Does anyone have experience teaching English in China?

Question

I'm thinking of going overseas to teach English as a second language, but I would really like to hear from others that have already done so. I am not certified teacher, but hope to get my masters in teaching after gaining some experience in China. Is it hard to find jobs, what is it like living in China, are Chinese students interested in learning? Any information would be helpful.

Answer 1

I have taught English for three years in western China and in Shanghai. Most of the previous answers are not very factual. The best advice you have so far is that Dave's ESL Cafe is a good site to get other teachers' opinions:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewforum.php?f=9

But if you want my opinion, here goes.

You should be a native speaker of English although I know a few teachers who have faked this qualification (French Canadians, for example, who have a strong accent). The Chinese government provides two certifications as I explained February 6, 2006 at Linguistic Funland:
http://tesol.net/articles/qiang_wolff/

It's not hard to find jobs but it may be hard to find exactly the type of job you want in a particular city. Send out your inquiries between February and April. Don't accept the first offer until you have seen a few more. Offers will trickle in for a week or two. Some universities in eastern China may lean toward a master's degree for their foreign teachers but at least one year of experience teaching in China will usually get you past that hurdle. A master's degree may be required at some universities to teach PhD students but this is not a fixed requirement.

Private schools have their own requirements and they also are not written in stone. One of the highest regarded private schools is EF (English First but seems to be changing name to Education First as they also offer Spanish). At EF, all their text and tapes are British English but they will hire American/Canadians. You must, however, deal with occasional harassment from the British teachers for your poor skill in speaking English. They might say to you "After listening to how our team speak, you will have got better" and that is correct grammar for them. I taught Sundays at EF for awhile and thought it was great but all teachers spend two hours planning a one hour lesson because of their very specific curriculum. Full time teachers usually come to hate the wacky staff, though.

University staff typically are professional and fair within the context of Chinese culture. Salaries are nearly fixed at unis and the cost of living adjustment is not sufficient. This means you may get 3000-3500 RMB per month in western China and 3800-4500 per month in Shanghai. The cost of living is nearly double in Shanghai.

Chinese students in the west or not in large cities are typically very interested in learning. There is some apathy in Shanghai because the uni students, almost 95 percent native Shanghainese, begin learning English at grade 2 or 3. By the time they are in college, they speak English very well so it is hard to challenge them.

My final suggestion is pick a place based on lots of research into the different regions. Weather could be your factor. Beijing and Shanghai have stifling humidity. Urumqi and Harbin are a deep freeze in winter. The government provides hot water radiant heating in all schools and public buildings in winter in the northern half of China but not in southern China so even the "spring city" of Kunming is terribly uncomfortable in most buildings in winter while Lanzhou is toasty warm inside. If you want to have a beer with a different American every night, go to Shanghai. If you want a deep-culture experience where you will not be surrounded by tourists, avoid Shanghai, Hangzhou, Beijing, Kunming, Guangzhou, Qingdao and Guilin. Go there on holiday trips instead. Also, because these cities are deluged with foreigners, the teacher salaries and benefits are not as good as they should be.

Answer 2

Shanghai is just a renowned global area drawing more and more attention from all around the world; therefore see what that city provides with hotelbye . Shanghai is a well known journey destination for visitors. In Shanghai you will see the marvelous Yu Garden (Yù Yuán), also known as the Garden of Happiness. This Garden addresses an area in excess of 20,000 square meters and contains an outer and an inner garden. The oldest area may be the Outer Garden with further improvements being manufactured in the 18th century when Sansui Tang, the park's principal hall, was added. The newer and much smaller Inner Garden appointments from 1709 and contains characteristics typical of a conventional Chinese writer's Garden: appealing small pavilions, decorative stones, and miniature hill stages, splitting walls and little waters, and a richly decorated theatrical stage.

Answer 3

well, im glad to answer your question. But I have to tell you that there are full of westerners in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. A lot of foreigners teaching english there. One thing u have to make sure that what kind of teaching job u want? If u wanna teach Masters& PHD, you must get a PHD. If u wanna teach the undergraduate, u have to get a master degree. If u wanna teach english in a high school in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, a bachelor degree in english or education is enough. But if u would like to teach english under univerisity level in other cities, a native speaker is enough for them.

And besides, what kind of life u want? u want a competitive and a high salary, then Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou is a good choice.

If there's any other problem, pls do not hesitate to email me. ([e-mail]).

Good luck to you. A sincere regard from a chinese student. ^_^

Answer 4

I could give you some tips and avenues to find some answers, but the best place for one-stop shopping to know anything about ESL teaching in China and around the world is from Dave's ESL cafe website, at the link below.

Answer 5

i know people who teach in china and i have interacted with chinese students. yes they are very willing to learn english and people will treat u like a movie star and i really like that. it's cool living in china (i live here now). the stuff is really cheap but its really cold in the winter (depending on which part u are going to). communication is a teensy weensy problem though. u have to learn a little chinese :) you can visit this webby http://www.tealic.com/
but everything i just told u is based on my experience not from the website :)

Answer 6

Get a TEAL Certificate first. EAL ( english as another language) ESL is no longer used>

Answer 7

John Mark Kerr would know I believe....................