The 8 Best Cities to Teach English in China

Teaching English in China is one of the fastest-growing markets for ESL/TEFL/TESOL teachers. And that’s is with the ESL industry is growing intensively. China is one of the most famous countries in terms of ESL teachers and opportunities. As a large number of vacancies and positions attract teachers to Chinese cities.

There are eight cities that should be considered as the best cities to teach English in China:

1. Beijing

Who will love it: Big city lovers, history nerds, foodies, culture cravers, and arty folk

Population: 21.7 million  (basically 2.5 times bigger than NYC)

Language: Mandarin

Average Salary: 8,400-32,700 RMB/month ($1,200 - $4,700 USD per month)

Types of ESL jobs: Business English, private academies and public schools

 As one of the most populous cities in China, Beijing, a historic city known as the cultural center of this ancient country, has attracted a large number of ESL teachers and tourists every year. And it is completely different from Shanghai. Among the many attractions such as the Great Wall, the magnificent Summer Palace, and the Forbidden City, Beijing is a place that no tourists in China can miss and a more charming city where you can teach and live there.

Beijing, as one of the largest cities in China, has a great variety of teaching work here. Beijing offers for just everyone and their teaching preferences. From large public schools to smaller private colleges, or language schools that specialize in business English, you are sure to find a job that suits you and your qualifications.

 Check teaching position opening here in Beijing

 2. Shanghai

Who will love it: Big city lovers

Population: 24 million (basically three New York cities)

Language: Mandarin Chinese, Shanghainese

Average Salary: 8,400-32,700 RMB/month ($1,200 - $4,700 USD per month)

Types of ESL jobs: Everything, but especially teaching English to adults and Business English

Shanghai is China's business and financial center. It is highly developed and full of a variety of job offerings. If this is your first time teach English abroad in China and you are worried about it, Shanghai will be your best choice since you will be in a city full of foreign friends and there are many huge English communities that won’t make you feel being alone abroad.

Shanghai provides a more dynamic way of life and experience, which is more appreciated by young ESL teachers. As far as nightlife is concerned, it is one of the best cities in China, and many high-end bars, clubs and restaurants can be found in this bustling metropolis. This city is also one of China's most popular tourist destinations and home to some of Shanghai's most prestigious buildings.

Check teaching position opening here in Shanghai

 3. Guangzhou

Who will love it: Culture junkies who want to live somewhere a little less typical!

Population: 14.4 million

Language: Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese

Average Salary: 8,000-23,000 RBM/month ($1,200 - $3,300 USD per month)

Types of ESL jobs: business English, private academies, and public schools

Guangzhou, the third-largest city in China, may not attract wide attention from the international community, but its historical position on the Pearl River has made it an important city along the Silk Road. Today, Guangzhou has become home to many factories in China. It is Hong Kong’s neighbor and proud of its international airport which makes travel quite easy.

The mountainous environment separated Guangzhou from other parts of China. With its’ unique culture, Guangzhou becomes an interesting destination for people who have already experienced other parts of China. One of the major benefits of living and teaching English in this city is that the cost of living is comparably lower than other first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai, while still having all the benefits of a bigger-scale city.

Apart from Shanghai and Beijing, native English-speaking teaching opportunities are most concentrated in Guangzhou, so there are a variety of English teaching positions for people with different teaching experience.

 Check teaching position opening here in Guangzhou

 4. Shenzhen

Who will love it: Warm-weather-loving junkies

Population: 12.5 million (bigger than the entire country of Belgium)

Language: Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese

Average Salary: 8,000-23,000 RBM/month ($1,200 - $3,300 USD per month)

Types of ESL jobs: Business English, private academies, kindergartens, and public schools

Shenzhen is located between Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and it is less than 30 mins of driving from the south part of Shenzhen to Hong Kong. One of the greatest things about Shenzhen is its climate: warm in winter and hot is summer-like elsewhere in China. Shenzhen, a new city in China that has developed into the first-tier cities during the past 40 years, is a major economic center where the headquarters of many famous international companies like Tencent are located.

