Teach in China FAQ

Taking the next step to Teach in China requires some important questions to be answered so that you have a better understanding of what to expect.

1. What is the minimum age requirement to Teach in China?
2. What is the average pay per hour?
3. Do I have to be a native English speaker?
4. Do you have or can you acquire a passport in your native country?
5. What are the qualifications to Teach English in China?

1. What is the minimum age requirement to teach in China?Back to the Top

Most of the large schools here in China require you to be at least 25 given that is the legal age needed to legally sign contracts and receive a workers permit in China. Some schools may also have lower and upper age limits but there are plenty of middle aged teachers in China.

2. What is the average pay per hour?Back to the Top

The rate per hour depends on many factors. The range varies from 150 to 300 RMB an hour ($22USD to $45USD an hour). The factors determining the amount per hour depends on teaching experience, specialty (SAT vs. conversational), location and commute time, size of school etc.

3. Do I have to be a native English speaker?Back to the Top

Most schools in China prefer native English teachers from the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Great Britian. There are jobs available for non-native speakers but they are much harder to find.

4. Do you have or can you acquire a passport in your native country?Back to the Top

China requires that foreign teachers have a work visa in China. The company that hires you will assist you in acquiring this visa but you will need to have a passport. Unless there is a legal reason that you are not allowed to leave your country, you should be able to obtain a passport in your country without too much hassle.

5. What are the qualifications to Teach English in China?Back to the Top

In the past, many schools in China have NOT required any degree to teach English. This may be changing as the government tries to standardize the system. Nevertheless, any native speaker of English who is over 18 has an excellent chance of landing an English teaching job in China. However, if you want to have some negotiating power and more choice of where you go, it is recommended that you have at least an Associate’s Degree and/or a TESOL/TEFL certificate as well as some relevant experience back in your home country. The optimal qualifications for a teaching candidate is to have at least a 4 year Bachelor’s Degree, TESOL/TEFL certificate, and some teaching experience.