TEACHING IN CHINA 2022

Since 2020, Covid-19 has rocked the world’s economy. It has affected all public and government sectors, and the education system was not exempted.

If you have plans teaching in China or you are currently looking for teaching jobs in China, you must consider these things.

1. Covid-19’s Effects on China’s Education System

Online Teaching, Now the Standard Form of Learning

Though all countries have been slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, China seemed to be battling with it again. Unfortunately, the current outbreak recently affected China’s eleven provinces, and it is spreading swiftly. 

The government is expecting the confirmed cases to climb up in a couple of days. This means that there’s a significant probability that online education will continue next year.

Though online education was not new to China, some students are still uncomfortable with the latest educational system. This leads to our second point. 

How efficient can the teachers be?

Since 2020, China has received and addressed mental health issues for children ages seven (7) to fifteen (15) due to the pandemic and online teaching. 

Most students widely embraced online teaching. But sadly, to some, the new educational approach affected their mental health.

Thus, the teachers and those planning to venture into teaching jobs in China must make a system that can quickly and efficiently transmit the learning to the student.

Now that we have deciphered the core teaching issues in China, let’s check the country’s boldest move, the Clamp Down. It sounds a big word, though. But yes, China clamped down on education. 

2. Effects of Clamp Down on Teaching Jobs in China

The “double reduction” policies seek to minimize student academic load and eliminate unfair competition, which leads top tutoring firms to stop their operation. And just this September 1, 2021, the “Law on the Promotion of Private Education” took effect. This law bans foreign ownership of private schools, and it restricts private schools’ profiteering.

The new law devastated hundreds of tutoring firms and private schools with employees whose careers are on the line. Well, most of these employees actually lost their job before the law took effect.

Now that you’ve read this far, here’s a bonus for you. This is by far the most important thing you should consider before moving and looking for teaching jobs in China. 

3. Cost of Living in China

Just like any other place, China’s cost of living varies from one city to another. You can live well for less than $1,000 per month. 

Why do we say so?

Teaching jobs in China have a salary base of around $2500 ~ $3180. With this wage, you may live comfortably and save a fair amount as well.

Here’s a breakdown for you. Depending on your choice, though, you can get a decent one-bedroom apartment for $600, transportation fee close to $50-60 a month, and you can buy a decent meal for $5 in China. All in all, it will cost you just around $800. You can definitely save a decent amount from your teaching job in China.

Now, on to the stuff you need for your teaching job in China. 

What do you need to teach in China?

Teaching in China is just like teaching anywhere else. You must meet these basic qualifications:

You Must Be 18 – 55 Years Old

Are you almost 55 years old? Do you still have that burning desire to land a teaching job in China? 

If so, I highly suggest that you start working on your papers after you read this article. This is because the retirement age in China is lower than in other countries. China imposed a retirement age of 55 for women and 60 for men. 

So, what are you waiting for?

You Must Be A Valid Passport Holder (from Certain Countries)

Unless you are local in China, you need a passport to travel legally to the country. The authorities might as well ask for your passport when you apply for teaching jobs in China to verify your nationality. This is especially true if you are teaching English as second language, that the country only takes citizens from UK, U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa in principal.

Also, teaching in China is more than just a teaching job. If you are in this profession, there’s a big possibility that you will be handling minors. This leads to the next requirement.

Crystal Clear Criminal Record

The importance of having a legit passport is as vital as having a clean criminal record. 

China is known to be strict and harsh when it comes to imposing its law. So, you must maintain a clean criminal background if you have plans teaching in China. Otherwise, you will lose your opportunity to land a teaching job in China. Instead, China’s government will punish you. 

Thus, before you chase your dream job, you must ensure that your local criminal record is clean, too. You might wonder why, but this is because you will be handling minors. 

The government or management will not allow anyone to handle their students unless the teacher has a proven good criminal record. This is to protect the students’ lives. No one wants to hand in their children’s lives to a criminal who tends to violate the law repeatedly. 

Don’t worry, though. As long as you didn’t serve any jail time and are not a convicted felon, you are still suitable to apply for a teaching job in China. 

You Must Be A Licensed Teacher.

If you are a citizen of an English-speaking country, then congratulations! You just won a lottery. Being an English native speaker gives you an edge to be hired for a teaching job in China immediately.

No worries, though, if you are not an English native speaker. As long as you have a license or a certificate that proves your eligibility to teach, you are still good. 

Start preparing now! Take note of your license’s expiration date. If you haven’t got one yet, start enrolling in courses that allow you to have a teaching job in China. 

Now that we’ve gone through the important things you need to consider before teaching in China, the ball is now yours to decide. 

Always remember, though, to make everything legal to avoid any unpleasant legal situations. Good luck with your teaching job in China! The land of opportunity awaits you.