10 Greatest Cities to Educate English in China

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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 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 wherever else.

Every area or metropolis has its personal particular delicacies. From duck in Beijing, to dim sum in Guangzhou, sizzling pot in Chengdu, or lamb in Xinjiang, China is a foodie’s heaven. Being a rustic with a powerful Buddhist affect means vegetarians will not be disillusioned 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 transferring 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 you must learn about selecting one of the best metropolis to show English in China, what necessities there are, and a few useful insider ideas.

Can Foreigners Nonetheless Educate English in China?

Sure, foreigners can most positively nonetheless train English in China, and actually, in some methods, now has by no means been a greater time to go. With many foreigners having left in the course of the covid outbreak, there’s a extreme scarcity of lecturers, and salaries advantageously mirror this.

teacher jobs in china

Sadly, the times of working few hours for prime pay in coaching facilities are over, as a result of authorities’s ban on educating English for revenue. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless loads of alternatives to show in kindergartens, excessive colleges, worldwide colleges, and universities.

There are new alternatives for educating English mixed with sports activities, so in case you have expertise in teaching basketball, soccer, (soccer), or every other sport, then there are many positions accessible. 

10 Greatest Cities to Educate English in China

Under you’ll find 10 of the easiest cities in China to show English. From the bustling capital, to lesser well-known, however no much less charming locations, you’ll be positive to seek out the proper place to embark in your TEFL journey in China. 

So, with out additional ado, let’s dive proper in and uncover one of the best locations to show English in China!

1. Beijing

Beijing is without doubt one of the prime cities to show English in China because of its vibrant mixture of outdated and new traditions, world-famous vacationer websites, and wonderful nightlife.

There are lots of colleges 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 may get pleasure from throughout your day off is to discover the hutongs, that are slender alleyways the place individuals have lived in shut proximity for hundreds of years.

Beijing is filled with cultural websites; from the Forbidden Metropolis and lakeside Summer season Palace, to the Lama Temple and rather more. 

Best Cities to Teach English in China

Beijing is without doubt one of the few cities in China the place you’ll find cuisines from world wide, so in case you are on the lookout for selection when consuming out, Beijing is the place to be.

Beijing is without doubt one of the best cities to seek out educating jobs, and one can find that kindergartens are usually 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 position of “nanny”, which can not enchantment 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 among the greatest methods to seek out work in Beijing. Should you can attain out to lecturers already within the metropolis, then your possibilities 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 inclined to function in a gray space, and may over-promise with out delivering.  

See Additionally:

2. Luoyang

Luoyang was as soon as the capital of China in the course of 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 may count on a extra relaxed tempo of life right here compared to cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. 

Luoyang is filled with 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!

awesome cities where you can teach English in China

I lived in Luoyang for 5 years and located it an ideal metropolis to dwell and work in.

There’s actually 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 for those who’re eager to get a really feel for the true China, then Luoyang is a superb possibility!

Lecturers on the lookout for work right here can apply to Luoyang Regular College, which has a overseas educating division. Maple Leaf is one other prime employer within the metropolis, and there are various excessive colleges ceaselessly on the lookout for lecturers.

As with Beijing, and most cities in China, word-of-mouth tends to be an effective way of discovering positions. If you may make contact with lecturers within the metropolis, then you definitely stand an ideal probability of discovering employment. 

3. Hangzhou

Hangzhou is one in every of China’s most stunning cities, and among the best 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 Properly Tea has been cultivated because the occasions 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 day off.

Town is just 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.

teach english in Hangzhou china

As some of the stunning cities in China, Hangzhou is massively in style with overseas lecturers, and it’s straightforward to seek out work within the metropolis. Zhejiang College is a superb possibility for these educating in greater training, and there are a number of excessive colleges and kindergartens all the time on the lookout for overseas lecturers, so examine 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 count on 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, one of the best Italian restaurant in China, and the Dolphin Bar and Grill, which is a cool hangout for the town’s expat scene that entertains with dwell music most nights.

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One of the vital enjoyable issues to do round Sanya is to discover the plush jungle and mountains surrounding the town. There are lots of nationwide parks inside straightforward attain the place you may uncover the native wildlife, and for those who’re fortunate, spot a clouded leopard or Chinese language cobra!

