Jobs for English teachers in China
The job market for English teachers in China is the largest in the world. Demand for English teachers is so high that schools hire year-round, and interviews are conducted in advance over the phone and via e-mail. In most cases, those who teach English in China will gave their airfare reimbursed, and schools typically provide free housing for their teachers. With over 1.3 billion citizens and an estimated 300 million English learners, China shows no signs that it will relinquish its title as top job market for English teachers any time soon.
Most public schools throughout China have mandated English training from age five through the end of secondary school. With the largest number of middle class households in the world, parents are sending their children to private language schools at an unprecedented rate. The adult learner market is enormous as well. China's export market is one of the world's largest, and it is necessary for their white collar workforce to communicate with potential buyers worldwide using English.
The cost of living for those teaching English in China is very low and a generous salary affords English teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle, while saving $ 250–300 USD per month, which has nearly 3 times the local purchasing power that it would have in the USA. English language schools offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of work per week, giving English teachers in China plenty of time to travel and explore the nation’s endless treasures.
It is not required to hold a bachelor’s degree to teach English in China, though it is preferred in the larger cities of Beijing and Shanghai. TEFL certification, however, is required. There are well over 50 cities with over 1 million people in each. Top destinations for certified English teachers include Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou, to name just a few.