English Teaching Job Board

English Teaching Jobs in Thailand

– Teach English in Kanchanaburi (up to 50,000 THB)

– Teach English in Khon Kaen (up to 50,000 THB)

– Teach English in Nakhon Ratchasima (up to 50,000 THB)

– Teach English in Suphanburi (up to 50,000 THB)

– Teach English in Samut Sakhon (up to 50,000 THB)

 

Teach English in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with white beaches, world class food and drinks, and a cheap cost of living.

English Teaching Jobs in Japan

– Teach English in Tokyo (Full-Time)

 

Teach English in Japan

Japan is one of the most unique and varied places to teach English. There’s so much to experience that you will undoubtedly miss some unique features in your first few years in Japan.

English Teaching Jobs in Korea (₩2,200,000/month)

– Teach English in South Korea

 

Teach English in Korea

Korea has recently become more well-known because of K-pop groups such as Black Pink and BTS, as well as Netflix shows such as Squid Game. Discover what else Korea has to offer!

Teach English in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with white beaches, world class food and drinks, and a cheap cost of living.

Can I teach English in Thailand?

Native English speaker

You need to be a native English speaker.

Teaching Certificates

You need one of the following teaching certificates:

  • A 120-hour TEFL certificate
  • CELTA
  • DELTA
  • Trinity certTESOL

Currently, the Thai government does not require a TEFL or any teaching licence to legally teach in Thailand. However, to maintain the teaching standards of the English schools, it is a company-wide requirement for all teachers to have at least one of the above certificates.

If you don’t have a teaching certificate yet, check out our TEFL discount, provided by International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT).

Degree

You need at least a bachelor’s degree in any field.

Criminal Background Check

You need to provide a criminal background check, issued within the last 6 months. Check your country to see which one you need:

Australia (National Police Checks)

Canada (Certified Criminal Record Check):

Ireland (Police Certificates):

New Zealand (Criminal Record)

South Africa (Police Clearance Certificate)

United Kingdom (Police Certificate) ACRO or Basic Disclosure (for Scotland)

United States (Identity History Summary)

About Schools in Thailand

students fighting

Students practicing martial arts

With locations in some of the country’s most exciting cities, there are amazing opportunities for teaching all ages and language levels. Enjoy the electric atmosphere of Bangkok or the low-key beaches of Chonburi while you live in paradise.

Since starting in 2014, the team uses time-tested teaching materials and methods, while enjoying a competitive salary.

Teachers will get comprehensive training and full support from both local staff and the school’s international network of teachers, advisors, and administrative staff. And thanks to that same network, teachers have unparalleled opportunities to advance either in Thailand or at other locations abroad.

Thai people like to have fun!

Relaxing on the beach in Thailand

Relaxing on the beach in Thailand

Sanuk is their way of life. Sanuk basically means living in the moment and having fun throughout the whole day. Although often translated as “fun”, this word doesn’t fully cover the entire concept.

Thai people are generous and welcoming. They are always excited to greet foreigners in their country. Bangkok ranked 1st in Mastercard’s list of Global Destination Cities Index 2019. The city alone welcomes almost two million tourists each month.

In Thai culture, speaking the truth is important

Job Board - English Teaching Jobs in Asia 1

Thai people value speaking truthfully. That’s why you may occasionally hear pretty direct comments that we wouldn’t make in the west. Telling a lie, even a white lie, is also considered rude.

Two of the most important concepts in Thai culture are respect and self-control. That’s why they don’t show anger in public. Doing so will cause a loss of respect. Instead, people typically put up a smile when they are under great stress.

Thai people are respectful to other people’s beliefs. Buddhism is a very important part of most people’s lives, and you won’t find more temples anywhere else in the world!

English is not widely spoken

English is not widely spoken

English is not widely spoken in Thailand

Don’t expect a random person to be able to speak English, also not in Thailand’s biggest city, Bangkok. However, tourism is a big part of Thailand’s GDP, so finding a place with an English menu is absolutely no problem. People who frequently interact with tourists typically speak OK or good English – their livelihood depends on it. Other than that, it’s recommended you at least learn some basic sentences if you plan to live in Thailand.

