Why teach in China?
First the Facts:
2014 College Graduates in China: 7.26 million and rising
30,000 organizations or companies offering private English classes in China
The market has nearly doubled in size in the last five years and is now worth around $3.1 billion
Salary for foreign English language teachers:
English teachers in China can expect to make between 6,000 - 16,000 RMB ($942 - $2,500 USD)
Those teaching at an international school, however, can make up to 30,000 RMB ($4,700 USD)
Depending on the type of educational institution the salary varies enormously
Public Schools: 6,000-10,000 RMB
Private Language Institute: 6,000 - 16,000 RMB per month
Universities: 7,500 - 10,000 RMB per month
International Schools: 12,000 - 30,000 RMB per month
How much does it cost to live in China?
How far exactly will your salary get you in China? Most teachers put away a good amount of their salaries and save them up. You can live quite comfortably when teaching in China. So, how much should you expect to spend while teaching in China?
Rent: Ranges from 1,000 - 3,500 RMB per month but it's usually included in the salary
Utilities (electricity, gas, water): 250 RMB per month
Phone & Internet: 300 RMB per month
Food: 1500 RMB per month
The cost of daily items:
Dinner at a mid-range restaurant: 80 RMB Rice or noodle dish at a restaurant: 25 RMB Most street food items: 6-10 RMB Beer: 5 RMB 1 night in a mid-range hotel: 350 RMB
Where to teach in China?
Most foreigners are settled in the big ""three"": Beijing (107,000 expats), Shanghai (209,000 expats) and Guangzhou (over 200,000 expats). However, the cost of living in these cities is much higher than in other cities across China. Don't get stuck on those famous cities but rather consider other big and mid-sized cities all over China. Other great destinations include Xi'an, Chengdu, Wuhan or Hangzhou.
You can also be sure to meet fellow expatriates from your country in China. The Chinese metropolises are getting increasingly diverse with people from South Korea, India, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Vietnam and Myanmar ranking in the top ten.
Lots of Travel Opportunities:
The excellent transportation network throughout the country lets you travel the giant Asian nation easily and on a cheap budget. Overnight buses/ high-speed trains and quick domestic flights guarantee a comfortable journey within China. As of 2015, China is home to just under 20.000 km of rail tracks including the world's longest line, the 2,298 km (1,428 mi) Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway. Be sure to make it to a couple of the ""7 Ancient Wonders of China"", which include the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, the Hanging Monastery in Mount Hengshan, the Great Wall (not only in Beijing but many other places in China), the Leshan Buddha in Leshan, Mount Wudang in Wudang, Shi Bao Zhai Temple on the Yangtze River and the Forbidden City in Beijing, China's capital.
Pamper Your Palate
China is famous for its food all over the world. However, Chinese food back home is not at all like the locals cook in the motherland. Don't let anyone fool you and tell you Chinese food is all spicy. That's only partly true. China has developed 8 unique cuisines during the course of its 5,000 year long history: Shandong Cuisine (seafood), Guangdong Cuisine (mild; subtle, dim sum), Sichuan Cuisine (spicy), Hunan Cuisine (hot and spicy), Jiangsu Cuisine (fresh ingredients, seafood), Zhejiang Cuisine (fresh and fragrant), Fujian Cuisine (mushrooms, bamboo) and Anhui Cuisine (emphasis on herbs).
Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next.
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