If I can’t speak Chinese and they can’t speak English, then…..

It has one of those statements for me, you know, the ones we classify under “If I had a nickel for every time I heard that one, I’d be…”.  The thing is, at one time I was guilty of asking this question myself: I want to be an English teacher, but how on earth can I teach English to Chinese students if I don’t speak Chinese? After a little on-line reading following my big decision to teach English in China, some websites were able to give me some peace of mind on the matter and were able to answer questions from my parents, grandparents, and basically everyone who knew – notice the emphasis on “some” peace of mind, I’d never been to China to teach English so I couldn’t really know for sure.

The thing I most feared, and I think many people fear when they ask this question is arriving in China and finding themselves standing in front of a class of children or adults who cannot speak any English. The thought process would then say that since the teacher cannot speak any Chinese, there would be no communication in the class which would result in major embarrassment for the teacher, students being unhappy, no learning happening– a big failure all around.  If only the teacher could speak Chinese, then they could really teach something!

The numbers on on the way up

There are a few problems with this fear which are important to know before you head off to teach English in China. First of all, research done by a Chinese student in the USA estimates that as of 2006 there were 250-300 million Chinese people (men, women, and children) learning English.  This is an astounding number-one near equal to the number of people in America.

These numbers suggest a few things related to our original question.  The first is that the number of classes where there is zero English knowledge is practically non-existent, if you teach English in China nearly every student will have a t least some English which you can build on.  The second is that with one-fourth of the population (or more) wanting to learn English there surely comes with a degree of interest, drive, and passion for that trend.

Two things in China that are definitely surging are the rate of growth in China and the number of English speakers.

Teaching English to low level adults

From personal experience, these two conclusions are typical, especially for teaching adult students.  I specifically remember an adult “Level 0” class in my first year teaching English in China. Even though my Chinese level wasn’t something I wanted to show off in class, and my student’s were considered level 0 – certainly no experts at English; we were still able to have productive class because of the passion and interest.  It also helped because most classes were designed around decent curriculum and were able to work around concepts the students had either a small understanding of or had heard in a recent previous lesson.

Adventures teaching English with Young Learners

Despite hearing from the language center when they hired me that it was “no problem” that I did not speak any Chinese, I still wasn’t quite sure how exactly I was going to teach English to Chinese students – especially with younger learners.  I always tried playing scenarios out in my mind and they always seemed like they would work, but I just couldn’t be sure.  In my TEFL training I’d read something about the best way to conduct a class to L2 (second language) learners was to make them speak in the language they are there to learn.  Let me first say that this idea alone wasn’t enough to turn me into a polished teacher, but at the same time the simple goal of getting students to talk in English (instead of me in Chinese) was something I could aim for in every class and get some positive outcomes from every class. In fact, a lot of schools actively discourage any Chinese in the classroom, from students or teacher as complete immersion in English is the preferred approach.

Within a few months of teaching English in China I had worked out a strong foundation of strategies to get students talking in English.  I especially enjoyed working with the young learners (students aged 7-12).  During class we would do activities like art projects, playing language games, and singing songs, and engaging in activities that would challenge them to learn a new piece to the English language puzzle.

Overcoming the language barrier

I found that the way to get students to engage in these various activities was often as easy as language modeling.  This would consist of presenting a new language point, then saying it myself.  After showing the students how to do it and giving a little guided practice which required no Chinese, we’d shoot off into a new activity or game where they could use the new language point while having a blast with their foreign teacher and classmates.

Using some of these tips, I was able to overcome the “language barrier” and really enjoy myself teaching English in China.  Employing strategies like these and time logged in the classroom will no doubt help anyone overcome this language barrier.  Knowing it for myself and seeing many others succeed without even speaking a word of Chinese, I can tell you for sure:  You don’t need to be able to speak Chinese to teach English in China.

James Goode has been teaching in China for almost 6 years now, and uses chopsticks very well.  You can follow him on twitter at @texinchina.  He admits to loving Texas, his university, China, food, and his family.  He sincerely hopes you don’t tell his wife that his room is messy.

Read more articles on living and teaching in China here.

Gold Star TEFL Recruitment has been assisting teachers secure the very best teaching jobs in China since 2009 and has close connections with China’s leading schools. For details on teaching jobs at Disney English, Wall Street English and English First have a look through our website and submit an application today.

