China is an extremely rewarding place to show, however what are the ten greatest cities to show English in China? With such a novel and assorted 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 completely 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 powerful Buddhist affect means vegetarians aren’t disenchanted both.
It’s no secret that China has been a powerhouse in the case of 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 shifting to Luoyang. My closing months in China have been spent residing within the metropolis of Sanya, on tropical Hainan Island.
On this full information, I’ll let you know all it’s essential to find out about selecting the perfect metropolis to show English in China, what necessities there are, and a few helpful insider ideas.
Can Foreigners Nonetheless Train English in China?
Sure, foreigners can most positively nonetheless train 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 academics, and salaries advantageously replicate this.
Sadly, the times of working few hours for prime pay in coaching facilities are over, because of the government’s ban on teaching English for profit. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless loads of alternatives to show in kindergartens, excessive faculties, worldwide faculties, and universities.
There are new alternatives for teaching English mixed with sports activities, so when you’ve got expertise in teaching basketball, soccer, (soccer), or some 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 certain 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 perfect 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 lots of faculties and universities throughout the capital providing educating positions, and that is the place many individuals begin out their educating careers in China.
One of many issues you possibly can get pleasure from throughout your break day is to discover the hutongs, that are slender alleyways the place folks have lived in shut proximity for hundreds of years.
Beijing is full of cultural websites; from the Forbidden Metropolis and lakeside Summer season Palace, to the Lama Temple and rather more.
Beijing is likely one of the few cities in China the place you could find cuisines from all over the world, so if you’re in search of selection when consuming out, Beijing is the place to be.
Beijing is likely one of the best cities to seek out educating jobs, and you will see that kindergartens are typically the highest recruiters. Working in a kindergarten is rather less glamorous than educating at a highschool or college, and means additionally, you will tackle the function of “nanny”, which can not attraction to some seeking to get began within the TEFL/TESOL area.
That being mentioned, because the capital, there are nonetheless loads of roles in center and better training. Phrase-of-mouth and WeChat teams are a few of the greatest methods to seek out work in Beijing. For those who can attain out to academics already within the metropolis, then your probabilities of discovering work will likely be excessive.
Be cautious of Chinese language recruitment brokers and make sure to do your personal 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 appeal. 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 collection 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 reside and work in.
There’s actually sufficient to maintain academics 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 other than Chinese language, however in case you’re eager to get a really feel for the actual China, then Luoyang is a superb possibility!
Lecturers in search of work right here can apply to Luoyang Regular College, which has a overseas educating division. Maple Leaf is one other high employer within the metropolis, and there are a lot of excessive faculties continuously in search of academics.
As with Beijing, and most cities in China, word-of-mouth tends to be a good way of discovering positions. If you can also make contact with academics within the metropolis, you then stand a fantastic likelihood of discovering employment.
3. Hangzhou
Hangzhou is one in all China’s most lovely cities, and probably the greatest locations for educating English in China.
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 Effectively Tea has been cultivated because the 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 break day.
Town is barely 175km from Shanghai, and even nearer to a few of China’s well-known water cities akin to Wuzhen and Xitang. Town hosts many occasions all year long, together with concert events and festivals, yoga workshops, and extra.
As some of the lovely cities in China, Hangzhou is vastly widespread with overseas academics, and it’s straightforward to seek out work within the metropolis. Zhejiang University is a superb possibility for these taking a look at educating in increased training, and there are a number of excessive faculties and kindergartens all the time in search of overseas academics, 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. Lecturers 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 advocate Casa Mia, the perfect Italian restaurant in China, and the Dolphin Bar and Grill, which is a cool hangout for town’s expat scene that entertains with reside music most nights.
Some of the enjoyable issues to do round Sanya is to discover the luxurious jungle and mountains surrounding town. There are lots 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 advocate Sanya as probably the greatest cities to show English in China. Excellent seashores, lush jungle, nice bars and eating places, and a thriving expat scene make this my primary selection!
It’s no secret that many academics need to head to Sanya to work and reside, 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 academics. Try That’s Sanya on WeChat for job postings.
5. Chengdu
Chengdu is one other widespread metropolis for foreigners educating English in China. Town is famed as the house of the enormous panda, and you may go to these lovely creatures on the Chengdu Breeding Middle. It’s wonderful to see the panda cubs messing round!
Chengdu is a contemporary metropolis with giant 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 educating work in Chengdu given the scale of town and the numerous faculties and universities there. Chengdu University 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, just like Beijing and Shenzhen.
6. Guangzhou
Charming Guangzhou is certainly probably the greatest cities to show English in China, due to its wealthy tradition, tasty Cantonese meals, (the perfect 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 town, Baiyun Mountain Park is only a 30-minute bus experience away.
Guangzhou is one other tier 1 Chinese language metropolis with loads of high-paying ESL jobs, making it probably the greatest cities to show English in China. A lot of alternatives exist for kindergarten, highschool and worldwide faculties akin to ISA Liwen.
☞ SEE ALSO: Teaching English in Guangzhou – An Interview With an ESL Teacher
7. Xi’an
Xi’an is one other of China’s historic capitals and was the primary metropolis on the traditional Silk Road that led the west into Europe. Town has an actual east meets west really feel to it, and that is most obvious alongside “Muslim Road” 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 Army of Warriors and Horses.
The middle of 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 that 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. You’ll want to go to Close to Wall Bar the place you possibly can see the brewery behind the bar!
