Oxford Seminars Blog 
Are you thinking about teaching abroad in China? It’s always difficult to decide where to go, but we’ve compiled a list that might help you think more seriously about China. From the travel opportunities to the food and financial savings, China just might be the right fit for you. Here are 5 reasons to teach English in China:
1. Travel: Arctic Tundra to Tropical Paradise
The Imperial Palace in Forbidden City, Beijing, China
If you’re pondering whether or not to accept a teaching position in China, one thing to consider is what you’ll be doing in your free time. Normally you’ll receive at least 21 paid holiday days. Two of the major holidays are National Day and Spring Festival (7 days). It makes sense to take full advantage of the different destinations that the Middle Kingdom provides during your holidays. The sheer geographical size of China provides many options for tourist destinations, including a vast amount of cultural destinations that China has developed throughout its 5000 years of history.
Some of my favorite cultural experiences were attending the famous Harbin Ice Festival in the northern province of Heilongjiang and visiting the City of Eternal Spring in Kunming, Yunnan. One of the other opportunities that I took full advantage of while living in China was its proximity to other Southern Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia.
Let’s not forget the numerous tourist spots, such as:
- The Great Wall: One of the iconic symbols of China that should be one anyone’s bucket list while traveling or living in China.
- Forbidden City: The sheer size of it will leave you speechless. It is one of those few spots in the world where you are actually able to walk into history.
- Gulin: While traveling through Gulin, you will feel like you are traveling through a scene from Avatar. The landscape so closely resembles James Cameron’s 2009 film that China has officially renamed a portion of Gulin the “Hallelujah Mountains.”
2. Food and Drink: Liven Up Your Taste Buds
Chinese steamed buns stuffed in Dali market ,Yunnan China.
Forget what you think you know about Chinese food. If you want an authentic Chinese food experience, you have to go straight to the source. The food varieties range from province to province, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to awaken your taste buds in different ways. With dishes like Guobaorou to the ever popular Peking (Beijing) roast duck, you’ll have endless options. During the winter months, you can warm up by trying genuine “Hot Pot,” which consists of various meats and vegetables that are boiled in a milk broth.
There are numerous options for each meal. My favorite meals include:
- BaoZi (steamed buns): These steamed buns are made from rice flour that contains a mixture of meat and vegetables. In my experience, beef and carrots are a fantastic option, second only to coriander and pork.
- JiaoZi (dumplings): Each province will claim to have the best dumplings in China. My experience is that you really can’t go wrong ordering a dish of dumplings in any province.
- Guobaorou: A classic northeastern dish with its battered slices of pork, which are deep-fried and coated in a sweet sugary sauce. This dish is usually one of the first dishes new expatriates are introduced to as there is no comparable dish in Canada or America.
3. Savings: Your Wallet Will Thank You
Enjoy saving money while teaching ESL in China
One of the best perks of teaching in China is the ability to save. The cost of living in China is considerably lower than most western countries, so the opportunities to save are endless. Here are some examples of ways you can expect to save your money:
- Fresh Produce: The cost of fruits and vegetables is a fraction of what they are in North America. What’s better than the price? The fact that there is always a fruit or vegetable stand/shop within walking distance of most apartments or places of work.
- Restaurants: No matter what type of meal you might be craving, you will easily be able to find a restaurant to your liking for a very reasonable price. If you are looking to go to a dive restaurant, you can expect to spend 10-15RMB ($2-$3) for a meal. Mid-range restaurants will be 30-50RMB ($5-$10) per person for a meal. High-end restaurants can range from 50-150RMB ($10-$30) per person for a meal.
- Transportation and Lodging: The cost of public transportation in China is amazing when compared to other locations. Long distance trains generally cost 100-500RMB ($20-$80), so traveling long distances is very affordable. Budget hotels average 150RMB ($30) per night as well.
- Entertainment: A night out in China can easily be described as a unique experience. Whether you’re traveling to the local expatriate hangout or spending the night in a popular KTV (karaoke) bar, you will not have to break the bank to have a night out.
4. Personal Satisfaction: Teaching English in China
It’s common in China for a teacher to continue with a class as they progress through the various levels that a school offers.
One of the hardest things I encountered while preparing to leave China was saying goodbye to my students. It’s common in China for a teacher to continue with a class as they progress through the various levels that a school offers. I taught the majority of my students in China for 5-8 consecutive years. The fact that I continued with my students from book to book also made my lesson plan preparation much easier, as I knew exactly what activities my students enjoyed.
I was amazed at the level of improvement I witnessed from my students. I remember I started out teaching my students simple words such as “apple” and “banana,” and when I left China, I was having fluent conversations with those same students. Seeing both the students and their level of English grow is one of my fondest memories of teaching in China.