Jim Althans packed up and flew to China to teach English in 2004. He has taught at kindergartens in remote villages, vice presidents in shiny offices and everything in between, enjoying every minute of it. He now works at Gold Star TEFL Recruitment helping teachers find their next job in China.

English teacher interview tips

Looking for a new teaching job in China can be a full time job in itself so once you have secured an interview with a good school you will definitely want to make sure you are fully prepared and present yourself in the best possible light. The interview is a vitally important part of the recruitment process and there are a number of things you need to know in order to make sure everything goes smoothly.

I’ve interviewed over a hundred people for teaching jobs over the years and have a good idea of what schools are looking for in a candidate, the kind of questions asked in an interview and advice on what to avoid doing during the interview process. This article will provide plenty of interview tips for ESL teachers which will help you structure your interview answers.

For a good insight into the day to day life of an English teacher in China, have a read through these interviews with current teachers and also a look through our FAQ section.

Before the job interview

Obviously it is wise to read up about the company and find out all you can about their schools, teaching methods, course material, requirements and any other details you can. Not only does it show initiative and that you are genuinely interested in job you are interviewing for but having a good understanding of the company allows you to make a more informed decision on whether that particular school is right for you. If you are planning on flying halfway across the world to teach somewhere for a year, you want to make sure it’s with a school you will enjoy being at.

Write down all the questions you want to ask before the interview and have them ready. The interviewer will be expecting you to have plenty to ask so make it as long as you want!

Getting ready for a Skype interview

Most interviews are done via Skype and are usually video calls so make sure you have tested your microphone and headphones, have a webcam ready and a fast internet connection. With Skype you can set your profile picture too so make sure you have a professional one for the interview. Make sure you have added the schools Skype ID well ahead of time. Often there will be a time difference between the interviewer and candidate so make sure you have double checked that you have the right time, www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ is a good site to use.

It’s definitely worth finding a quiet, well lit place for the interview. Not long ago I interviewed someone who was in a nosy, outdoor internet café with his baby son on his lap and a beer in his hand. The baby was climbing all over him and I couldn’t hear half of what he was saying, not the best way to go after a new job.

Dress professionally, as you would for a face to face interview, so a shirt and tie for men and smart clothes for women.

Tips for during the interview

Most interviews with schools will last from 45 – 90 minutes and usually start with some small talk. The interview will usually be spilt into three sections, beginning with the interviewer asking you questions, then moving on to telling you about the job, school and city and finally answering any questions you have.

Generally the interviewer will be asking questions related to your previous teaching experience (or if you don’t have any yet, then about your TEFL course), your views on teaching, how you would teach specific language or grammar points, classroom management techniques, dealing with discipline issues (especially if you are interviewing for a young learner job), teaching materials you have made, lesson planning as well as questions not related to teaching such as how you work with a team and cultural sensitivity perhaps.

Obviously different schools will have different procedures and interview questions, Wall Street English for example have two rounds of interviews, the first of which is more general and will cover the topics in the above paragraph and in the second the candidate is given a topic to plan a lesson on in advance and during the interview he/she will talk the interviewer through the lesson plan explaining how it would be taught.

English First interviews are generally conducted by the Director of Studies (DoS) of the school that you are interviewing for and typically will be just one interview. Typical questions asked in a teaching interview are listed below.

Disney English will typically have one interview going into detail on the topics mentioned above but with an added emphasis on any previous drama, singing and performance experience. The interviewer will not necessarily be someone working in the school that you are interviewing for.

Questions asked in an English teacher job interview

Sample interview questions for recent TEFL course graduates

• What did the course cover?
• What did you find most interesting?
• What did you find most challenging?
• What was the most useful feedback you got from your tutor?
• Did you make any of your own materials?
• Which areas do you still need to improve on?

Sample interview questions for experienced teachers

• Can you tell me more about your experience at (previous schools)?
• What further training have you received? (workshops, seminars etc)
• How do you deal with difficult students?
• Are there any specific areas of your teaching you have been working on?
• How do you motivate students?
• What courses books have you used? Any preferences?
• What is a good activity you have used recently?
• What kind of feedback have you got from observed lessons?
• Talk me through a lesson that went well
• How would you teach the present perfect?
• What are your goals for the future for your teaching?
• How do you teach large group sizes?
• Have you used interactive white boards before?
• How do you feel about having an “English only” rule in the classrooms?
• Language schools often use the ‘communicative approach’, what do you understand by that?
• What are the main differences in the approach needed to teach young learners versus adults?
• What are the main roles of a teacher?
• What are the keys to effective learning?
• What classroom management techniques do you use ensure your classes run smoothly?
• What makes a good lesson plan?

