Teaching schedule in China: All You Need to Know in 2020

Once you decide to start your teaching career in China, you want to learn about the details of your work, and the teaching schedule is one of them.

Why is it so important to discuss your teaching English schedule in advance?

Well, we’re sure working isn’t your only aim when you come to China.

You’ll probably be interested in exploring the country as well as have a good rest after a long working day.

To be able to mix business with pleasure, choosing the most suitable teaching schedule for you is a must.

In our article, we’ll help you understand what schedule is better for you.

Take a notebook and a pen, and get ready for planning your teaching English schedule in China.

Making your schedule work for you while living in China

We have already mentioned that you need to know your working schedule to plan your activities beyond the working hours.

If you’re the kind of person who is used to the Monday-Friday working schedule, you’ll feel comfortable in state institutions like kindergartens, schools, and universities.

If you don’t mind days off in the middle of the week, you want to consider private schools and language centers.

It’s also important to pay attention to the time of the day you want to dedicate to working.

Those who can get up early in the morning and prefer to have free evenings would definitely like teaching schedules offered by kindergartens and schools.

In case you’re an owl person, private institutions are a better option for you.

Once you’re ready with your preferences for business hours, it’s time to think about things you can do in your spare time.

Schedule in Chinese kindergartens and schools makes it possible for you to have free evenings and nights.

You usually finish your work early in the evening and you have 5 or 6 hours to do leisure activities.

The evening is a great time for shopping, visiting restaurants and bars, going to observation decks, etc.

In short, working in the mornings and afternoons gives you a chance to explore Chinese nightlife to the full.

Those who enjoy morning jogging, excursions, or simply prefer to sleep longer should consider options that private centers offer.

There, you’ll start working at about 1 p.m. and your working day will last till 7 or 8 p.m.

Thus, you’ll have plenty of time to do different things in the morning.

However, keep in mind that private institutions usually work on Saturdays and Sundays, so you won’t have a chance to hang out during these days.

Don’t forget about the national holidays, too.

You’ll have approximately 7-day holidays twice a year, so it’s a great opportunity to explore more of Chinese culture, traditions, history, and places.

The teaching English schedule may vary depending on the type of school

Have a look at the main types of educational institutions in China to understand which of them offer a more suitable schedule for you.

Kindergartens

As a rule, these institutions work in the morning and afternoon.  Working in China as an English teacher for young learners, you’ll start your working day at 8 a.m. and finish it at 5 p.m.

A great benefit of the kindergarten teaching schedule is that you have a 2-hour break every day.

There’s no need to mention that working days are from Monday to Friday, while Saturday and Sunday are days off.

Training centers

If you decide to teach English in one of the training centers, be ready for a different schedule.

A working week here starts on Wednesday and finishes on Sunday. Consequently, you have days off on Monday and Tuesday.

As these centers serve the interests of adults who study English after work, opening hours are usually from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Speaking about the teaching schedule at the weekend, it is usually from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Private and public schools

Schools have a similar schedule to that one of kindergartens’. No matter private or public, they mainly work in the morning.

These institutions are open Monday to Friday, and offer teaching schedule from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During this time, you’ll have to plan and conduct lessons for students. There will also be some paperwork like reports or something. Certainly, you also have a right for a break every day.  

Universities and colleges

Being quite formal educational institutions, universities and colleges offer schedule you probably expect it to offer.

No matter public or private, they usually open their doors at 8 a.m. and close approximately at 5 p.m.

However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the same schedule.

If you teach at a university, your lesson can start early in the morning or later in the afternoon – it also depends on the students’ schedule.

But in general, working at a higher educational institution in China, you’ll have free time in the evening.

Now, when you know what schedule for teachers in China can be offered by different institutions, it’s time to decide which one you prefer.

Make sure you don’t sacrifice your desires when applying for a job to this or that school.

Plan everything so you have satisfying life-work balance and enjoy your teaching schedule in China.