Town is widespread with foreigners in search of the perfect cities to show English in China; there’s a big expat neighborhood, 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 widespread metropolis for educating English in.
Qingdao has an extended stretch of golden, sandy seaside excellent for cooling off in summer time. Town can be dwelling to the Tsing Tao Brewery, one in all China’s hottest beers which is exported all over the world.
Town was as soon as occupied by the Germans, and retains structure from this era akin to St Michael’s Cathedral. There are many parks across the metropolis; from Zhongshan Park, to the gorgeous Laoshan Scenic Space which overlooks the Yellow Sea.
Qingdao has a decent-sized overseas instructor neighborhood with plenty of alternatives. Salaries is perhaps just a little 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 provides a really excessive lifestyle for these wishing to reside and work within the metropolis. This does come at a price although, and you may anticipate to pay significantly extra for an residence in Shanghai than in a few of the much less well-known cities.
There are lots of alternatives for educating in Shanghai; from kindergarten and public faculties, to universities. Wages are usually increased to replicate the excessive price of residing, however you’ll actually discover your cash doesn’t go as far right here.
For these in search of a little bit of glitz and glamour, Shanghai is certainly a fantastic possibility for educating English in China. You will see that 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 plenty to keep you occupied in Shanghai. From strolling across the Bund, to ascending skyscrapers for a hen’s eye view of town. Shanghai additionally has a few of the greatest eating places in China, so town is a superb 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. Town is in a fantastic location, with Hong Kong simply accessible by way of MTR, bus and boat.
As with Beijing and Shanghai, you possibly can look forward to finding a wide variety of consuming choices providing a number of selection. On weekends, you possibly can head to the close by seashores akin to at Huidong. Guangzhou is a brief prepare experience away and likewise makes for excellent day journeys from town.
Shenzhen is a vastly widespread place to show English due to the excessive salaries and huge overseas instructor neighborhood.
Methods to Discover Jobs Instructing in China
Probably the greatest sources for locating English educating jobs in China is Dave’s ESL Cafe. They’ve a complete job board dedicated to China, and it was right here that I discovered my job in Luoyang which lasted for 5 years!
You may as well attempt looking for faculties on-line, however until you communicate Mandarin, or know they’ve a Overseas Lecturers’ Supervisor, then contacting faculties straight is probably not the most suitable 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 town you’re considering of shifting to, and you will see plenty of jobs marketed.
TEFL firms akin 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. All the time verify your contract completely, and look out for pink flags akin to wanting to maintain your passport, (which is illegitimate!).
Execs and Cons of Instructing English in China
As with all job, there are each pros and cons to teaching English in China, nevertheless, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Execs of Instructing English in China
- Wage – you possibly can anticipate to be paid between $2,200 – $4,000 per thirty days with free or sponsored lodging
- Lifestyle – you possibly can get pleasure from a a lot increased lifestyle in China, and your cash will go rather a lot additional
- Rewarding profession – educating English in China will be vastly rewarding and you will see the students usually 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 completely different meals on provide
- Studying a language – ever wished to be taught one other language? Residing someplace is a sure-fire approach to grasp one other talent
- Tradition – from the tribes of Hainan Island, to the peoples of the north, you possibly can anticipate to expertise some unbelievable cultures
Cons of Instructing English in China
- Zero covid coverage – lockdowns, quarantine, and restricted journey and so forth are prone to final for the foreseeable future
- Being stared at – if it was unhealthy earlier than covid, it’s a complete lot worse now, as Chinese language folks are likely to assume each foreigner has it
- Shady employer practices – try to discover a faculty with a Overseas Lecturers’ 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 train English in, will be very polluted in winter
Instructing English in China Necessities
Listed here are a few of the most important necessities to show ESL in China. The primary three are a very powerful.
- A notarized diploma certificates
- A clear prison document (from your house 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 professional, inexpensive possibility, use promo code GOATS50 for a 50% low cost)
- Instructing expertise
It could or could not shock you that a lot of the above will be sidestepped for the suitable value, (prison document verify and visa however for apparent causes).
I might not recommend 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 here are some solutions to generally requested questions on TEFL in China.
Is there a Demand for English Lecturers in China?
There’s an enormous demand for English academics in China. The demand is so excessive actually that many firms function illegally to fulfill Chinese language mother and father’ demand for academics. 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 no shadow of a doubt that the perfect metropolis to reside in, in China, is Sanya.
Yr-round scorching climate, lovely seashores, thriving nightlife, mountains, ethnic tribes, and recent seafood. I might go on all day… In order for you 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 provides a good quantity of genuine Chinese language tradition with a extra worldwide scene. And naturally, Luoyang, my dwelling for 5 years, can be a fantastic place to reside.
Can I Train English in China with No Expertise?
Sure, it’s positively attainable to teach English with no experience. Many colleges give on-the-job coaching, and ongoing efficiency critiques that can assist you enhance as a instructor. The extra expertise you achieve as you train English in China, the upper your wage will turn out to be.
Are English Lecturers Paid Effectively in China?
English academics in China are paid extremely properly. As a result of low price of residing, (exterior of enormous cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen), you’ll discover your cash goes a good distance. The typical 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.
As a result of present scarcity of academics in China, it’s even attainable to earn as much as $4,000 per thirty days in a few of the bigger cities akin to Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve gotten 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 sights, every of those cities provides loads for overseas academics 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.
