Teaching English in China

If you’re a South African looking for an unforgettable experience teaching abroad, consider China. Climb the Great Wall, learn to speak Chinese, taste new and exotic foods, and meet kids who are incredibly excited to have you. It’s easy to fall in love with China. With China becoming more open to foreigners, the teaching abroad industry is at its peak, and nowadays, it’s pretty simple to get an English Teaching job in China.

That’s why we’ve created this guide for South Africans who wish to one day teach English in China. This is for all of you dreaming of moving to the great nation. In this guide, we’ll go through what types of teaching jobs you can apply for in China, the qualifications you will need, how the application process works, and the average salary range. So no matter if this is a dream of yours, or you’re just curious about the opportunities, this guide is for you.

Types of Teaching Jobs in China

If you’re considering  teaching English in China, there are three routes you can take: public schools, training centers, and international schools. All three options have their own distinguishing qualities, so it’s best to get familiar with them before you make your choice.

With the boom of the Chinese teaching abroad industry, the demand for foreign English teachers is rising by the day. From large public schools and private schools to business English classes—there is an English teaching job at varying levels in China!

Chinese Public Schools

A large number of public schools in China hire foreign teachers to perform oral exercises with the students. This is done to improve the kids’ listening and speaking skills.

If you ever end up in a Chinese public school, you’ll most likely be a supplemental teacher. The students will have a primary teacher who will teach them grammar and will prepare them for exams. However, grammar studies don’t include actual speaking exercises. Your function as an oral teacher is to come to class once or twice a week and help students get used to the speaking part of the language.

Something you have to keep in mind is that Chinese public schools usually have substantial class sizes. You’ll probably meet 30-50 students per class. You’ll also be teaching infrequently. There is a great chance you’ll work only two days a week.

Finally, your classes will be from Monday to Friday from around 8 am-4 pm with around an hour and a half for lunch if you work at a Public School. Public schools might be a good fit for you if you’re looking for a consistent schedule and a stable paycheck.

Chinese Training Center

Chinese training centers are another popular place to teach. Centers usually operate in the late afternoons, evenings, and weekends. While this works for some, keep in mind that your schedule is most likely to be pretty inconsistent with training centers.

Working at a training center may vary—you can be an oral teacher, do International English Language Testing System (IELTS) preparation, and teach children. It all depends on your particular workplace. Training centers also teach to a broader audience than public schools. You may work with toddlers or college students. It is all about what the center you choose does.

Finally, in training centers, you will find much smaller classes than in public schools. On average, you’ll be dealing with 4-8 students in a class. Sometimes, you might even get the chance to meet students one-on-one.

International School

If you’re a qualified teacher in South Africa with at least two years of teaching experience, international schools are the best fit for you. In international schools, you can teach any subject in English. These schools usually educate the children of international residents or Chinese students who wish to go overseas for high school or college.
Keep in mind that international schools have higher qualification requirements, but they offer higher salaries as well.

How South Africans Can Apply for a Teaching Job in China

If you’re ready to pursue teaching English, here are the best ways to proceed with your application.

Apply Directly

Many training centers, significantly larger education chains, have their HR departments and recruitment teams. If you submit your application on the school website or send an email to the school, that’s considered a direct application. It’s a popular application method, but it works best if you have someone in the Chinese education system to vouch for you—a teacher or an HR at a school.

Get Recruited from South Africa to Teach in China

If you’re starting your career in education, your best bet at getting an English teaching job is working with a recruiter. Recruiters are people who look at your experience and qualifications and choose the best school for you. And the best part? They are free.

Recruiters help find qualified teachers and only receives the money once you have arrived in China. Because of this, they’ll be more than happy to help you with your application, getting a visa, or answer your questions.

The most important thing to remember with recruiters is that they don’t work for you. Their job is to find teachers for schools, and it’s not unlikely to stumble upon a recruiter who pushes you to interview at a school that’s not exactly the best fit for you. They will show you options, but further research is your responsibility.

South Africans Can Apply Through Teach Abroad Programs

Teaching abroad programs are the most common way for foreigners to teach English in China. The main difference between a teach abroad program and a recruiter is the application process. Usually, you submit an application to a program director and then get accepted. After that, they assign you to a school.

However, the salaries at teaching abroad programs are lower than what you might get if you applied directly or used a recruiter. On the bright side, these programs often offer benefits such as, orientation meetings, a vast and colorful community, Chinese lessons, and more.

Qualifications South Africans Need to Teach English in China in 2024

The teaching abroad industry has grown immensely in recent decades. However, there are still some requirements for legally teaching in China that you can’t ignore. Here are the essential qualifications to teach in China:

• You MUST have a passport from a native English-speaking country or be a certified teacher in your home country
• You MUST have a Bachelor’s Degree
• You MUST have a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA OR a teaching certificate
• You MUST have a spotless criminal background check
• You MUST be under 55 years old if you’re a woman and 60 if you’re a man

Five Fantastic Links for South Africans to Teach English in China

Now that we’ve introduced you to the beauty of teaching abroad, we can’t leave you without showing you some fantastic opportunities if you ever decide to make the big decision and go overseas. Here are five teaching options that you have to consider.

Teaching Nomad

Teaching Nomad is one of the most famous opportunities for people who want to teach in China. With some of the highest reviews out there, Teaching Nomad offers work for teachers in over 40 Chinese cities. They look for people with all types of experience and qualifications.

Reach to Teach

If your dream is to teach in Shanghai or Beijing, Reach To Teach is the best option for you. They offer English teaching jobs with students of all ages—from toddlers to adults. However, their activities are only offered in Beijing and Shanghai.

Adventure Teaching

Another excellent option for those aiming for Beijing and Shanghai, Adventure Teaching, can provide you with excellent opportunities in those Chinese. You’ll be dealing with students of many backgrounds and ages, as well as education levels.

New Life ESL

This American Agency is your best bet if you’re an American or Canadian. Their job is to make your transition to China smooth and ensure you get the best teaching job for your qualification. They work in many smaller cities like Xian, Tianjin, as well as the bigger ones.

Conclusion 

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of teaching English in China, it is your turn to decide. Big changes are never easy, but if you find the right recruiter or program, it can be the most incredible adventure of your life. Experiencing the East firsthand is an indescribable and unforgettable experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. China awaits you.