Nature that’s great for sports and sightseeing alike

scenic-view-of-the-mountain-625

There are plenty of chances to see sights like this

Thailand has excellent nature, featuring the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world (older than the Amazon rainforest) in Khao Sok National Park. There’s a wide variety of activities available, and usually they are relatively cheap. Make sure to see:

Regions of Thailand

thailand map

Designed by Freepik

Northeast Thailand, or Isan, is a high plateau and the biggest region. There is a huge biodiversity and many endemic species.

Northern Thailand has the most jungle and plays an important place in Thai history. Hill tribes live here as well. Winters are a bit cooler.

Central Thailand is home to Bangkok, many rice fields and famous for floating river markets.

Southern Thailand is where you go when you want to relax on one of Thailand’s white beaches, including the popular island of Phuket.

Thailand’s roads are super busy

An average day in Thailand

An average day in Thailand

You can get around Bangkok with the BTS Skytrain and avoid other traffic. Bangkok uses the Rabbit Card for the BTS Skytrain and the MRT Plus Card for the MRT lines. They will possibly be replaced by the Mangmoon Card which will eventually support both BTS Skytrain and MRT lines, as well as the Airport Rail Link and buses.

Tuk-tuks are Thailand’s most iconic mode of transportation and relatively cheap, although you will always have to haggle over the price. A bit lesser known among foreigners, Songthaews are trucks with an open cabin added in the back, and you can sit on a bench inside. Taxis are affordable if you always insist on using the meter.

For longer distances, trains are often slower than buses. Trains are divided in three classes, with the third class giving a distinct feeling of traveling by classic train. Hawkers may roams the isles to sell all kinds of refreshments.

See detailed info on traveling in Thailand.

Amazing food that stays special every day

Thailand coconuts

A delicious treat

Seven Thai dishes appeared on a CNN list of “The World’s 50 Best Foods”, with more dishes than any other country. Thailand is also often voted as the best country for street food.

Thai food is usually aromatic with a spicy edge. Tom yam kung (spicy and sour shrimp soup), pad Thai (noodles, but perfect), papaya salad and massaman curry are just some of the excellent dishes you have to try at least twice in your life.

To many people Thai food can be too spicy, even if they are used to eating spicy food. Just say “mai pet” if you don’t want it to be spicy at all. Vegetarians may have difficulty finding a suitable dish as many dishes contain fish sauce or shrimp paste.

Enjoy a high standard of living

Job Board - English Teaching Jobs in Asia 2

The average salary in Bangkok is about $800 a month. As an English teacher you will earn about $1500-1650 a month. That leaves you with plenty of money to live the lifestyle you want to. How much money you end up spending heavily depends on your lifestyle and on how much you live like a local.

Although Thai food is cheap, Western food costs twice as much. The north of Thailand is cheaper, with Chiang Mai about 20% cheaper than Bangkok. The popular island Phuket is the most expensive area in the country and about 20% more expensive than Bangkok. Living in a rural area can be about 3 times cheaper than living in Bangkok.

Check out two good overviews of the cost of living in Thailand here and here.

Teach in Thailand and never leave

Job Board - English Teaching Jobs in Asia 3

One of the reasons people don’t want to leave Thailand

Many teachers who plan to teach in Thailand for one year end up staying for several years, and some even for decades. Not only is teaching English rewarding, but many teachers also grow as a person as they teach. Living in an exotic culture is an added bonus. For those who do manage to return home, the experience boosts their personal experience as well as their resume.

Thailand is a big country with an even bigger personality.

  • Enjoy the controlled chaos of Bangkok
  • Lounge or party in the seaside city of Pattaya
  • Explore the cool mountainous reaches of Chiang Mai
  • Delve into your spiritual side at holy Buddhist sites
  • Or partake in great food and great times ANYWHERE

As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and a low cost of living, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation every day. Between bustling cities, laid back beaches, and calming mountain retreats, you’ll find somewhere to call home in Thailand. Thailand is also close to other popular countries such as Vietnam and Singapore.

Jobs and life in Thailand

Teach English in Taiwan

Relatively undiscovered, Taiwan is beautiful, progressive, and very welcoming.

Can I teach English in Taiwan?

Native English speaker

You need to be a native English speaker.