Ideal qualities the school is looking for in a candidate

Don’t expect the interview to be overly formal, the school will be looking to get to know you and find out whether you would be a good fit at the school. Schools in China generally have a tight-knit teaching team and it is important that everyone gets along. The kind of qualities they will be looking for are of course a genuine enthusiasm and passion for the job and plenty of energy especially if the job is for teaching young learners.

Be clear about your reasons for wanting to live and teach abroad and make sure you can show that you will be able to cope with the challenges. Reliability and professional are important as is the ability to be flexible, open minded and culturally aware. The school will have Chinese as well as Western management, Chinese teaching assistants as well as a teachers’ room with teachers from all over the world, so it’s vital that you understand people have different ways of doing things.

The chance for you to ask questions in the interview

The interview is of course a chance for you to ask all the questions that you have and to really find out if it’s the right school for you. These will be both teaching and non teaching related questions. Don’t be afraid to ask about the contract, compensation package as well as general questions about the city and way of life. Some of the common questions to ask in a teacher interview are listed below:

Interview questions to ask about the job and school

• What are the teaching resources like?
• How many classes are taught per week?
• How long are the classes and how many students in each class?
• Are teaching assistants available?
• What’s the technology like? Does your school have interactive white boards?
• How much flexibility are teachers given on how they teach?
• Are there any off-site classes or are they all taught in the school?

Interview questions to ask about the teachers accommodation

• Is accommodations provided?
• Is it furnished?
• Am I responsible for paying the bills?
• Will I be sharing with another teacher? Do I have the option of getting my own housing?
• How far is it from the school?

Interview questions to ask about the city

• What is the population?
• What is there to do in the city?
• Are there sports facilities / gym / supermarket near the school?
• What kind of entertainment is there?
• What are my options for learning Chinese?
• What is the cost of living like?
• Are there any products not available that I should bring with me?

You might also want to ask about flight allowances, bonuses, appraisals, training, admin duties, promotion opportunities and the visa application process.

It is also often a good idea to ask for the email address or Skype ID of one or two current teachers at the school to ask them about the day to day life of a teacher there. Most schools will have no problem arranging for you to speak with them and it is an excellent way to get an insight into the work life.

After the job interview

After the interview you can expect to hear from the school with a final result within 4 working days. The school may well be talking to a few other candidates but usually like to get a job offer out quickly to candidates they want to hire. A job offer will be sent via email and sometimes you will be given a deadline on when they expect an answer. Schools will usually send a sample contract along with the attachments (disciplinary procedure, accommodation policy, insurance policy etc) for you to have a read over however it is common in China for the teacher to not actually sign the contract until they arrive at the school and begin work. Sometimes schools will ask you to sign a “Letter of Intent” (LOI) which is in place of a contract and states that you have accepted the job and intend to teach at their school.

Once a job has been offered and accepted the school will begin the visa application process, which can take between three and five weeks. Once the visa is in your passport, the adventure begins and you can enter China where you will be met at the airport, taken to your apartment and then given a training and orientation course lasting around five days. To read some interviews with current teachers about their life inside and outside the classroom in China have a look at our Talking To Teachers section.

So for the interview, remember to be well prepared and relaxed. It is a chance for you to really show why you are the right person for the job, let your personality shine through and ask plenty of questions. If all goes well you will have a handful of offers and be in the position to pick and choose the very best job. To take the first step, put in an application here.

Jim Althans packed up and flew to China to teach English in 2004. He has taught at kindergartens in remote villages, vice presidents in shiny offices and everything in between, enjoying every minute of it. He now works at Gold Star TEFL Recruitment helping teachers find their next job in China.

If you are considering teaching English in China you certainly won’t be lacking choice when it comes to the types of teaching jobs out there. As China continues to grow the demand for learning English is only getting more popular and there is a huge variety of options to choose from in terms of student ages, teaching schedule, locations, experience required and compensation packages offered.

What are the options?

As I’m sure you can imagine, there is a big difference between teaching a class of 6 year olds compared with a class of 12 year olds and even more so between a group of 20 kindergarten kids and a board room full of business executives. Naturally, it is worth thinking about which age group suits you best. Even more important is to take the time to identify the schools in China that are run professionally, with plenty of teaching resources, a positive work environment and who are going to pay you on time and generally make your time teaching English in China an enjoyable one.

