Why Teaching In China Might Be Your Best Career Move (And What to Know First)
Is China calling your name? Here's the truth about what you need to know before you take the leap...
You’re not being paid enough, and it’s not your fault.
But it is your problem.
I solved that problem 7 years ago by diving headfirst into teaching in China.
There have been plenty of challenges along the way (looking at you, COVID), but on the whole, it's been a net positive.
Now, we don't know each other yet, but I’m convinced that teaching in China could be the answer you’re looking for.
I graduated with a humanities degree into a global recession and a job market that didn’t exist.
I hit the snooze button on life by going to grad school. I loved every second of it, but let’s be real—the opportunity cost is huge. Sure, scholarships “pay” for your education, but they barely cover living expenses. Plus, you’re giving up two years of work experience.
It’s even harder now, but you can jump-start both your career and finances by teaching in China for a few years. Who knows? It might even turn into a long-term career.
But here’s the deal…
There will be headaches.
It’s a lot of faff, but it will be worth it, I promise.
Before you even think about applying, here are 10 key things you need to know:
1. Understand the Visa and Work Permit Process
Here’s the basic checklist for qualifying for a work visa:
Your degree (apostilled)
A non-criminal record check (apostilled)
2 years of experience (or a TEFL certificate)
TEFL certificate (or 2 years of experience)
You can trade 2 years of experience for a TEFL certificate and vice versa. Your school will use these documents to apply for a Z Visa (work visa), which gives you a 30-day entry into China.
Don’t worry — within those 30 days, your school will take you to the Entry/Exit Bureau to apply for your Residence Permit (居留许可证), which is what allows you to stay in the country for a year.
Pro Tip: Take a photo of these key items in your passport for easy access:
Passport information page
Residence permit
Most recent entry stamp
You’ll need these for various tasks like setting up a bank account, registering for apps, or for those “because China” moments. Having them in one place can save you time and stress.
2. Review Your Contract and Benefits
Let’s be honest: if you're fresh out of school or have no teaching experience, you’re not going to land the highest-paying, most glamorous jobs.
But that’s true of any field.
The least you can do is carefully review your contract. Chinese labor laws are generally favorable to workers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be taken advantage of.
Make sure the contract reflects what’s reasonable. One common sticking point is the termination clause. It’s often stated that you need to give 90 days' notice before leaving, but some people online might tell you that two weeks is fine.
Yes, technically, they’re right.
But here’s the thing: it’s best to be amicable. If you do need to leave early, playing nice can help you get the necessary documents so you can apply for a new visa with your next employer.
3. Know the Salary and Cost of Living
During COVID, many people left China, and salaries increased to keep teachers in the country.
Salaries are still competitive compared to other markets, but don't believe inflated figures you might find on Reddit.
A new teacher can expect to earn about 20,000 RMB per month. That amount will vary depending on your location. Cities like Shanghai or Beijing pay more, but the cost of living is higher as well.
Basic rule of thumb: If you live somewhere cheap, your salary will likely be lower. But the good news is, you can still save a significant portion of your income, especially if you live like a local.
4. Prepare for Cultural Differences
Unless you’re from a Chinese family, things are going to be different.
Don’t be intimidated—this is where the real fun and personal growth happen.
Expect cultural differences, and embrace them as part of the experience. Adaptability is key, and you’ll learn a lot in the process.
5. Overcome the Language Barrier
Foreigners in China fall on a spectrum—from zero Mandarin ability to “shocking locals”.
Many people think they should avoid cities like Shanghai or Beijing to force themselves to learn Chinese. Don’t get fooled by that idea.
Go where you’ll be most comfortable, where the job is the best, and where you can make the most money. The truth is, the more you enjoy your time in China, the more motivated you’ll be to learn the language.
There’s no situation where English is a better choice than Mandarin, but you’ll find that the more frustrated you are by language barriers, the less likely you’ll be to pick up the language.