Teaching Certificates

You need at least one of the following certificates:

  • A 120-hour TEFL certificate
  • CELTA
  • DELTA
  • Trinity certTESOL

Currently, the Taiwanese government does not require a TEFL or any teaching license to legally teach in Taiwan. However, to maintain the teaching standards of the schools, it is a company-wide requirement for all teachers to have at least one of the above certificates.

If you don’t have a teaching certificate yet, check out our TEFL discount, provided by International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT).

Degree

You need an associate or bachelor degree in any field.

Criminal Background Check

You need to provide a criminal background check, issued within the last 6 months. Check your country to see which one you need:

Australia (National Police Checks)

Canada (Certified Criminal Record Check):

Ireland (Police Certificates):

New Zealand (Criminal Record)

South Africa (Police Clearance Certificate)

United Kingdom (Police Certificate) ACRO or Basic Disclosure (for Scotland)

United States (Identity History Summary)

About Schools in Taiwan

Taiwanese students

Taiwanese students

All schools we place you in are well-equipped with all the teaching materials and resources necessary to deliver the curriculum. You can add your own materials and teaching methods to suit your style.

While schools can have up to 300 students, each class will have 8-16 students. Teachers are assigned a district and will teach at a few different locations within that district. Travel is compensated and teachers will have the support of the Director of Studies for academic and welfare related matters.

“Taiwanese people are the most beautiful thing in Taiwan”

Taiwanese woman playing with a sheep

… Taiwanese people will tell you. Not a day will go by without someone smiling at you, and it’s not strange for a local to randomly ask you where you are from. Taiwanese people are curious and welcoming to visitors. Generally speaking, Taiwanese people are interested in learning about other cultures and traveling outside of Taiwan. Since the locals are very adaptive to foreign culture, there are actually no specific cultural customs foreigners should be aware of (other than using common sense).

A rich culture with many festivals

CKS memorial in Taipei

CKS memorial in Taipei

Taiwanese celebrate many festivals. One the most interesting ones is Ghost Month in August. During this month, expect to be chased by ghosts! During this month it’s not advised to travel, buy something expensive, get married or stand near water (or a ghost may catch you).

Dragon Boat Festival, Moon Festival, Chinese New Year, and Lantern Festival are some other top festivals in Taiwan. Don’t miss them! And you can expect one of the world’s most exciting fireworks shows every year at New Year’s Day.

Do you have to speak Chinese?

Taiwanese student

Taiwanese student

Chinese is a super interesting language to learn. The grammar is quite similar but more simple than English (subject, verb, object). Reading is a completely different story…

If you don’t speak Chinese in Taipei, it’s usually not going to give you much trouble. Outside of Taipei, it will be useful to know some basic sentences, and occasionally you may need some help from a friend.

It is quite easy to survive even if you can’t speak, listen, read or write Chinese. Simple activities like buying fruit, getting a haircut or taking a taxi don’t require much if any Chinese.

Besides Chinese, many people also speak Taiwanese, especially those in the South and older people. There are also several other languages spoken by the many indigenous people of Taiwan.

Taiwan has many different kinds of natural sights

Taiwan is famous for butterflies 625

Taiwan is famous for butterflies

Taiwan used to be called the Kingdom of the Butterfly. It is home to the second largest butterfly migration in the world. Outside the city there is no escaping them!

Taiwan is also home to the Taiwanese bear (a black bear with a white v-neck), various turtles, and deers.

Besides animals, Taiwan’s nature is spectacular. Over half of the country is mountain. With an abundance of valleys, lakes, rivers, gorges and canyons, you will surely be able to take some unique pictures. Make sure to check out:

Because of its splendid nature, many Taiwanese enjoy hiking. There are several hiking groups that take weekly trips in nature, with varying degrees of difficulty. One of the most challenge things you can do is riding your bike one lap around the island.

If you are not that adventurous, you can relax in one of the many hot springs, beaches or walk around a national park every weekend.

Traveling around Taiwan is easy

Traffic in Taiwan

Traffic in Taiwan

Public transport in Taiwan is affordable. You can use EasyCard to take the subway, bus and YouBike (a public bike sharing system). You can also pay at convenience stores and sometimes in other stores with this card. During rush hour, a subway will arrive every 2-5 minutes. In the evening the subway will come less frequently, with waiting times up to 15 minutes. Taiwan has a high speed rail, which can bring you from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south in about 2 hours.

