Teaching English in Beijing, China
Report submitted on 15 January, 2021 by Ana Koja.
Teaching English in Beijing, China:
How can teachers find teaching jobs in Beijing, China?
We use a website to look for new jobs, but mostly through this App called Wechat. there are groups with new job opportunities almost every day.
The main English teaching jobs available are:
Full time English language school positions, part time English language school positions, agencies (send teachers to different locations), teaching at kindergartens / pre-schools, private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.).
What are the minimum teaching requirements?
English proficiency certificate, Bachelor degree ( not necessarily in English or teaching), TESOL certificate, some work experience.
What teaching requirements would you recommend?
Good communicating reading and writing skills, above average English, correctness, patience.
What are the levels of payment?
– 150 rmb/hr (25usd) for someone who is new to teaching if you work part time.
– 300 rmb/hr ( 50 usd) for someone with many years of experience teaching TEFL or IELTS.
– 10000-20000 rmb/month ( 1500 usd-3000usd) depending on the level of full time job you get (kindergarten, training center, etc.).
How many teaching days a week is normal?
5 days per week.
How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
25-40 hours per week.
What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
If you work in a Chinese run kindergarten or school, you get make up days which means working on Saturday in order to get a long weekend. Christmas is a work day. New Years Eve – work day but you get a week off or more in February ( Chinese spring festival).
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Beijing, China to teach English?
Be Patient. The management of most schools is not very good. They will work you.
Always smile. the children are adorable, smart and funny.
Let some things go – its the small things like weather, smog, language, culture that gets to you. If you are able to let some things go, you will do just fine.
What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Beijing, China?
Good work environment. The students are great. They are funny, smart, very smart and make your teaching less stressful. Also its a very good salary for the work and cost of living.
What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Beijing, China?
You have to deal with management. Some of the schools are for money making – they only think on the business side, not very much on education.
What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
Getting diagnosed with ADHD or ADD or autism or dyslexia, is not a thing here. Anything that can imply that the child has learning difficulties will be taken as an offence on the parents.
Living in Beijing, China:
Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in China?
Yes. when applying make sure that they provide a legal working visa.
What is the cost of living like in China?
Beijing is quite expensive in terms of rent. One room goes from 500 USD to more a month.
The living cost is cheap, buying groceries and eating out is affordable.
What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
Apartment sharing is big. There are website that can help with finding a room, agents as well, although you need to pay a months rent as finders fee. 3 months rent in advance, 1 month deposit, and one month as finders fee. So i would suggest to ask your work place to provide accommodation or at least help you find it so you don’t have to pay a deposit.
Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Beijing, China?
You can travel all China for very cheap. Amazing food, great people, easy transportation.
Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Beijing, China?
A bit of pollution, cultural differences, a “different” way of common sense.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Beijing, China?
Do come, but be prepared. Read about China, about people working in China and their experience. A lot of people come here clueless and expect a lot and they get dis encouraged when their expectations are not met.
What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
This is my home now. I have my family here. You can get any food you want, you can get English books and news papers. You can get ANYTHING you need or want here.
What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave China?
Me and my husband met here. We moved to Dubai for a year and it made us realize that Beijing is our home. We missed how easy it is to get around, we missed having a park right outside our building. We missed the food.
What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country?
If you haven’t had any Chinese food before, I suggest you get some condiments to get you by the first few days your fav. snacks etc. Bring toothpaste (might seem silly but the toothpaste here has low levels of fluoride).
About Me and My Work:
My Name: Ana Koja
Nationality: Albania
Students I’ve taught in China: Toddlers (2-4 years), pre-school / kindergarten (4-6 years), elementary (6-12 years).
My school facilities: Excellent – we work in an international high school and the facilities are great. Teaching resources are never ending. We have lags, a big campus, library is 2 stories high with lots of different books. Classrooms are high technology with a touch board, air filters etc.
Teacher support is available at my school: Training / workshops, lesson observations, teacher evaluations.
Do you teach English in China?
Tell us about your experiences – click here to submit your report about teaching English in China.
