Different Types of Teaching Jobs in China
Education Centre
Education centres come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some specialize in teaching English while others include other subjects. Some are dedicated to preschool children while others target working adults. Education centres are everywhere in China, and it is relatively easy to find a teaching post.
A general rule of thumb is that the younger the students are, the less experience a teacher requires. As the teacher's experience grows, they qualify to teach more specialized classes and the salary increases.
Education centres are a very popular choice for potential English teachers, especially among new teachers. This is because education centres are easier to get in and pay well.
Kindergarten
Chinese kids start their educational life very early, often from 2 to 3 years old. Little kids have loads of energy and require plenty of attention. Some may even get attached to you and see you as a parent.
The fundamental purpose of the early-stage English classes is to expose these children to an English environment and build foundations for future English learning.
A key point to these classes is to have fun with English. You will need to come up with creative games to play during the classes. You may have an English speaking assistance teacher to help you during the classes, but this is not always the case.
The advantage of teaching in kindergarten is you don't need an intense lesson plan, low work pressure and a fixed schedule.
Kindergarten is also a very good choice for first-time teachers.
Primary School
The class size of Chinese primary schools is quite large often between 50 to 60 children per class, which can be a bit intimidating for new teachers.
The Chinese primary school students are better behaved than western counterparts, but they still require a lot of efforts to maintain classroom discipline.
The primary school in China already have intense schedules and strict curriculum, the teachers will have to plan out their teaching carefully. The teachers will have to get creative when it comes to lesson planning. You may need to conduct 'mini activities' in little spurts.
Middle School and High School
The number one priority of the students in middle school and high school is to prepare for their final graduation exams. The job of the teachers is to help the students to do well. There is a lot of pressure on both the teachers and the students, especially so in high schools.
The teachers have to be very familiar with the content of the graduation exams and prepare accordingly.
Middle school and high school are better suited for teachers with more experience teaching in China.
Universities
Compared to other schools, universities have a much lighter workload and fewer teaching hours, a maximum of 20 to 25 hours per week with a few hours of prep time. Teachers at universities enjoy more free time, paid airfare, accommodation, as well as paid vacation time. However, all these are results in a much lower salary.
Private Tutoring
Many ESL teachers work as private tutors to supplement their salaries. With an average rate of R250 per hour, it is an easy way to increase your income while teaching in China. There are high demand for one-on-one tutoring for business people, adults, and high school students as well. However, you will need to build up your teaching experiences and network of connections before you can capitalize on private tutoring.