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How do i become a teacher in china?
I want to know what it takes to become a teacher
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Matthew’s Answer
Hi Breanna!
I taught English in China back in 2014. Following this, I taught children in China online until late 2020. I know things have changed a lot since then, but I am hoping that this can help.
Legally and preferably, you would need a bachelor's degree, a TEFL certificate (there are institutions online that can offer you this certificate), a valid passport from a native English-speaking country, and a criminal background check. Usually, if you go through the process and apply through a school or tutoring institution, they should be able to gather the proper paperwork needed for you to take to your closest Chinese consulate or visa office so you can get a Z Visa. You can find schools and companies that are hiring on online platforms for teaching English abroad like Dave's ESL Cafe. This website is also a great resource: https://chinabyteaching.com/teaching-english-in-china/am-i-eligible-to-teach-in-china/
Often, at least when I was there, many schools depending on the city also provide some sort of housing for their teachers. The quality of said housing varies wildly, but it is definitely a nice perk.
When I was working there (and I have heard that it has changed), all you needed to teach English was a pulse and a rudimentary understanding of the English language. It was basically the Wild West. Most foreigners were working illegally on student visas. This necessitated multiple trips back and forth to Hong Kong or Macau to renew visas and/or ducking into closets to avoid the authorities during immigration raids. Fortunately, I was working legally for a reputable institution and did not have to deal with this, but I've heard a lot of horror stories. Though I believe this is less common now, I strongly do not recommend going down this route. Note that there is a chance that some companies you may talk to will tell you that applying without the proper documentation will not be a problem. Reconsider any application to any company that does not want to operate within the law. Chinese authorities absolutely do not mess around and China is not a country where you would want to play those types of games, especially in the context of increased political pressure between China and the West and rising anti-foreigner sentiment in the country.
Unfortunately, race also played (and I would imagine continues to play) a larger role in the hiring process than it should have, mostly in the smaller cities. Routinely in my network, I saw instances in which native English speakers of East Asian or African descent with proper teaching certifications and qualifications (whether Canadian, British, Australian, or American) were turned down for the same jobs that were ultimately filled by white, non-native speakers with a limited grasp of the language and virtually no educational qualifications. This was done openly and was even communicated to the applicants.
With all of this in mind, teaching in China was an amazing experience and one that I will not forget. You have to be more careful now than before given the political situation, but it is an incredible and life-changing experience that, though difficult at times, is extremely rewarding!
I taught English in China back in 2014. Following this, I taught children in China online until late 2020. I know things have changed a lot since then, but I am hoping that this can help.
Legally and preferably, you would need a bachelor's degree, a TEFL certificate (there are institutions online that can offer you this certificate), a valid passport from a native English-speaking country, and a criminal background check. Usually, if you go through the process and apply through a school or tutoring institution, they should be able to gather the proper paperwork needed for you to take to your closest Chinese consulate or visa office so you can get a Z Visa. You can find schools and companies that are hiring on online platforms for teaching English abroad like Dave's ESL Cafe. This website is also a great resource: https://chinabyteaching.com/teaching-english-in-china/am-i-eligible-to-teach-in-china/
Often, at least when I was there, many schools depending on the city also provide some sort of housing for their teachers. The quality of said housing varies wildly, but it is definitely a nice perk.
When I was working there (and I have heard that it has changed), all you needed to teach English was a pulse and a rudimentary understanding of the English language. It was basically the Wild West. Most foreigners were working illegally on student visas. This necessitated multiple trips back and forth to Hong Kong or Macau to renew visas and/or ducking into closets to avoid the authorities during immigration raids. Fortunately, I was working legally for a reputable institution and did not have to deal with this, but I've heard a lot of horror stories. Though I believe this is less common now, I strongly do not recommend going down this route. Note that there is a chance that some companies you may talk to will tell you that applying without the proper documentation will not be a problem. Reconsider any application to any company that does not want to operate within the law. Chinese authorities absolutely do not mess around and China is not a country where you would want to play those types of games, especially in the context of increased political pressure between China and the West and rising anti-foreigner sentiment in the country.
Unfortunately, race also played (and I would imagine continues to play) a larger role in the hiring process than it should have, mostly in the smaller cities. Routinely in my network, I saw instances in which native English speakers of East Asian or African descent with proper teaching certifications and qualifications (whether Canadian, British, Australian, or American) were turned down for the same jobs that were ultimately filled by white, non-native speakers with a limited grasp of the language and virtually no educational qualifications. This was done openly and was even communicated to the applicants.
With all of this in mind, teaching in China was an amazing experience and one that I will not forget. You have to be more careful now than before given the political situation, but it is an incredible and life-changing experience that, though difficult at times, is extremely rewarding!
Hi Matt: Your comments are insightful. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Sheila Jordan
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi Breanna!
I taught abroad in Ecuador for a number of years. The first step that I took was getting a TEFL certification so that I was prepared to teach in a classroom and so that I would meet the qualifications of employers that I wanted to work for. It seems that in person TEFL certificates are preferred over online certificates in many cases.
I would begin by searching for jobs that you might want, and looking at what qualifications they require for the job. Some things to consider, do you want to teach children or adults? Do you want to teach in person or online? I would also look at what each employer provides- what is the compensation, do they provide you with a visa, do they provide housing, do you offer you language classes so that you can also learn the local language?
Moving abroad is one of the most exciting things! Good luck and have a blast!!
I taught abroad in Ecuador for a number of years. The first step that I took was getting a TEFL certification so that I was prepared to teach in a classroom and so that I would meet the qualifications of employers that I wanted to work for. It seems that in person TEFL certificates are preferred over online certificates in many cases.
I would begin by searching for jobs that you might want, and looking at what qualifications they require for the job. Some things to consider, do you want to teach children or adults? Do you want to teach in person or online? I would also look at what each employer provides- what is the compensation, do they provide you with a visa, do they provide housing, do you offer you language classes so that you can also learn the local language?
Moving abroad is one of the most exciting things! Good luck and have a blast!!
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