China is an extremely rewarding place to show, however what are the ten greatest cities to show English in China? With such a singular and diverse panorama, from the Himalayas to the Gobi Desert, from the Karst mountains, to vibrant and bustling cities, China has all of it!
With 56 distinct ethnic teams scattered throughout this huge panorama, the totally different cultures to see are unparalleled to anyplace else.
Every area or metropolis has its personal particular delicacies. From duck in Beijing, to dim sum in Guangzhou, scorching pot in Chengdu, or lamb in Xinjiang, China is a foodie’s heaven. Being a rustic with a robust Buddhist affect means vegetarians usually are not disenchanted both.
It’s no secret that China has been a powerhouse relating to the TEFL/TESOL industries, however since covid, issues have been shaken up dramatically.
I’ve taught English in China for over six years each earlier than, throughout, and after the preliminary outbreak of covid. I first taught within the metropolis of Harbin, the place I obtained my TESOL certificates, earlier than transferring to Luoyang. My ultimate months in China have been spent residing within the metropolis of Sanya, on tropical Hainan Island.
On this full information, I’ll inform you all it’s good to learn about selecting the most effective metropolis to show English in China, what necessities there are, and a few helpful insider suggestions.
Can Foreigners Nonetheless Train English in China?
Sure, foreigners can most undoubtedly nonetheless educate English in China, and in reality, in some methods, now has by no means been a greater time to go. With many foreigners having left throughout the covid outbreak, there’s a extreme scarcity of lecturers, and salaries advantageously replicate this.
Sadly, the times of working few hours for prime pay in coaching facilities are over, as a result of authorities’s ban on instructing English for revenue. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless loads of alternatives to show in kindergartens, excessive faculties, worldwide faculties, and universities.
There are new alternatives for instructing English mixed with sports activities, so when you’ve got expertise in teaching basketball, soccer, (soccer), or every other sport, then there are many positions out there.
10 Greatest Cities to Train English in China
Beneath you could find 10 of the perfect cities in China to show English. From the bustling capital, to lesser well-known, however no much less charming locations, you can be positive to seek out the right place to embark in your TEFL journey in China.
So, with out additional ado, let’s dive proper in and uncover the most effective locations to show English in China!
1. Beijing
Beijing is likely one of the high cities to show English in China due to its vibrant mixture of outdated and new traditions, world-famous vacationer websites, and wonderful nightlife.
There are a lot of faculties and universities throughout the capital providing instructing positions, and that is the place many individuals begin out their instructing careers in China.
One of many issues you possibly can take pleasure in throughout your time without work is to discover the hutongs, that are slim alleyways the place individuals have lived in shut proximity for hundreds of years.
Beijing is full of cultural websites; from the Forbidden Metropolis and lakeside Summer time Palace, to the Lama Temple and way more.
Beijing is likely one of the few cities in China the place you could find cuisines from all over the world, so in case you are in search of selection when consuming out, Beijing is the place to be.
Beijing is likely one of the best cities to seek out instructing jobs, and you will discover that kindergartens are typically the highest recruiters. Working in a kindergarten is rather less glamorous than instructing at a highschool or college, and means additionally, you will tackle the function of “nanny”, which can not attraction to some trying to get began within the TEFL/TESOL discipline.
That being mentioned, because the capital, there are nonetheless loads of roles in center and better training. Phrase-of-mouth and WeChat teams are among the greatest methods to seek out work in Beijing. If you happen to can attain out to lecturers already within the metropolis, then your possibilities of discovering work might be excessive.
Be cautious of Chinese language recruitment brokers and you should definitely do your individual analysis, as some firms are likely to function in a gray space, and might over-promise with out delivering.
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2. Luoyang
Luoyang was as soon as the capital of China throughout the Sui and Tang dynasties, and retains a lot of its imperial attraction. It’s a small metropolis by Chinese language requirements, (with a inhabitants of round 7 million), so you possibly can anticipate a extra relaxed tempo of life right here compared to cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Luoyang is full of cultural and pure wonders just like the unbelievable Longmen Grottoes; a sequence of stone carvings of the Buddha engraved into the hillside, the White Horse Temple, and close by Shaolin Temple; the birthplace of Kung-fu!
I lived in Luoyang for 5 years and located it a fantastic metropolis to stay and work in.
There’s definitely sufficient to maintain lecturers occupied throughout downtime, and its central location means visiting different locations in China may be very straightforward. Xi’an is simply 90 minutes away by quick prepare, and Beijing round 4 hours.
