What is it really like teaching English in China?

It’s a big step to pack up and move to China to teach English and so it’s useful to hear some stories from teachers currently living in China. In this series of interviews we provide you with more details about the lives of real English teachers in China. They share their experiences about life inside and outside the classroom, their first impressions of China, a typical day teaching English at their schools, resources available, favourite classes and some of the adventures they have had in China so far.

John Carey

The Little Lions - Changzhou

“Changzhou is a peaceful city and life is more laid back here in comparison to bigger cities in China.”

Lauren

Joy International - Beijing

“I could list many things I like about JOY, but one of the things that has had a particularly strong impact on me is the sense of working as a team.”

Joe

Gao Xin Kinder - Yuxi

“There is also a lot of variety in working at a kindergarten – one day we might be doing kung fu class, the next day baking cookies and decorating them in art class.”

James B.

Great English - Beijing

“Upon arriving in Beijing, never in a million years did I think I was going to find a partner to spend the rest of my life with.”

James Ferguson-Hannah

EF English First - Zhengzhou

“When a three-year-old speaks their first English sentence it can be a really proud moment.”

Marli van Jaarsveld

IB Kindergarten- Yiwu

“Everyday in China I learn something new. It makes you appreciate what you have but also makes you want to explore the world. ”

Patrick Chmielewski

Language School - Jiaxing

“The friendliness and hospitality of my friend’s extended family renewed my appreciation for the various cultures and lifestyles among which I’m living.”

Alicia Haripershad

Language School - Shanghai

“I opened the door to a middle aged Chinese woman who proceeded to shout at me fast and furious in Chinese. The Google translation from her words came out along the lines of asking me to collect 6 bin bags…”

Natcher Pruett

Language School - Changzhou

“There is something oddly magical about getting Chinese barbecue at an ungodly hour of the morning.”

Rebecca E.

Yungon Education - Zhengzhou

“I discovered my love of teaching English. I feel lucky to have found a career that is varied, rewarding and exciting.”

Rebecca P.

Yungon Education - Zhengzhou

“I thought to myself, why not? Why not just go for it? And now, I am thoroughly enjoying life in China!”

Brendan

SDE - Shenzhen

“I had never even heard of the city Shenzhen until I began researching where I wanted to teach; now, I consider it my “hidden treasure!” ”

George

Careergo - Beijing

“Even with bills not included in the rent, my cost of living is far below what I could expect in a similar location in the UK.”

Miranda

WEBi English - Taicang

“As a teacher, you start investing wholeheartedly without even knowing it. It’s a proud moment.”

Dave Pereira

WEBi English - Kunshan

“Never assume anything, even little things… Always ask questions until you understand the answer. ”

Aaron Holden

Giraffe English - Wuhan

“ If I had to give only one piece of advice, it would be: do NOT look only at the salary…”

Dylan James

Enfly Education - Chengdu

“The food! Sichuan cuisine is amazing, I feel so lucky to be here and enjoy the spicy style and relaxed pace.”

Nicolette Hefer

Meicheng Education - Xi'an

“When I saw the meat here, I wanted to become a vegetarian, but after a while you get use to it.”

Debra Ma

Flying English - Shanghai

“The surprise came at the last drop, which was so high that half our boat got submerged and I almost lost my glasses. It was incredibly fun.”

Hailey Morrison

Webi English - Suzhou

“I went to Taiwan last week and was told to try this delicious sweet on a stick. And it was only after trying a bite that we were told it was actually pig’s blood….”

Alex Cox

Webi English - Shanghai

“I love Chinese food. My favorite is LanZhou La Mian (LanZhou noodle). It’s a noodle chain that’s…”

Darren Ralphs

Shane English - Shanghai

“I’ll say the best thing about Shanghai is that it’s more of a mix of old meeting new than I thought it would be.”

Patrick Sheley

Webi Suzhou

“Teaching the business English courses is great fun. Business is such a practical topic because we all need jobs and we all live in the business world…”

Dan Leary

Harrow Beijing

“The Great Wall is my favourite place here and I have been to see it many times. The only way to describe it is jaw dropping and I even camped under it with my students last year.”

Jodie Dumas

York English - Fuzhou

“I hadn’t taught children before coming here so I was really nervous about it but they coach you a lot and you are given so much help.”

Liv Conroy

Nanhai Kindergarten - Foshan

“I love that Foshan is in the South of China, it proves an excellent base for travel with China and further afield into the rest of Asia.”

Sean Healy

English First - Chongqing

“I can tell you that Chongqing is a city like no other that sprouts off in a million different directions in a million different ways.”

Neil Noland

Kid Castle - Shanghai

“As best as you may try to plan for all contingencies, nothing can brace you for the culture shock that is China.”

Zhara Fernandez

Best Learning - Beijing

“Teaching is one of my biggest passions. I love what I do. I definitively feel satisfied every moment that one of my students discovers something new in my class.”

Luke Bosworth

English First - Chongqing

“The aspect I find most rewarding about teaching English is the cultural exchange of ideas for higher level learners.”

Heather

High School - Qingdao

“I can really invest in each student because I know their strengths, weaknesses and learning styles.”

