Teach English in China
Is it Safe to Teach English in China?
With the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak originating in China, it is very clear that this is NOT the time to be going to China to teach English. It will take many months to determine the outcome of the current outbreak, so it is highly advisable to stay away from China for the foreseeable future.
What to Expect Teaching English in China
China is a fantastic clash of modernity and tradition. Endless modern glass skyscrapers line the streets, while a few steps away you can find fishmongers gutting fish in the streets. With hundreds of new English schools popping up around the country, China currently offers the most abundant opportunities for English teachers around the world.
With China’s huge demand for English teachers, even non-native English speakers are likely to find English teaching positions. Many schools prefer that teachers have a TEFL certificate and at least one year’s work experience in any field. However, all interested teachers are likely to find employment.
To teach in China, you need a “Z” visa. This means you will need to find an employer that will hire you prior to arriving in China. This visa can be obtained in a Chinese embassy in your home country. Once hired your employer will send a notification letter for your visa and a work permit. When you arrive in China, you will have to visit the local police station and apply for a residence permit. This should be done within a month of your arrival in the country. Typically, your employer will help you with all the necessary paperwork.
It is not a good idea to go to China to work on a tourist visa. Although increasing numbers of teachers are working illegally in China, it is a serious risk. Chinese officials are not particularly renowned for their kindness and generosity. Do yourself a favor and find an employer to sponsor your visa before you go to China.
Salaries are competitive and increasing in larger schools. However, it is not uncommon for novice teachers to be taken advantage of by smaller independent schools. Make sure to get written copies of your contract in English, clearly stating work hours, salary, housing arrangements and flight reimbursements, etc. Also, bear in mind that Chinese employers will try to pay you as little as possible, especially where teachers without experience or certifications are concerned. Make sure you get what was agreed upon.
Most English schools in China offer free furnished accommodations with appliances, Internet, a bike for traveling to and from school, meal allowances and flight reimbursement for return tickets upon completion of the contract. Salaries are not as high in China as Japan or Korea, but with all these extras and the low cost of living it is likely that the amount of money you can save will be comparable to English teachers in those countries.
More on Teaching English in China
Videos from English Teachers in China
5 Tips for Teaching English in China
Is Teaching English In China a Bad Job?
This IS China’s Golden Age for English Teachers
Is teaching English in China right for you?
Teach English in China (Cost of Living)
Teaching English in China can be a fantastic experience, even for those who are traveling to teach for the first time. The cost of living in China is inexpensive. Monthly salaries of teachers in China vary, depending on experience, teaching hours and employer size, etc. Most jobs expect about 15-25 teaching hours per week. Additional time spent for preparation of materials and lesson-planning does not count as teaching hours. … Read More
Teaching English in China Requirements
For a teacher to legally teach in China, you need a “Z” visa (for contracts of a year or more) or an “F” visa (for contracts of less than 6 months), and a Residence Permit.
The first thing that you should do is find an employer. They are responsible for obtaining a Foreign Experts Invitation Confirmation from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs on your behalf. This certificate is necessary to prove that the foreign teacher coming to China is in the field of work for which he/she is applying. Once approved, your employer sends the certificate (original copy) to the foreign teacher. Then, the foreign teacher is required to visit the nearest Chinese embassy and present the certification and the invitation letter (from host school) to obtain “Z” visa. … Read More
Interviews with English Teachers in China
Interview with Kelly Sandor, teaching English in China
Interview with Roger Jones, teaching English in China
Interview with Gordie Rogers, teaching English in China
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