Where Can I Teach In China?
Reach To Teach has all sorts of teaching locations in China. Check out our China City Guides to get a better understanding of teaching locations in China. Whether you want to live in a big, bustling city like Shanghai or a third tier city like Changchun, we have the right school for you! Keep reading to learn about the differences in first-, second-, and third-tier cities in China.
Salaries are typically related to the cost of living in your preferred location in China. This means that even though you might be earning less in a smaller city, your salary and salary package are comparable to what you are earning in a large city like Shanghai or Beijing. Smaller city packages tend to pay less, but they include more salary perks and the cost of living is cheaper, which means you’ll still be able to save a large portion of your paycheck each month. Larger city packages do pay more, but salary perks are typically built into your monthly salary.
No matter where you go, you’ll have access to everything you need to make you comfortable for your year abroad, including access to other expats in the area.
First-tier Cities in China
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen are first-tier cities. They are known as the Big Four. The cost of living in these cities is much higher than in other cities in China. These cities also have the strictest requirements for teachers.
A full university degree, a 120-hour TEFL certification, and at least two years of post graduate work experience and two years of teaching experience are needed to teach in these cities.
Second-tier Cities in China
Second-tier cities include capital cities of each province or coastal cities like Beihai, Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Fuzhou, Guiyang, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Huhhot, Jinan, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Nanning, Ningbo, Qingdao, Sanya, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Urumqi, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi’an, Yinchuan, and Zhengzhou.
Third-tier Cities in China
Third-tier cities are usually medium-sized cities of each province. Note that third-tier cities still have millions of people living in them.