That is where Gold Star TEFL Recruitment provides an invaluable service for people looking for teaching jobs in China. We have build up close ties with the very best schools in China over the years and have placed hundreds of teachers so we are in a position to offer you all the assistance and advice you need. To find out more have a read through our site, have a look at some interviews with current teachers and make an application here.

Language schools in China

There are many language schools all around China, mainly found in the bigger cities where the demand for learning English is higher. Some of the bigger names are English First, Disney English and Shane English which all focus on teaching young learners aged from 4 to 14 and also Wall Street English which teaches adults.  Language schools specialize in teaching English specifically and students attend classes when they are not at their regular schools or work. The focus is on a ‘communicative’ style of teaching which aims to develop speaking and pronunciation to get students using the language more naturally. Classes include a variety of activities such as role plays, English based games, drama, songs and group work although each class will also have a set course book to follow.

Class sizes are kept small, from 4 to 15 per class, with all students having a similar English ability. These days technology is playing a bigger role in the classroom and most language schools have interactive white boards and computers with digital material related to what is being taught. Compared with other types of teaching jobs in China, language schools offer a good amount of flexibility to how classes are taught and plenty of room for creativity and variety that may not be possible in a public school where a more rigid curriculum is in place.

Generally teachers will have 20 – 25 hours of teaching per week which takes place during evenings and weekends when the students are not at their regular schools. This leaves quite a bit of time during weekday mornings and afternoons for exploring the city, learning Chinese or doing whatever you please. On top of teaching, there are a number of admin duties required such as lesson planning, mid and end of term reports, placement testing students and attending school events.

Generally language schools will employ between 5 to 15 foreign English teachers as well as some local Chinese English teachers so there are plenty of people to socialize with during and after work. Most schools will have Western management, known as a Director of Studies, who are in charge of the academic team and run training sessions and offer support to the teaching team.

Language schools can hire teachers with no teaching experience although most do require a Bachelor’s degree and TEFL certificate as a minimum requirement. They offer a good all round package with a salary from 6,000 – 12,000 RMB (1000 – 2000 USD) per month, a flight allowance from your home country (paid in installments throughout your 12 month contract), free shared housing with another teacher, a legal work visa, health insurance, training sessions, Chinese lessons, 22 days a year paid holiday and decent promotion opportunities for those able to commit to 2 years plus.

Public schools in China

Public schools also offer plenty of teaching jobs in China for foreign teachers. As with language schools, the foreign teachers main role is to focus on developing students speaking, listening and pronunciation through a variety of activities and games although usually classes follow a stricter curriculum and there is a great emphasis on testing. Working hours tend to be from 9am to 4pm on weekdays with breaks throughout the day. Most classes run for 45 to 60 minutes and class sizes are large, typically anything from 30 up to 50 students per class. There will be a larger range of abilities in each class, with some students having much better English than the person sitting next to them.

You will most likely be the only foreign teacher in the school and will have a local Chinese teaching assistant in your class to help with giving instructions and classroom management. Teaching resources tend to be a bit more limited although some of the newer public schools have a good selection to supplement course books and also some good technology including inter active white boards and projectors.

Teachers will have their own apartment provided and some other benefits such as free school meals and use of sports facilities. There will be no Western management so it is important to arrive with an open mind and be very flexible with regards to working styles as things can be done quite differently in China.

Kindergartens in China

There are a growing number of teaching jobs in China at kindergartens. In the past they would hire teachers from language schools for a few hours a week but the bigger ones now have their own foreigner teachers teaching full time. The job is extremely rewarding and lots of fun as long as you have an abundance of energy and really like being around kids all day.

Students are aged from 2 to 6 years old and will have very little if any English. The teacher’s job is to get the students interested in English and having fun learning. The focus is on building vocab and basic sentences with a lot of short, active games and activities. Teaching resources can be really good with lots of toys, games and things to do. Generally classes run from around 9am to 12pm after which students have lunch followed by a nap. Then a few more classes from 2 to 4pm. The teacher will go from class to class giving English lessons for about 20 mins to each class and will have a Chinese teaching assistant in each class but will probably be the only foreigner employed by the school.

Business English in China

Although business English teaching jobs do not make up much of the ESL market in China there are still a good number of teaching opportunities available. Chinese companies increasingly need middle and upper management to speak and write English to a decent standard and will either sign up to a language school specializing in business English or employ their own in-house English teacher. Companies that need business English teachers are generally exporters, technology companies or multi-nationals but courses are also run for the police, Starbucks, airlines and many other industries. Lessons will focus on the skills needed by the particular company and will often be tailor written for them. Contents will include taking part in meetings, delivering presentations, writing emails effectively, negotiating and writing short reports.

