China

As China has the largest population in the world and is developing at a speed that is unmatched by any other country, it is no surprise to learn that it is now one of the world’s biggest markets for English language teachers. In fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that you are not only guaranteed to find an English language teaching job in China, but you are likely to be able to take your pick of the many jobs that are available to you.

How to Find a TEFL Job in China

One of the most popular ways of finding an English language teaching job in China is through one of the many recruiting firms who can arrange employment for teachers from all over the world. This is a particularly popular method as it means you can have everything arranged for you, without having to be in the country. While this can often be a smooth process, it is certainly advisable to thoroughly research the recruitment company that you deal with, as well as any potential employers that you are offered. It is not uncommon for these companies to simply hire teachers without actually knowing what specific jobs they will be given until they arrive in the country. To avoid this scenario, you should make sure you receive an actual contract from a specific school before you agree to anything.

Due to the huge demand for EFL teachers in China, simply being a native English speaker is often the only qualification necessary in order to secure a teaching position. However, if you possess an internationally recognised TEFL certificate you will find that you have a wider choice of jobs, particularly those with the better salaries.

Questions to Ask Employers

If you are offered a teaching position that you are interested in, you should make sure that you are clear on a few important issues before you accept the job or sign a contract. Firstly, you should make sure that you have precise details regarding your pay scale, the amount of hours you will be expected to work, as well as any benefits you are entitled to such as travel expenses, health care or housing support. It is also a good idea to know what equipment and materials you will have access to when planning and carrying out your lessons. You should also enquire about the need for work permits or visas and whether the employer will help with the organisation and expense of any official paperwork you may require.

Also, before you agree to any job in China, it is advisable to find out other important information regarding your potential employer such as: Do they have a good reputation locally? Have previous teachers renewed their contracts with the school? Is the school legally allowed to employ foreign teachers? In order to find out this information you should try to talk to other teachers in the area where you intend to work, either in person or through online chat rooms and forums.

Job Expectations in China

There are three main sources of English language teaching jobs in China: universities, private language schools and freelance tutoring. All of which offer different benefits and working conditions.

Private language schools generally offer better salaries than state run universities; however, universities are usually more reliable when it comes to organising visas and other paperwork, as well paying your wages on time. Both these types of employment will normally include some form of accommodation.

Alternatively, working as a private tutor offers you more freedom to choose your own working hours and obviously you are free to charge however much you like for your services. Although, with plenty of competition around you need to be careful that you do not price yourself out of the market. It is also worth noting that you are still required to obtain a work permit and written permission from an employer in order to work legally in this field.