Following the launch of our free Private School Programme a couple of weeks ago, we have received several questions about the private school teaching experience.

Arnold Vis, the Director of Teach English In China, completed his placement in a private language institute in Wuhan. Here, he outlines some of the main advantages of working in a private school to help you decide if it’s the right placement for you.

#1 Small classes

Private school classes tend to be quite small, with an average of 10-15 students per class and meet several times a week. A great advantage of this is that you get to know your students on an individual basis and can form strong bonds. It won’t take long for you to gage each student’s level of English and to help them improve their skills. Not only that, but you will get to know their favourite activities and be able to focus on using them to teach.

The better the rapport you build with your class, the more respect they will have for you and the more enjoyable the classes become.

#2 Motivated students

Private schools are relatively expensive to attend; therefore, students and parents usually have a keen interest in English and a specific reason for learning it. For example, during my time at a private school, I was teaching students who were preparing to study abroad, so they were looking to push their English to the highest possible level before their departure.

With higher motivation and interest levels comes better behaviour, making classroom management far less of a concern than in other schools. This also makes lessons more enjoyable for both the students and the teacher, as less time is spent disciplining students and more on learning. It’s particularly rewarding to help your students attain their goals and this won’t go unnoticed by their parents!

#3 Close-knit team

As a private school foreign teacher, you will join a friendly and dedicated team of teaching staff. The schools we work with have several branches in each of the cities they operate in and therefore employ a large number of foreign English teachers. Working closely alongside your foreign and Chinese colleagues, you will make lasting friendships that make your placement all the more enjoyable.

The schools are experts at helping their new teachers settle in and frequently organise socials, staff outings and Mandarin lessons to ensure you are welcomed into the team. When I first arrived at my school, I was introduced to a group of people I could socialise with and who knew all about the school and city, which made the adjustment a lot easier!

#4 Training and support

The schools we work with have achieved an outstanding reputation for the quality of their teaching and the support they give their staff. They are committed to delivering high quality training to ensure their teachers fulfil their potential and meet their standard of teaching. Therefore, as a private school teacher, you will receive ongoing training and support, receive feedback on your teaching and get the chance to contribute your ideas during weekly team meetings.

For those looking to really advance their teaching skills and get the most out of a placement in professional terms, a private school placement is a great option.

#5 Career Development

Private schools are not only schools, but also businesses and therefore employ staff in more senior roles, such as management. As a member of the teaching team, you will be a valued member of staff and not only given the chance to develop your teaching skills, but also to develop your role within the business.

So, if after your first year, you decide that you would like to progress within the institute, you will have the chance to go on to more senior roles like an Academic Coordinator or go behind the scenes and work in the head office. A teacher we placed in a private school four years ago has since become the Director of Education at his school, which just goes to show, working for a private school opens all kinds of doors and teaching can just be the beginning!