When it comes to teaching English in China, there are many different options: you can teach in kindergartens, primary/middle/high schools, language training schools, international schools, and so on. Or you can teach at a university. Teaching at a Chinese university means your students are just entering adulthood and are looking to enter the working world. Thus, they need teachers who can help them develop practical language skills that they can use in their daily and working lives. By the time most Chinese students reach university, they have a solid foundation of textbook knowledge, but they lack practice in conversational English. As their English teacher, you can help them take their language skills to the next level and prepare them to enter the workforce.
Requirements for teaching English at a Chinese university
Bachelor’s Degree: Requirements are likely to vary from school to school: better-known universities in larger cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, etc. usually have stricter requirements; they needed days of quarantine in Beijing when the COVID occurred, while smaller, more rural areas will be more laid-back. Of course, if you have a Master’s degree or higher, you can receive higher pay and more benefits, but many universities will hire teachers with only a Bachelor’s degree.
Visa: To enter China for the purpose of teaching, you will need a working Z visa. However, in order to stay in China and continue teaching, this visa will have to be updated to a residence permit within 30 days of entrance. Your school should help you complete this process.
Certification: As the industry grows around the world, so do standards improve. That means that employers are increasingly likely to seek applicants with some level of TEFL certification. The best, and most affordable, way to get qualified and obtain a teaching certificate is to complete a training course with an accredited company. For example, The TEFL Org, the UK’s most accredited TEFL company, offers a range of courses that students can complete to gain a qualification that they can use to meet job requirements and find teaching jobs in China. Alternatively, you could complete a CELTA course. These are prestigious, four-week long classroom-based courses that focus on the teaching of English to adults. These are a lot more expensive than the average TEFL course and are often overkill for the majority of jobs. It’s up to you to decide which qualification best suits your desires.
Flexibility & Patience: These are two of the most important qualities to have no matter where you travel. Unexpected difficulties will arise. There will be instances of miscommunication, confusion, and downright frustration. This doesn’t mean you are a bad teacher, or that you have failed. Be patient with the people around you—they’re probably trying their best. And be patient with yourself – you made it this far, so you’re capable of continuing.
Imagination & Creativity: No matter how many classes you’ve taken, how much training you’ve had, or how much you have prepared, things you couldn’t have anticipated will happen. Being able to come up with creative solutions and improvise is a vital skill.
Willingness to Learn: None of us knows everything, and one of the best things about living in a different country is learning about the local culture and language. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn something new. You may not become fluent in Mandarin while teaching in China, but the more you can pick up, the easier your daily errands will be. And don’t forget that you can learn even while teaching your classes. Listen to your students: they may even have as much to teach you as you do them.
What to Expect
Housing, classes, etc.: Once again, many things will vary by location. Usually, the school will provide accommodation (often an on-campus apartment) and cover utilities. Some universities have specific guidelines for classes: an exact curriculum to use, set vocabulary to be tested on, etc. Other universities may provide a textbook for you to use as a guideline and expect you to create your own lesson plans and tests around it. You will most often teach Oral English classes, but other common classes given to foreign English teachers to teach are Business English, but other common classes given to foreign English teachers are Business English, Culture classes, and Writing. Typical class sizes range from 20-40+ students, but most are around 30-35. They meet once a week for 90 minutes, with a five-minute break in the middle of class. Depending on your contract and the specific school’s needs, you may teach as little as 12 or as many as 20+ hours each week. Be sure to communicate clearly from the start how much you are willing to take on.
Holidays and time off: The fall semester lasts from September through early or mid-January, and the spring semester lasts from February or March through June or early July. The winter holiday season changes slightly every year, because it is centered on Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), which follows the Chinese Lunar calendar. There are also several short holidays throughout the year for Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese National Holiday, Tomb-Sweeping Day, Labor Day, etc. These can be convenient times to travel, but keep in mind that almost everyone else is trying to travel on these days as well.
Activities: In addition to teaching classes, you may also be asked to participate in extracurricular activities. These can be a great way to interact with your students outside of class. Many schools have an English Corner that meets once a week or once or twice a month. Sometimes this may have a lesson plan or set activities, but often it’s simply a time for people to gather and practice speaking English in casual conversation. Occasionally, you may be invited to judge speech or debate contests, attend or participate in talent shows, or attend celebrations with your students.
Getting Around: Especially in large cities, public transportation is convenient and affordable. Bus fare is usually 1-2CNY; taxis, DiDi (rideshare app similar to Uber or Lyft), and subways are all relatively simple to use. Over the past few years, share bikes have also become prevalent: you can find them on nearly any sidewalk, scan a QR code using one of several apps, and simply park it at your destination. Many people also ride e-bikes, but some cities have restrictions on foreigners owning and using these.
How to make the most of your time in China
Connect with people: Foster a positive working relationship with your Foreign Affairs Office and English Department. Spend time getting to know your students. Meet other foreigners in your area, whether they be fellow teachers, exchange students, or working in local companies. Make an effort to speak to shop owners and neighbors. Relationships are hugely important in Chinese culture, and they make your life more enjoyable in general.
Always be learning: China is a huge country with a wealth of history and culture. No matter how long you stay, there will always be more to learn and explore. As you share your own culture with your students and friends, be sure to ask about theirs in return.
Hold on to your own traditions: While you are learning about Chinese culture and traditions, don’t forget to continue celebrating your own. You may find that some traditions from your home country aren’t all that important to you personally, but you may find that making the extra effort to honor those traditions by yourself makes them more meaningful to you than ever before.
Understand & anticipate culture shock: Everyone experiences culture shock, but everyone experiences it differently. Find out how it affects you personally, and how you can deal with it.
Take care of yourself: In order to be effective as a teacher – and in order to enjoy your daily life – you have to take care of yourself first and foremost. Don’t stretch yourself too thin, or you’ll burnout. Likewise, don’t close yourself off, or you’ll become lonely and discouraged.
Travel: As mentioned above, China is huge and diverse. Every region, province, and city is different. In some places, people prefer spicy food, in others they prefer sweet food; some places are mountainous, others are beach-lined, others are grasslands; every part is beautiful and unique. If you’re able, explore the other places. Whether you’re into history, outdoor activities, modern cities, or food, you can find it all somewhere.
Go for it!
If you’re looking for a TEFL job that allows you to travel and experience a rich, diverse culture while making a positive difference in the lives of the next generation, teaching in a Chinese university might be for you!
Read more on how to become an International English teacher and teach abroad…
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