Taxis are very affordable, costing about $5 for a 12-minute ride.

In Taipei the subway and bus are convenient alternatives to cars. Another good alternative are scooters, with WeMo (a public electric scooter sharing system) making them now even more accessible.

Irresistable foods will make you gain weight

Foods in Taiwan

Most people coming to Taiwan gain weight in their first months. There are simply too many delicious and new foods to choose from! Make sure to try:

  • bubble tea
  • beef noodle soup
  • stinky tofu
  • dumplings
  • a variety of night markets

Taiwanese food includes both healthy and unhealthy dishes, so it’s up to you how healthy your diet will be. Most meals will include rice, so if you don’t watch your choice of meals you may easily end up eating rice three times a day.

Many Taiwanese don’t cook at home. Instead they eat at one of the affordable restaurants every day. There usually are vegetarian restaurants available if you look for them since many Taiwanese are vegetarian.

Taiwan also has its own alcoholic drinks, Gaoliang, and Taiwan beer. It’s not hard to find someone who doesn’t drink at all.

Expect to spend between $250-500 a month on food, depending on how much you can control yourself.

Taiwan is pretty cheap, right?

Earning money in Japan

Taiwan can be surprisingly expensive!

It’s pretty normal to spend a large amount of your budget on food each month. Spending only $6.50 (200 NTD) per day on food is possible, but only if you really have to. $250-500 per month is more realistic, and expect that amount to frequently be in the $400’s.

Luckily rent is low enough to make up for the difference, with shared apartments available from about $130 a month, and cheap individual apartments from about $350.

It is highly recommended to buy western electronics outside of Taiwan. For example, a popular toothbrush (the device) will cost $115, while the same device is only $75 in Europe. Occasionally, high-end electronics will be about 30-80% more expensive in Taiwan, including Japanese goods. Furthermore, importing goods into Taiwan is not always possible with some stores, and import and transportation fees can be too expensive for certain items.

All considered, living in Taiwan is over 15% cheaper than in the United States. And with a “foreigners’ salary”, you can even save about half your income each month.

Take 15 seconds and check how much money you need in Taiwan to maintain your personal standard of living with Numbeo’s cost of living calculator. >> If the second amount you get is lower than the first, that means the second city is relatively cheaper <<

Job Board - English Teaching Jobs in Asia 4

Current English teaching jobs in Japan

 

Teach English in Japan

Japan has so much to experience that it’s impossible to do it all in one year!

Can I teach English in Japan?

Native English speaker

You need to be a native English speaker.

Teaching Certificates

You need at least one of the following teaching certificates:

  • A 120-hour TEFL with 6 hours practicum (TEFL certificates below 120 hours require 3 months experience)
  • CELTA
  • DELTA
  • Trinity certTESOL

If you don’t have a teaching certificate yet, check out our TEFL discount, provided by International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT).

Degree

You need at least a bachelor’s degree in any field.

Criminal Background Check

You need to provide a criminal background check, issued within the last 6 months. Check your country to see which one you need:

Australia (National Police Checks)

Canada (Certified Criminal Record Check):

Ireland (Police Certificates):

New Zealand (Criminal Record)

South Africa (Police Clearance Certificate)

United Kingdom (Police Certificate) ACRO or Basic Disclosure (for Scotland)

United States (Identity History Summary)

About Schools in Japan

Japan temple

A temple in Japan

Schools we place you in are based primarily in and around Tokyo, including the prime locations of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu, and Ginza.

The schools are well-equipped with all the teaching materials and resources necessary to deliver the curriculum. While some schools have in excess of 300 students, there are also smaller schools with fewer than 100 students. Teachers are assigned a district and will teach at a few different locations within that district. Travel is compensated and teachers will have the support of the Director of Studies for academic and welfare related matters.

Classes and Students

Japanese school girls

Japanese school girls

Around half the students are children and half are adults, although this can vary considerably from school to school and from day to day. The maximum class size for both children and adults is 6 students per class. A large part of your teaching schedule will be 1-on-1 private classes. A standard group class is 50 minutes long, while private 1-on-1 classes are 40 minutes.

Holidays

Traveling in a van through Japan

Schools provide around 6 weeks of annual leave to full-time teachers, including national holidays. This will normally include non-working periods of at least 6 days in spring, 8 days in summer and 10 days during Christmas and New Year.

