| Want to teach in China but don’t know if it’ll be worth it? This post will go over if teaching in China is worth it or not! |
Most of us grow up with a certain plan in mind. That plan is usually a “we’re going to live here, we’re going to get a particular degree, get a little house, and spend the rest of our lives, just hanging out.”
But what if that didn’t have to be the plan?
That’s exactly what the guest on this week’s podcast on the Are we home yet podcast , Keesha, thought!
Keesha was working as a teacher’s assistant in the UK. She loved working with kids, but it still wasn’t the most satisfying life. She wanted to be able to make the most out of her life and her career, so she started looking.
She wanted to figure out what she could do that would give her job satisfaction but also life satisfaction, and eventually landed on the conclusion that she could teach in China, and well; her findings were very interesting.
While you can hear all about Keesha’s experiences on this week’s podcast, the conversation with her gave me enough insight to add to my moving abroad guide!
Teaching in China vs Teaching in the UK – Which one is the better option?
Here are some of the things you should know about teaching in the UK and China; with the information, you’ll be able to figure out where you might thrive as a teacher, better!
Teaching in the UK
First up, we have the UK. The UK is one of the most sought-after places in the world, especially London. But what is it like when you’re living there as a teacher?
There’s no denying that England is home to some of the world’s best schools. So if your goal is to work at a really nice school that you’d love to have on your resume/CV. This is one of the best places to do it.
Schools in the UK are fairly strict with their curriculum. There are certain times of the year when the school is open, closed, and in exams. Everything has a set time, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll be doing a whole term or even a year in advance!
Teaching in China
Now that we’ve discussed some of the plus points of teaching in the UK, you might’ve noticed that while the benefits are great, they’re not exactly “satisfying.” That’s where China takes the cake. Here’s what it’s like to teach in China!
China has the largest population in the world. With 1.4 billion people, there are always millions of people that want to learn English, thus, plenty of teaching jobs in China for foreigners. That could either be babies, older children, teenagers, or even adults! Because of that, teachers are pretty much always high in demand.
There are a couple requirements to teach in China, like you need the TEFL certification , and if you have made it through all the other visa requirements, you’ll find it pretty easy to land a job! Keesha talked about how she thinks finding a job and keeping it has become even easier with the pandemic. This just means that if you’re right for the job and don’t give up right away, chances are you’ll be able to find a teaching job quite easily!
Does teaching in China pay well?
Teaching in China pays extremely well if you’re an expat. So now you’re asking, how much money do you make teaching English in China? What kind of quality of life will I have while living in China? Keesha touched on this as well. She said that she’s living in a great apartment and tends to have disposable income left at the end of the month. These were things she just couldn’t even think about in London.
Teaching in China salary
Not only is she making a lot more money in China, but since the cost of living is lower , she’s able to have a much higher standard of living while doing the job that she really loves! This makes all aspects of teaching worth it for her.
Workplaces in China work a lot differently than in the UK. While there’s still a set timeline, in a lot of places, you can customize your schedule in a way that would still allow you to have a life outside of work. The Chinese way of living is to work hard but also know how to find a balance. That’s the way they live their own lives, and their schools function the same way! That means that your life in China won’t just be about teaching, which is great when you want to explore the new country you’re in!
Unique experience
Teaching in China is a unique experience because its focus is totally different from the UK. In the UK, “quality education” is the goal, and students have to work very hard to get to that goal. They don’t really get a lot of say in how things work. In China, it’s the opposite. Keesha had a great way of explaining it. She called the students her “customers” and said that if the students didn’t like a teacher, they wouldn’t be able to hold the job for too long. Working with kids in China is just a totally different deal than teaching in the UK and for the better!
Pack your bags and get going!
Keesha has lived in two different cities in China, and different cities, in China, and cities in China, like cities in any other country can provide a different experience. Shanghai is a city that, in Keesha’s own words, “can’t compare to anywhere else”. There are lots of opportunities, especially if you’re good at something like teaching.
So if you’re still wondering , is it worth it to teach in China? The answer would be yes, because it gives you that edge that would make companies want you! Are you searching online , “teach in China 2022,” and would like to know if foreigners can still teach in China? Yes they can, the process requires more time, effort, and money in getting to China, but it is definitely possible. During the Shanghai lockdown because of a recent coronavirus cases, we’re still teaching, albeit we teach in China online, until the lockdown ends, but we’re still teaching, and the kids are still learning.
Keesha’s journey gives a lot of insight into what it’s really like to make the shift from teaching in the UK to teaching in China, and if you want to know more about it, tune in to episode 4 of the Are we home yet Podcast with Keesha!
Connect with Keesha via Instagram here.
If your next online search is going to be, “teach English in China program”, well check out the Are we home yet podcast website for resources on teaching in China and other places.
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