With the world’s fastest-growing economy and 300 million English students, China is the world’s biggest and one of the most profitable employment marketplaces for teaching English overseas. Given the scope of China’s market for English language instruction, how much an English teacher can make in China varies widely depending on the types of jobs and employers, but most first-time English teachers in China from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or other native English-speaking countries typically earn between 8,000 RMB ($1,200) and 18,000 RMB ($2,600) per month, with some earning more.
Many English instructors in China also get free accommodation or a stipend (usually 3,000 RMB per month) to cover housing expenses, and others receive free or subsidized flights.
In practice, what does this imply to me?
While such salaries may not be high in absolute terms compared to what you may consider a high salary in your home country, because the cost of living in China is lower and housing costs are covered, most English teachers in China are able to save the equivalent of $600 – $1,750 per month after expenses, and some teachers are able to save more than $1,500 per month after expenses, or up to $20,000 per year.
Why am I able to save so much money?
Lower Living Costs
A lower cost of living in China (about half the cost of living in the United States) implies that your money goes farther and it is simpler to save. Keep in mind that incomes are generally lower in areas where the cost of living is also lower, so you may still save a significant amount of your income.
Housing costs are often covered.
Most Americans spend 25-35 percent of their monthly salary on rent and other housing-related expenditures, so if your housing costs are covered, as they are for English instructors in China, you will be able to retain more of your monthly income.
Employer-provided health insurance and paid vacation
Many English instructors in China also get health insurance and paid vacation.
Obtain your TEFL certification.
Receiving training and possessing a recognized TEFL certification can qualify you for many more employment, particularly higher-paying positions.
China was originally recognized as a place where almost any English speaker could find a job regardless of teaching experience or qualifications, but that is no longer the case. In recent years, both schools and the Chinese government have significantly boosted standards and tightened employment procedures, and most schools will no longer recruit you off the street just because you speak English.
Many regions now need a TEFL class of more than 120 hours, and the tendency is for this to become the law everywhere.
Many schools in China currently demand a 120-hour TEFL certification, and many institutions automatically offer higher rates to individuals who have a recognized TEFL certification.
Investigate and Consider Your Alternatives
Every year, tens of thousands of English teaching positions are needed in China’s schools, language institutes, preschools, and colleges. If you make an effort to examine your possibilities, you will have more options and chances to obtain a wonderful employment with an exceptional income and perks. This entails searching many job sites, speaking with a number of recruiters, and applying for and interviewing for a range of different teaching positions.
Also, do as much research as you can on other schools (including their reputations — talk to present instructors if feasible). You should also examine particular places where you want to teach, including the local cost of living, which may vary greatly across towns and regions in China.
Choose the Right Job – Be Patient and Selective in Your Search
There is a lack of skilled native-speaking English instructors in China, and particularly for those of you who are native English speakers with a college degree and a TEFL certification, the initial job offer will not be the last job offer that comes your way. Unlike in other parts of the world where job seekers would accept any offer that comes their way, people prepared to teach English in China will have their pick of places, and it may truly pay off to be patient and investigate your possibilities.