Cost Of Teaching English In China

Starting a brand-new job is amazing! Particularly in a brand-new country. New place, brand-new people, brand-new wage.

However, moving abroad needs you to spend a little cash. Just how much can you prepare to invest and make as an English instructor in China?

Let's address some of the main concerns expats ask regarding cash in China.

What are the startup costs?

You'll need to buy your airplane ticket to China. This rate depends upon which city you fly out of. You need to also think about whether you wish to buy a one-way or round-trip ticket. Unless you have a specific event you require to be home for, I recommend booking a one-way journey to keep your options open. A lot of schools in China will repay this expense as soon as you get here.

When you rent a house, you might need to pay up to three months' lease upfront, which can be a doozy. My hubby and I went crazy over this expenditure, but it really isn't that various from back home.

When you sign a lease in America, you typically pay the first and last months' lease, plus a security deposit. The quantity winds up being about the very same, even if the method is various.

Remember most schools offer you a stipend for living, so you will receive the cash to cover those 3 months' lease retroactively. A lot of schools will even provide you with complimentary accommodation, which makes everything a whole lot much easier.

There are small expenditures. I spent about 50 USD on a Chinese phone plan. Depending on where you live, you'll want to buy a bus pass and/or city pass.

How much will I make every month?

Your salary will depend on what sort of school you teach at. For instance, independent school instructors generally make more than public school teachers.

I taught at a public primary school and began at 10,500 CNY (1,640 USD) per month, along with a 3,000 CNY (469 USD) housing stipend. About halfway through my stay, the law in our district changed, so our school was required to provide me a raise. Wahoo!

Aside from cash, what are the benefits to teaching in China?

Just like any job, there are perks besides the income.

Expense of living is really low. If you reside in a Tier-2 city, things will be cheaper than in Tier-1 cities. I lived in Shenzhen and was still shocked by how economical everything was. For the first time in my life, I could pay for regularly-scheduled massages!

Numerous organizations offer free or cheap meals. My school provided us totally free breakfast and a cheap lunch. A few of my friends worked at places that also served supper at 5:30 every day. The benefit and affordability were wonderful.