Although the focus is on teaching the English language, teachers will also need a business background and older candidates between 30 – 45 years old are generally preferred. Classes are sometimes on-site (in the school) but will more often be held at the company that is being trained so teachers will have a fair amount of travelling each week. Class sizes can be anything from one on one classes to 20 or more students. Teaching resources are usually good and students are motivated and hard working as there are usually financial incentives toed to their performance during the course. The salary paid is generally quite generous, a bit higher than what is available for young learner teachers although more experience is usually required.

Universities in China

Universities now often hire 2 or 3 foreign teachers whose focus, again, is to develop students speaking and listening skills. The age range is specific, 18 to 21 years old so the style of teaching and materials used has to fit their interests well to keep motivation high. The range of English ability for students in one class can vary quite a lot which can be a challenge. Class sizes are big with about 20 plus students. Resources at most universities are good and teachers are held in a high regard. A job teaching at a university looks good on the resume and you can gain some valuable experience. Teaching hours are generally around 15 – 20 hours a week and run for 45 minutes per class.

The university usually provides a dorm room free of charge as well as meals included and access to all the sports facilities however often the campus is situated some way out of town which can be inconvenient. Pay can be good but not always and previous teaching experience is often required.

One on one classes in China

One on one (or VIP) classes are usually done as a way for teachers to make some extra money to supplement their income. These can range from casual conversation practice in a local coffee shop once a week to a more structured course tailored to a particular students needs. For young learners, parents will often invite the teacher to their house and set aside a quite area for a one hour class with between one and four students once a week. Also popular are classes which help to prepare students for up-coming exams (such as IELTS, Trinity, BULATS) typically for teenagers or university students and can focus on speaking or essay correction. One on one classes can pay anything from 150 – 400 RMB per hour. If you are working for a language school and doing one on one classes on the side, it is usually technically not allowed but generally not seen as a major issue.

Summer courses in China

Summer teaching jobs in China run from anything between a couple of weeks to 3 months. Most ESL summer jobs run from late June to late August when students are on their summer holiday. Nearly all of the jobs are at language schools as they run intensive courses over the summer and generally see an increase in student numbers compared to other times of the year, therefore needing to hire 2 or 3 more teachers for this period.

Summer jobs are an excellent way to get a taste for teaching in China without having to commit for a full 12 months. The package offered is usually very good with the school provides a decent salary, flight allowance, free housing, visa and insurance. Schools are looking for teachers with experience who can jump straight in and do a good job without too much support. The teaching schedule is generally busier than other times of the year so expect to teach 26 – 30 hours a week with only one day off a week. You will see your students 3 or 4 times a week rather than once or twice which is usually the case. More details about summer jobs teaching English in China are given in this article.

Make your choice and go for it!

So as we have seen, there is a whole range of different types of teaching jobs in China and plenty to choose from in terms of student ages, class sizes, materials available and locations in China with each type of school offering a different experience. Most ESL jobs will focus on developing students English speaking skills and the foreign teacher is expected to teach using a more active, fun, “Western” style of teaching.

No matter what type of school you decide on, it is very important to find a well run school with good resources which is licensed to issue legal work visas for foreign teachers. There are a lot of bad schools out there that will provide sub-standard housing, make unreasonable demands, not stick to the employment contract and generally make the whole experience a bad one. There are tonnes of horror stories on the internet and it is for this reason going through a recruiter such as Gold Star TEFL Recruitment is a wise move. We have over 7 years experience in the ESL industry in China and have screened all the schools we work with in depth. What’s more, we offer our services to teachers completely free of charge from start to finish.

To ask any questions at all about living and teaching in China, send us an email at questions@GoldStarTeachers.com. We offer a range of different types of teaching jobs in China, so search some of our major schools, read some interviews with current teachers and put in an application here.

Jim Althans packed up and flew to China to teach English in 2004. He has taught at kindergartens in remote villages, vice presidents in shiny offices and everything in between. He now works as a teacher recruiter helping teachers find their next job in China.
Any comments or thoughts on this article? Please add them below.

Gold Star TEFL Recruitment has been assisting teachers secure the very best teaching jobs in China since 2009 and has close connections with China’s leading schools. For details on teaching jobs at major language schools have a look through our website and submit an application today.
Read more interviews with teachers in China here.

