China

China’s official Mandarin name, Zhōngguó, reveals volumes about the country’s storied past. In English, Zhōngguó roughly translates to “Middle Kingdom,” a reference to China’s Yellow River valley — a place that’s widely regarded to be the birthplace of Chinese civilization and home to the country’s most ancient dynasties. As the centuries unfolded and new dynasties replaced old, China’s official name switched dozens of times over. Zhōngguó, however, remained a steadfast nickname for the country, withstanding the long test of time to reach modern day. The name China, on the other hand, can be traced back to the 16th century. It’s thought to have stemmed from the Sanskrit pronunciation of the Qin Dynasty, and popularized by trade along the Silk Road. Today, the People’s Republic of China is the second most populous country in the world and the fourth largest country in terms of geographic area.. About a third of the population lives in one of China’s 707 cities, 21 of which count over five million inhabitants. China is also home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and is the birthplace of nearly innumerable groundbreaking inventions such as paper making, printing, the compass, porcelain, calligraphy, and gunpowder. While China was ruled by dynasties from 221 B.C. to 1912, today it is a one-party state led by the Communist Party of China, with a rapidly growing economy driven by services, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Many educational and TEFL material…

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications for foreign English teachers. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in China. Education A bachelor’s degree in any field is required to teach English in China. Citizenship While there are technically no citizenship requirements to teach English in China, schools in Tier 1 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen) often only hire citizens from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Background Check You must have a clean national-level criminal record check (CRC) from your home country in order to qualify for a work permit in China. Any misdemeanors or felonies will likely disqualify you from teaching in China depending on the offense and local regulations. Minor offenses like parking infractions and tickets don’t typically show up on the CRC, but you can always order one to find out for sure. You’ll learn more about the CRC and how to order one in the Applying for the Visa section. If you do have something on your record you can look into getting it expunged, otherwise you may want to consider a different country. TEFL Certificate A TEFL certificate (exemptions can s…

China has one of the largest education systems in the world, serving hundreds of millions of students and employing millions of teachers nationwide. Education is a top priority for the country’s government, and in 2019, China launched a modernization plan to rejuvenate and enhance the national education system by 2035. Thus, it comes as no surprise that in a country where education is king, there is a huge demand for English teachers in China. China’s big cities present the most English teaching opportunities, but there are still plenty of job options in smaller towns and more rural areas as well. English teachers in China will have their fair share of school types to choose between — from private language schools to public schools and even universities, the educational world is your oyster in China! Each of these job types comes with their own specific set of advantages, so you’ll need to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Most standard teaching contracts in China are 12 months, though 6-month contracts are occasionally available but less common. Private Language Schools (Training Centers) Private language schools, also known as training centers in China, are privately-run, for-profit language tutoring centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Many school-aged students will attend private language schools to supplement their public or private school language education. Adults will often attend private l…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in China, and we have them all outlined here below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Timeline section, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and recruiters and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your drafts to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Demo Lesson Plan A common component of the application process for many schools in China is the demo lesson. A demo is simply a short lesson in which you show your potential employer that you are able to connect with students and know how to teach. It can definitely feel overwhelming, but keep in…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in China and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in China is 6,830 RMB (Chinese Yuan) to 11,611 RMB per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be working longer than average hours or you’ll be teaching in a more rural area where the cost of living is particularly low, you might find you’re okay with it. Some schools might also offer a lower salary as a tradeoff for additional perks and benefits, as was the case for ITA graduate Jennie Johnson , who says, “My salary is on the lower end for English teachers in China. However, my school provides housing, breakfast, and lunch Monday through Friday, flight reimbursement, and visa reimbursement. My school runs year round and I receive two weeks of vacation in addition to Christmas, New Year’s, and Chinese holidays which …

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in China, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a work permit and Z visa there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Chinese embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Our best advice? Begin your visa research early. Solid preparation and getting a head start on the process provides solid insurance against future visa hiccups along the way. Just take it from ITA graduate Jessica Stanton , who taught in China after a government fellowship in Colombia. “I began the steps to obtain a work visa as soon as I landed on US soil; even before I accepted a position. I knew it was a lengthy process and I wanted to minimize my time in the States,” she says. Once you do get started with your visa application, you can breathe easy knowing that your future employer in China will be there for assistance and support throughout the entire process. “I began with applying for a work visa, on my end, then [my school] also prepared documents and letters that I would need for applying to the U.S. Embassy. Thank goodness, it was a smooth process for me. I…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. More often than not in China, health insurance is provided by the employer, and covered in part by the teacher. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! Banking In China, it may take a month or so before you receive your first paycheck. Therefore, you’ll want to plan accordingly! We recommend having between 2,500 USD and 3,000 USD in your bank account before you arrive in China to tide you over until you get paid. Once you’ve started receiving paychecks from your school, you may want to look into having a bank account where that hard-earned salary will go! Read on for deta…

You have finally made it to the end of the China section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for China. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to China to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Use this timeline to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that English teaching jobs in China can be found year-round. However, many public schools and universities tend to increase hiring during the main intake periods: February – April for the spring intake cycle and August – September for the major fall intake cycle. Hiring for many schools may slow during major public holidays such as Lunar NewYear in late January or early February. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. Finding a Job in Advance 6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Network with ITA alumni and watch Instagram takeovers . ___ Read through ITA’s resources, watch our Student Affairs webinars . ___ Read about Chinese culture. ___ Ensure your passport will be valid six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport. ___ Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up…

If you are up for a challenging, different, yet exciting and rewarding experience, China is a great country in which to live. Nicole T. Zhengzhou, China In considering my hobbies, interests and the kind of environment I enjoy living in, I gave myself the power to choose effectively where I wanted to live by doing my research. For me, this process reaped its benefits. I am loving my Suzhou life and want to continue living here. Amanda B. Suzhou, China In China, the culture is very different, but very easy to get used to. The main thing to remember is that people here are not very confrontational. There is a lot of public transportation that is cheap and easy to navigate. It is also usually on time. There is a wide variety of street food at night, with more westernized night life in the downtown area. The food in amazing, especially if you enjoy spicy food! The expat community is great here. They all try to help each other as much as possible and are incredibly tight knit. Since the currency here is cheap, so is the travel. Jamie B. Kunming, China