So you want to come teach in China, or maybe you’re just curious about the process of getting here. Awesome! It’s a unique experience to live in a foreign country, travel to new places, and meet some amazing people.
But what if you’ve never been to China, or you’ve never taught English? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there (or at least I have).
Firstly: are you looking for a school? Check out my article How To Find a School To Teach At in China
Here’s some info and resources that will hopefully help you with teaching ESL in China:
- 10 Tips For Living In China
- Living in China: Big City VS. Small City
- A Typical ESL Lesson For Young Learners In China
- A Day in the Life of a Kindergarten English Teacher in China
- 16 Things I’ve Learned Living in China for 3 Years
HOW DID YOU START TEACHING IN CHINA?
My first year I came with a program that found teachers for universities in China. The program included a TEFL course and helped with everything – contacting the Chinese university, reviewing the contract, etc., so I didn’t have to do much but get myself to China! If you are with a program like this, the process is much easier.
My third year, however, I wanted to try something different outside the university realm. I began searching for schools on my own with some ideas in mind of what kind of school I wanted. That’s how I found the kindergarten in Guangzhou, and it was a great fit for me.
If you’re looking for a program to come through to teach in China, I recommend checking out Career China and the jobs they have! They work with lots of schools across China and have a great support team. Check out their page here.