Japanese culture combines the old with the new

Japanese culture: pikachu

Japanese culture is everywhere

Japan has made an enormous impact on cultures worldwide with cultural icons such as Pikachu, Power Rangers and Super Mario. Who doesn’t know Sony and Nintendo? Japan also stands at the forefront of animation, with famous anime movies dating back 50 years. Besides its famous entertainment industry, Japan has produced some of the world’s most iconic cars.

When you live in Japan you can enjoy all of these and many other cultural activities like cosplay, sumo wrestling and izakayas (Japanese style bars). And did we mention hot springs?

Do many Japanese people speak English?

japanese-people

Japanese women wearing traditional clothing

English is not widely spoken in Japan. If it’s your first time in Asia, it may seem daunting to live in a country where you can’t communicate with everyone you see, and maybe you’re not sure if and when you should bow. Although a bit shy at first, Japan’s 126 million people are always helpful to lost foreigners and there is a thriving expat community. Still, it is advisable to learn some basic sentences if you plan to live in Japan.

Besides the language, there are some unique customs you should familiarize yourself with. For example, it’s disrespectful to not take off your shoes when you enter a home. Also, Japanese people don’t say No, instead they will say something like Maybe next time.

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. For example, in a restaurant you can leave your wallet on the table and expect it to still be there when you return.

Japan’s nature will surprise you

Japan spring sakura

Spring in Japan means sakura!

Japan is host to many natural wonders. Two of the most famous are sakura trees (cherry blossom) and Mount Fuji.

Make sure to also see these:

Regions of Japan

Japan is a large country consisting out of 6,852 islands. 70% of its terrain is covered by mountains. The country is divided in nine regions on four main islands:

  • The northern island Hokkaido has snowy winters and wide open spaces.
  • Honshu is the biggest island of Japan, featuring most major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama.
  • Shikoku is the smallest island region and a destination for Buddhist pilgrims.
  • Kyushu is the most southern island region and the birthplace of Japanese civilization. Part of Kyushu is Okinawa, an island chain reaching out toward Taiwan with different customs, food and architecture from the rest of Japan.
Japan cartoon map

Poster vector created by macrovector – www.freepik.com

 

Spring is the best time to be in Japan. Weather is comfortable and you can see sakura (cherry blossom) in March-April. Travel as much as you can in this time!

Summer is hot and humid, especially further South. There is a rain season around June.

Autumn sees the tree leafs color orange and brown while weather is just as good as in spring. Expect some typhoons to approach Japan around this time.

Winter sees heavy snow in the North. Winters are milder on the East coast. Most houses don’t have central heating.

Traveling around Japan

Japan cityscape

Japan cityscape

Tokyo’s public transportation uses PASMO and SUICA cards. Traveling by subway can be confusing, even for Japanese people. There are many different subway lines, run by different companies, and a single journey may require you to use several companies. However, with the help of the internet you can easily find how to get to your destination.

Fun fact: the world’s biggest subway station is Shinjuku station in Tokyo.

You can sometimes see children about 8 years old individually taking the subway(s) to school! There are special cars available for women during rush hour. You will pay 170 yen for traveling 1-6 km, and up to 310 yen for 28-40 km. Travel will be a bit cheaper when you buy coupon tickets. For more info check out Tokyo Metro.

Taxis are too expensive to take on a daily basis, charging about $30 for a 20 minute ride.

Traffic safety is close to the best in the world, comparable to traffic safety in The Netherlands and the UK. Traffic is safer than in the US and France.

For traveling to other cities, you may take the Shinkansen high speed train, which travels up to 224 mph (360 kmh).

When you master traveling around Japan, you will be able to enjoy all the beautiful sights of Japan in no time!

Japanese food hygiene standards are the highest in the world

Japanese food is more than just sushi!

Japanese food is more than just sushi!

Although it is their most iconic food, most Japanese people hardly ever eat sushi. Living in Japan you’ll have the chance to eat all of Japan’s famous and usually healthy dishes. Tempura, ramen, natto and okonomiyaki are just a few of the fantastic foods you have to discover for yourself.

