An In-Depth Guide to ESL Teacher Policies in China

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China is the biggest growth area in worldwide ESL instruction, and there is a huge amount of opportunity for foreign teachers. As we know, in April 2017, China divided work permit grades into A, B and C. 

But how exactly is the ESL market in China evolving under the new policy?

Stricter Requirements under new policy

The Most Important Requirement:

From English-Speaking nation, or countries that English as an official language. 

Bachelor Degree or Above:

You must actually have completed the bachelor degree and have the certificate ready. A degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language(TEFL). But, the key is that it has to be at least a 120-hour certificate that can be verifiable online, which means that even if you are not majors in English, a 120-hour TEFL will work.

Take Note: Even if you get the bachelor degree or above in the university of English-Speaking countries, you're still not reaching the first requirement!

Over 2 Years Experience:

A TESOL or TEFL certificate owner no need any experience, otherwise, you need 2 years experience as an English teacher to be an ESL teacher in China

Non-criminal Certificate:

Normally, a non-criminal certificate is not necessary when you apply for jobs in China, but in case of some schools or educational institutions asking for a document stating that you have never been convicted/charged with a crime in China. You can go to the Expat Service Center to get the non-criminal certificate.

Qualified Countries

As China continues to regulate its ESL market, more and more jobs are opening for less-qualified individuals. Here is the list of the countries deemed as home to 'Native English Speakers'. Check whether you are a qualified applicant for the ESL job: 

Australia

UK

US

New Zealand

Singapore

Canada

South Africa

Dominica

Jamaica

Gibraltar

Bahamas

Bermuda

Ireland

Guyana

Trinidad and Tobago

Other territories:

Ascension  Island

 Saint  Kitts and Nevis

 Guernsey

New Zealand

 Isle of Man

  Jersey

Pitcairn Islands

BVI

Tristan da Cunha

 Montserrat

Anguilla

Grenada

Grenadines

the Falkland Island

Saint Lucia

Truks and Caicos Island

Virgin Islands (UK and US)

Saint Helena Island

South  Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Warning!

If you apply for a school without satisfying the above condition, you should take note:

1. The school that you apply for may not provide you with a work visa, as they may not be a qualified school.

2. Work permit may be denied by The Exit & Entry Administration Department because your condition will be deemed not related to the job.
   

3. If you get denied, you may no longer be allowed to obtain work visas!

Aside from the countries listed above, people who come from other countries are not allowed to teach English in China. 

There are many netizens who left comments asking how China is going to accept 100,000 English teachers? Here are some details GIC Team found. A source reported that China will hire 300,000 Filipinos, including 100,000 English teachers. So even if Filipines is not in the 'qualified countries list' they can apply as an ESL teacher in China?

"Chinese President Xi Jinping and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will finalise an agreement that will pave the way for China’s hiring of 300,000 overseas Filipino workers, including 100,000 Filipino English-speaking teachers," a senior official said.

Photo credit: Philstar Global

“One of the contentious issues that the two leaders are finalising is the requirement by the Chinese government that they will accredit the Chinese schools that will issue the certification to our English teachers,” Philippine Labour Secretary Silvestre Bello said.   

“We maintain the position that it should be the Philippines that will choose these schools or the colleges that will issue the certification for the Filipino teachers who will be hired to teach English in China,” Bello said.

They also signed a memorandum of understanding on the employment of Filipino teachers of the English language in China.

Do the Filipino teachers qualify for the position?

The former deputy minister of the Philippine Ministry of Education, Antonio Valdes, told Xinhua News Agency that English teachers in the Philippines have more advantages than those from other countries:

1. Philippine English teachers are paid lower salaries;

2. Most Filipinos are modest, humble and hardworking.

3. The Philippine government has a mature overseas labor dispatch system and management practices.

Bernard O'Reilly, an overseas labor Director said that Filipinos who want to go to China as English teachers need to meet the following condictions:

1. Master's degree or above;

2. TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and International English Teacher Certification;

3. Relevant TOEFL scores;

4. Relevant training experience;

5. More than two years English teaching experience and good communication skills.

It seems that Philippines will send highly educated teachers, and set up a strict selection process before they choose who is qualified for the jobs!

It is a diplomatic exception between Philippines and China - maybe more countries can enjoy this exception in the future.

For more details, refers to:

Sourec: ExpatLife, www.cnr.cn(cover image)

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