With a population of 1.4 billion and an ancient culture that attracts millions of travellers every year, China has one of the biggest TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) markets for English teachers. 

Between 300–400 million people in China are learning English, and there are over 1 million Chinese students studying abroad at any time. However, as a significant player in global business and politics with a low English proficiency score, the demand for English education is huge.

Read on for the TEFL Org’s guide to teaching English in China, from teaching jobs, requirements, typical salary expectations, visa process, top locations, and more!

Key Takeaways

• Teachers need a minimum of a 120-hour TEFL certificate and a bachelor's degree to teach English in China; teaching experience isn't necessary.
• The most popular locations for teaching jobs include Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.
• Teachers often work in public schools, private language centres, and international schools depending on their qualifications and experience.
• English teachers earn around ¥15,000–¥40,000+ ($2,175–$5,805 / £1,645–£4,390), with international schools offering the highest salary.
• Many schools offer benefits like free housing or housing allowance, flight reimbursement, medical insurance, and performance bonuses.
• English teachers in China need a Z visa to legally work in China.

Requirements for Teaching English in China

To legally find a job in China, English teachers need to meet both employer and visa requirements, but teaching jobs in China can be competitive. Here's everything you need to know about the requirements for teaching in China.

Do I need a TEFL certificate to teach in China?

You'll need a minimum of a 120-hour TEFL certificate to teach English in China. Not only is China a competitive market for teachers, it's also a legal requirement to have some form of teacher training.

Specialising in a niche can also help you develop knowledge and gain a competitive edge in the market, and teachers with experience in teaching young learners or business English are in high demand in China!

Can I teach in China without a degree?

Having a degree is essential to teaching English in China legally. To obtain the correct working visa, you must have a bachelor's degree at minimum.

Do I need teaching experience to teach in China?

China's demand for English teachers is so high that you can teach without experience as long as you have the right TEFL certification and are a native English speaker.

Teachers can gain in-class experience before their first job with an in-person TEFL course or the 40-hour Observed Teaching Practice course.

Visa requirements for teaching English in China

China is very strict when it comes to the law, so it's important that you teach on a valid working visa. English teachers in China need to meet the criteria for a Z visa to get a residence permit and open a bank account.

To be eligible for the Z visa you'll need:

• A bachelor's degree (in any subject)
• A 120-hour TEFL certificate, or two years of teaching experience
• To be under the local retirement age — 55 years for women, 60 years for men
• A clean criminal background check
• Notarised, legalised, and authenticated documents, including your degree, TEFL, and background check

Important: Immigration rules can change; be sure to check the official Chinese embassy or government website for updated rules. The information above is not intended as legal or visa advice.

Read more about the visa requirements for teaching English abroad.

Salary and Cost of Living

China is a huge country, and your salary and cost of living is influenced by a range of factors. Here's what you'll need to consider when planning your life in China.

How much can you earn teaching English in China?

English teachers can earn a handsome salary and benefits in China. Depending on your qualifications and experience, you can earn anywhere from ¥15,000–¥40,000+ ($2,175–$5,805 / £1,645–£4,390).

However, your teaching salary depends on a number of factors:

• Experience & qualifications: Your TEFL training and experience will influence your salary potential in China; teachers with advanced Level 5 TEFL courses, a degree in English or education, or a few years of experience can exceed the average salary.
• Teaching job: Teachers at public and private schools will earn a salary of around ¥15,000–¥20,000 ($2,180–$2,905 / £1,650–£2,200) — but international school teachers can earn up to ¥40,000 ($5,805 / £4,390).
• Location: A higher salary doesn't necessarily mean you'll save more money. Cities such as Shanghai and Beijing offer higher salaries, but also higher costs of living.

On top of a decent salary, most teachers in China also get a range of benefits, including:

• Free housing or allowance
• Flight reimbursement
• End-of-contract completion bonus
• Medical insurance

How much does it cost to live in China?

The cost of living in China depends on your location and lifestyle. Living in Shanghai or Beijing requires around ¥4,000 ($580 / £440) a month, excluding rent. Most teachers receive free accommodation or an allowance as part of their package, so if you budget right, you'll be able to live a comfortable lifestyle while saving some money in the process.

Here are some of the best ways to stretch your teaching salary in China:

• Don't write off smaller locations: Living in a smaller city or lower tier location can help you save up. In some cities, like Xiamen or Shenyang, living costs can be 15%–40% lower than in Shanghai or Beijing.
• Eat locally: Shopping at local wet markets or dining at Chinese eateries is cheaper than buying imported food and going to western restaurants. A local dish costs as little as ¥20 ($3 / £2.20)!
• Use public transport: Public transport is efficient in China, and a monthly pass costs only around ¥170 ($24 / £18).
• Travel domestically: China is an enormous country; consider travelling domestically instead of going overseas during the holidays.
• Make use of free or inexpensive activities: From scenic parks, idyllic old towns, museums, and hiking routes, there's plenty to do in China that doesn't break the bank.

English Teaching Jobs in China

With a huge TEFL market, English teaching jobs in China come in different forms across public and private sectors. It's important to consider which one would be more suitable to your experience and qualifications.

Public schools

Public schools in China offer a stable schedule with around 20 teaching hours per week. While salaries are lower, benefits often include flight reimbursement, and free housing or an allowance. Semesters run from September–January and February/March–July.

You can teach at elementary, middle, or high school level, with a set curriculum and support from a teaching assistant, making it a great option for new teachers. However, class sizes can be large, and some contracts may not include holiday pay.

