Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Teach English in China

Adventure – you’re ready for it.

Career – you want to take it to the next level.

Now… Why should you choose China to take your ESL teaching career?

China. The most populated country in the world. With 5000 years of culture, world famous cuisine, every geographical feature you can imagine, the world’s most spoken language, varying climates, seemingly infinite opportunities and a unique blend of ancient tradition and technological advancement…

Let’s take a look at the Overseas Teacher’s Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Teach English in China!

  1. Take your career to the next level

Teaching opportunities in China are among the most competitive in the world.

Whether you are just starting your ESL career or looking for career development opportunities, China has so much to offer.

At The Overseas Teacher, contracts will predominantly be offered at training centers which are privately owned education centers focusing on communicative language learning. Here you can teach students of all ages and abilities in a variety of settings and really challenge yourself in your teaching practice.

Opportunities to teach at Kindergarten level are also available. Although not as academically challenging, this is a fantastic place to begin your career, have a lasting impression on the young children that you will interact with and really get creative in your approach to teaching.

It is rare that opportunities at state schools are offered, however we have secured placements in these settings too. Here you can gain valuable insights into China’s education system, an understanding of your students’ every day life and the expectations of what they are to achieve academically.

Teaching jobs have also, in rare cases, been secured at universities and international schools, where teacher’s with significant experience or specific skills are required.

So, no matter your experience or career goals, China has a place for you!

  1. A competitive salary by Western standards with low living costs.

Entry level teaching salaries in China are competitive by western standards. Match this with low living costs and rising wages as you progress your career and China is a place where you can have a comfortable lifestyle, save easily and have a challenging and rewarding career.

  1. The opportunity to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and make the most of your visa

As a western passport holder, you will most likely have visa free entry to many countries across the world. China is an exception. However, this makes it a fantastic location to base yourself while giving you the option to travel to neighboring Asian counties such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan… where you don’t need a visa for entry.

At the Overseas Teacher, we offer applicants a minimum of twelve month teaching contracts as we believe that this is the minimum amount of time that you should spend to really make the most of your time in China. This also gives you plenty of time to explore other parts of Asia.

  1. History

China has over 5000 years of history and one of the world’s richest cultures. If exploring ancient temples, learning about historic customs and practices and diving into complex heritage excites you, China has so much to offer!

  1. Food

Some things are world renowned for a good reason. No matter where you are in China, you’ll find vibrant, mouthwatering and unique dishes that you won’t find anywhere else! Sharing hot pot with friends, grabbing something to go while on the way to your next class or taking dumpling making lessons… Chinese cuisine will be the highlight of any foodie’s time in China!

  1. Learn the world’s most widely spoken language

Mandarin is the world’s most widely spoken language and learning even just a little can be extremely useful, not just in China but also globally. It’s also pretty impressive! Using your time in China to challenge yourself, immerse yourself in local culture and learn a language will give you lifelong skills that you can use whether you decide to continue your career in China or bring your new skills back home.

  1. Travel the world whilst taking steps in your career

With a teaching job in China, you don’t have to choose between travelling and focusing on your career – you can do both!

You can still have that sense of adventure as you explore China and neighboring countries all while working towards a fulfilling career that has exciting progression opportunities.

Or, if your journey to China is more of a standalone adventure, you still have the opportunity to learn many new transferable skills that you can take into your future career and earn enough while travelling that you may even return home with savings!

  1. Locations to suit your preference

When thinking of China, our thoughts more often than not envision huge, sprawling, futuristic super-cities – like Shanghai or Beijing. However, China has many diverse locations to suit your personal preferences. If you want to live by the coast, near mountains, in the tropics, or, a vast futuristic metropolis, China has it all!

  1. Truly amazing landscapes to explore

From desert to rain forest, high mountain ranges to stunning beaches, China, with its vast land mass, holds an incredible range of landscapes for you to explore. You won’t be lost for awe inspiring natural wonders. Such as, the crimson blooms of the red beach in Panjin, the stone forest of Shilin, the multicolored mountains of the Zhangye National Geopark or the ice city of the far north Harbin.

  1. Climate

As well as diverse landscapes China experiences temperate climates in the north, harsh winters in the far north, warmer weather conditions across the center, sub-tropical and tropical climates in the south and different seasonal variations across the country.

No matter your preferred climate, you’ll find it in China!


Your decision to travel and teach abroad is a life-changing one.

At The Overseas Teacher we assist and encourage you to take your time and do thorough research into where you would like to be located and what kind of experience you would like to have and match you with teaching opportunities with those criteria in mind.

If China is a location that you are considering taking your ESL teaching career, be assured that an experience of a lifetime awaits you and we at The Overseas Teacher would love to be part of that journey.

For further information check out our website:

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Want to hear more about why you should choose to take your ESL teaching career to China?

Watch our latest podcast “Why Choose China? Industry Specialists and Teachers Advice” now:

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