How to find a job as an English Teacher in China

Teaching kids in China

This is a complete guide to finding a job as an English teacher in China. It’s around 10,000 words, so take your time to read it. You can also click on one of the links below to jump directly to the sections that most interest you. Here you’ll find:

• Why teach English in China?

• VISA requirements

• What qualifications do I need?

• Teaching English as a non-native English speaker

• TEFL – Teaching English as a foreign language

• What other skills will I need?

• Types of English teaching positions available

• Preparing a CV for a Chinese teaching position

• How to apply – from outside of China

• How to apply – from inside China

• Contracts and Benefits

• What type of people teach English in China?

• Location Considerations

• What can go wrong?

Why teach English in China?

China offers some excellent opportunities for native speakers interested in teaching English, in public and private educational establishments.

The Chinese people currently have an insatiable demand for improving their English language skills and this has also become a major priority for the Ministry of Education. In what is now the most populated country in the world (almost 1.4 billion), it’s easy to see why there are so many positions available in locations across China.

Schools are constantly seeking good teachers and offer competitive salaries, but it isn’t always easy to find work legally. It seems the government is making it harder, not easier for full-time teachers to access the coveted Z VISA, which allows you to work legally in China.

That said, if you research the market thoroughly, follow the correct procedures and apply some caution and common sense to your job applications, you could end up with a teaching experience that is both fulfilling and very rewarding.

Let’s take look at what you’ll need to qualify as an English Teacher in China, and how and where to apply for legitimate work.

VISA requirements

Teaching legally in China

The employment of English teachers in China is regulated by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA).

Only schools licensed by SAFEA can apply for the necessary “letter of invitation” and a “foreign expert work certificate”. These documents are needed to obtain the all important “Z VISA” that will allow you to legally earn money in China.

To find out more about the Z VISA (or working VISA) check out this article.

Teaching part-time in China as a Student

If you’re a long term student with an X1 VISA, it is now legal to work as long as you get permission from your university.

According to Law and Border a student with a residence certificate for long term study who wants to take a part time job off campus, should obtain approval from the school and then apply to the PSB Exit-Entry Administration. They will organise a notation to their residence certificate showing the part time job.

This doesn’t apply to students with short-term X2 VISAS.

It seems that China is still awaiting a “framework”
Source: http://www.saporedicina.com/english/teaching-english-in-china/