Will I be well paid to teach English in China?

30 August 2023 • China

Considering a career teaching in the farthest corners of the world?

Do you want to see more of the world while enjoying a rewarding career?

Choose an educational vocation and teach English in China – with simple entry requirements, the chance to travel, and an excellent wage, you’ll wish you’d have done it years ago.

Can I teach English in China for a good wage?

The wage you can earn teaching English in China depends on a range of factors, including the teaching position you apply for as well as your qualifications and experience level.

However, most schools will pay between RMB 5,000 – 20,000 RMB on average – which will give you an excellent lifestyle in China.

This is on top of a selection of housing and flight benefits, including free housing and flights or a housing and flight stipend, meaning you can experience a much better quality of living and save or spend your wages as you see fit.

Many of our TEFL teachers choose to use their increased disposable income to save for large purchases, like a house or new car, while others devote their spare time and money to travelling – which will you do?

Why become a TEFL teacher in China?

Unlike teaching in the UK, which often requires teachers to have a relevant bachelor's degree, teaching experience, and the completion of formal teacher training, teaching English as a foreign language to Chinese students couldn’t be simpler or easier to get into.

Even if you are missing one, or more, of these requirements.

A degree

While most employers will require you to have a degree, it does not have to be in a relevant subject – meaning that you can finally put that unused degree to use, no matter how long ago you graduated.

It can also help strengthen your application, especially if in a topic related to the main curriculum, like science, maths, or even art.

Teacher training qualification

If you didn’t complete a PGCE (Post-Graduate Certificate in Education), you may be worried that you don’t have the confidence or skills needed to teach English in China.

Here at TEFL UK, you can complete a teaching qualification in your spare time and gain the skills you need – for much less than the course fees and living expenses associated with a PGCE.

Experience with learners

Even if you haven’t been in a classroom, you can complete English teacher training with TEFL.

Some TEFL UK courses come with built-in classroom experience units, named combined TEFL for ease of recognition, including:

• 170hr Combined TEFL
• 240hr Combined TEFL

If you have a teaching qualification but would prefer further or more recent practical experience, you can also consider our 20hr Teaching Practicum – which gives you 20 hours of experience with in-class teaching, 1:1 tutoring, online tutoring, and teacher observation.

Best TEFL jobs for teaching English in China

If you are looking to teach English in China specifically, we have a wide selection of trusted internships and teaching positions for you to choose from.

This allows you to prioritise what is important to you, be that location, wages, or even your weekly timetable.

A selection of our favourites include:

Homeroom English teacher in China

Working hours: Regular working hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, with a break from 12:30 – 2:00 pm daily, Monday to Friday.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of 16,000-20,000 RMB per month, plus 2,000 RMB housing allowance per month
• 11 days of national holiday and summer and winter school holidays
• Small class sizes of 20-24

Impact Teaching in China

Working hours: Variable timetables to suit all teachers, including weekdays, Wednesdays – Sundays, and/or evenings.

Benefits:

• Salary of up to £2,000 per month, with free accommodation or a housing allowance
• Impact Teaching is a trusted company, operating for over 18 years with UK-based staff
• A choice of cities to live and work in

TEFL Internship

Working hours: Enjoy a five month placement and teach a maximum of 15 hours per week – perfect for those looking to dip their toes into teaching English in China.

Benefits:

• Monthly salary of 6,000 RMB, plus free accommodation or an accommodation stipend
• Bi-annual arrival dates – in either February or August
• Full training and TEFL certificate included

Move abroad and teach English in China

There’s never been a better time to consider a teaching career in China – thanks to the friendly locals, low cost of living, and rewarding teaching careers to suit all needs.

The future you dreamed of could be waiting for you in mainland China.

So, for more information about a specific TEFL UK job or course, reach out today. You can call our friendly, UK-based team on 0800 368 9848 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.