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Knowledge of English in China is becoming more and more popular nowadays. Thus, ESL teaching positions are among the most required jobs in China for English speakers.
What’s great about this situation is that both sides – Chinese people and foreign ESL teachers – have their benefits.
Chinese kids and adults have a chance to improve their English with natives. Different teaching approach helps them develop not only language skills but also creative and critical thinking.
Plus, they can learn more about other cultures since teachers come to China from all over the world.
As for ESL teachers, they have the following benefits:
- Salaries in China are rather high, so teachers get a chance to earn good money.
- Since many companies offer apartment rent allowance (full or apart), you can save up some money.
- You get priceless experience and will have one more point to add to your CV.
- Many schools offer free TEFL certification – a huge advantage for teachers who haven’t passed it yet.
- Being an ESL teacher in China means you can explore culture, cuisine, traditions, attractions, nature, and many more interesting things in one of the most successful countries in the world.
So, what are the best cities to teach English in China? Let’s have a closer look.
The best places to teach English in China
Chinese educational institutions, including kindergartens, public and private schools, universities, and language courses, are seeking good English teachers all the time.
Good news is that nowadays, English is in demand not only in tier 1 cities in China, but also in tier 2, tier 3, and tier 4.
That means that you can find an ESL teaching job almost in any city.
We offer you to consider the list of best cities to teach English in China. Which one to choose is up to you. Here we go.
Shanghai
- Stands out for vast job opportunities
- Number of citizens: 24 million
- Language: Mandarin, local dialects
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 8,000 – 16,000 RMB range
Shanghai isn’t big. It isn’t large. It’s tremendous! Can you imagine the city with 24 million inhabitants?
It’s almost three times more than the entire population of Finland or Norway!
So if you’ve ever dreamed to live and work in a giant city with vast opportunities, Shanghai is just what you need.
One of the top cities in China, Shanghai is modern and multicultural.
This is the reason why newcomers often choose to start their career here.
Although the city scale may be unusual and even scary at first, a great number of expats from all over the world soothe this anxiety.
In Shanghai, you feel like in a big international community with plentiful opportunities, including job ones.
Taking into account that Shanghai is a great business and financial center, English is very popular among adults.
If you feel like working with adults or teaching special courses, for example, business English, Shanghai is a perfect choice.
Shenzhen
- Stands out for an opportunity to make friends all over the world
- Number of citizens: 12.5 million
- Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 7,000 – 20,000 RMB range
It’s no surprise that Shenzhen is one of the best cities for teachers.
Still relating to tier 1 cities, it isn’t as large as Beijing or Shanghai. Consequently, it is less expensive.
Cost of living in Shenzhen is more than affordable taking into account good money you get for a teaching job and rent allowance provided by Chinese schools.
Eating and going out also won’t affect your budget much.
One of the outstanding features of Shenzhen is that it is a home for a great number of expats.
About 40% of the city population are foreigners or residents of other Chinese provinces.
That means that Shenzhen is truly an international city and you’ll be able to make friends with people from numerous countries.
Thanks to a population this diverse, there is one more advantage.
You won’t be treated like a stranger while working and living in this city.
You can be sure Shenzhen is one of the best cities to teach English in China.
Guangzhou
- Stands out for an opportunity to travel in different directions
- Number of citizens: more than 15 million
- Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 9,000 – 25,000 RMB range
Guangzhou takes third place among the biggest cities in China and it is definitely worth your attention if you want to live in one of the best cities for expats.
First of all, Guangzhou has a lot of job offers for ESL teachers.
Whether you’ve just graduated from the university, had no or little teaching experience, or worked in education sphere for years, you’ll be able to find a good job.
Secondly, your work is well-paid. For example, teachers without much experience can get around 9,000 RMB a month while TEFL-certified tutor’s salary reaches up to 16,000 RMB.
By the way, you might not worry about the cost of living in Guangzhou.
The thing is that the companies inviting foreign ESL teachers provide them with free apartments. A nice bonus, isn’t it?
Finally, living in Guangzhou, you’ll be able to travel a lot.