Having lived within the metropolis for six months, I can advocate Sanya as among the best cities to show English in China. Excellent 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 dwell, however regardless of this curiosity, there are often vacancies accessible all year long.

As with Beijing, there are many kindergartens in Sanya all the time on the lookout for lecturers. Take a look at That’s Sanya on WeChat for job postings. 

5. Chengdu

Chengdu is one other in style metropolis for foreigners educating English in China. Town is famed as the house of the large panda, and you’ll go to these cute 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.

teach english in chengdu china

There are many attention-grabbing websites close by, such because the Leshan Large Buddha. Chengdu additionally makes a wonderful 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 the town and the numerous colleges and universities there. Chengdu College is an effective possibility, and you’ll often discover postings within the metropolis on Dave’s ESL Cafe.

As a tier 1 metropolis, you may count on a excessive wage, much like Beijing and Shenzhen. 

6. Guangzhou

Charming Guangzhou is certainly among the best cities to show English in China, because of its wealthy tradition, tasty Cantonese meals, (one of the best dim sum in China is discovered right here!), and proximity to the coast.

Guangzhou advantages from year-round heat climate because of its southerly location, so you may count on 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 experience away.

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Guangzhou is one other tier 1 Chinese language metropolis with loads of high-paying ESL jobs, making it among the best cities to show English in China. Plenty of alternatives exist for kindergarten, highschool and worldwide colleges akin to ISA Liwen.  

☞ SEE ALSO: Educating English in Guangzhou – An Interview With an ESL Trainer 

7. Xi’an

Xi’an is one other of China’s historic capitals and was the primary metropolis on the traditional Silk Street 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 may pattern dishes from China’s far west Xinjiang area. 

Xi’an is bursting with tradition and is understood world wide because of 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.

places to teach English in Xi'an China

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. Make sure you go to Close to Wall Bar the place you may see the brewery behind the bar!

Town is in style with foreigners on the lookout for one of the best cities to show English in China; there’s a big expat neighborhood, and loads of roles from public colleges, to universities, can be found. 

8. Qingdao

Laid-back Qingdao is a seaside city on the east coast of the nation, and one other in style metropolis for educating English in.

Qingdao has a protracted stretch of golden, sandy seashore good for cooling off in summer time. Town can also be dwelling to the Tsing Tao Brewery, one in every of China’s hottest beers which is exported world wide.

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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 attractive Laoshan Scenic Space which overlooks the Yellow Sea.

Qingdao has a decent-sized overseas instructor neighborhood with numerous alternatives. Salaries may be 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 dwell and work within the metropolis. This does come at a price although, and you’ll count on to pay significantly extra for an residence in Shanghai than in among the much less well-known cities.

There are lots of alternatives for educating in Shanghai; from kindergarten and public colleges, to universities. Wages are usually greater to mirror the excessive value of residing, however you’ll actually discover your cash doesn’t go as far right here.

best places to teach english in china for expats

For these on the lookout for a little bit of glitz and glamour, Shanghai is certainly an ideal possibility for educating English in China. You will discover many different foreigners within the metropolis, so you may count on 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 chook’s eye view of the town. Shanghai additionally has among the greatest eating places in China, so the 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 an ideal location, with Hong Kong simply accessible through MTR, bus and boat. 

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As with Beijing and Shanghai, you may look forward to finding a wide selection of consuming choices providing a number of alternative. On weekends, you may head to the close by seashores akin to at Huidong. Guangzhou is a brief prepare experience away and in addition makes for excellent day journeys from the town.

Shenzhen is a massively in style place to show English because of the excessive salaries and huge overseas instructor neighborhood. 

Tips on how to Discover Jobs Educating in China

Among the finest sources for locating English educating jobs in China is Dave’s ESL Cafe. They’ve a complete job board devoted to China, and it was right here that I discovered my job in Luoyang which lasted for 5 years! 

You may also strive looking for colleges on-line, however until you converse Mandarin, or know they’ve a International Lecturers’ Supervisor, then contacting colleges immediately might not be the most suitable choice. 