Start small. A little effort goes a long way, and even a simple “ni hao (你好)” will earn you praise. Before long, you’ll hear “Wow, your Chinese is so good” (which is usually polite flattery), but when someone says “Hey, your Chinese isn’t bad,” that means you’re getting the hang of it.
Pro Tip: Never say your Chinese is good. Be humble and accept the compliment modestly. If you boast about your Chinese, good for you – you’ve learned Chinese words. But you haven’t understood Chinese culture.
6. Adjust to Life as an Expat
Being an expat in China is exciting.
And sometimes it sucks.
That’s just life.
You’ll have your good days—and your bad days.
Living in China as an expat comes with challenges. Some days you’ll be homesick and hate everything (and everyone) around you. Somedays everything you once thought of as just different will suddenly be completely, glaring wrong.
This, too, shall pass.
7. Learn About Banking and Communication Tools
You’ll need to open a local bank account for your salary.
It’s common for schools to require you to use a specific bank, and every time you change jobs, you might need to open a new account.
It’s a hassle and I hate it, but it’s part of the process. And it turns out I like money enough to put up with it (the money is quite good here).
Luckily, China is a delightfully cashless society, so you may never need to set foot in a bank again. Apps like WeChat and Alipay are essential for daily life. I transfer my salary from my bank account into my Alipay wallet, which becomes my budget. Just be careful—it’s easy to lose track of spending with the convenience these apps offer.
Pro Tip: If you’re serious about saving, read Andrew Hallam’s Millionaire Teacher sooner rather than later.
Full disclosure: that’s an affiliate link, so if you buy through that link it supports this newsletter. I really appreciate the support. If you’d prefer Jeff Bezos get all the money, open up a new window and search for it.
8. Familiarize Yourself with Holidays and Travel Opportunities
China has two major public holidays: Golden Week (October) and Chinese New Year.
You’ll get plenty of time off, but two things to note:
Traveling within China during these times is grim.
You’ll have to work “makeup days” around holidays.
Everyone travels during these times, so try to plan your trips outside of peak holiday periods. If you do travel within China, splurge on business class on the high-speed trains—it's a small luxury, but worth every RMB.
9. Seek Out Support Networks
You’ll need a good support network.
Avoid the “old China hands” who do nothing but whinge and talk about what things are like “back home.”
Don’t spend too much time on Reddit, either. That place can be weird.
Surround yourself with positive people who can help you navigate the ups and downs of life in China.
10. Don’t Listen to Fearmongers
I’m Canadian, so lots of people back home were scared for me during the Two Michaels incident. I wasn’t worried, though, as I’m not important enough to be on anyone’s radar.
If any teacher is afraid of their political safety in China, they either have an inflated sense of self or teaching is just a weird choice of cover. (As a teacher myself, I can confidently say it’s more an issue of an inflated sense of self-importance.)
As long as you follow common sense and stay respectful, you’ll be fine.
Here’s the quick guide:
Don’t be a jerk.
Don’t tell others they’re wrong.
Don’t talking politics and religion.
If you must talk about sensitive topics, approach them with curiosity rather than conviction. If you’re hellbent on being right, keep it to yourself.
Get a VPN before you arrive. It’s not a big deal. Certain ones will go down during political events, but they’ll work eventually. I always have at least two so there’s always a backup. (Again, I’m happy to talk about the ones I use, but that’s outside of the scope of this article).
China is incredibly safe, and as long as you’re a gracious guest, you’ll find the locals to be welcoming hosts.
Conclusion
Starting a teaching career in China can be life-changing, but it’s important to be prepared.
For some, the idea of needing a VPN to access YouTube is a dealbreaker. If that’s you, that’s fine—there are other countries.
But if you’re ready for an adventure, a new career path, and a chance to grow both personally and professionally, China might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Next, we’ll dive into the different types of teaching jobs available to you in China.
Got questions? Drop a comment below, and I’ll answer with the same blunt honesty that’s not always great for my professional reputation!
Interested in turning your teaching skills into freelance freedom? Take my free, 7-day course to turn your skills into cash.
Or, check out my book, The Teacher’s Escape Plan, and get a full step-by-step guide.