Types of English Teaching Jobs in China
China has five distinct teaching job types — each with different schedules, salaries, requirements, and cultural experiences. Language centres are the most accessible entry point. International schools are the most lucrative. Here’s how each sector works.
Private language centres (training institutes)
Private language training centres (xùnxí jîgòu, 课绍机构) are the most accessible and most numerous English teaching positions in China. EF Education First (the world’s largest private English education company, headquartered in China), Wall Street English, New Oriental-associated centres (technically separate since 2021 regulatory changes), and thousands of independently operated institutes operate throughout every tier of Chinese city.
The typical language centre position: teaching children (ages 3–12) and sometimes teens and adults; evening and weekend schedules (these are after-school centres, so most classes run 4pm–9pm weekdays and mornings/afternoons on weekends); 20–30 teaching hours per week; salary RMB 10,000–18,000. Free housing or housing allowance (RMB 2,000–5,000/month) is standard. End-of-year completion bonus (RMB 5,000–15,000) if you complete your contract. Return flight reimbursement at contract completion.
The 2021 regulatory context: In July 2021, China issued the “Double Reduction” policy (双减政策) which restricted for-profit academic tutoring for K-9 students on school days and weekends. This significantly restructured the private language centre sector. Some centres pivoted to adult education, arts, or weekend programming for older students. The sector has adapted and continues to hire foreign teachers — but verify that any language centre you’re considering is operating compliantly under current regulations. Ask directly about their student age range and operating licence.
Public schools
Chinese public (government) schools offer the most authentically Chinese teaching experience available to foreign teachers. Monday–Friday daytime schedule; large classes (30–50 students); teaching within the national curriculum framework; summer and winter holidays aligned with the Chinese school calendar (including Chinese New Year); salary RMB 8,000–15,000 depending on city tier and school level.
Public school positions typically include free apartment housing on or near campus, which combined with the affordable cost of living in most cities creates excellent savings ratios. The cultural immersion is deeper than in language centres — teachers interact with Chinese colleagues and students on their own terms rather than in the expat-bubble environment of international schools. The most rewarding positions for teachers who want genuine Chinese life rather than an international school posting that happens to be geographically in China.
Primary & secondary schools
Teaching English language to Chinese students ages 6–18. Class sizes 30–50. Work alongside Chinese English teachers. Structured national curriculum with space for creative supplementation. Best cities: any Tier 1 or Tier 2 city; also rural postings through government placement programmes. Daytime schedule means evenings and weekends are genuinely free.
Government placement programmes
China has government-linked programmes placing foreign English teachers in public schools — similar to EPIK (South Korea) or JET (Japan) but less formally structured. Some provinces and municipalities run their own foreign teacher recruitment campaigns. Less centralised than Korea or Japan’s programmes but reliable when found through legitimate channels. Ask employers specifically about their public school placement framework.
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International schools
China has over 1,124 international schools — more than any other country in Asia — and this number is growing. Wellington College China, Dulwich College Beijing and Shanghai, Harrow Beijing, British Schools Beijing (BSB), Yew Chung International School, Nord Anglia schools, ISS, BASIS International School, and dozens of Chinese-developed international brands all operate premium campuses in China’s major cities. These schools follow IB, British (A-Level, GCSE), American, or their own hybrid curricula.
International school salaries of RMB 25,000–40,000+ per month represent the highest total compensation packages in this entire build. The package typically includes: competitive monthly salary; free housing or substantial housing allowance; return international flights; comprehensive private health insurance; tuition benefits for dependents; professional development funding; pension contributions. Requirements are correspondingly demanding: formal teaching licence (PGCE, QTS, or state certification), degree in relevant subject, and 2–5+ years’ classroom experience. Applications go through TES, Search Associates, ISS, and Schrole 12–18 months in advance.
Bilingual schools
China’s bilingual school sector is the fastest-growing English teaching employment category. These are Chinese domestic private schools — not international schools — that teach a significant portion of their curriculum in English. They serve Chinese middle-class families who want English-medium education but either cannot access international school pricing (RMB 200,000–400,000/year) or prefer that their children receive a Chinese-curriculum foundation.
Bilingual school positions (salary RMB 15,000–25,000) sit between language centres and international schools in pay, requirement, and cultural immersion. Requirements: TEFL plus degree; formal teaching licence increasingly preferred; 1–3 years’ experience. Schedule: K-12 school hours with summer and winter holidays. Strong benefits packages. The sweet spot for many experienced TEFL teachers who want better pay and schedule than language centres but find international school requirements beyond their current credentials.
Universities
China’s universities employ Foreign Experts (外岛, wàijī) — the official designation for foreign academic staff. Positions include: oral English teacher (focused on speaking and listening); EAP (English for Academic Purposes) lecturer; academic writing specialist; and subject-area teaching in English-medium degree programmes. Tsinghua, Peking University, Fudan, Tongji, and hundreds of regional universities all employ foreign teachers.
The financial picture is unusual: monthly salary RMB 6,000–12,000 is modest compared to language centres or bilingual schools, but the comprehensive benefits — free campus housing, subsidised university cafeteria meals (RMB 5–15 per meal), extensive paid holidays (summer 2 months, winter 1–2 months), light teaching loads (10–16 hours/week), and research time — make the total package significantly better than the salary alone suggests. For teachers interested in a genuine academic career in China or in maximum free time for independent projects, university positions are the most appropriate choice.
All China job types compared
| Position | Monthly (RMB) | Monthly (USD) | Schedule | Teaching licence | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language centre | RMB 8–18K | ~$1,100–$2,475 | Evenings + weekends | Not needed | Entry to China; young learner experience |
| Public school | RMB 8–15K | ~$1,100–$2,060 | Mon–Fri days | Not needed | Authentic China; best cultural immersion |
| Bilingual school | RMB 15–25K | ~$2,060–$3,425 | K-12 school days | Preferred | Career development; better pay/schedule |
| International school | RMB 25–40K+ | ~$3,425–$5,480+ | K-12 school days | Required | Max income; career; full package |
| University | RMB 6–12K | ~$825–$1,650 | Light; flexible | Master’s preferred | Academic career; free time; research |
Job types FAQ
How did China’s 2021 Double Reduction policy affect language centre jobs?
Significantly but not terminally. The July 2021 policy prohibited for-profit tutoring companies from teaching the school curriculum (Chinese, maths, English language) to K-9 students on school days, weekends, and holidays. This specifically targeted the large cram-school sector that dominated English teaching employment before 2021. Many K-9 academic English centres closed or restructured. The market adapted: adult English programmes were unaffected; arts, music, drama, and sports programmes for children were unaffected; K-12 international and bilingual schools were unaffected. The result: language centre employment contracted somewhat but remains substantial, with a shift toward adult learners and children in permitted categories. Always verify a language centre’s operating structure and compliance before accepting a position.
Which position type offers the best lifestyle balance in China?
Public schools consistently win on lifestyle balance: Monday–Friday daytime schedule (evenings and weekends free), generous paid holidays aligned with China’s school calendar (including a full Chinese New Year break), free housing, and the deepest authentic Chinese cultural experience. University positions win for maximum free time and intellectual environment. Language centres win for income per hour worked and flexibility. International schools win for total financial package. The lifestyle choice depends on priorities: if free evenings and weekends matter most, public school or university; if maximum income is the priority, international school.
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