{"id":2930,"date":"2016-09-27T17:37:07","date_gmt":"2016-09-27T21:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/?p=2930"},"modified":"2017-07-06T15:24:39","modified_gmt":"2017-07-06T19:24:39","slug":"living-teaching-english-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/living-teaching-english-in-china\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s it Like Living and Teaching English in China?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Teaching English in China gives you the opportunity to save money and gain valuable work experience while exploring 6000 years of Chinese culture in a way few others can. Whether you’re exploring the Great Wall, sipping green tea, or shopping in Shanghai you will experience stories to last a lifetime.<\/p>\n

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Sprawling urban landscape in China<\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u202fyou will learn what it\u2019s like living in China, one of the world’s largest ESL markets, from housing, to transportation, to food, etiquette, and culture.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s it like living in China?<\/h2>\n

China is one of the largest countries in the world by area, and is the most populous. Its history dates back over 6,000 years. The yin of Imperial structures, calligraphy, Tai Chi, the Great Wall, and green tea is balanced by the yang of bright, bustling cities and the production of much of the world’s electronics. China has a lot of great sites to offer, explore the Forbidden City, landscapes like the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, or the volcanic dishes of Sichuan.<\/p>\n

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Overlooking Huangpu River in Shanghai, China<\/p><\/div>\n

Technology and Advancement<\/h3>\n

China is a leader in international technology industries such as computer technology, space travel, and information technology. Juxtaposed to this is the fact that the Chinese government is a strong opponent of free speech on the Internet and other media. It may be hard to access popular websites like Wikipedia, BBC, the New York Times, as well as social media like YouTube or Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Enjoying modern technologies such as high-speed Internet, cable television, and cell phones will not be an issue in urban China, yet could be problematic in rural areas.<\/p>\n

Apartments in China<\/h3>\n

Most English teaching jobs in China will include an apartment. Apartment costs vary depending on the school and location. Contracts that do not include housing may compensate with higher salaries. This information is usually included in the job posting<\/a>, but be sure to clarify these details after receiving a job offer to ensure that this is fully addressed in the contract.<\/p>\n

A teacher\u2019s apartment is typically located on or near a campus, and often shared with a roommate. For the most part, English teachers will find\u202fwestern amenities such as a bed, table set, tv, refrigerator, desk, laundry facilities, and toilet.<\/p>\n

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Beautiful gardens in a rural area of China<\/p><\/div>\n

Most schools provide an allowance for partial flight costs; however, teachers often must pay the initial cost. The school will then reimburse them or provide a bonus at the end of the contract. You should keep any of your airfare receipts\u202fin case they are required for this benefit.<\/p>\n

Healthcare in China<\/h3>\n

Medicine is an interesting and important element in Chinese history. The Chinese have always used a combination of herbal and food remedies as well as massage, acupuncture, and preventative care to treat many ailments and injuries. Today, medicine in China is a hybrid between the traditional Chinese practices and modern medicine imported from the western world.<\/p>\n

Much of the healthcare system’s resources are devoted to large urban areas such as Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai. Getting professional medical attention when living in a rural area or small city can be slightly more challenging.<\/p>\n

The amount of healthcare coverage an English teacher receives varies between schools. If there is any confusion about medical coverage after reading a contract, be sure to ask the school to specify this information. In most cases, it is highly recommended to couple the school’s benefit plan with private health insurance to cover any medical, dental, or prescription costs.<\/p>\n

Retirement Age<\/h3>\n

Retirement age is a constant source of debate in China. Currently, women working for the government or a state-run company must retire at 55 years of age, while men can retire at 60. Women working a <\/span><\/span>blue-collar<\/span><\/span> job must retire at 50; while men <\/span><\/span>can<\/span><\/span> work an extra five years. As a result, older ESL teachers may experience a more difficult job search than a younger teacher would. However, the situation can vary across the nation with rural areas seeing less stringent restrictions than major urban areas.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Transportation in China<\/h2>\n
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Trains are a popular mode of transportation in China<\/p><\/div>\n

Taxi<\/h3>\n

Many people find taxis safe and convenient. Most cities, towns, and even villages have a taxi service.\u202fhowever, there are very few taxi drivers that know how to speak English. It is recommended that teachers carry a business card with their work and home address in Chinese, or have a local write down <\/span><\/span>their<\/span><\/span> destination.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Train and Subway<\/h3>\n

With concerns over air pollution, China is\u202fencouraging the use of public transportation. Most urban areas have subway systems. The train is one of the cheapest ways to travel across China and to other countries. There are four ticket options:<\/p>\n