One other smart 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 might be considering of transferring to, and one can find numerous jobs marketed.

TEFL firms akin to MyTEFL and English First are one other nice strategy to discover job alternatives throughout China. Be cautious of Chinese language businesses as many function illegally. All the time examine your contract totally, and look out for purple flags akin to wanting to maintain your passport, (which is against the law!). 

Professionals and Cons of Educating English in China

As with all job, there are each execs and cons to educating English in China, nonetheless, the positives far outweigh the negatives. 

Professionals of Educating English in China

  • Wage – you may count on to be paid between $2,200 – $4,000 per 30 days with free or sponsored lodging
  • Way of life – you may get pleasure from a a lot greater lifestyle in China, and your cash will go quite a bit additional
  • Rewarding profession – educating English in China might be massively rewarding and one can find the college students usually very properly behaved
  • Nice working hours – You’ll often have free weekends to discover China’s fascinating tradition
  • Journey alternatives – China is filled with attention-grabbing cities, nationwide parks, seashores, mountains and extra
  • Meals – one of many perks of residing in China is having the ability to strive the totally different meals on supply
  • Studying a language – ever needed to be taught one other language? Dwelling someplace is a sure-fire strategy to grasp one other talent
  • Tradition – from the tribes of Hainan Island, to the peoples of the north, you may count on to expertise some unbelievable cultures

Cons of Educating 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 dangerous earlier than covid, it’s a complete lot worse now, as Chinese language individuals are inclined to assume each foreigner has it
  • Shady employer practices – try to discover a faculty with a International 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, might be very polluted in winter

Educating English in China Necessities

Listed here are among the major necessities to show ESL in China. The primary three are an important.

  • A notarized diploma certificates
  • A clear legal file (from your own 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 official, inexpensive possibility, use promo code GOATS50 for a 50% low cost)
  • Educating expertise

It could or might not shock you that a lot of the above might be sidestepped for the best worth, (legal file examine and visa however for apparent causes).

I might not recommend anybody work in China illegally as you’ll be utterly by yourself if the authorities meet up with you. At the easiest, you may count on to spend time in a Chinese language jail earlier than being deported; please be certain that necessities are revered. 

FAQs About TEFL in China

Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on TEFL in China. 

teaching jobs in china for expats

Is there a Demand for English Lecturers in China?

There’s an enormous demand for English lecturers in China. The demand is so excessive actually that many firms function illegally to fulfill Chinese language dad and mom’ demand for lecturers. Watch out about who you signal a contract with, and make sure the faculty is above board by asking for a replica of their license. 

Which Metropolis is the Greatest to Work in China?

That is utterly subjective relying on the form of individual you might be, and what you’re on the lookout for. I’m biased, however I can say with out a shadow of a doubt that one of the best metropolis to dwell in, in China, is Sanya.

Yr-round sizzling climate, stunning seashores, thriving nightlife, mountains, ethnic tribes, and contemporary seafood. I may go on all day… If you would 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 provides a good quantity of genuine Chinese language tradition with a extra worldwide scene. And naturally, Luoyang, my dwelling for 5 years, can also be an ideal place to dwell. 

Can I Educate English in China with No Expertise?

Sure, it’s positively doable to train English with no expertise. Many faculties give on-the-job coaching, and ongoing efficiency evaluations that will help you enhance as a instructor. The extra expertise you acquire as you train English in China, the upper your wage will turn out to be.  

Are English Lecturers Paid Properly in China?

English lecturers in China are paid extremely properly. Because of the low value of residing, (outdoors of huge cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen), you’ll discover your cash goes a good 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 per 30 days in among the bigger cities akin to Shanghai and Shenzhen. 

Conclusion

I hope you will have discovered this information to the ten greatest cities to show English in China helpful. Whether or not you might be on the lookout for tradition, nightlife, meals or points of interest, every of those cities provides a lot for overseas lecturers making the transfer to China.

Whichever metropolis you select, you might be assured the expertise of a lifetime with a rewarding and enjoyable job, and the chance to actually expertise the nation’s wealthy tradition and historical past.

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