According to People's Daily, there are more than 20,000 foreign teachers teaching ESL in China every year. And the number keeps increasing. These teachers come from all over the world - Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, etc.
In Chinese culture, teachers are highly respected. Teaching ESL in China is exciting, challenging and rewarding.
Many people go to China to teach because it is a great opportunity to experience Chinese tradition and explore Chinese culture in zero-distance. The 9.6 million square-kilometer of land with 1.3 billion people is full of mystery and attraction. For foreign teachers, most hosting Chinese schools provide travel assistance to encourage you to look around. Staying in one place for 6 months or more would allow you to thoroughly study or learn a subject in which you're interested.
Teaching in China is also a challenging experience. The environment is totally new for most foreign teachers, including language, food, and sometime behaviors. It takes time to adjust yourself for the new life style and living standard. Fortunately, Chinese people are friendly and the Chinese government has supporting policies to encourage foreign teachers to work in China.
When teaching in China, financial compensation may not be competitive to that in your own country. But the living cost is very low (in many cases free accommodation is provided). Foreign ESL teachers are normally paid much higher than local colleagues. Besides, the compensation is getting better every year with the advancement of the Chinese economy. Salary aside, there are many indirect benefits for teaching in China: accumulate a special experience, conveniently travel across China, learn Chinese language and culture, make Chinese friends, etc.
In many cases, a temporary adventure to teach English in China turns into a longer term arrangement, or even a life-time career.
In many cases, a temporary adventure to teach English in China turns into a longer term arrangement, or even a life-time career.
