Meet David De’ Ath, founder, editor, and writer at Wonderful World English. With his extensive background as an English teacher, David provides valuable insights and practical tips on ESL for students and teachers alike.

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China is one of the most popular destinations for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers worldwide, and it’s no surprise why!

This giant Asian country is rich in history, culture, vibrant cities, and natural beauty, and it can be a fantastic place to live as an English teacher.

China is an economic powerhouse and takes English proficiency very seriously.

Although this demand has dwindled slightly since the turn of the decade, there are still plenty of opportunities for ESL teachers in China, especially in the big cities.

For anyone wanting to live and teach in China, they need to meet the proper criteria.

Applicants must have a TEFL certificate or other relevant teaching qualifications to teach English in China. A bachelor’s degree in any subject is also required. A criminal background check from their home country and a recent health check will be needed. These documents must also be notarized to gain a Z work visa.

I have been living in China since 2019 and know first-hand what is required to teach there.

If you’re interested in this amazing country and have a passion for teaching, finding a school in China could be the right move for you!

In this guide, we will explore what is required to teach English in China in more detail, and I will offer some insights into my own experience of living here.

Let’s jump in!

Requirements to Teach English in China

In order to teach ESL in China, applicants must meet the requirements of the Chinese government.

This process can be more meticulous than in other countries, but it is very achievable.

China wants to know that the applicants possess the necessary skills to be able to teach English effectively.

Let’s take a look at these in more detail:

1. Hold a Degree

A bachelor’s degree in any subject is required to teach in most schools in China.

Although any subject is acceptable, if an applicant holds a degree in education or a related field, they will have access to higher-paying positions.

Chinese schools value candidates with a solid academic foundation, and having a degree indicates this.

Those holding more advanced degrees (such as an MA or Ph.D.) can also often gain access to higher-paying positions than their bachelor-holding counterparts.

2. Hold a Teaching Qualification

Another major requirement to teach English in China is to have a teaching qualification.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certifications are the most common of this nature and the easiest to obtain.

Other options do exist, however, such as CELTA and TOEFL qualifications.

Schools will require evidence that the applicant has a basic understanding of teaching ESL.

It’s worth noting that applicants who hold a degree in education or a related field may not be required to have an accompanying teaching certification, but it is important to find out from a school what their requirements are first.

Check out the article below to find out more about TEFL certificates and their difficulty.

Related Article: How Hard Is It to Get a TEFL Certificate? – Teacher’s Answer

3. English Proficiency

This one may seem like a given, but having a high English proficiency will be required to teach English in China.

Chinese schools will be looking for teachers from native English-speaking countries.

However, opportunities are available for non-native speakers, but they will need to prove their proficiency level.

They can do this through standardized tests such as the Cambridge English exam or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). 

4. Experience

Prior teaching experience is not always mandatory but greatly enhances an applicant’s job prospects.

Schools will prioritize experienced teachers, and those who have already taught ESL will have access to better positions.

Public schools and international schools are more particular about this than privately owned institutions, but as with any field, having experience always bears well with potential employers.

That being said, those without experience can still find a teaching position.

Many teachers who come to China do not have prior teaching experience, myself included!

While experience does help, not having it is not the be-all and end-all.

If you’re currently toying with teaching ESL, check out the article below!

Related Article: Why Become an ESL Teacher? – Teacher’s Top Reasons

5. Visa and Work Permit

In order to legally live and work in China, teachers must acquire a Z Work Visa.

Schools will help with this process and will require documentation to do so.

If a teacher is moving to China, he/she will need to provide their passport, a notarized degree, a criminal background check, and a health check.

It’s important to reiterate schools help with the paperwork and will guide teachers on what is required of them to obtain a visa, so applicants should not worry about this and should follow their school’s instructions regarding paperwork and what documentation to provide.

Teaching Positions in China

We’ve looked at the requirements that schools in China expect from English teacher applicants; now let’s look at what positions are most available and how to find them:

1. Private Language Schools

Until recently, private language schools, also widely known as training centers, were China’s largest employer of English teachers by some distance.

Significant changes in these kinds of schools have occurred over the past two years due to China’s double-reduction policy.

The government implemented the double-reduction policy in 2021 to lighten the workload for young Chinese students.