An Interview with Phil

GS: So, can you tell us a bit about how you first got into English teaching?
PV: A good friend traveled to Japan to teach English. He returned with the most amazing stories and a different perspective on the world. It inspired me to travel and work abroad when I had the chance. After graduating from university I contacted a recruiter, sold my car, and jumped on a plane!

GS: What advice do you have for people about the recruitment and interview process when looking for teaching jobs?
PV: As always, when looking for new employment, you need to follow a few rules. Do your homework. Prepare for common interview questions. Be professional. Be open-minded.

GS: Can you tell us about your first impressions when you first arrived?
PV: I was completely blow away by the experience. Everything was new and exciting. Routine tasks such as ordering breakfast or getting a haircut suddenly became fascinating. To travel to Asia is to see the world through the eyes of a child once again.

GS: What do you like most about the area where you live?
PV: It has a great balance of lifestyles. There is something for everyone. I can work hard and advance professionally, or go surfing every day. I can dance until the sun comes up, or I can go hiking in the mountains after work. There is a thriving economy, modern transportation system, international cuisine, and yet strong local culture.

GS: What do you like most about teaching English abroad?
PV: Because foreign teacher salaries are so high above the cost of living, we are free to invest our time or money in other endeavors. In the past three years I have been free to travel every 6 months, pay off my student debt, and live quite comfortably.

Gold Star TEFL Recruitment has been assisting teachers secure the very best teaching jobs in China since 2009 and has close connections with China’s leading schools. For details on teaching jobs at major language schools have a look through our website and submit an application today.
Apply now

For those who don’t fancy teaching in China for a full 12 months the summer time offers a great little bite sized version and allows you to dip your toe into the ‘teaching English in China’ without getting too wet. While language schools mostly offer 12 month contracts, over the summer they run shorter courses while the students are on summer holiday from their regular school. Typically the courses run from late June to late August and schools often need to hire a few extra teachers to teach over this period.

Benefits of summer job over 12 month contract

Teaching English in China for the summer allows you to see what it is like living and teaching in China whilst not having to spend a whole year there. If after the 2 months you decide you like the job and want to extend, 9 out of 10 times the language school will be happy to keep you on. If not there will be plenty of language school jobs available for an early September start.

The package offered by most of the language school jobs is quite tempting too. They will provide a flight allowance which covers the plane ticket over, put you up in a house shared with one other teacher, provide insurance, training and all the other benefits that go with working for a language school in China as well as a decent salary to live on. So teaching English in China for the summer offers all the benefits of the year long job.

Cost of living in China is low and your salary goes a long way so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to finish the summer course with some savings.

How to teach English in China

First thing you’ll have to do is check if you have the required qualifications to teach English in China. For most ESL teaching jobs in China these days require native English speakers, with a degree and TEFL certificate who are between the ages of 23 and 55 years old. Once you’ve ticked all those boxes have a think about any preferences you have for teaching adults or young learners and any locations you would prefer.

Then put an application in and we will contact you with job descriptions, brochures and other useful information. We’ll set up some interviews with suitable schools and once you have found a good fit and accepted an offer the school will begin the visa application process. When that is done, you pack your things up, not forgetting the swimmers and sunglasses and get on your flight to China. The school will be there to meet you at the airport and take you to your apartment. After a training and induction period you’re in the classroom to begin teaching.

Jim Althans packed up and flew to China to teach English in 2004. He has taught at kindergartens in remote villages, vice presidents in shiny offices and everything in between. He now works as a teacher recruiter helping teachers find their next job in China.

Any comments or thoughts on this article? Please add them below.

Browsing teaching English as a foreign language jobs in China you will see that most of them require a TEFL certificate in order to apply. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificates come in many shapes and sizes, some month long intensive courses that can cost up to 2000 US dollars and will have practical teaching components which will get you up in front of a real class as well as plenty of teaching methodology, classroom management, grammar studies and the like. Cambridge CELTA courses are geared towards teaching adults and are probably held in the highest regard. There are also more and more courses which focus on teaching young learners.

Other TEFL courses  can be shorter online ones where you typically complete course work and projects which is graded by an online tutor. These can be as short as 40 hours but are usually around 100 hours and considerably cheaper.

But what is required to gain legal employment to teach English in China and is it possible to get a job and China ‘Z’ work visa without one?

