What is it Like Teaching in China?

1. In order to work in China as a Teacher at a legit school, you’ll need a BA Degree and a TEFL certificate or 2 years of teaching experience. While some schools will pay for your TEFL certification, the actual cost is usually take straight from your pay in increments so it’s not really free. It’s best to have it in hand before you actually get to the China so that you could vet for the higher paying jobs.
2. Work with a recruiter for the good jobs because recruiters work as part of an agency that can negotiate fair contracts for their teachers. Recruiters also usually partner with visa consultancies and can help guide you through the post contract process. They also have a network of teachers that they could connect you with when you get to China which would definitely help!
3. The pay is great and usually in addition to housing so learn to live cheaply. Of course, major cities like Beijing or Shanghai are more expensive and taxes are slightly higher than the smaller cities and provinces.
4. Learn Chinese while you can! Learning Chinese will definitely serve as an asset now and in the future. Most schools offer lessons for Teachers as part of their package.
5. Prepare yourself for culture shock. Most contracts are 12 months at a time and it takes 3 of those months to become properly adjusted to your new home. It will take time, but it will definitely subside.

if you’d like to learn a little bit more about teaching in China, feel free to reach out to our expert, Say — say@icncareer.com