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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 singular and different 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 wherever 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 should not dissatisfied both.

It’s no secret that China has been a powerhouse with regards to 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 remaining months in China have been spent dwelling within the metropolis of Sanya, on tropical Hainan Island. 

On this full information, I’ll let you know all that you must find out about selecting the perfect metropolis to show English in China, what necessities there are, and a few useful insider suggestions.

Can Foreigners Nonetheless Educate 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 in the course of the covid outbreak, there’s a extreme scarcity of academics, and salaries advantageously mirror this.

Sadly, the times of working few hours for prime pay in coaching facilities are over, as a result of authorities’s ban on instructing 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 instructing English mixed with sports activities, so in case you have expertise in teaching basketball, soccer, (soccer), or another sport, then there are many positions obtainable. 

10 Finest Cities to Educate English in China

Beneath 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 may be positive to search out the proper 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 among the prime 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 numerous colleges and universities throughout the capital providing instructing positions, and that is the place many individuals begin out their instructing careers in China.

One of many issues you possibly can take pleasure in throughout your break day is to discover the hutongs, that are slim alleyways the place folks 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 way more. 

Beijing is among the few cities in China the place you’ll find cuisines from around the globe, so if you’re on the lookout for selection when consuming out, Beijing is the place to be.

Beijing is among the best cities to search out instructing jobs, and you will see that that kindergartens are usually the highest recruiters. Working in a kindergarten is rather less glamorous than instructing at a highschool or college, and means additionally, you will tackle the position of “nanny”, which can not attraction to some seeking to get began within the TEFL/TESOL discipline.

That being mentioned, because the capital, there are nonetheless loads of roles in center and better schooling. Phrase-of-mouth and WeChat teams are a few of the greatest methods to search out work in Beijing. When you can attain out to academics already within the metropolis, then your probabilities of discovering work will probably be excessive.

Be cautious of Chinese language recruitment brokers and remember to do your individual analysis, as some corporations are inclined to function in a gray space, and may over-promise with out delivering.  

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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 possibly can anticipate 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 unimaginable 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!

I lived in Luoyang for 5 years and located it an excellent metropolis to stay and work in.

There’s actually sufficient to maintain academics occupied throughout downtime, and its central location means visiting different locations in China could be very simple. Xi’an is simply 90 minutes away by quick practice, 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 should you’re eager to get a really feel for the true China, then Luoyang is a good choice!

Lecturers on the lookout for work right here can apply to Luoyang Regular College, which has a overseas instructing division. Maple Leaf is one other prime employer within the metropolis, and there are a lot of excessive colleges incessantly on the lookout for academics.

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 academics within the metropolis, you then stand an excellent likelihood of discovering employment. 

3. Hangzhou

Hangzhou is one among China’s most stunning cities, and the most effective locations for instructing English in China.

The 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.

The town is barely 175km from Shanghai, and even nearer to a few of China’s well-known water cities resembling Wuzhen and Xitang. The town hosts many occasions all year long, together with live shows and festivals, yoga workshops, and extra.

As one of the stunning cities in China, Hangzhou is massively standard with overseas academics, and it’s simple to search out work within the metropolis. Zhejiang College is a good choice for these instructing in greater schooling, and there are a number of excessive colleges and kindergartens at all times on the lookout for overseas academics, so test 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 suggest 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 stay music most nights.

One of the crucial enjoyable issues to do round Sanya is to discover the luxurious jungle and mountains surrounding town. There are numerous nationwide parks inside simple attain the place you possibly can uncover the native wildlife, and should you’re fortunate, spot a clouded leopard or Chinese language cobra!

Having lived within the metropolis for six months, I can suggest Sanya as the most effective 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 wish to head to Sanya to work and stay, however regardless of this curiosity, there are often vacancies obtainable all year long.

As with Beijing, there are many kindergartens in Sanya at all times on the lookout for academics. Try That’s Sanya on WeChat for job postings. 

5. Chengdu

Chengdu is one other standard metropolis for foreigners instructing English in China. The town is famed as the house of the enormous panda, and you may go to these lovable creatures on the Chengdu Breeding Middle. It’s wonderful to see the panda cubs messing round!

Chengdu is a contemporary metropolis with giant procuring malls, eating places, loads of leisure, tradition, and a big expat scene.

There are many fascinating websites close by, such because the Leshan Big 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 simple to search out instructing work in Chengdu given the dimensions of town and the various colleges and universities there. Chengdu College is an efficient choice, 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, much like Beijing and Shenzhen. 

6. Guangzhou

Charming Guangzhou is certainly the most effective 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 the most effective cities to show English in China. A lot of alternatives exist for kindergarten, highschool and worldwide colleges resembling ISA Liwen.  

☞ SEE ALSO: Instructing 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. The town has an actual east meets west really feel to it, and that is most obvious alongside “Muslim Avenue” the place you possibly can pattern dishes from China’s far west Xinjiang area. 

Xi’an is bursting with tradition and is understood around the globe due to the 1974 discovery of the Terracotta Military 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 practice. 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!

The town is standard with foreigners on the lookout for the perfect cities to show English in China; there’s a big expat group, 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 standard metropolis for instructing English in.

Qingdao has a protracted stretch of golden, sandy seaside good for cooling off in summer season. The town can also be house to the Tsing Tao Brewery, one among China’s hottest beers which is exported around the globe.