The expat scene in Luoyang is small, and also you received’t discover many different cuisines aside from Chinese language, however in case you’re eager to get a really feel for the actual China, then Luoyang is a good possibility!
Academics in search of work right here can apply to Luoyang Regular College, which has a international instructing division. Maple Leaf is one other high employer within the metropolis, and there are various excessive faculties ceaselessly in search of lecturers.
As with Beijing, and most cities in China, word-of-mouth tends to be an effective way of discovering positions. If you can also make contact with lecturers within the metropolis, then you definately stand a fantastic likelihood of discovering employment.
3. Hangzhou
Hangzhou is one among China’s most lovely cities, and top-of-the-line locations for instructing English in China.
The town is famed for West Lake, a big physique of water surrounded by hills and mountains. It’s in these hills that the world-famous Dragon Nicely Tea has been cultivated for the reason that instances of the emperors.
Hangzhou additionally has a contemporary metropolis middle with all of the leisure, eating choices and nightlife to maintain you entertained throughout your time without work.
The town is simply 175km from Shanghai, and even nearer to a few of China’s well-known water cities corresponding to Wuzhen and Xitang. The town hosts many occasions all year long, together with live shows and festivals, yoga workshops, and extra.
As probably the most lovely cities in China, Hangzhou is massively well-liked with international lecturers, and it’s straightforward to seek out work within the metropolis. Zhejiang College is a good possibility for these taking a look at instructing in increased training, and there are a number of excessive faculties and kindergartens all the time in search of international lecturers, so verify the native Wechat teams for job postings.
4. Sanya
Sanya is China’s beachside paradise on Hainan Island; the southernmost province of China and nearer to Hanoi in Vietnam, than Beijing. Academics right here can anticipate year-round heat climate and loads of beachside actions, from snorkeling and diving, to browsing and boat journeys.
Sanya has some wonderful eating places. I can personally suggest Casa Mia, the most effective Italian restaurant in China, and the Dolphin Bar and Grill, which is a cool hangout for the town’s expat scene that entertains with stay music most nights.
Some of the enjoyable issues to do round Sanya is to discover the luxurious jungle and mountains surrounding the town. There are a lot of nationwide parks inside straightforward attain the place you possibly can uncover the native wildlife, and in case you’re fortunate, spot a clouded leopard or Chinese language cobra!
Having lived within the metropolis for six months, I can suggest Sanya as top-of-the-line cities to show English in China. Good seashores, lush jungle, nice bars and eating places, and a thriving expat scene make this my primary alternative!
It’s no secret that many lecturers need to head to Sanya to work and stay, however regardless of this curiosity, there are often vacancies out there all year long.
As with Beijing, there are many kindergartens in Sanya all the time in search of lecturers. Try That’s Sanya on WeChat for job postings.
5. Chengdu
Chengdu is one other well-liked metropolis for foreigners instructing English in China. The town is famed as the house of the enormous panda, and you may go to these lovely creatures on the Chengdu Breeding Heart. It’s superb to see the panda cubs messing round!
Chengdu is a contemporary metropolis with massive buying malls, eating places, loads of leisure, tradition, and a big expat scene.
There are many attention-grabbing websites close by, such because the Leshan Large Buddha. Chengdu additionally makes a superb base for exploring the Tibetan Autonomous Area, which doesn’t require a particular allow to go to.
It’s straightforward to seek out instructing work in Chengdu given the dimensions of the town and the numerous faculties and universities there. Chengdu College is an effective possibility, and you may often discover postings within the metropolis on Dave’s ESL Cafe.
As a tier 1 metropolis, you possibly can anticipate a excessive wage, much like Beijing and Shenzhen.
6. Guangzhou
Charming Guangzhou is unquestionably top-of-the-line cities to show English in China, due to its wealthy tradition, tasty Cantonese meals, (the most effective dim sum in China is discovered right here!), and proximity to the coast.
Guangzhou advantages from year-round heat climate due to its southerly location, so you possibly can anticipate balmy evenings in brief sleeves, even in winter.
The ultra-modern middle is dominated by the Pearl River and the 600-meter Canton Tower. However if you wish to expertise nature away from the town, Baiyun Mountain Park is only a 30-minute bus trip away.
Guangzhou is one other tier 1 Chinese language metropolis with loads of high-paying ESL jobs, making it top-of-the-line cities to show English in China. Plenty of alternatives exist for kindergarten, highschool and worldwide faculties corresponding to ISA Liwen.