If you already have a year or more teaching English as a foreign language experience and a good reference the schools will be less concerned about whether or not you have a TEFL certificate or not. In terms of teaching, most schools will value a candidate with a years’ experience but no certificate over someone who has just completed a TEFL course but with no classroom time. This still leaves the issue of obtaining a work visa and for most areas in China a TEFL certificate is required. Schools will often advise you to complete a short, cheap online course just for the benefit of the certificate which will indeed be accepted by the labour bureau and is enough to issue a work visa.

If however you are looking to work abroad without experience and do not have teaching experience or a TEFL certificate you will not only need one for work visa but also the school will be unlikely to hire you as they will have to put a good deal of time and effort into training you. In this case it is advisable to complete a TEFL course of at least 150 hours, preferably which includes a practical teaching component which will give you practice teaching to real students. It will not only give you many more options in terms of jobs and good schools but will also give you a solid foundation with which to begin teaching. Arriving at a school with no idea about how to teach and no experience at all in front of a class can be quite daunting and the teaching adventure abroad you pictured in your head may well turn out to be drastically different in reality.

There do seem to be areas of China where a TEFL certificate is not needed however. Regulations are enforced differently in different areas of China. I recently heard, for example, about certain areas in the north being able to take a higher degree in place of a TEFL certificate and also a certain amount of relevant teaching experience instead of the certificate. Generally if you want to teach English in Beijing or Shanghai, for example, they will tend to have stricter requirements when it comes to applying for the China Z work visa so if you do not have a TEFL certificate and are open to teaching English in other areas of China you will probably have more luck.

For more information on some recommended TEFL courses have a look here.

One of the questions we get asked most about is cost of living in China and how much an English teacher needs to make to live and teach in China and have a good time doing so. For many, teaching English in China is a great way to get paid work abroad and to support yourself while seeing the world and exploring new cultures. For others they can pay off debts from back home while still making enough to live a comfortable life, while others find that teaching English abroad allows them to live the high life, indulging in good food, regular shopping trips and plenty of other activities that they might not be able to afford back in their own countries.

Whatever the motivation, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be compensated fairly for the work you are doing and getting the best deal for the educational services you are providing. So what should be aiming for when sifting through the job offers to teach in China? Well to start with, the cost of living in China is significantly lower than in the west. With 2 dollar lunches, 6 dollar haircuts and a monthly mobile phone bill of 15 dollars your pay goes a lot further than you might first think. Bear in mind, local English teachers (Chinese citizens teaching English in the same school as you) will be earning between a third to a half of what you are earning and still have enough to live on.

It is also worth mentioning that, on top of the ESL teacher salary, most schools offer free accommodation, flight allowance and insurance. Some provide free meals, monthly bonuses and Chinese lessons so the vast majority of what you earn goes straight in your pocket. Typically your monthly costs might be 100 RMB or so for house bills (gas, electricity, water, phone) and that’s it. Although a lot of schools quote their salary net (after taxes) some will deduct taxes from your salary. For English teachers in China, the first 4,800 RMB per month is tax free. Anything earned over that is taxed at 20% so for a salary of 8,000 RMB you would pay 640 RMB in taxes.

The average ESL teacher salary in China is now at between 6,000 – 8,000 RMB per month. Depending on your spending habits, expect to be able to save between 20 – 50% of that and still have enough to enjoy life. For more details on the salaries offered by 4 of the major language schools in China have a look here.

In my experience dealing with various schools from all over China the policy, and how it is enforced, varies from province to province as well as over time. It seems like official line is open to a certain amount of interpretation by the provincial governments. Back in 2007 / 2008 in parts of Zhejiang province, for example, one could secure a work visa for a new teacher who had 2 years teaching experience in place of a degree. I am not sure if this holds true now but at the time it was possible.

I have also seen over the past few years policies getting stricter and stricter with regards to teaching English in China without a degree. Areas that previously could accept teachers without one are now demanding not only a degree but one or two years teaching experience where before they didn’t. Having said that it seems like the relationship the school has with the local labour bureau does make quite a difference to who they can process a work visa for. In some cases the person in charge of visa applications for the school will actually time their visit to the visa office based on when their favourite person is on duty.

The degree subject studied doesn’t actually matter, which does seem a little strange, I know, meaning someone looking for an ESL teaching job in China who holds a diploma in Early Childhood Development and Education would be less qualified than another candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in Golf Course Management. The logic behinds this one, I can only assume, is that the Chinese government would limit the supply of teachers too much if they demanded a degree in Education or English from every teacher, so they thought if they let those with a degree in they would attract a smarter bunch.