The city is located close to Hong Kong where you can get by train. And if you want to visit more remote destinations like Taiwan, the local airport is at your service.
Hangzhou
- Stands out for a chance to discover Chinese tea traditions
- Number of citizens: 13.4 million
- Language: Mandarin, local dialects
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 10,000 – 15,000 RMB range
Hangzhou is one of the favorite places to go in China among ESL teachers.
You might want to choose this city if you like the mixture of historical and contemporary, urban and natural.
During your working week, you’ll live in a modern city with well-thought-out public transport routes and all facilities you can think about.
In your spare time, you can visit popular attractions (such as West Lake, Qiandao Lake, Leifeng Pagoda, Liuhe Pagoda, Qinghefang Ancient Street and many more) to dive into Chinese culture.
What is more important, Hangzhou is a relatively clean city.
In comparison to bigger and more densely populated metropolises, it has decent air quality.
You’ll especially notice it when you go to the mountains or lakes.
Lastly, you might be interested in discovering the tea culture in this city.
Being the tea capital of China, Hangzhou can boast a great number of teahouses where you can treat yourself to different tea sorts.
Nanjing
- Stands out for an ability to learn Chinese history and culture
- Number of citizens: 8.3 million
- Language: Mandarin, local dialects
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 9,000 – 18,000 RMB range
If you go to China not only to teach English and earn money but also to explore China beautiful places, Nanjing welcomes you.
The former ancient capital, it has a historical spirit that perfectly blends with up-to-date trends.
With thousands of skyscrapers and other buildings representing modern architecture, Nanjing takes care of its cultural heritage.
The Confucius Temple, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, and Zhonghua Gate will tell you a lot about the Chinese past.
The city is also famous for its local cuisine.
Those interested in discovering new dishes will appreciate the chance to try Nanjing salted duck, Tangbao dumplings, Duck soup, and more Chinese delicacies.
By the way, with modest prices (you can have lunch for 7$) in local restaurants, you can afford to eat out quite often.
Use this chance to have a rest from work in a good company of friends or colleagues.
Dalian
- Stands out for clean air by the sea
- Number of citizens: more than 7 million
- Language: Mandarin, local dialects
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 8,000 – 20,000 RMB range
Have you always dreamed to live by the sea? Here is your perfect opportunity. Come and teach English in Dalian.
The city boasts almost 2,000-km coastline with numerous beaches for you to enjoy nature.
Mountain lovers will be pleased, too, as they can spend their free time camping or hiking.
In addition to great nature, you’ll enjoy the air quality. Dalian is considered one of the cleanest Chinese cities.
Probably, it’s because of numerous environmental pollution programs carried out by the Dalian government.
Economically successful port, Dalian has more than 200 public institutions and about 100 private English courses to provide you with a teaching job.
And a great combination of high salaries and low cost of living makes this city a perfect place to earn money and live a luxurious life.
In this city, you’ll also be able to practice your Chinese. The thing is that more than 90% of the city population doesn’t speak English.
Yet, if you are used to speaking the language you teach, feel free to contact the expat community in Dalian.
People here are friendly and you’ll always have a chance to spend an evening in a pleasant company.
Zhengzhou
- Stands out for a chance to learn the Mandarin language
- Number of citizens: more than 10 million
- Language: Mandarin, local dialects
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 7,000 – 14,000 RMB range
Expat jobs in China give foreigners more than a chance to gain invaluable experience and earn good money.
Working and living in China also offer you an opportunity to learn something new.
The first thing you can study here is Chinese. Of course, as an English teacher, you want to speak your language.
But fairly, you won’t have a lot of opportunities to do it beyond large cities.
Luckily, Zhengzhou schools teach foreign colleagues the Mandarin language for free.
Imagine, what a great bonus for a linguist it is! Even if you aren’t a linguist, studying languages is always a benefit.
Another thing you can discover while living in the Henan province capital is martial arts.
Whether you want to find out more about the history of Kung Fu or Zen Buddhism or try them out, Zhengzhou is the right place.