5. Lifestyle: Explore New Hobbies
Enjoy new hobbies while living and teaching English in China
During my 8 years in China, one of the greatest things I began to appreciate was the amount of free time I had to pursue my other interests. The average work schedule in my city ran between 20-25 hours per week. Generally, teachers taught Wednesday to Friday evenings and had full work days on Saturday and Sunday. When you are not teaching, you are free to pursue any hobby that you might have. I knew many teachers that entered China with a high school diploma and left with a Bachelor’s Degree that they completed online during their stay. I also saw people who took full use of their free time by going to fitness classes or enrolling in Mandarin lessons to learn the local language.
After living in China for the better part of a decade, I realized that there isn’t specifically one aspect that I was going to miss – I realized I was going to miss everything about the country I had come to call my home.
Discover what it’s like to live and teach English in China by attending a free information session near you, or download our free course guide!
About the Author
Liam Norwich graduated from Oxford Seminars and proceeded to teach in Northern China for 8 years in both private and public language schools. He graduated from Niagara College and has recently returned to Canada to further his education.
Well written without going into great detail Liam. You would certainly have a lot of memories. Perhaps you want to continue in the future.
I think I would like to pursue teaching ESL abroad. Could you recommend the company you went with or any other companies?
Thank you in advance,
Jessica
Great decision, Jessica! Here at Oxford, graduates of our course have gone on to teach ESL all over the world using our 100-hour TESOL/TESL/TEFL Certificate. Our Graduate Placement Service can assist you with finding a job once you complete our course. Visit our website for more information or you can attend one of our free information sessions to speak with someone who has taught English overseas face-to-face.
Looking for a seated class, nothing online.
Through the years, Mark, we’ve learned that the best kind of training is when it’s a mix of online and face-to-face. We have quite a few classes at many different locations all throughout the U.S. You can find the full listing of our training classes here: http://www.oxfordseminars.com/tesol-tesl-tefl-course/locations-and-dates.php. If you have any questions, please give us a call! Or you can attend one of our free information sessions – here are the details: http://www.oxfordseminars.com/tesol-tesl-tefl-course/upcoming-information-sessions.php.
Thank you very much for this!
What companies would you recommend teaching for?
I hold my Honours English Degree and Bachelor of Education Degree as well – is a TESL certificate required as well?
What are the requirements of teaching in China? You have to have a Bachelors degree, correct?
Hi Amber! You do not have to have a degree to teach in China. To speak with someone about this or another country you can call our toll free number at 1-800-779-1779 or you can attend one of our free information sessions near you.
I’ve often thought of China as one of the places I’d like to teach. But I still have one concern: I heard that China is heavily poluted, and I’m concerned about what effects living and working there may have on my health. I’ve been to Cairo a few times, and found the quality of air unpleasant. Can anyone give me an idea regarding the level of air pollution? Which areas have good air quality, and which should I avoid? Thank you.
I have the same concern as Chris. I have been told several times that I should go to China, but my main hold up is the air pollution, their ethics, and I heard that contracts may not be upheld. Hearing others experience on this is good to know.
I am a Ghanaian nationality and a professional teacher. I desire to teach English language in china, please what are the requirements? is it also possible?
I know I am late to the party as this entry is over a year old, but I will give my two cents. As of 2017, China is becoming one of the best countries to work for when you compare salaries. With all of the negative media press and governments who want to develop conflicts with China, the ESL market is ripe. It is all a matter of supply versus demand. Currently, there is high demand and low supply of ESL teachers. As such, schools and training centers are finding it more and more difficult to staff their foreigner positions. Salaries have jumped significantly. When I arrived four years ago, a standard salary for a beginning ESL teacher in a school was about 8000 rmb ($1200 USD). This year, I am seeing the salary for beginning teachers at almost 11,000 ($1500 USD). If you are an experienced ESL teacher with three or more years, a good salary expectation is nearly 18,000 rmb ($2300 USD). At my school, all four of our foreign teachers were offered a jump in salary by 5000-7000 rmb to re-sign a contract. That is an additional $1000 USD per month in our pockets. Now is the time to get to China. It is projected that salaries will continue to go up as more and more Chinese youth aspire to have an English education and study abroad. As for ESL teachers who have fears coming to China due to unrest and pollution, it is mostly hype from global media and government chest thumping. Worried about pollution, stay in the southern and western regions of China. Worried about unrest, turn off the TV and relax
As an ex TEFL teacher myself I highly recommend Teaching English in China. The pay is great and the opportunity continues to benefit you for a lifetime. Do it!
Hi ,iam sc Mthabela ,iam very much interested to teach in Chine but I need the number that I can use inoder to ask son questions that need verbal conversation,please any one who can assist me with this number ,I will be very much hsppy
I am 66 years old and retired as a substance abuse counselor, licensed in New York, I also have an Associates in Science Degree plus about another year and a half of college. Before I spend my money on the Tesol certification, am I employable either in Asia or Europe