China
China is now the “it” place to teach English. China’s rise on the world stage has also led to a rise in the number of people who want to teach there. You’ll find a lot of young (and old ex-pats), an interesting culture, some pollution, and a pretty crazy nightlife. Teaching English in China is a great opportunity for people who are interested in learning about one of the biggest economic superpowers in the world as well being going to a country not completely westernized just yet.
Basic China Information: The cost of living in China can be very low, especially if you eat local food from local restaurants or food stalls and shop in local markets- 3 Chinese dishes and rice for 2 is roughly 30RMB in Shanghai. China can be very expensive if you eat in Western restaurants or 5 star hotels and shop in Western supermarkets- a TGI Friday Burger is around 100 RMB. China has an excellent public transport system that is also very cheap. Overall, China is a cheap country to live in and you can save a lot of money teaching here if you are frugal. The biggest expense most teachers have is drinking. If you avoid the big clubs and imported beer, you can cut your costs down.
You should also be aware that many Chinese teaching companies can be pretty unscrupulous. Hiring and firing at random, benefits not given, apartments not looking like they promised. Things in China operate on an informal relationship system meaning while laws are there, what’s more important is who you know (and who you bribed.) If teachers work for companies in good favor with the officials, teaching in China will be easy.
Salaries in China: Typically, salaries in China tend to be very low (around 6,000 yuan a month). However, if you teach in a private school, international school, or language school, you’re salary will be closer to 12,000 RMB per month. Moreover, if you live in one of the big cities and work hard you can earn a lot. The going rate for a teacher is 150 Yuan an hour in Beijing ($21 USD). That’s not too bad. If you can fill your work week, you can earn and save a lot. However, once you leave the big cities, teaching salaries drop drastically. Typically, you will earn about 1/3rd of what you could in the big cities. However, your living expenses will be lower in the country side.
Job Requirements in China: In China, all you need is a BA to teach English. Anything else is extra. Some places might require a TEFL or some experience but you can get away with little qualifications and even less experience in China than other places.
Visa Information for China: You’ll need a proper work visa to teach here long term. To get the proper work (Z) visa, you’ll need to be sponsored by a school. Visas cost US$150 dollars. You will have to leave the country to turn your tourist visa into work visa but your school will help you with all the paperwork.
