establishing offices in the country, it’s only natural that you’ll encounter business professionals who want to improve their English. Teaching business English allows you to improve business professionals’ English fluency within business context.
If you come from a business background, workers at international corporations who require bilingual abilities will pay you to help them develop a greater grasp of English. These adult students will often understand basic English grammar, or will have a good command of the language, but may want to improve their understanding of technical terms in the workplace. These positions are harder to come by than more traditional TEFL jobs in China. Often, these positions will be available at companies, or you can do this as a form of private tutoring.
Teach English in China with confidence
Despite the overwhelming amount of locations, options, and factors to consider when looking for TEFL jobs in China, it’s a unique opportunity to see the world, meet new people, and earn a salary. Each kind of teaching job in China poses unique pros and cons, meaning there isn’t a “perfect job”.
While a teacher who sees teaching as a more short-term option may opt for positions at public schools or private academies, long-term teachers may want to teach at international schools or universities.
Kickstart Your Teaching Journey in China Today!
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