David Stevens

Demand for native English teachers in China is growing ever strongly as the country continues its development at a rapid speed. There is a lot of demand for English teaching in China now, not just in the major cities but in smaller cities and in the countryside.

There are many reasons why you may decide to teach English in China, such as the desire to learn the Chinese language, an interest in the Chinese culture or to earn money.

Teaching in China is not generally a way to make a lot of money but you will earn a salary that allows you to live a very comfortable lifestyle and even save some money as well. If you want to save a reasonable amount of money, you will probably need to work overtime. A standard full-time contract in China is usually a maximum of 25 hours a week, so this is definitely possible. In the major cities, there is a huge potential to work overtime if desired as there are so many people wanting to learn English.

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The Chinese schools prefer native speakers from a select few countries, namely the US, UK, South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Discriminatory as this may be, it also means that the Chinese are leaving out a sizeable chunk of capable English-speakers who were unfortunate enough not be born in the above countries.

The location of your school is important. There is more to China than just Beijing and Shanghai. A fair number of cities are quite well developed and can certainly provide you with a wonderful peek into the heart of China.

Decide on the city you wish to teach in. Narrow down your search to a specific region or city in which to start job-hunting. Your decision may be influenced by factors such as weather, money-earning potential, or personal preference, and a little bit of in-depth research into the area will serve you well. Weather may seem like a minor factor, but when you consider the temperatures in northern China often dip as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, such factors suddenly become a bit more important!

Although most schools in China would not negotiate, there is no reason why you should settle for anything less than RMB 4000. A school or university which offers you less than this is really trying to cut corners and should be avoided. Dont be persuaded by claims that the average salary of the Chinese teacher is only half of yours. Maybe true, but then the average Chinese teacher has not left his country.

Before leaving, make sure you have arranged all the correct vaccinations, visas, insurance, documentation, and certificates for your employer. A good idea is to scan copies of your passport, visas, and certificates into a computer at home and store a copy in your email account, so that you always have a copy if you lose the originals. Emailing a copy to a friend or relative before departure is useful too.

Teaching English in China is a great adventure and for many teaching English abroad will become a profession with great opportunities around Asia and around the world.

About the author

David Stevens is involved in a website that provides opportunities for paid English Teaching in China and paid gap year English Teaching in China.

By David Stevens

Are you thinking of moving into a new career? What about becoming a TEFL teacher? As a TEFL English teacher you can find jobs all over the world. You can even move around the world from job to job!

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Are you considering taking a year off from your studies? Are you eager to see the world? Perhaps university life has got you burned out or maybe you still haven’t decided what to study. Taking a gap year off from school to travel and do a little soul searching isn’t just a break from the books. It can be a wise investment in your future.

Why Teach English as a Foreign Language? It’s the most affordable way to travel abroad. International work experience looks great on your resume. There is no better way to truly experience another culture. Your educational and career goals will become clearer.

A good TEFL teacher is an important factor when students are learning English as a second language or as a foreign language. As a general consensus, students say that great teachers are those that remember what it was like to be a student and treat students as equals.

When you teach English as a foreign language, you must strike up a relationship with each and every student ensuring that you encourage the quieter ones as well as the more confident ones while also ensuring you maintain a good balance between entertainment and discipline.

It is also well documented that to be a good TEFL teacher, you have to be patient and appreciate that everybody will make mistakes. Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding jobs available, especially when you take into account that because you teach English as a foreign language, you will be helping your students to progress and communicate abroad and there is nothing more rewarding than helping others.

Unlike traditional study or volunteer abroad programs, teaching English overseas is paid employment. You won’t have to take out another loan for this adventure and because your job is important to the community, you will have a unique chance to become integrated into the culture like no traditional student ever could. You won’t just study and read about the culture, you will live it through experiencing the food, art, music, politics and day-to-day life of the place you choose to teach in. You will meet fascinating people, gain second language skills and develop valuable teaching tools that you can use for the rest of your life.

Taking a year off during college or after graduation to work overseas will open doors for you. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, graduate schools and employers are looking for those with international experience and foreign language skills. Working overseas will distinguish you from your classmates. You will be culturally savvy, skilled in working with people from different backgrounds, and full of unique ideas that come from a global perspective.

Taking a gap year away from university to work and travel abroad is a wise investment in yourself and your future. Great universities and employers know that working abroad provides leadership skills in a world that is increasingly globally interconnected.

Today’s businesses are seeking those who are independent, culturally savvy and well rounded. Many of your classmates will take a gap year to study or backpack abroad, but living and working in a foreign country proves that you are confident enough to take substantial risks, that you are serious about your future and open to challenging new experiences. Employers will recognize that you are skilled in working with people from different backgrounds, familiar with another language and full of unique ideas that come from a global perspective.