The traditional Japanese diet is a whole-foods-based diet rich in plant-based foods without a lot of animal protein, sugars or fat. Apparently vegan-looking dishes may contain traces of fish, shrimp or other animals, so make sure a dish fits within your diet when you order. As an added bonus, Japanese food hygiene standards are the highest in the world.

Japan is surprisingly affordable

Earning money in Japan

Japan is surprisingly affordable, with a “cost of living + rent” index similar to Toronto, Denver, Portland, Vancouver, Sydney and Philadelphia. This is about 64% of the cost in New York.

Of course the cost of living depends on your lifestyle. Take 15 seconds and check how much money you need in Japan to maintain your own standard of living with Numbeo’s cost of living calculator. >> If the second amount you get is lower than the first, that means the second city is relatively cheaper <<

Teaching English in Japan is rewarding

Japan city colorful buildings

When you teach English in Japan, you might be having one of the greatest experiences of your life! You may just…

  • Fall in love with a new country
  • Indulge in some of the best shopping in the world
  • Travel around and become aware of a different way of living
  • Discover something unexpected daily, like in the supermarket
  • All while enjoying a quality of life similar to Amsterdam, Berlin, Cologne and Stockholm

You’ll experience Japan and get paid to do it!

Jobs and life in Japan

Teach English in China

“It’s better to walk thousands of miles than to read thousands of books” – Chinese proverb

Can I teach English in China?

Native English speaker

You need to be a native English speaker.

Teaching Certificates

You need one of the following teaching certificates:

  • A 120-hour TEFL certificate
  • CELTA
  • DELTA
  • Trinity certTESOL

If you don’t have a teaching certificate yet, check out our TEFL discount, provided by International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT).

Degree

You need at least a bachelor’s degree in any field.

Criminal Background Check

You need to provide a criminal background check, issued within the last 6 months. Check your country to see which one you need:

Australia (National Police Checks)

Canada (Certified Criminal Record Check):

Ireland (Police Certificates):

New Zealand (Criminal Record)

South Africa (Police Clearance Certificate)

United Kingdom (Police Certificate) ACRO or Basic Disclosure (for Scotland)

United States (Identity History Summary)

About the schools in China

Chinese students playing outside

Saxoncourt has partnered with several schools to provide teachers with a wide variety of teaching jobs in several exciting cities across China.

All schools are well-equipped with all the teaching materials and resources necessary to deliver the tailored curriculum. You can add your own materials and teaching methods to suit your style.

Each schools has 8-16 students per class. Teachers are assigned a district and will teach at a few different locations within that district. Travel is compensated and teachers will have the support of the Director of Studies for academic and welfare related matters.

Chinese people are loud and friendly

Chinese Girl

Although Chinese people may seem loud at first, they are also fun and friendly to hang out with. Many Chinese live in small houses and therefore they like to enjoy the space in public areas such as parks. They expect these spaces to be crowded and therefore they are less protective of their privacy and personal space. For example, it’s normal to hear someone make important phone calls in public, or see someone exercise in public, etc.

Chinese city people wear pretty much the same clothing as western people. Wealth is important to them, and that’s why European fashion holds very high status. Louis Vuitton bags are extremely popular among Chinese.

The culture (fashion and behavior) as it once existed in the past of China can still be seen in Japan and South Korea. Here people still occasionally wear originally Chinese ancient clothes, or a modified version thereof. Also, for example in South Korea people will give items using both hands, which is not often done in today’s China.

What is important in Chinese culture?

Shanghai, China

Shanghai, China

Most western people have already come into contact with Chinese culture, especially through food. There are also many ethnically Chinese in pretty much every country in the world.

The most important concept in Chinese culture is perhaps harmony. This means avoiding conflict, having a mutually beneficial relationship with others and having balance with others (for example, don’t give someone a gift that’s difficult for the recipient to match in value when they give you a gift in return).

Chinese culture is radically different from western culture, where for example it’s normal to directly show disagreement, it’s not impolite to argue with elders and it’s not as necessary to prevent others from losing face. Learning about the many cultural differences is an important step if you plan to live in China. Still, even though the culture is very different, Chinese will often (but not always) understand that you as a foreigner aren’t necessarily familiar with their customs.

It takes some courage, but China is worth exploring at least once in your life!

