How long have you been teaching English in China?

After I finished university in 2004, I came to China and taught for a year. I moved back to Canada after my contract was up and taught there for a few years, but returned in 2009 and have been teaching ever since. My total time here is just over 3 and a half years.

Please tell us about your job?

I work at a private oral English school in a small city, by Chinese standards. The students at the school range in age from 4 to about 15 (when they become too busy with other school lessons to attend) and are separated into different class levels according to their age and ability. Because this school is separate from the regular, state-run schools that the children attend during the weekdays, I work mainly evenings and weekends, but only about 25 to 30 hours a week in total. I get three week-long vacations per year – Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), National Day (October 1st) and one other week, usually during the summer.

Why did you choose to teach in a small town rather than a larger city?

There were several reasons for me ending up here in a smaller city. First, I grew up in a very small prairie town in Canada, and have never been totally comfortable in large cities. Second, when looking at jobs overseas back in 2004, this one stood out because the school is partly owned by a Canadian rather than having full Chinese administration. Finally, I returned to this school in 2009 because I was familiar with the school, the owners, and the city itself.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of teaching in a smaller city?

Some of the advantages of living and working in a smaller city in China include the lower cost of living, greater immersion in Chinese culture, the (slightly!) lower population, and the visibility (pseudo-celebrity status) of being one of a small number of foreigners in the area. I also personally think that the Chinese people are more friendly and patient with us silly foreigners in smaller centers than they are in the big cities.

Some of the disadvantages are that there are fewer job options for foreigners, especially if you are looking for a change in location or occupation but don’t want to move to another city, a somewhat lower salary, smaller foreigner population and, along with this, fewer western luxuries, and the visibility of being one of a small number of foreigners (yes, this is both a blessing and a curse!).

How did you find your job?

I believe it was originally a job ad online somewhere (possibly Dave’s ESL Café), directly from the school itself.

How easy is it to find English teaching positions in China?

It’s very easy to find a teaching position in China. It can be more difficult to find a good teaching position in China. There is a huge demand for foreign teachers because English is required of all students and is one of the key areas of focus on the standardized exams here. Unfortunately, some schools are less reliable than others (for example, not providing the proper visa and residency permits, not paying salaries on time, or other issues).

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

China is less strict than other countries when it comes to requirements for foreign teachers, although I believe it is starting to improve. Most reputable places will require teachers to have some sort of ESL teacher-training and/or a bachelor’s degree.

What is China like?

China is wonderful, weird, fun, frustrating, interesting, and unpredictable! As much as it is progressing and becoming a world superpower, once a person travels outside of the major cities, there are many things that lag behind in development.

My quality of life is pretty good, the people are friendly, and there is so much to see. Because of China’s long cultural history, it seems as if every place one visits, from a big city to a small village, has some famous historical site or some ruins or has been the birthplace of something or other! I also love the food – trust me, it’s nothing like Chinese food in the west; it’s so much better!!

Can you recommend the best cities for teaching and quality of life?

This really depends on what a person is looking for. If you want a big, thriving city that is in China but has all the comforts of home, then Beijing, Shanghai or another of the tier 1 cities is where you should look. These places will offer higher salaries and there will be more foreigners, foreign restaurants, and supermarkets around, but the cost of living will also be higher.

On the other hand, if you are looking to truly immerse yourself in China and have an ‘authentic’ experience, a smaller, lower-tier city might be best. The cost of living will be lower, but you won’t have as many western luxuries or comforts. I personally love visiting Beijing now and then to stock up on foreign foods and buy pants that fit, but like living here in the smaller city.

How well do you speak Chinese now?

My Chinese is pretty dreadful, given how long I have lived here. I understand more than I can say, but my speech is pretty basic. Chinese is a difficult language to learn, because it is tonal and is so unrelated to English (unlike say, French), but many people have obviously done it. I’m just a very bad student!

If a person lived in a city like Beijing, he might be able to get away with only speaking English, but if you choose to live in a smaller city, you would be better off to at least try to learn some basic words, questions and phrases.

What is your cost of living?