Shenzhen is home to numerous international schools, ESL academies, and kindergartens, so you'll have a great variety of options when you start your job hunt here. You'll also have no problem meeting other like-minded expats.

 Check teaching position opening here in Shenzhen

5. Nanjing

Who will love it: Culture vultures, foodies

Population: 8.3 million

Language: Mandarin Chinese, Nanjing dialect

Average Salary: 8,000-16,000 RMB/month ($1,200 - $2,300 USD per month)

Types of ESL jobs: Private and public, as well as business English

Nanjing, known as China’s “Southern Capital,” is a city of culture and packed with Chinese history. Nanjing is a beautiful, pleasant, and relatively small city located just north of Shanghai.

Whether you plan to explore palaces and temples or wander around shops, bars and restaurants. There’s an eclectic mix, with plenty of western brands to keep you company.

For those who want to teach in a city, but without the bustle and crowds of Beijing and Shanghai, the old southern capital Nanjing may be the perfect place for you. When not teaching, spend your afternoons studying Chinese or learning to play mahjong with the retired locals in one of Nanjing’s many parks.

This city is definitely a good place to teach English, there is a friendly expatriate community, you will be welcomed immediately. Jobs are available from public schools to private schools-so you should be able to find a job that offers a high salary in a city with a lower cost of living.

 Check teaching position opening here in Nanjing

 6. Hangzhou

Who will love it: Tea addicts, nature lovers and people looking for quiet city life

Population: 9.4 million

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Average Salary: 8,000-14,000 RMB/month ($1,200 - $2,000 USD per month)

Types of ESL jobs: All sorts - adults, children, public or private.

Hangzhou is a place for you to live and work in a beautiful city full of culture and history with natural scenery and culture. This peaceful city is the perfect spot for quieter types. The city is famous for locals and visitors alike thanks to Hangzhou Lake, a peaceful natural setting home to traditional teahouses and lakeside activities.

With a population of nearly 10 million, by most of the world’s standards, Hangzhou is by no means small. But Hangzhou is full of local schools, universities, and ESL academics, you’ll have no problem finding a job in this city either.

 Check to teach position opening here in Hangzhou

7. Xi’an

Who will love it: History lovers unite!

Population: 8.4 million

Language: Mandarin Chinese

Average Salary: 8,000-12,000 RMB/month ($1,200 - $1,700 USD per month)

Types of ESL jobs: Private and public, as well as business English

Xi’an, located in northwestern China, is one of the oldest cities in China and is one of the Four Ancient Capitals along with Beijing, Nanjing, and Luoyang. There is much archaeological stuff to see here like the Terracotta Warriors, which was dated back to the 3rd century BC!!!! And they still land here.

Xi'an is also home to China's space exploration facilities and is an unparalleled host city for those interested in science. Art and culture also have a living art center here. And there are also many opportunities to teach English here from kindergarten to private and public universities.

 For teaching positions opening in Xi'an, please contact skype: live:TeacherRecord

 8. Chengdu

Who will love it: Foodies and panda lovers

Population: 14.4 million

Language: Mandarin Chinese, Sichuan dialect

Average Salary: 8000 - 15000 RMB/month ($1,200 - $1,800 USD per month)

Chengdu is the city of Pandas, and there is a panda reserve here, the only place in the world known for successfully breeding pandas every year. Chengdu is the capital of China’s southwestern Sichuan province with a variety of beautiful natural scenery and delicious spicy food.  Chengdu has a vibrant expat community and an affordable quality of life. With a blend of natural and urban settings, many say this ancient capital city makes for the perfect introduction to the true China.

For those who want to run away from the bustling east coast metropolis cities and ant to live in and explore Chinese culture, Chengdu is your perfect choice to teach English. Indeed, the pace of life is much slower in this region of the country than elsewhere, but you'll still find a variety of teaching job opportunities

For teaching positions opening in Chengdu, please contact skype: live:TeacherRecord