☞ SEE ALSO: Educating English in Guangzhou – An Interview With an ESL Instructor
7. Xi’an
Xi’an is one other of China’s historic capitals and was the primary metropolis on the traditional Silk Highway that led the west into Europe. The town has an actual east meets west really feel to it, and that is most obvious alongside “Muslim Avenue” the place you possibly can pattern dishes from China’s far west Xinjiang area.
Xi’an is bursting with tradition and is thought all over the world due to the 1974 discovery of the Terracotta Military of Warriors and Horses.
The middle of the town is dominated by the traditional defensive partitions, which type a path stretching 14km across the metropolis, and is ideal for biking.
Xi’an sits on the central plains of China which means it has nice connections to the remainder of China, with Chengdu simply 4 hours away by quick prepare. Xi’an has a thriving bar scene with some nice faucet homes to check out. Remember to go to Close to Wall Bar the place you possibly can see the brewery behind the bar!
The town is well-liked with foreigners in search of the most effective cities to show English in China; there’s a big expat group, and loads of roles from public faculties, to universities, can be found.
8. Qingdao
Laid-back Qingdao is a seaside city on the east coast of the nation, and one other well-liked metropolis for instructing English in.
Qingdao has a protracted stretch of golden, sandy seashore excellent for cooling off in summer time. The town can be residence to the Tsing Tao Brewery, one among China’s hottest beers which is exported all over the world.
The town was as soon as occupied by the Germans, and retains structure from this era corresponding to St Michael’s Cathedral. There are many parks across the metropolis; from Zhongshan Park, to the attractive Laoshan Scenic Space which overlooks the Yellow Sea.
Qingdao has a decent-sized international instructor group with a lot of alternatives. Salaries is likely to be a bit decrease than the top-tier cities, however the usual of residing is excessive, and residence leases are cheaper than in Beijing and Shanghai.
9. Shanghai
Shanghai is China’s monetary hub and presents a really excessive way of life for these wishing to stay and work within the metropolis. This does come at a value although, and you may anticipate to pay significantly extra for an residence in Shanghai than in among the much less well-known cities.
There are a lot of alternatives for instructing in Shanghai; from kindergarten and public faculties, to universities. Wages are typically increased to replicate the excessive value of residing, however you’ll definitely discover your cash doesn’t go as far right here.
For these in search of a little bit of glitz and glamour, Shanghai is unquestionably a fantastic possibility for instructing English in China. One can find many different foreigners within the metropolis, so you possibly can anticipate a greater social life right here than you’d discover in smaller locations.
There’s a lot to maintain you occupied in Shanghai. From strolling across the Bund, to ascending skyscrapers for a chicken’s eye view of the town. Shanghai additionally has among the greatest eating places in China, so the town is a good possibility for meals fanatics!
10. Shenzhen
Shenzhen is one other bustling metropolis, and China’s expertise middle. As such, there are many alternatives right here for foreigners wanting to show English. The town is in a fantastic location, with Hong Kong simply accessible through MTR, bus and boat.
As with Beijing and Shanghai, you possibly can look forward to finding a wide selection of consuming choices providing a number of alternative. On weekends, you possibly can head to the close by seashores corresponding to at Huidong. Guangzhou is a brief prepare trip away and in addition makes for nice day journeys from the town.
Shenzhen is a massively well-liked place to show English due to the excessive salaries and enormous international instructor group.
The way to Discover Jobs Educating in China
Top-of-the-line assets for locating English instructing jobs in China is Dave’s ESL Cafe. They’ve an entire job board devoted to China, and it was right here that I discovered my job in Luoyang which lasted for 5 years!
It’s also possible to attempt looking for faculties on-line, however until you communicate Mandarin, or know they’ve a International Academics’ Supervisor, then contacting faculties immediately might not be the best choice.
One other good way of discovering work is thru WeChat teams. WeChat is China’s reply to WhatsApp or Fb; a messaging and social media platform that can make your life a lot simpler in China.
Be a part of teams for the town you’re pondering of transferring to, and you will discover a lot of jobs marketed.
TEFL firms corresponding to MyTEFL and English First are one other nice approach to discover job alternatives throughout China. Be cautious of Chinese language businesses as many function illegally. At all times verify your contract totally, and look out for pink flags corresponding to wanting to maintain your passport, (which is prohibited!).