Many English training centers focused on young learners were hit heavily by this policy, with many having to close their doors.

Despite this, there are still some training center positions available in China.

Teachers working at these institutions can expect to earn between ¥15,000 ($2000) and ¥25,000 ($3500) a month.

Most of these positions are in major cities where the demand for English learning is higher, and salaries will depend on various factors such as the teacher’s experience and the school’s location, etc.

These positions tend to offer higher salaries than others but are less stable and don’t typically offer many holidays outside of the national holidays.

When I first moved to China, I came to a training center, and my hours were 2 pm to 8 pm Wednesday to Friday and 9 am to 6 pm on Weekends, which is a pretty standard work-week for one of these schools.

You can check out online job boards such as Dave’s ESL Cafe to look for a position at a private language school.

Reaching out to recruiters can also be a great way to get a feel for the available positions.

LinkedIn is also a great place to start networking with recruiters and current ESL teachers in China who can help you find a position.

2. Public Schools

Another popular option for English teachers in China is public schools.

English is taught in schools nationwide, often by a bilingual Chinese teacher.

However, schools that can employ native-speaking English teachers have an edge in their English departments.

Public school positions often come with paid summer and winter holidays and are much more stable than privately owned language schools.

Since the double reduction policy, many English teachers have sought positions at Chinese public schools as the demand was high, which meant they could stay living and teaching in the country.

In order to find a position at one of these schools, applicants can reach out to recruiters who work with the schools directly, especially on platforms like LinkedIn.

Applicants can specify their wants regarding location and desired teaching grade, etc.

Although these schools can pay lower salaries than privately owned ones, they are often rewarding positions that both students and teachers appreciate.

3. International Schools

International schools are among the most popular options for experienced teachers in China.

These schools teach international curriculums and heavily focus on English learning.

They tend to offer higher salaries and can be rewarding experiences.

New teachers will unlikely find positions at an international school in China as these institutes prioritize experience and qualifications.

A teacher can expect to earn over ¥25,000 ($3,500) a month at an international school in China, as well as added benefits.

These can be very demanding positions but very rewarding.

International school positions can be found via recruiters, but applicants can also visit their respective websites and apply directly.

4. Universities

Many universities in China offer English as a major or as a secondary course to students.

These positions can be very popular for those who desire a more relaxed routine, with many university teachers having several months a year without lessons, fully paid!

Despite this, university teachers do not tend to get paid as much as other institutions.

An English teacher at a university in China can expect to earn around ¥15,000 ($2000) a month, and they often also receive added benefits such as free accommodation.

These are often stable positions and more relaxed, so they could be the perfect option for someone who doesn’t mind earning a little bit less and wants more free time to do other things.

To find a university position, applicants can reach out to recruiters online or check out the job boards.

5. Kindergartens

The final popular employers of English teachers in China are kindergartens.

Many kindergartens around the country essentially babysit very young children throughout the day while their parents are at work.

Many of these places look for English teachers to come in and offer elementary teaching to their students.

These positions offer competitive salaries, and teachers can expect to earn between ¥20,000 ($2800) and ¥30,000 ($4150) a month.

A kindergarten position can be perfect for anyone who likes working around young children and has lots of energy.

These positions can also be found by contacting recruiters or visiting job boards online.

Finding a Position in China

We did cover these briefly in the section above for each institution.

Let’s explore the best ways to find teaching positions in China in more detail:

1. Online Job Portals

One of the most popular ways to find a teaching position in China is by checking online job boards.

Many schools and recruiters use these platforms to post current positions.

You can specify your preferred location, type of institution, and salary expectations and see what options are available.

This can be a great way to connect with potential employers, and many English teachers in China found their position via this method.

A couple of the most popular job boards for positions in China are Dave’s ESL Cafe and E-China Cities.

Check out the video below for a condensed version of this information!

2. Recruiters

Another great way to find a teaching position in China is to reach out to recruiters and inquire about their available positions.

Many recruiters work directly with schools all over the country.

Recruiters will often guide applicants through the process and assist them in finding the right position.

It’s important to be mindful when dealing with recruiters, however.

Recruiters get paid a commission from schools for finding teachers, so it’s essential to work with a reputable recruiter and not one just trying to offload an undesirable position.

