Teaching in China isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure that blends culture, growth, and a dash of chaos. What's it like to live among the most populous country on earth? Imagine waking up every morning with 4 different languages speaking around you: Mandarin, English, Cantonese, and Tibetan—just to mention a few! For instance, when ordering breakfast in a local café I asked for "a bowl of noodles" only to be handed steamed buns and confused looks. When explaining that the 'bowl' was meant to hold liquid food my Chinese colleagues would chuckle at how far off we were.
The good thing is that after such an initial culture shock you start feeling your way through everyday situations, it's not long before you're slurping noodles from a bowl in no time! So what can I say about moving back home? As if the experience wasn't enough—now get to deal with those pesky relatives who just love giving unsolicited life advice. This is where most people might think that there’s been too much emphasis on culture shock, but hear me out!
There are heaps of other perks to being an English teacher in China; I mean have you heard the phrase "teach and take home"? That's exactly what happened with my salary after taxes! Let's not forget about your 4-week summer vacation that just happens to coincide perfectly with Chinese New Year festivities. When asked by a colleague how many days of 'leave' we actually get, I replied: as long as it doesn't start on January first—or you'll be back in class before saying "hello" is when leave officially starts.
The pay is also fantastic—more than enough to cover even the most expensive visa fees. What about health insurance? Forget getting a decent policy here; we're all just winging our way through life, waiting for something to go wrong and hopefully being able to afford treatment without breaking the bank.
But you might be wondering: Is this really worth it? How do expats find China so different from what they expected in their daily lives? Do any of them even make friends with locals or have a real-life social network in these bustling cities, I wonder... As an English teacher in Shanghai, some days were more challenging than others. But the worst part was always when it came to explaining my salary expectations and how mine didn’t match what colleagues had been expecting—that’s just given if you're going make significantly less money here.
Every teachable is pretty sure their job will pay them more than anyone else in school, but 9 times out ten isn't the case. Instead of spending an entire day explaining why it doesn’t always work as expected—perhaps accept making a significant amount lower and move on with your life! The worst part happens when some teachers can get all upset if things don't go to plan like my colleague who would freak out at the thought he wasn’t receiving his raise after 5 years of service—or simply because everyone else seems to be getting paid significantly more than him.
The most common question expats ask about teaching in China is: what happens when you leave your job, get fired (which let’s face it isn't impossible here)? As someone who has been around the block a few times I can confidently say finding another English teacher role will not only be easy—but having experience makes one more attractive than just anyone.
Despite the challenges, teaching in China offers a unique blend of professional and personal growth. From navigating cultural nuances to embracing the chaos of daily life, the experience shapes both your career and worldview. Whether it's the thrill of adapting to new environments or the joy of connecting with students from diverse backgrounds, the journey is anything but ordinary. For those willing to embrace the unpredictability, teaching in China becomes a transformative chapter filled with unforgettable moments and lasting memories.
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China, Teaching, Think, Teacher, English, Much, Culture,