Professionals and Cons of Educating English in China
As with all job, there are each professionals and cons to instructing English in China, nonetheless, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Professionals of Educating English in China
- Wage – you possibly can anticipate to be paid between $2,200 – $4,000 monthly with free or backed lodging
- Way of life – you possibly can take pleasure in a a lot increased way of life in China, and your cash will go so much additional
- Rewarding profession – instructing English in China will be massively rewarding and you will discover the scholars typically very properly behaved
- Nice working hours – You’ll often have free weekends to discover China’s fascinating tradition
- Journey alternatives – China is full of attention-grabbing cities, nationwide parks, seashores, mountains and extra
- Meals – one of many perks of residing in China is having the ability to attempt the totally different meals on supply
- Studying a language – ever needed to be taught one other language? Dwelling someplace is a sure-fire approach to grasp one other ability
- Tradition – from the tribes of Hainan Island, to the peoples of the north, you possibly can anticipate to expertise some unbelievable cultures
Cons of Educating English in China
- Zero covid coverage – lockdowns, quarantine, and restricted journey and so forth are more likely to final for the foreseeable future
- Being stared at – if it was unhealthy earlier than covid, it’s an entire lot worse now, as Chinese language individuals are likely to assume each foreigner has it
- Shady employer practices – try to discover a faculty with a International Academics’ Supervisor who can bridge the hole between you and Chinese language administration
- Noise and air pollution – China is noisy, and relying on which metropolis you educate English in, will be very polluted in winter
Educating English in China Necessities
Listed below are among the principal necessities to show ESL in China. The primary three are a very powerful.
- A notarized diploma certificates
- A clear prison file (from your private home nation and the final place you lived)
- English as a local language
- A Chinese language visa (that can then be canceled and changed with a “Z” work visa and resident’s allow).
- A TEFL or TESOL certificates (MyTEFL is a respectable, inexpensive possibility, use promo code GOATS50 for a 50% low cost)
- Educating expertise
It might or might not shock you that a lot of the above will be sidestepped for the precise value, (prison file verify and visa however for apparent causes).
I might not counsel anybody work in China illegally as you can be utterly by yourself if the authorities meet up with you. At the perfect, you possibly can anticipate to spend time in a Chinese language jail earlier than being deported; please make sure that necessities are revered.
FAQs About TEFL in China
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on TEFL in China.
Is there a Demand for English Academics in China?
There’s an enormous demand for English lecturers in China. The demand is so excessive in truth that many firms function illegally to fulfill Chinese language mother and father’ demand for lecturers. Watch out about who you signal a contract with, and make sure the faculty is above board by asking for a duplicate of their license.
Which Metropolis is the Greatest to Work in China?
That is utterly subjective relying on the kind of particular person you’re, and what you’re in search of. I’m biased, however I can say with out a shadow of a doubt that the most effective metropolis to stay in, in China, is Sanya.
12 months-round scorching climate, lovely seashores, thriving nightlife, mountains, ethnic tribes, and contemporary seafood. I might go on all day… If you’d like glitz and glamour then head to Shanghai, however don’t look forward to finding the true China there.
Beijing is an effective all-rounder and presents a good quantity of genuine Chinese language tradition with a extra worldwide scene. And naturally, Luoyang, my residence for 5 years, can be a fantastic place to stay.
Can I Train English in China with No Expertise?
Sure, it’s undoubtedly doable to show English with no expertise. Many faculties give on-the-job coaching, and ongoing efficiency evaluations that can assist you enhance as a instructor. The extra expertise you achieve as you educate English in China, the upper your wage will develop into.
Are English Academics Paid Nicely in China?
English lecturers in China are paid extremely properly. Because of the low value of residing, (outdoors of enormous cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen), you’ll discover your cash goes a great distance. The common wage for an English instructor in China is $2,200 USD, plus an residence that’s paid for, or typically a subsidy to cowl residing preparations.
Because of the present scarcity of lecturers in China, it’s even doable to earn as much as $4,000 monthly in among the bigger cities corresponding to Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Conclusion
I hope you may have discovered this information to the ten greatest cities to show English in China helpful. Whether or not you’re in search of tradition, nightlife, meals or points of interest, every of those cities presents a lot for international lecturers making the transfer to China.
Whichever metropolis you select, you’re assured the expertise of a lifetime with a rewarding and enjoyable job, and the chance to essentially expertise the nation’s wealthy tradition and historical past.