You can also find some great recruiters on LinkedIn and the abovementioned job boards.

3. Networking and Referrals

Another popular way to find positions in China is to be referred by people already within the industry.

Connecting with fellow teachers or employees of institutions in China and inquiring about this can be very useful in finding a position.

Many schools will offer a referral bonus, which can also be a win-win situation for the referrer.

Again, LinkedIn is a great place to do this or look out for current teachers in China on forums online or in groups on social media.

This can also be a great way to get valuable insights on the school and location etc, as the referrer can give you their stance on it, which will likely be more objective than that of a recruiter, for example.

Tips for Getting Hired

Once an applicant has connected with a potential employer, it’s time to try and get offered a position!

It’s important for applicants to have a well-crafted resume that highlights their relevant experience, education, skills, and certifications.

It can be a great idea to produce a well-written cover letter that showcases their passion and interest in teaching and expresses why they would make a great addition to the team.

When dealing with recruiters, they will specify what the school requires before submitting this.

After, the applicant will likely be invited to attend an interview or even perform a demo lesson.

Researching the school, looking presentable, and remaining upbeat will help anyone in an interview.

During an interview, applicants should show enthusiasm, describe their teaching philosophy, and explain why they want to live and teach in China.

If the school requires a demo lesson, applicants should do their best to plan it well and make it as interactive and engaging as possible.

It’s important to note that if an applicant doesn’t receive an offer the first time around, do not panic.

It may take several attempts before getting offered a position.

Remember to remain patient and persistent and constantly strive to improve.

Tips for Teaching in China

For anyone new to China, it can be an overwhelming experience.

It’s an entirely different culture, language, and way of thinking.

This can be exciting for some, and it can be daunting for others.

Below are three useful tips to help anyone new to teaching in China:

1. Embrace the Culture

Teaching in a place like China will come with many new experiences.

Embrace them.

There will be endless new things to try, and some you may like and others you may not; there’s only one way to find out!

Try learning about the history, the culture, and even the language.

There is so much to see and do in China; it can be a wonderful and exciting experience for anyone willing to explore.

Always be respectful and willing to learn; your China experience will be far more enjoyable.

There is something for everyone, from the glorious natural landscapes to the bustling electric cities.

The national language of China is Mandarin.

While it is not required to teach English in China, it can be very helpful for teachers to know at least some basic Mandarin.

Check out the piece below to learn how difficult Mandarin is from someone who has studied and mastered the language!

Related Article: Is Mandarin Hard to Learn for English Speakers? – The Truth

2. Understand Students

Education in China differs significantly from what many of us are used to.

It’s important to understand how things are done and do your best to apply yourself accordingly.

Some important things to consider are that Chinese students have much more homework and extra-curricular activities than most Western children.

Many Chinese students, especially in more rural areas or smaller cities, may never have been exposed to a foreign person and expect positive and negative reactions.

For the most part, Chinese students are well-behaved, respectful, and eager to learn, and teaching them can be an enriching experience.

Always ensure lessons are fully prepared, keep classes fun and engaging, and don’t make them too complicated.

3. Download these Apps

China is very different and, in many ways, more advanced than the West.

Certainly, concerning reliance on technology, China is very much at the forefront of this.

Make sure to download the right apps, such as WeChat and Alipay, as they are mainly used for buying things in the country.

Almost everyone uses WeChat to communicate with friends and colleagues.

Food delivery apps such as Meituan are also handy to have.

Taobao is also widely used for online shopping and can be very useful.

If you’re having any difficulties with this, be sure to ask a friend or colleague to help you set it up, as this can be difficult to navigate at first, but you will soon get used to it!

Conclusion

Teaching English in China can be an incredible experience for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in a new and exciting place.

There are many great options available for teachers, both new and experienced.

Schools in China will often require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in any field and a relevant teaching qualification.

To find positions in China, applicants can contact recruiters online or check the online job boards to see what updated positions are available.

Be sure to embrace the experience and make as many wonderful memories as possible both in the country and the classroom.

We hope this guide has helped you better understand what it will take to teach English in China in 2024.

If you have any questions or want to leave us a comment, you are very welcome to do so!

Have a wonderful day, and all the best on your journey.

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