How much can I earn teaching English in China?
With over 300 million people studying English and a rapidly growing economy, China is unsurprisingly the top employer of ESL teachers in the world. As demand is so high in many areas of the country, schools offer high salaries in order to fill their vacant positions. Salaries vary considerably in different areas of this vast nation, but wherever you choose to live and work in China you should be able to save a good amount of your salary each month. Teachers with no previous experience can expect to earn anywhere from 6000 RMB to 12000 RMB per month ($1000 to $2000 US dollars).
What other benefits can I expect when teaching English in China?
As well as a healthy basic salary, many ESL jobs in China also include extras such as free housing and paid airfares in and out of the country. Thanks to these extra perks and a low cost of living, many teachers find it possible to save a considerable percentage of their monthly income. On average, most teachers are able to save between $500 and $1500 per month depending on their lifestyle.
What are the requirements for teaching English in China?
In the not so distant past it was perfectly normal for people to get jobs teaching English in China simply because they were a native English speaker. However, those days have gone and you will now need to possess an internationally recognized TESOL certificate in order to qualify for an official work visa and subsequently the best paying positions. The regulations vary in different parts of the country, but many provinces now insist on teachers completing a TESOL course of at least 120 hours duration. If you do not have a college degree, this regulation is already in place and it is set to be extended to all teaching jobs at some point in the future.
How can I ensure I get a good job teaching English in China?
If you want to teach ESL in China, it is a good idea to do plenty of research before you commit to a job. As the demand for teachers is so high in many areas you can apply for multiple jobs and then choose which one suits you best. By researching the different regions, cities and individual employers you should ensure you end up in an environment that you enjoy both in and out of the classroom. Native English speakers with a college degree and a TESOL qualification will have a huge amount of potential options when it comes to teaching English in China.
How can I earn extra cash while teaching English in China?
Although average salaries are generally high across China, many teachers take advantage of the huge demand for private language tuition in order to earn a little extra each month. Many people choose to send their children for extra English tuition outside of school hours which provides plenty of opportunities for teachers to top up their main salary. Some choose to do just a few hours a week, while others can effectively double their income if they are willing to work extra hard.