What to expect in a public school in China:

• Working from Monday to Friday; around 20 hours of teaching per week plus time to prepare lessons and mark assignments
• Teaching larger classroom sizes
• Monthly salary of around ¥15,000–¥20,000 ($2,180–$2,905 / £1,650–£2,200)

Private language schools

Many teachers work in private language schools, teaching young learners to adults. Lessons range from activity-based classes in conversational English to more structured programmes with set materials for exam preparation and business English.

While students are generally enthusiastic and motivated, expectations can be high as schools operate as businesses. Full-time roles typically involve 20–28 teaching hours per week, including evening or weekend work. Benefits often include bonuses, flights, and accommodation.

What to expect in a private language school in China:

• Working evenings and weekends to accommodate school and work schedules; around 20 hours of teaching per week
• Teaching smaller classroom sizes
• Monthly salary of around ¥15,000–¥20,000 ($2,180–$2,905 / £1,650–£2,200)

International schools

Teachers with advanced TEFL qualifications, a teaching licence, or a degree in English or education can find well-paid roles in international schools across China, teaching English to local and expatriate students at a high academic standard.

While these roles offer some of the best classroom facilities and highest salaries in TEFL, they also come with greater responsibility, including detailed lesson planning, marking, and meeting high academic expectations.

What to expect in an international school in China:

• Monday to Friday schedule
• Teaching an international curriculum, such as British or American
• Students with strong English proficiency
• Monthly salary from ¥20,000–¥40,000 (£2,200–£4,390 / $2,800–$5,805)
• Benefits may include health insurance, flight reimbursement, and housing or a housing allowance

Recruiters

If you're not sure where to start, recruiters and large school chains can make the process easier by offering structured support, training, and teaching materials. Here are some of the most well-known recruitment agencies, schools and franchises in China:

• Berlitz offers teaching jobs working with young students and also business professionals from top companies, with options for one to two-year contracts.
• English 1 — formerly English First — is a global company with schools across China, welcoming entry-level and experienced teachers.
• SMA Recruitment is a foreign-owned recruitment agency that helps foreign teachers find teaching jobs in kindergarten, public and private schools, and international schools.
• Footprints Recruiting has helped over 10,000 English teachers find work across China and other countries.
• Chengdu Golden Apple runs over 30 kindergartens in Chengdu and west China.
• Gold Star Recruitment places teachers across China, from Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Guangzhou.

Teaching English in Major Cities

Before we get into the top cities in China to teach English, here's a quick breakdown of China's 'Tier System' - an unofficial ranking of cities based on things like their cost and standards of living.

Picking a city based on its 'Tier' can be a good way to help you think about where you want to teach in China before you go. Ultimately, it completely depends on what you're after - and China has something for everyone. Let's take a look at some of the top Chinese cities for TEFL teachers.

Teach English in Shanghai

With thousands of multinational companies and 9+ million visitors in 2026, Shanghai is China's thriving international hub. However, the city maintains its Chinese roots despite western influence, with landmarks like Yu Garden and the City God Temple, local delicacies like Chinese tangbao, and so much more.

While the demand for English teachers is high, positions can be competitive. English teachers in Shanghai can earn between ¥10,000–¥20,000+ (£1,200–£2,350 / $1,600–$3,200) per month, or up to ¥45,000+ ($6,530 / £4,935) at an international school. Many roles also include benefits such as housing allowances, flights, meals, bonuses, and free Mandarin lessons.

Teach English in Beijing

While Shanghai is a major international hub, Beijing is China's political and cultural capital. From the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven to the Great Wall of China, Beijing is a must-visit for anyone looking to embrace Asian culture. While the international scene isn't as prominent as in Shanghai, English teachers can still have a great experience in this historic capital.

Beyond cultural immersion, Beijing also has an excellent market for TEFL teachers. As a political capital that welcomes a wave of tourists each year, there's a high demand for English teachers. Teachers can find opportunities in kindergarten, public schools and language schools through teaching abroad programmes, or international schools and universities.

Teach English in Shenzhen

While not a go-to travel spot among tourists, Shenzhen is considered by many as China's very own Silicon Valley. Known for thriving in the tech, AI, and electronics scene, this global metropolis of 18 million was a fishing village until the 1970s and 80s.

Check out what life is like as a teacher in Shenzhen:

TEFL Org Teacher Stories

Curious to find out what it's really like living and working in China? Here's what Sarah — a graduate from The TEFL Org — had to say about her experience of teaching in China:

Sarah, Beijing

"I arrived here with no Chinese, not much money and no sense of direction. I was placed at a campus in the south of Beijing, which is now like my second home. In Beijing, I have made lifelong friends. I met my roommate in a bar, and now we plan to travel around the world together. I met some friends whilst putting on a theatre performance, and now we spend our weekends cycling around and bungee jumping!"

"One of my best friends in Beijing is my TA (Teaching assistant) called Flora, who I've known since I arrived. She's from a small province in the southwest of Beijing, and she has helped me engage with Chinese culture in a really personal way. I know we'll always be friends, which is really something special."

"I am so proud of everything I have accomplished and can't believe how lucky I am to have such a fulfilling job. People in Asia regard teaching as a very respectable profession, which is a drastic difference between the UK and Asia. Teaching takes every ounce of energy, but the memories and bonds you create are worth every moment."

Find out what our other TEFL graduates have to say by reading more student stories.

Ready to Teach English in China? Get TEFL Certified Today

Before you make the leap to teach abroad, don't forget to become TEFL certified! While an internationally recognised TEFL certificate is a legal requirement, it's also essential to improving your knowledge and confidence in the classroom.

Not only will employers recognise your skills from reading your CV, but it will help refine your skills and knowledge about teaching English as a second language in the classroom.

Get started now with our 120-hour course.