Teaching in China in 2023 – What’s Changed?

The pandemic is over, and teaching in China is once again very possible!

But is the market the same as before Covid-19?

The simple answer, not quite. But China is still a market like no other, full of opportunity and great rewards.

Here are 4 key things to keep in mind about how the Chinese market has changed since pre-pandemic times.

 

China is fully open again

During the pandemic, getting to China to teach English was a long and often frustrating process. It included waiting for special permits, lots of testing, and quarantining for an extended period upon arrival.

However, these policies changed in the beginning of 2023. And as is often the case in China, it happened virtually overnight. No more quarantine, pre departure tests, or regular testing in China. Just like the majority of the world – life in China has returned to normal.

For potential teachers – this is great news. It means the process of finding a school, getting a work visa organised, and flying out takes about three months once again.

So does that mean things are just like before?

Sadly not.

 

There are simply fewer positions available to teach English in China than before the pandemic!

 

Most training centres have closed

Over the years, many English teachers in China taught at training centres. These are commercial schools that offer English lessons on weekday evenings and weekends, and they were very popular. But in 2021, the Chinese government introduced a number of new policies to reduce the role of private education. This was called the “Double Reduction” policy.

The goal of the policy was to reduce pressure on students doing homework and academic work after school hours. In addition, a key reason for the policy’s implementation was the perceived effect that training centres were having on the birth rate within China. It was believed amongst some that costly private lessons were influencing families to decide that it wasn’t financially feasible to have more than one child.

Some private training centres are still operating, but numbers have dwindled, and this has reduced the overall number of available jobs for teachers.

 

The situation at state schools is still positive

For the past few decades, China has prioritised English within its state schools. Learning English has been a major focus for young learners, and has remained a core subject in China’s notoriously difficult university entry exam, the Gaokao.

In recent years however, there’s been debate in China about the value of prioritising English as a school subject. Opponents of the prominent role that English plays argue that it gives students from big cities an unfair advantage over those in rural areas, as they often have better access to teachers.

Those that disagree state that it is the language of science. And for China to keep improving as a global science and technology powerhouse – it’s essential for their students to learn it.

So far, no major changes have affected the role of English in the Gaokao, and many state schools continue to employ foreign English teachers.

 

Salaries have evened out

The extreme salaries that were on offer during the pandemic, are a thing of the past!

During the pandemic years, it was not unusual to see offers of astronomical salaries for teachers doing the rounds online. This was due to the supply-demand dynamic suddenly shifting. With its borders all but closed – there was an acute lack of foreign teachers within China. Because of this, many schools advertised specifically for candidates that were already in the country at the time.

But now that borders are totally open again, schools have more candidates to choose from, and salaries have levelled out as a result. Lower salaries may be off-putting to potential teachers, but it is a reality that must be faced and accepted.

 

China’s economy has slowed down, and it’s impacted school budgets

China deferred some of the worst economic impact of the pandemic through strict zero Covid polices in 2020 and 2021. But in 2022, lockdowns were common in China, and economic activity slowed significantly because of it. The effects of this have become clearly evident this year, as many schools have had to lower their budgets, and as a result, teacher salaries have reduced somewhat.

But if and when China’s economy begins to grow again, and school budgets follow suit, it remains to be seen if Chinese state schools will revert back to the old model of prioritising spending on English teachers.

 

China remains a place like no other

Despite of some of the changes described above, China remains an incredible country to teach English in. It’s still full of opportunity and adventure. It’s a country with a long and rich culture, that boldly steps forward whilst celebrating its past. It’s home to some of the best food and friendliest people on the planet. From bustling cities to incredible natural landscapes, China has it all. And only as a teacher in the country will you have the opportunity to explore it for yourself.

When you come to teach in China, schools offer free housing and a flight reimbursement. It’s standout feature when it comes to ESL teaching, that’s not on offer in most other countries. Although salaries have decreased since the pandemic, China remains one of the most financially beneficial places to teach English globally. It’s a big and diverse country that values education incredibly highly. As such, there are opportunities to teach in many different parts of it. And working with Chinese students is incredibly rewarding. Memories made as a teacher in China last forever.

Want to become a teacher in China in 2023?

We have over 17 years placing teachers in China. Our priorities are support, training, and community. All the jobs we offer are secure and legal. We work with longstanding and newer partners across the country, in a variety of different school environments, from state schools to training centres.

So if you want to become a teacher in China this year – you’re in the right place.

Check out our program, and we hope to hear from you soon. Apply today to get started!