A Brief Guide to ESL Schools in Mainland China

As the world opens up again, there are new opportunities for people who wish to live and work abroad. Teaching is always a popular way to do this, perhaps even more so now that English-as-a-second-language has shed some of its unprofessional "gap year" reputation.

I've been working in mainland China for a while now, and the markets here are positively starved for teachers. New opportunities will abound in the next few years, but it can be difficult to figure out what job is right for you. So here's my extremely abbreviated guide to some of the more common options (as well as one really rare one). If you're hurting for time, look for the takeaway at the bottom of each section.

International and Public Schools

Many high schools and elementary schools - particularly "experimental schools" which have a heavy focus on language training - make use of foreign staff to teach pronunciation and culture. Of particular note here are international schools, which are often top-tier schools in their cities.

Pros: First, the most obvious plus: International schools have very high pay rates, well above what you'll make at the institutions below. Similarly, teachers can enjoy other benefits - from free housing to travel allowances - that are comparable to or better than those offered by institutions. Classes size can vary from very small to large lecture units, but these days schools are moving away from the bigger classes that used to define Chinese schools. If you're lucky enough to get into an internationally-oriented school, you'll also find that the students are more attentive as they aren't just working toward a grade.

Cons: International schools are extremely competitive, with requirements higher than most other institutions - these aren't gap year schools, they're for people with credentials. The recruitment process is going to be more intense than what you see at other schools, potentially involving multiple rounds of interviews and demo classes, especially at the most prestigious schools. It doesn't end after you're hired, either - schools like this often have very strict rules regarding lesson plans and other paperwork. Even if they can get in, people without experience might not last very long.

Takeaway: A great opportunity for someone with experience, but have a backup plan ready.

Universities and Colleges

Like high schools, many Chinese colleges recruit foreign personnel to offer supplemental language classes.

Pros: Surprisingly, university positions can be very relaxed. University jobs have the lightest schedules of any institution - under 20 hours per week, often with no mandatory office hours - which can enable teachers to pursue their own interests or seek part-time employment elsewhere. University positions can also be a useful gateway to other jobs, as many recruiters seek out people who have college teaching experience.

Cons: With very few exceptions, universities offer the lowest pay rates of any institution. This can be dealt with, as teachers can work elsewhere during free hours to make up the difference (though see Freelancing below). Classroom management is also a serious issue - expect to see more of those large lecture classes, often full of students who don't particularly care that you're there. The stereotype of the top-tier Chinese students tends to end with high school - these kids just want to get a grade and get out.

Takeaway: An overall low-pressure gig, but you won't get rich.

Private Learning Centers

China is full of private English learning centers, ranging from big international companies to smaller regional organizations all the way down to tiny mom-and-pop operations.

Pros: Learning centers are a common entry point into ESL as the hiring process is very easy. Unlike other schools, learning centers hire year round and the requirements can be far less stringent than at formal schools. Pay can vary depending on the company, but China's tightening visa requirements have made salary very competitive, and well-qualified teachers can earn sums that are well above-average. Classes are very small, down to one-on-one in some centers, so you don't have to worry about managing a big class.

Cons: Learning centers feature the heaviest schedules - more classes per week than other jobs, mandatory office hours, plus you may be expected to participate in promotional events or extra classes. You likely won't have a standard week, either, as most classes are on the weekends. Then there are the students. While many learning centers offer classes for students at a wide range of ages and skill levels, the market has shifted strongly in favor of children and pre-teens, with adult classes dwindling rapidly. For some people, this might not seem like a downside, but working with a room full of four year-olds isn't as easy as the pictures on Facebook make it look.

Takeaway: An easy entry point for an inexperienced ESL teacher, but do your research first.

Corporate Training

Though seldom spoken of when discussing ESL, there are some companies that hire in-house trainers to work with their sales or engineering personnel.

Pros: As you might imagine, corporate gigs have the potential to pay very well. Perhaps the greatest benefit, though, is the potential to make new business contacts - worth more than gold to someone looking to pursue long-term commercial interests in China.

Cons: If the above paragraph seemed a bit light, there's a reason: Corporate training jobs are extremely rare, and the companies that offer then seldom advertise for them. If you wind up with a training job, odds are you were either recruited out of another school or heard about the job through a pre-existing business contact. You can't really plan to get this kind of work - you just need to figure it out if it's offered to you.

Takeaway: Don't hold your breath waiting to find one of these unicorns.

Freelancing

Freelance work is abundantly available in most cities. While visa requirements are such that full-time freelance work isn't really viable any more (save for short periods of time, such as between regular jobs), it is still available for anyone with an open schedule.

Pros: The most common freelance job is fill-in work at a learning center. Pay for this work is good enough that (hypothetically, at least) one could make as much as a university or even low-tier center teacher if they could find enough work. Other freelance jobs vary, usually paying less but also entailing less time and effort. In any case, freelance jobs are rarely difficult, are commonly available and can be an easy way to generate a little extra money.

Cons: Freelance jobs can also be a little shady. While the outright grift of earlier days is gone, many companies offering freelance work may not be terribly well organized or stable. You may get paid late; you may find that the job doesn't match your expectations. Additionally, some freelance jobs are outright weird, even uncomfortably so. As a rule, try to work only with people and companies you know and trust.

Takeaway: A hustler can always make good money freelancing, but be careful who you trust.