The town was as soon as occupied by the Germans, and retains structure from this era resembling 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 trainer group with a lot of alternatives. Salaries could be somewhat decrease than the top-tier cities, however the usual of dwelling is excessive, and residence leases are cheaper than in Beijing and Shanghai. 

9. Shanghai

Shanghai is China’s monetary hub and affords a really excessive way of life for these wishing to stay 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 numerous alternatives for instructing in Shanghai; from kindergarten and public colleges, to universities. Wages are usually greater to mirror the excessive price of dwelling, however you’ll actually discover your cash doesn’t go as far right here.

For these on the lookout for a little bit of glitz and glamour, Shanghai is certainly an excellent choice for instructing English in China. You’ll discover 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 loads to maintain you occupied in Shanghai. From strolling across the Bund, to ascending skyscrapers for a chook’s eye view of town. Shanghai additionally has a few of the greatest eating places in China, so town is a good choice for meals fanatics!

10. Shenzhen

Shenzhen is one other bustling metropolis, and China’s know-how middle. As such, there are many alternatives right here for foreigners wanting to show English. The town is in an excellent location, with Hong Kong simply accessible by way of MTR, bus and boat. 

As with Beijing and Shanghai, you possibly can anticipate finding a wide selection of consuming choices providing a whole lot of selection. On weekends, you possibly can head to the close by seashores resembling at Huidong. Guangzhou is a brief practice experience away and likewise makes for excellent day journeys from town.

Shenzhen is a massively standard place to show English due to the excessive salaries and enormous overseas trainer group. 

Methods to Discover Jobs Instructing in China

Among the finest assets for locating English instructing 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 too can attempt trying to find colleges on-line, however except you communicate Mandarin, or know they’ve a International Lecturers’ Supervisor, then contacting colleges 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 may make your life a lot simpler in China.

Be part of teams for town you’re considering of shifting to, and you will see that a lot of jobs marketed.

TEFL corporations resembling MyTEFL and English First are one other nice option to discover job alternatives throughout China. Be cautious of Chinese language companies as many function illegally. At all times test your contract totally, and look out for purple flags resembling wanting to maintain your passport, (which is against the law!). 

Execs and Cons of Instructing English in China

As with every job, there are each execs and cons to instructing 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 monthly with free or backed lodging
Way of life – you possibly can take pleasure in a a lot greater way of life in China, and your cash will go so much additional
Rewarding profession – instructing English in China may be massively rewarding and you will see that the college students usually very effectively behaved
Nice working hours – You’ll often have free weekends to discover China’s fascinating tradition
Journey alternatives – China is filled with fascinating cities, nationwide parks, seashores, mountains and extra
Meals – one of many perks of dwelling 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 option to grasp one other ability
Tradition – from the tribes of Hainan Island, to the peoples of the north, you possibly can anticipate to expertise some unimaginable 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 dangerous earlier than covid, it’s a complete lot worse now, as Chinese language folks are inclined to assume each foreigner has it
Shady employer practices – attempt to discover a college 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, may 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 an important.

A notarized diploma certificates
A clear prison report (from your property nation and the final place you lived)
English as a local language
A Chinese language visa (that may then be canceled and changed with a “Z” work visa and resident’s allow).
A TEFL or TESOL certificates (MyTEFL is a reliable, inexpensive choice, use promo code GOATS50 for a 50% low cost)
Instructing expertise

It might or might not shock you that a lot of the above may be sidestepped for the best worth, (prison report test and visa however for apparent causes).

I’d not counsel anybody work in China illegally as you may be utterly by yourself if the authorities meet up with you. At the easiest, 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 the truth is that many corporations 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 college is above board by asking for a duplicate of their license. 

Which Metropolis is the Finest to Work in China?

That is utterly subjective relying on the type of particular person you’re, and what you’re on the lookout for. I’m biased, however I can say with no shadow of a doubt that the perfect metropolis to stay in, in China, is Sanya.

12 months-round scorching climate, stunning seashores, thriving nightlife, mountains, ethnic tribes, and recent seafood. I may go on all day… If you would like glitz and glamour then head to Shanghai, however don’t anticipate finding the true China there.

Beijing is an efficient all-rounder and affords a good quantity of genuine Chinese language tradition with a extra worldwide scene. And naturally, Luoyang, my house for 5 years, can also be an excellent place to stay. 

Can I Educate English in China with No Expertise?

Sure, it’s positively attainable to train English with no expertise. Many colleges give on-the-job coaching, and ongoing efficiency critiques that can assist you enhance as a trainer. The extra expertise you achieve as you train English in China, the upper your wage will change into.  

Are English Lecturers Paid Effectively in China?

English academics in China are paid extremely effectively. As a result of low price of dwelling, (outdoors of huge cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen), you’ll discover your cash goes a great distance. The common wage for an English trainer in China is $2,200 USD, plus an residence that’s paid for, or typically a subsidy to cowl dwelling preparations. 

As a result of present scarcity of academics in China, it’s even attainable to earn as much as $4,000 monthly in a few of the bigger cities resembling Shanghai and Shenzhen. 

Conclusion

I hope you have got discovered this information to the ten greatest cities to show English in China helpful. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for tradition, nightlife, meals or points of interest, every of those cities affords 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 actually expertise the nation’s wealthy tradition and historical past.

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