Teaching English in China
English language teaching has been popular in China for thirty years or more, although the job market has changed due to Covid and the move towards online learning.
Overview
English language teaching has been popular in China for thirty years or more, although the job market has changed due to Covid and the move towards online learning.
However, China is still the largest English language learning market in the world and it is still growing. Demand often outstrips supply and so, if you are a native English speaker with a degree and TESOL, and are already in China, then you will likely have your pick of English teaching jobs.
School students learn English as part of the curriculum and are generally thought to be very friendly and welcoming to foreigners, although you may have to moderate your more adventurous lesson plans. You may still find that politics and religion are not to be discussed in class and you will need to be prepared for large student numbers, perhaps accompanied by less than adequate resources.
Attractive Salaries and Benefits
Teaching English in China can be financially rewarding. TESOL-certified teachers can expect competitive salaries ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 USD per month, often accompanied by benefits such as free housing, flight reimbursements, health insurance, and end-of-contract bonuses. Expect more perks and a higher salary with more experience.
Legal Requirements for Teaching in China
A TESOL certification is increasingly becoming a standard requirement for securing a work visa in China. New education policies emphasise the importance of formal teaching qualifications, making TESOL essential for obtaining legal teaching positions in 2025 and beyond.
Tips for teaching English in China
* the Premier 120-hr TESOL for Asia as a basic qualification
* the 30-hour Teaching English to Young Learners course as this will be useful
* consider applying via an agency to compare jobs. Global English TESOL graduates have access to the schools and job agencies listed on our site; many offering return flights, housing allowance and competitive salary.
Teaching in China at a glance (2026)
| Requirements | Bachelor’s degree + clean criminal check + 120-hour TEFL (the standard route to the Z visa) |
| Typical pay | ¥12,000–¥22,000 RMB/month (£1,300–£2,400), housing usually included |
| Main routes | Kindergartens and bilingual schools, licensed training centres, public schools, universities |
| Hiring season | Year-round; biggest intakes February and August/September |
| Visa | Z work visa, employer-sponsored - never work on any other visa class |
Can I teach in China without a degree?
No - the Z work visa legally requires a bachelor’s. Offers to work around it put you, not the school, at risk.
Which Chinese cities are best for saving money?
Tier-2 cities (Chengdu, Hangzhou, Qingdao) usually beat Shanghai and Beijing on save-rate: pay is 10–20% lower but rent is often three times cheaper.
Plan your move
- How much do English teachers make in China? (full salary guide)
- Current teaching jobs in China on our jobs board
- “I’m Indian and I teach English in China” - a graduate’s story
- The 120-hour TESOL Certificate- the qualification every route below expects