Sergey Kozlovtsev

University in Shanghai

“University students are old enough to be able to discuss complex issues, yet young enough for the teacher to be able to make a lasting impression.”

Robin Watts

Wall Street English - Shanghai

“I became despondent with the UK education system, a mundane and predictable social life and, prompted by a Chinese girl I had met, moved to China.”

Wayne Clough

American Eagle - Chengdu

“It’s got a tier 1 city feel at the cost of a tier 2 city with amazing food and beloved pandas that are famous throughout China!”

Anna Reynolds

Public School - Saudi Arabia

“Saudi Arabia is a wonderful city with lots to offer and people are very friendly.”

David West

Language School - Vietnam

“At night, I have seen owls hovering above the rocks of Front Beach hunting. The beach is just a 10 minute taxi ride from my home!”

Kelly Miller

EF Shijiazhuang

“I love the fact that there aren’t a lot of Westerners here so I feel like I’m getting to see what the ‘real’ China is all about.”

Mary Robison

Star-River - Shanghai

“I love seeing those moments when the students have worked hard at understanding something and they have the ‘ah-ha’ moment.”

Tre Tennyson

Rainbow Station - Shenzhen

“It’s always fascinating the types of people you run into here in Shenzhen and the types of memories and networks you build.”

Luigi Carletti

English First - Hangzhou

“Every day is an adventure. No really. Think about moving to a different country. A huge one in fact. ”

James Johnson

Giraffe English - Shanghai

“We just had a whole company ‘amazing race’ event and sports day, quiz night, and company trip. There is always a lot of fun going on both for the students and the teachers!”

Luke & Tonya

Shane English - Changzhou

“Adventure comes in many forms and China seems to have them all. You certainly don’t have to look very far to find something interesting or seemingly strange.”

Anna Rossi

English First - Xuzhou

“The adventure starts from the dinner table! If you sit on a traditional Chinese dinner table you can expect anything from chicken feet, duck intestines to eggs that are so old they’ve gone black! ”

Shayne Dent

English First - Nanjing

“What I enjoy most about Nanjing is the tight knit expat community as well as the fact that you can have a taste of both big city life alongside more traditional Chinese aspects. ”

Elaine Reynolds

Public School - Shenzhen

“Having researched different countries and talked to various recruiters, a public school job in China
appealed to me. So then I hopped on a plane and here I am in China!. ”

Shur Chellan

New Oriential - Hohhot

“I thought that I had gotten frost bite and I was going to lose my fingers… However, it turns out to be a once in a lifetime experience with such history steeped in culture!”

Ashleigh

EF Qingdao

“My young students attack me with hugs and I’m nourished by their enthusiasm. I then have slightly older students who always have something to discuss with me!”

Nicholas

SDE Public School

“There’s really no shortage of things to see, and locals always want to test their hand at English, so it’s easy to meet many people.”

Jayton

SDE Public School

“I went up to the top floor to teach one of my sixth grade classes. When I got close to the door, I noticed there weren’t any students in the room…”

Melissa

Shane English Wuxi

Also making sure you are able to easily contact and communicate with your recruiter at any time, about concerns and advice you might need goes a long way in easing your mind, so find someone who is interested in your wellbeing and not just trying to “make a sale”.

John

Ivy International Prep School, Weihai

I’ve been living in China for more than 5 years now so I’d say that I’m fairly accustomed to the strangeness that goes on…Both of them ended up spending the next couple of hours showing me around the West Lake area, taking me to buy clothes and then…

Larry

American Eagle School, Chengdu

“A few days later, we were invited out to go explore a busy tourist area, and taken out to the Sichuan Opera and then…”

Bronwyn

English First, Hohhot

“I find that everyday is an adventure when working with EF Education First in Hohhot! There is always so much to do and see with a lovely fusion of Western, Mongolian and Chinese influences…”

Jeremy

Best Learning, Shijiazhuang

“The town is famous for donkey meat, and we ate a lunch in which all the dishes contained donkey meat. Believe it or not, it’s very delicious, and…”

Talking To Teachers

Q&A interviews with our teachers

What is it really like teaching English in China?

John Carey

Lauren

Joe

James B.

James Ferguson-Hannah

Marli van Jaarsveld

Patrick Chmielewski

Alicia Haripershad

Natcher Pruett

Rebecca E.

Rebecca P.

Brendan

George

Miranda

Dave Pereira

Aaron Holden

Dylan James

Nicolette Hefer

Debra Ma

Hailey Morrison

Alex Cox

Darren Ralphs

Patrick Sheley

Dan Leary

Jodie Dumas

Liv Conroy

Sean Healy

Neil Noland

Zhara Fernandez

Luke Bosworth

Heather

Sergey Kozlovtsev

Robin Watts

Wayne Clough

Anna Reynolds

David West

Kelly Miller

Mary Robison

Tre Tennyson

Luigi Carletti

James Johnson

Luke & Tonya

Anna Rossi

Shayne Dent

Elaine Reynolds

Shur Chellan

Ashleigh

Nicholas

Jayton

Melissa

John

Larry

Bronwyn

Jeremy

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