My employers rent my house for me, so I don’t shoulder that cost. If I were to pay it, it would account for roughly 20-25% of my monthly salary. Food costs will vary, depending on whether a person eats at home all the time or eats out often, and which restaurants he dines at. A basic meal for two at a western restaurant can cost nearly 200 RMB ($31 US), while at a small streetside Chinese restaurant one might pay only about 30 RMB (less than $5 US). I don’t go out a lot, and the social scene is somewhat limited in this small city, so I can’t really comment on that aspect. I can say that there are a lot of free activities to enjoy – parks to wander, temples to see, tai chi and dancing in the squares, etc.

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

I can easily save at least half of my salary each month. Although I’ll be the first to admit I don’t live a terribly exciting life, I don’t scrimp and save either (I take taxis when I want or need to, I eat out at least a few times per week, and if I see something I like in a shop, I can afford to buy it). However, if you are trying to save money to pay off debts in Canada or the US (or just to return there), it is important to note that because of the conversion rate, you won’t get rich. My salary allows me to live a very comfortable life here, but in dollars, it is quite low.

Are there many opportunities to earn income on the side?

I can only speak from my personal experience here. My teaching contract does not allow me to earn extra money from other sources of teaching, so I do not tutor nor do any other work on the side. Some teachers from other places in China that I have talked to make extra money by tutoring or conducting testing, and some have moved on to start their own schools or find jobs in other sectors.

Do you recommend China for other English teachers?

As far as teaching goes, China is much like anywhere else in the world, I think. There will always be some trying classes or students, but for the most part, the students I teach are very friendly and hard-working.

As a country, China can be very frustrating at times, so patience is a huge must for anyone thinking of coming. But there is plenty to learn and experience, so if you love a challenge and have an open mind, it can be very rewarding.

How long do you plan on living in China?

I met a wonderful Chinese man here and married him, so plan to make my home here!

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Teach English in China, Interview with Roger Jones

How long have you been teaching English in China?

I’m now in my 4th year in Chengdu, Sichuan.

How did you find your first teaching job?

I found my first teaching job in China on the internet, through AbroadChina.org. I also spent two years doing research about China and about teaching abroad, reading forums such as those on Dave’s ESL Café, and finding all the information I could about various cities and universities.

How easy is it to find teaching jobs?

One of the reasons I chose China is because of the high demand for English teachers there. Once you register your resume on a job website, for the first couple of months your inbox will be filled with job offers or advertisements for schools. Most jobs will tell you that they require a TESOL certificate and teaching experience, but in practice many teachers are hired wtihout these credentials. I didn’t even have a phone interview for my first teaching job here. As times goes by, however, if you’re a serious teacher looking for a professional environment and high standards, you will become much more discriminating in your search.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

In theory, yes, in practice, not always. I completed my TESOL after I’d arrived in China and had already started teaching. The universities I’ve been associated with base their pay scale on your education level (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.) rather than years of experience.

How did you get your first work visa?

The procedure is to have a job offer in hand; your future employer will send you a certified letter of employment, which you take to the Chinese consulate in your home country. You’ll be given a temporary visa, and once you’re in China your school must apply to the local PSB within a couple of weeks for the official residence permit.

What is the cost of living in China?

It depends on what kind of job you have, where you live, and what your expectations are. I teach in a university, which provides a furnished apartment and utlities in addition to my salary. I live simply; my monthly budget is about 2,000 RMB (US$293).

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

Once again, it depends. I save about 50% of my monthly salary. During my first 3 years in China I was still paying off my U.S. credit card debt; that was difficult and I don’t recommend brining your debt to China with you. Now, whatever I don’t spend on monthly expenses (food, clothing, books, etc.) goes into my travel fund. At the moment, it’s impossible for me to contribute to a retirement fund or save piles of money.

What is the typical number of teaching hours per week?

At a university, expect about 14-16 classroom periods (45-50 minutes) a week, with overtime paid for extra teaching hours. At a private, for-profit language school you may be expected to have 30-40 contact hours per week; the salary may be much higher but I don’t desire to work myself that hard.

