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Teach 2 to 6 year olds in small classes with accommodation, medical insurance and a sponsored Z visa provided.
TEFL UK is recruiting South African English teachers for Lead English Homeroom Teacher positions at kindergartens across mainland China. You'll work with children aged 2 to 6 in small classes, with accommodation, medical insurance and a fully sponsored Z work visa provided by the school.
Positions are available in Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Zhongshan, Huaibei, Anqing and across Dongbei (Northeast China). Start dates are immediate, so teachers with their visa documents ready are prioritised.
A salary you keep in full, a home to move into, and the paperwork done properly.
Paid after tax with no deductions, so the figure on the contract is the figure that reaches your account.
Housing is arranged and paid for by the school, so your salary isn't going on rent.
Health cover is included for the length of your contract.
Schools sponsor a full teaching work visa. No tourist or business visa workarounds.
Enough children for a lively room, few enough that you know every one of them by name.
Schools are hiring now for immediate starts, with rolling intakes through the academic year.
From subtropical Guangzhou and Shenzhen to mountain-city Chongqing and the northern hubs of Tianjin and Shenyang.
As homeroom teacher you own the English curriculum for your class rather than rotating between rooms.
Kindergarten positions are open in nine cities and regions across mainland China. Tell us your preference when you apply and we'll match you to a school with a vacancy.
These are full-time positions at private kindergartens where English is the language of the classroom. You'll be the English-speaking anchor for one class of 2 to 6 year olds, working alongside Chinese co-teachers and assistants.
No experience of teaching in China is needed. Energy, patience, clear pronunciation and a genuine enjoyment of working with very young children matter most.
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These roles are open to South African citizens. To qualify for a Z work visa you'll need to meet the following.
Teachers currently in China on a Z visa are welcome to apply. You'll need a release letter from your current employer and confirmation that your existing work permit has been cancelled before a new school can sponsor you. We can walk you through what to ask your current school for.
South Africa is on China's list of recognised English-speaking countries for teaching visas, and South African teachers have a strong reputation with Chinese kindergartens for warmth, adaptability and clear spoken English. TEFL UK has placed South African teachers in China, Vietnam, Japan, Uzbekistan and beyond.
Chinese schools can only sponsor a Z visa once your documents are authenticated. Getting these ready is the single biggest factor in how quickly you can start.
Your original degree certificate, verified by the awarding university and apostilled through DIRCO in Pretoria (or the relevant authority if you graduated outside South Africa).
A TEFL/TESOL certificate of 120 hours or more, apostilled in the country where it was issued. TEFL UK certificates are issued in the UK and we can guide you through the UK apostille process.
A South African Police Service (SAPS) clearance certificate, apostilled by DIRCO. It must be less than six months old when your visa application is submitted.
A passport valid for at least 12 months, recent passport photos and a standard foreigner physical examination form, which we'll send you once you're matched to a school.
Start your paperwork now. SAPS clearance and DIRCO apostilles can each take several weeks. If your documents aren't ready yet, apply anyway. We'll register you for the next intake and tell you exactly what to do first.
Chinese schools require a TEFL of at least 120 hours for the Z visa. Both courses below meet that standard and are internationally recognised.
£99
All the core teaching skills, ideal for beginners and first-time teachers. It doesn't cover large classes or exam preparation.
£179
Deeper theory, plus young learner, large-class and assessment modules. Takes longer to complete, but gives you more to draw on in an early-years classroom.
Save 20% on either course with code CHINA20. Neither course includes a teaching practicum, so add the 20hr Teaching Practicum if you want classroom experience before you fly.
Yes. South Africa is one of the countries China recognises for English teaching work visas. You'll need a bachelor's degree, a TEFL or TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours, a clean police clearance and, in most cases, to be under 60. These positions provide a fully sponsored Z work visa.
With accommodation and medical insurance provided, your salary is largely disposable income. Day-to-day costs in cities like Chongqing, Tianjin and Shenyang are low compared with South Africa, and most teachers on these packages comfortably cover food, travel and leisure while still sending money home. Guangzhou and Shenzhen are more expensive, so factor that into your location preference.
Allow eight to twelve weeks from the day you start gathering documents. SAPS police clearance typically takes four to eight weeks, DIRCO apostilles a further two to four, and the Z visa itself around two weeks once the school issues your work permit notification. Teachers who already hold apostilled documents can be in China within a month.
No. Experience with young learners is welcome but not required. Schools are looking for energy, patience, clear pronunciation and a creative approach to songs, stories and play. Your TEFL course covers the classroom techniques you'll use.
Schools provide a furnished apartment or a room in shared teacher accommodation close to the school. Details vary by city and school, and we'll confirm exactly what's on offer before you sign a contract.
Yes, provided you're on a valid Z visa. You'll need a release letter from your current employer and cancellation of your existing work permit. The new school then applies for a transfer rather than a fresh visa, which is usually faster.
No. Classes are taught entirely in English and you'll have Chinese-speaking co-teachers in the room. Picking up some basic Mandarin makes daily life easier, but it isn't a requirement.
Complete the application form below. A TEFL UK advisor will review your CV and documents, talk you through the locations available and send your profile to schools with vacancies. Interviews are held online, usually within a week of applying.
Our 100 ready-to-use lesson plans help you lead engaging classes from day one, so you're always prepared.
Fill out the form below and an advisor will get straight back to you with next steps. Looking at other options too? See all our teaching jobs in China. Questions? Email [email protected].
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