It is also no secret that there are schools and teachers out there who are prepared to fake degree certificates in order to obtain a work visa.

For a more detailed article on this situation I highly suggest this article.

Indeed an important question to consider – should I teach English to adults or young learners? Both are completely different jobs, requiring very different teaching skills, lesson planning and even personalities. While in some teaching jobs in China you will be teaching both young learners and adults, a lot of language schools specialize in either one or the other.

In this article I will highlight 3 advantages for teaching young learners and adults as well as 2 challenges for each. Bear in mind, young learners cover everyone from as young as 3 years old right up to late teens so there are clearly differences there too.

Young Learners

Advantages

1 – More jobs

Firstly, there are a whole lot more jobs out there for teaching young learners than there are for adults. Kids are all learning English in their regular schools in China as well as attending language schools in the evenings or weekends so the demand for teachers is enormous. If you choose to teach kids, you will have a lot more options to choose from.

2 – More fun

Young learner classes are typically more action packed, with much more variety than adult classes. Teachers are encouraged to make use of English language based games, songs, videos, drama, storytelling, drawing and a whole host of other fun stuff to keep the students engaged and motivated. Their attention spans are a lot shorter and therefore it is essential the teacher brings in creative and fresh ideas to keep the class interesting.

3 – Progress

Especially at the younger ages and low levels the progress the students make can be really impressive. Students starting off with zero English will be stringing short sentences together and using the language taught in the course quickly. Often kids will attend a language school for a number of years and it’s common for them to stay with the same teacher for 2 or 3 semesters or more so you really get to see them progress and improve which is very rewarding. Even if they switch to another teacher, you will run into them in the school and be amazed at how far they have come.

Challenges

1 – Discipline

Kids are kids and they can be naughty, lazy or just not in the mood to learn. Classroom management can be more of a challenge with kids than adults and it’s important that you have clear, fair and consistent rules as well as some tricks up your sleeve to deal with the rogue agents. Building a good rapport with your students from day one is very important with young learners.

2 – Variety

Kids definitely have a shorter attention span than adults. It’s the teachers job to make sure there is plenty of variety in the lesson, lots of different interactions, chances to get up and move around. One fun activity might go down very well the first few times but don’t expect it to have the same effect forever. Constantly bringing in fresh ideas and creative approaches will really help.

Adults

Advantages

1 – Higher levels

Generally speaking adult students will have a better level of English and therefore there are more opportunities for juicy discussions and real conversations. Topics covered in the lesson will be more relevant to your life too and this can mean a more interesting experience for the teacher.

2 – Impact

Often your adult students are studying English for a specific reason, either they have to use English at work for meetings and phone calls with foreigners or plan to travel abroad or communicate more with their foreign friends. So every lesson they have with you will be directly applicable to their daily lives, whereas kids may be not using the English they learn ‘for real’ until later on in life.

3 – Smaller class sizes

Usually adult classes have less students per class than young learners. In public schools kids classes can be 30 to 50 students per class and in language schools between 10 to 20, whereas adult classes tend to be from 3 to 12 students. There are clear advantages in having a small group size – easier classroom management, more time to spend with each student to get to know their learning style and problems they are having.

Challenges

1 – Technical knowledge

Adult lessons will always have a grammar part to them and teachers need a solid understanding of the point being taught in order to explain it effectively. While kids classes do also have grammar points they are often less technical and require less detailed explanation. While teachers aren’t expected to be a walking grammar book they do have to be able to explain the areas being taught clearly.

2 – Higher expectations

Adults will have paid for the class themselves and will have certain expectations of what they will learn and how fast they will progress. Teachers often have to manage those expectations as well as ensure the students can clearly see what they have learned through informing them of lesson aims, skills acquired or the use of learning journals for example.

Jim Althans packed up and flew to China to teach English in 2004. He has taught at kindergartens in remote villages, vice presidents in shiny offices and everything in between. He now works as a teacher recruiter helping teachers find their next job in China.

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As of last week we now have a nice bit of software installed on the website which allows us to have live chats with visitors directly on the site. Much like an MSN Messenger or Skype built straight into the site, if we are logged on and available a message box will pop up when you visit. It’s proved really useful so far and we’ve had a lot of people ask questions on topics such as getting a visa for China, salaries in China or different teaching locations in China.

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