How many weeks of holidays per year can teachers expect?

Depending on when the Spring Festival holiday falls, I have 4-6 weeks of paid winter vacation each year. You also get paid for the standard Chinese holidays – National Day, Spring Festival, etc. Summer vacation is unpaid.

Did your employer provide you with medical Insurance?

My employer requires teachers to buy medical insurance; I paid about 200 RMB (US$ 29)  for 10,000 RMB (US$1465) worth of coverage.

Do you recommend China for other English teachers?

This depends on a lot of factors. The culture shock can be extreme; I came here with no knowledge of the language, and many people are immediately put off by the vast differences in cleanliness, sanitation, living conditions, or other factors. If you read the message boards online, there’s a vast amount of bitching and moaning about teaching environments, salary, and lifestyle that you have to take with a grain of salt. Do your homework before you come here; be sure to get contact information for at least two or three current or former teachers at your prospective school. Know what you want: are you coming to China for a one-year teaching “holiday” or for the long term? What are your professional goals?

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

As I said, do your homework. When I came to China I made a complete break: got rid of all my possessions, left my job and apartment, gave away a lifetime accumulation of books, put my cat up for adoption – all to basically make a new start in a country I’d never even visited before. I spent 2 years saving money, getting teaching experience in Los Angeles, paying down my debt, and doing research.

Have practical goals: save some money first, take language classes, know about the differences in education, etc. For example, in China you may have large classes, up to 50 students for “oral” English; there’s a huge emphasis on rote learning in the country’s education system; education is controlled by the single political party; there are “forbidden” topics – Tibet, Taiwan, religion, politics – that can’t be discussed in class. If you are gay or lesbian, don’t expect the kind of openness you would find in urban environments in the U.S.

Know about health issues: pollution levels in Chinese cities can be deadly; Chengdu is about twice as polluted as Los Angeles. Choose your country carefully; if you want to save piles of cash, China might not be for you. If you want a different or challenging experience, maybe it is.

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Interview with Kelly Sandor, teaching English in China
Interview with Roger Jones, teaching English in China
Interview with Gordie Rogers, teaching English in China

Teach English in China: Interview with Gordie Rogers

Gordie Rogers is a Kiwi, who has been teaching English in Tianjin, China for nearly 7 years and also has runs the blog Lifestyle Design for You. He was kind enough to share some of his experiences teaching English in this interview.

How long have you been teaching English in China?

I have been teaching English in China for about six and a half years since early 2003.

In that time I’ve taught mostly at the university level, but also spent a year teaching English to primary school kids and taught adults at various times in private English language schools.

How did you find your first teaching job?

I’ll talk about how I found my first job in China, even though I taught for a year first in South Korea. I was travelling in Malaysia at the time. I placed my resume on several English teaching websites such as Dave’s ESL Café. A university in Tianjin, China found my resume on one of those sites and emailed me asking if I was interested in working for them. I replied that I was and then got a tourist visa and flew to China to start teaching.

How easy is it to find teaching jobs in China?

It’s getting more difficult for the inexperienced, under qualified and the older teachers. It also varies from city to city. I don’t know the reasoning, but the government has introduced rules where most schools can’t employ EFL teachers over 60 years old. As a result many older foreign teachers I knew struggled to find regular work and couldn’t get a work visa and so in the end went back home. I’ve actually heard of universities even refusing to employ EFL teachers over 45 years old.

However, if you aren’t too old and are properly qualified i.e. have a degree and either a TESOL/TEFL certificate and/or at least two years teaching experience then it’s still pretty easy. The English learning market is still growing here, and demand for good teachers is growing, especially in the private school sector.

Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?

By Chinese law, all foreign English teachers should have a college/university degree and either a TESOL/TEFL certificate or at least two years teaching experience.

How did you get your first work visa?

In 2003, I came to China on a tourist visa. In the first week the university took me to get a health check and then they got the tourist visa converted to a work visa within a couple of weeks. The university did all the processing for me.

However, this way of doing things is no longer possible. Now, if you want to teach legally in China, you should get your health check and work visa organized in your home country before arriving to work at your school in China. They may even make you double up by taking another health check upon your arrival in China.

Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?

Yes, they could come in on a tourist visa to look for work, but they would have to leave China to get their work visa and re-enter which defeats the idea of coming here to look for and start working in the first place. Laws in China change frequently and are enforced differently and arbitrarily. I wouldn’t recommend you come here to look for work without a work visa and a job unless you wanted to explore and travel to get a feel for China and be willing to leave again until your work visa has been processed so you can start teaching. If you find a job, you can get the school to send the paper work including work invitation back to you in your own country.

What is the cost of living in China?

Rent varies hugely from city to city. Beijing and Shanghai are the most expensive. I can talk about Tianjin, which is China’s third largest city. You can find an average two bedroom apartment for about RMB 1800-2500 (US$264-$366) per month. Going out varies. Most clubs don’t have a door charge, so you’ll just be paying for what you drink inside. Average price of a pint of beer in a club is RMB 20-30 (US$2.93-$4.39). However, in restaurants and cheaper bars, you could get a pint for 6-10RMB (US$0.88-$1.46).

Food in markets is usually cheaper than supermarkets, however because you’re a foreigner, you may be charged more because they view you as being rich and therefore worthy of being cheated because the color of your skin. Lol! You can get by on 1500-2500 (US$220-$366) per month on food. However, if you like Western food and other imported foods, then you’ll be paying substantially more.

How much money can the average teacher expect to save?

This naturally will vary. Saving much is not that likely if you only teach at a university because they normally give you a free apartment, return airfare and only 10-16 hours of classes per week. However, if you wanted to supplement your income by doing private lessons then you should be able to start saving.

If you work at a private school, you’ll be working more hours, but you should also be able save a bit. If you like to go out a bit and eat out a lot, then I think on a RMB 8,000-10,000 (US$1,172-$1,464) monthly salary you could save RMB 2000-4000 (US$293-$586) per month.

Do you recommend China for other English teachers?

Yes and no. It depends what you want. If you’re an education idealist who wants develop your teaching to a highly professional level and have a professional environment and a school which puts a strong emphasis on English teaching then perhaps not.

However, if you want to get some experience teaching and are realistic that most schools here do the bare minimum in regards to English education then it can be a good place to teach.

Have you found opportunities to do work other than teaching?

Very few. I had a brief stint for a few months with a private school as their human resources manager, but then they ran into the trouble with the law and moved away. So, it was back to teaching for me. In China, the law strictly states that if you’re invited here to teach, then you should only teach and not engage in any other kind of employment as the condition of your visa is that you’re a teaching expert. There are expats here who work illegally doing business here, but they’re normally on tourist or student visas.

What do you love and hate about China?

I just love the fact that it’s so different from my home country, New Zealand. There’s lots of growth and change, different culture, etc. I love China for traveling. It has a huge variety of places to travel to. I also love the cross-section of expatriates that I can meet here from all over the world. It’s cheaper and more convenient to go out here in the evenings too than it is back in the West.

Hygiene is a major problem in China. Spitting, public urination and littering are common place. Air and water pollution are shocking. Corruption and inefficiency can also be frustrating when dealing with Government departments and businesses.

However, these are bearable once you get used to them. I don’t regret one moment of my time in China and will be sad to leave next July to return home.

What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?

I can only speak as one who has had teaching experience in South Korea and China. Realize that the private schools are all about maximizing profits from their students and teachers. Educational quality comes a distant second to profits.

In the public schools, they do the minimum to get by. At every university I’ve taught at, I’ve only taught each class once a week for two hours. I feel it’s very hard to make much of a difference with such little contact time with students. So, if you’re an idealist who thinks you’re going to be able to make a huge difference in the English level of students, then be prepared to do it in your unpaid free time.

Links
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Information on Teaching English in China
Find English Teaching Jobs in China
China  (Cost of Living)
China (Visa Requirements)
Interview with Kelly Sandor, teaching English in China
Interview with Roger Jones, teaching English in China
Interview with Gordie Rogers, teaching English in China