While teaching Chinese adults English does differ in terms of the techniques that you use, it is as exciting and motivating when you want to know that your skills and experience are making a difference. You get to help adults get the confidence that they need to perform in English in situations where, otherwise, they may not be able to have that confidence.
Responsibilities of Teaching Adults English
Help students build professional skills and confidence in communicating in English
Your responsibilities in teaching adults are much the same as with teaching kids and teens. You will receive specialized training in reaching the adult population, and you’ll also be able to rely on the pre-planned lessons. They are designed to help learners of all ages at all skill levels so that you can enjoy a targeted plan that will speak to them and their needs as adults. You can also use your past experience to lead specialized classes (more on that below), so your responsibilities can include bringing your culture and education into a classroom plan in order to help with that.
Requirements
For teaching Chinese adults English
- Bachelor’s degree or above degrees
- TEFL/TESOL certificate OR 2 years of teaching experience
- Native English speaker from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or Ireland
- Outgoing, social personality, clear motivations to teach and the ability to connect with students and deliver high-level classes
- Age: 22 to 50
- The candidate should be motivated, enthusiastic and passionate about teaching as well as living in a foreign country.
More details about the requirements of teaching English in China.
Salary and Benefits
A monthly salary ranging from 12,000 ~ 24,000 RMB. Bonuses include housing allowances, airfare reimbursement, visa support, as well as insurances. Cost of living in China is comparatively low meaning expats can easily enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
How much can you make as an ESL teacher in China?
Techniques in Teaching Adults
Approaching English lessons with Chinese adults is different from that of kids and teens, but it is just as important to have proper techniques and tools to help you keep it a profitable experience for everyone involved.
- Focus on real-life situations:
While teaching English generally is great, you’ll find that a lot of adults in your classes may want to learn specifically about real-life situations such as ordering a cup of coffee or buying a plane ticket. It’s helpful to focus your classes on those real-life, adult situations so that you can provide them with skills that are going to be useful out there.
- Cater to their needs:
When you are working with adults, they are attending your classes for the sheer ability to learn English. Instead of focusing on English specific to lesson plans, really work at communicating on their level in terms of your approach and focus. You may need to customize plans for their needs depending on what their specific requests are. This is one of the best parts of working with adults.
- Bring in the multi-media:
Sometimes multi-media works at bridging the gap between your explanation and the understanding of the student. Other times, the multi-media approach can really help you to make sure that the lesson you’re teaching is s clear and strong as possible in a way that doesn’t necessarily use words.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- I don’t have prior teaching experiences, can I teach in China?
Though teaching experience is highly valued for this position, it’s not a must-have requirement. Most schools will provide teachers will training before their work to make sure they comply with their teaching curriculum and specific methods.
- I can’t speak Chinese, is that a problem?
Although it’ll definitely make your life easier while living and teaching in China. You don’t have to be fluent in Mandarin in order to teach English in China.
- What are my teaching hours?
Max. 40 working hours per week.
2 days off every week, usually on weekdays.
- What are the class sizes?
Normally for adults the school will try to keep the class small (max. 10) so that each student can get the best attention.
- What’s the visa process like?
Teachers need to have a work z visa in order to teach in China legally. Generally, the whole process takes up to 2 months.
The school will provide assistance throughout your visa application process. The costs for processing the work permit documents inside China will be covered by your employer. Teachers need to pay the fees for getting documents notarized/authenticated, passport photos, and the fee charged by the Chinese visa processing office in their country.
- How long is my contract?
The standard contract is 12 months for most schools (some public schools offer a 10-month contract). The average length of a teacher’s stay is about 2 ~3 years.
Ready to Start Your Journey in China?
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