Visit the Shaolin Temple if you pursue the former goal and start training in one of special martial arts schools to achieve the latter.
Wuxi
- Stands out for part-time jobs
- Number of citizens: 6.3 million
- Language: Mandarin, local dialects
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 7,000 – 16,000 RMB range
Aren’t you sure whether you’re ready to spend a year working in China? Go to Wuxi first!
The great advantage of this city is that schools here can offer you summer contracts.
And when a short-time contract finishes, we promise you, you’ll want to stay longer.
Wuxi can definitely steal your heart. Being included in the list of 50 richest Chinese cities, it has a growing economy and, as a result, an increasing number of working places.
No need to mention that adults tend to learn English to get better job offers.
So if you don’t enjoy working with kids, you’ll be able to find a more suitable position in a language center.
Apart from this, Wuxi nature can take your breath away. Rivers, parks, and hills are splendid.
Moreover, the city is the best choice for people suffering from allergies. The air here is crystal clear.
Finally, modern skyscrapers mix with traditional temples so you can discover China from different sides.
Xuzhou
- Stands out for quiet life
- Number of citizens: 8.5 million
- Language: Mandarin, local dialects
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 8,000 – 14,000 RMB range
Do you want to teach English in China but don’t feel like living in a typical densely populated city?
Then, Xuzhou is just what you need. Located between two metropolises, Beijing and Shanghai, this middle-sized city is a perfect place for a quiet life.
Xuzhou is one of ancient China cities full of cultural heritage. So you’ll always have where to go and what to see in your spare time.
There are museums, old temples, and natural wonders that can tell you a lot about Chinese culture.
Thanks to a not very large scale of the city, you’ll enjoy traveling around it.
Good transport system with hundreds of bus routes makes it easy to get from one corner of the city to another.
Bike rent is also very popular among Xuzhou citizens.
So if you prefer an active lifestyle, you’ll definitely like the opportunity to ride a bike.
We have good news for those who enjoy walking, too.
The city center is relatively small and you can have a great time walking on foot.
And if you decide to see Chinese metropolis, two more best cities to teach English in China – Shanghai, and Beijing – are about 3 hours away by train.
Foshan
- Stands out for futuristic architecture
- Number of citizens: 8 million
- Language: Mandarin, Cantonese
- Monthly teacher’s income: within 9,000 – 21,000 RMB range
Once you have a look at the photos of Foshan, especially from the height, especially the ones made at night, you’ll fall in love with this city.
Modern buildings of different shapes – round, square, and even polygonal – are simply charming.
In addition to living in a modern city, you’ll enjoy the weather.
If you aren’t fond of winter, of course. The thing is that the weather is warm (and in some months even hot) the whole year.
Although Foshan is developing very fast and is one of the most popular cities in China to work and live, it isn’t large.
With a population of only 8 million people, it is quite spacious as for Chinese city. And there are always interesting job offers for ESL teachers.
So, if you prefer smaller towns to metropolises, Foshan welcomes you.
Which City is Right for You?
It’s easy to get lost in the best cities to teach English in China.
All of them have their advantages and something special in every city makes you want to visit it.
Before you make up your mind, consider the following things.
- Do you prefer large or small cities? If you like the former ones, Chinese metropolises, e.g. Shanghai, might be your best choice. Those enjoying a quiet life will tend to choose Foshan, Xuzhou, or Wuxi.
- What is closer to you – the international spirit or Chinese culture? As a rule, tier 1 cities have a great number of expats, so they are the best ones to gain multicultural experience. In case you want to dive into Chinese culture, you might like Zhengzhou, Nanjing, or Hangzhou.
- Do you want to live in a concrete jungle or close to natural wonders? Again, the answer to the first question is large cities – Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. If you enjoy spending your time outdoors and watching beautiful landscapes, Dalian, Hangzhou, and Wuxi will come to your liking.
Haven’t you decided yet? We’re here to help you.
All you need to do is contact us. Just push the red “Apply now” button, and we’ll do the rest for you.
