While many Americans have enjoyed their teaching experience in China, others have encountered significant problems. Some teachers
travel to China under a contract with promises of a good salary,
bonuses, and other amenities, only to find themselves in tenuous
situations, often lacking funds to return to the United States. You
should verify the conditions and terms of employment with your school
before accepting a teaching position in China. The U.S. Embassy cannot
act as a legal advisor or negotiate business or personal grievances on
behalf of individual citizens. We can neither investigate nor certify
employers. It is up to each individual to evaluate potential employers
before signing a contract.
The key to successful employment as an English language instructor in China is to be employed by a reputable school or company and
negotiate a well-written contract before leaving the U.S. We advise
anyone considering accepting an English teaching job in China to
carefully review the terms of the contract regarding working and living
conditions. It would also be useful to ask for references from people
familiar with the institution, especially former and current U.S.
citizen employees.
This guide addresses types of positions available in China, visa matters, contract considerations, sources of information, cultural
pitfalls to consider, tips on adapting to China, and how the U.S. State
Department can help.
TYPES OF ESL POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN CHINA
English teachers in China are employed in a wide variety of institutions. A brief description of the different options available
follows. Please keep in mind that regardless of the type of institution
in which you teach, the institution must have a license to hire foreign
teachers in order for you to teach legally. You will need to verify
the credentials of the school, university, or institute you are
considering before entering into any type of agreement.
Kindergartens
Teaching English in kindergartens in a large city such as Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou can require little preparation or outside work.
This can be the highest paying teaching job available, but generally
does not include rent or a plane ticket, and may require more than 20
teaching hours per week.
Boarding Schools
Boarding schools are fairly common in China, and spread throughout the countryside surrounding large cities. These jobs often include an
apartment and reimbursement for an international flight upon completion
of the contract. They often also allow for travel, with a one month
vacation for spring festival, two months for summer, and two weeks of
paid vacation. The age range of the children varies.
Business English Teaching
Teaching English for a private business program usually requires a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. It may also
require prior experience teaching adult English, a degree in ESL, or
prior business experience. These jobs generally comprise a heavy
workload, often exceeding 20 hours a week with evening and weekend
hours. However, the students in this setting are very eager to learn and
work hard. The company may provide lesson plans and may provide a
housing allowance in addition to the base salary.