See some of the 7 wonders of the world

China Waterfall

You will surely discover something unique in the fourth largest country in the world! You can visit deserts, forests, rivers, lakes, caves and other natural phenomena.

Mount Everest is one of the 7 Wonders of the natural world. Climb this mountain and stand on top of the world! It’s a difficult feat however. If you really want to climb to the top you will have to physically prepare for months. A tour will cost you at least $35,000 (but $70,000+ is more realistic) and the mountain range can only be accessed a few months a year.

A less challenging walk is the Great wall of China, one and a half hour from Beijing. Be sure to also see:

Regions of China

China has great physical diversity. The east and southern coast consist out of plains and foothills, and most people live here. South of the Yangtze river are hills and mountains. The west and north of the country have plenty of basins (like the Gobi desert), plateaus, and massifs. This area has much lower agricultural potential and population.

source: geography of China

Map of China

Map of China

In the north-east, summers are hot and rainy, winters are freezing cold.

The north and center has generous rain, summers are long and warm while winters are cold.

In the southeast rain is frequent, with semi-tropical summers and cool winters. The south has long, tropical summers and mild winters. The southwest has cold summers.

Weather is best in spring and early autumn.

How to: Transportation

China traffic

The best way to travel long distances is by plane or high speed train. Domestic flight tickets are cheap and you can occasionally get discount.

The best way to get around in big cities is by subway. Virtually all signage is also in English, and staff can speak English as well. Traveling by bus or car is dangerous as there are plenty of traffic accidents. Many drivers wouldn’t pass a driver’s exam in the west. That’s why it’s highly disrecommended to ride a motorbike.

Don’t expect taxi drivers to understand English. Have your destination written in Chinese. A unique mode of transportation is the pedicab (a three-wheeled “bike”), suitable for short distances.

Four main styles of Chinese food

Chinese noodles

Chinese noodles

Chinese food varies by region. Four styles are considered the most influential:

  • Sichuan food is spicy, using strong spices and Sichuan pepper.
  • Zhejiang food is fresh, salty, with a lot of fish, and is a bit like Japanese food.
  • Cantonese food is the style of Chinese food of most Chinese restaurants in the west. Food is not too spicy with an emphasis on freshly cooked ingredients and seafood.
  • Shandong cuisine is famous for its wide selection of domestic animals and birds, seafood and vegetables. This style uses a lot of different cooking methods.

Food hygiene can be an issue. It’s generally not recommended to eat fish/meat on the street during summer. Avoid raw fish/meat outside of large cities.

Restaurants typically don’t have an English menu. If you learn to read about 10 words, you will get a better image of what you’re ordering, so this shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Everything is affordable in China

yellow-rose-champagne

Living in China, you will be able to afford the life of your dreams! Teaching salaries in China are among the highest in Asia, while the cost of living is still very low.

Also, many things that are usually expensive in the west are much cheaper in China. On a typical Friday night you can hit the town with friends, have a good meal, get a massage after a few drinks at the bar, take a short walk back to your comfortable apartment and see your housekeeper has done some cleaning in the meantime.

Don’t be surprised if your disposable income is $1000 a month! You can already get by comfortably with a low salary, and as an expat your salary will be quite high. Living in China is especially a good opportunity for people looking to pay off loans.

Check out some example prices in Shanghai.

Teaching English in China will be exciting, surprising and adventurous

China swimming pool

Living in China, you will help many Chinese learn English, and you will probably pick up some Chinese slang along the way. Just think about:

  • making friends in a new country and adapting to their culture
  • being able to regularly go sightseeing in the country
  • eating plants and animals you’ve never eaten before
  • coming home with far more money than you left with
  • starting the adventure over again in a new country at the end of your contract (we are in 14 countries worldwide)

With loads of free time, cheap transportation and paid vacation time, you’ll be able to take a deep-dive into Chinese culture like you never could as a tourist. Whether you fly out during holidays, or travel locally on the weekends, you’ll have the chance to master their mysterious language, marvel at some unique nature and discover a host of new Chinese dishes.

A 12-month contract will give you amazing stories to tell and a network of fascinating friends from around the world. Get the memory of a lifetime!

 

Read a teacher’s experience in Yangzhou. For more info about teaching in China, check out our teaching abroad blog.

Jobs and life in China