Why you should teach English in China

28 July 2023 • China

China – the fourth largest country in the world and the largest country in Asia. Full of unique charm, culture, and an enviably friendly population.

Why you should teach English in China

It is also something of a hub for professionals looking to teach English as a foreign language.

But what are the main reasons so many opt to teach TEFL in China?

Plentiful job market

According to British Council, there are around 400 million English learners and only 1 million TEFL teachers in mainland China – creating a plentiful job market!

So, whether you have been considering TEFL jobs in China for years or it’s a more recent dream, there will be plenty of jobs to choose from – allowing you to decide exactly where and when you want to work.

What’s more, the friendly TEFL team can offer support and guidance every step of the way, perfect for more nervous first-time teachers.

Rich cultural heritage

With a history stretching back over 3,000 years, China’s cultural heritage is both all-encompassing and diverse.

Made up of popular areas of interest, including, but not limited to:

• Food and tea – including Chinese tea ceremonies and a never-ending variety of cuisines that vary by region.
• Festivals and celebration days – with around 18 major traditional festivals per year, there is plenty to see and experience.
• Clothes and fashion – from traditional garb, such as the Hanfu, Zhongshan suit (Mao suit), Tang suit, and cheongsam (qipao), to an increasing market for modern custom clothing.
• Architecture – visit the ancient treasures, including the Great Wall, buried armies, canals, pagodas, temples, and giant Buddhas – you’ll not run out of things to see.

Using your plentiful time off from your TEFL job, you can get out and about – exploring the cultural experiences that make China so unique and so very different from the UK.

Healthier lifestyles

Western diets and lifestyles are often full of unhealthy treats – they minimise movement and increase the amount of meat, dairy, fats, salt, and sugar we indulge in day-to-day.

When living in China, however, you can indulge in healthy local cuisines, which centre around seasonal vegetables, slow-release energy carbohydrates, and flavour-boosting sauces, condiments, and garnishes.

A far cry from the food you’ll find in your local Chinese takeaway in the UK.

Likewise, although this will differ depending on where you live and teach English in China, the weather is generally better in China – with warmer daily temperatures, more hours of sunshine, and fewer rainy days.

Perfect for spending evenings and weekends outdoors.

Although fairly recent, the Chinese government has spent serious time and money increasing the number of parks and green spaces, riverside walks, and free-to-use outdoor areas, even within their largest cities.

If there isn’t a local park on your doorstep, rather than opting to drive as you probably do in the UK, visiting TEFL teachers can take advantage of plentiful low-cost public transport to access varied and interesting outdoor spaces.

Competitive wages

For prospective TEFL teachers, working abroad can seem risky if finances aren’t in order.

Luckily, all TEFL UK teachers are very well compensated for their work, earning competitive monthly salaries, sometimes called stipends, for their time spent inside and outside of the classroom.

This is another reason teaching English in China is so popular – as it frequently gives a much better quality of life while earning, even giving UK nationals the chance to save up for big life events while they live comfortably.

Range of places to live and work

If you know a lot about China or have been doing your research, you may have a particular city in mind you’d prefer to relocate to.

TEFL jobs in China come with a wide choice of host cities, including but not limited to:

• Shanghai
• Sichuan
• Shenzhen
• Suzhou
• Guangzhou
• Nanjing
• Wuhan
• Beijing
• Dongguan
• Zhongshan

This gives teachers looking for TEFL jobs across China plenty of choices and allows them to plan smartly, choosing host cities near sights and tourist destinations they want to visit while living there.

Contact TEFL UK if you want to teach English in China

Moving abroad to work can seem a big step, no matter your age - but, with such plentiful benefits, can you really resist China for much longer?

For all the support you need to make your dream a reality, reach out to the TEFL UK team today. We can help you choose the right TEFL course to ensure you are correctly qualified and can even help you find your first TEFL job in China!

Simply email us or fill in our online contact form and we’ll get back to you to lend a hand.