Pathways to China
What If You Don’t Tick All the Boxes?
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Do you have a degree but lack two years of experience? Or perhaps you don’t have experience, but you’ve earned a TEFL qualification? Maybe you have no TEFL or experience but hold a Master’s Degree in Education or a PGCE?
Is the door to teaching in China closed?
Not necessarily.
China is a vast country with 34 province-level administrative divisions, and each one may interpret and apply the rules a little differently.
While the general requirements for obtaining a work visa to teach in China include:
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Being from one of the seven native-English-speaking countries,
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Being between 18 and 65 years old,
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Holding a university degree for a minimum of two years,
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Having a 120-hour TEFL qualification,
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And possessing a clean criminal background,
…not every region enforces these requirements in exactly the same way. The most critical requirements are having a university degree and a clean criminal background.
Meeting all the requirements will certainly open more opportunities across China. However, if you don’t fulfill every criterion, your dream of living and working in China isn’t necessarily out of reach.
If you hold a degree and have a clean criminal background, it’s worth applying. Your options can be discussed, and you may still find a pathway to teaching and living in China. With time and experience, new doors will open, giving you the chance to explore even more opportunities.
Teach. Travel. Transform.
Types of Agent
Recruiting Agent vs. Employment Agent
When navigating your pathway to teaching in China, it’s important to understand the two main types of agents who can help facilitate the process: Recruiting Agents and Employment Agents. While their roles may overlap in some areas, each serves a distinct function in helping you secure a teaching position.
Recruitment Agent
A recruiting agent acts as a bridge between schools and prospective teachers. Their primary role is to connect candidates with teaching opportunities that match their qualifications and preferences. Recruiting agents work with a variety of schools, including language centers, kindergartens, and universities, allowing them to offer a range of positions across different regions in China.
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What They Do:
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Assess your qualifications and preferences to identify suitable job openings.
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Provide guidance on the application process, including resume preparation and interview tips.
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Act as a liaison between you and potential employers.
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Offer insights into the hiring school’s requirements, work culture, and expectations.
Key Benefits:
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Access to a wide network of schools and institutions.
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Support in navigating the job market and understanding regional differences in requirements.
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Assistance in finding positions that may not require full visa qualifications, depending on the school’s location and policies.​
Recruiting agents are an excellent choice if you’re new to teaching in China and want to explore a variety of options before committing to a specific employer.
Employment Agent
An employment agent represents an agency that directly hires teachers and places them in one or multiple educational institutions. Unlike recruiting agents, employment agents become your official employer and manage your work assignments across different schools or organizations.
What They Do:
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Directly hire teachers to work under the agency’s employment.
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Assign teaching positions at one or multiple educational institutions, offering a broader range of experience.
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Handle employment contracts, onboarding, and initial orientation.
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Provide ongoing support during your employment, such as visa renewal assistance and housing arrangements.
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Serve as your primary point of contact for any work-related concerns throughout your tenure.
Key Benefits:
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Opportunity to gain experience in various educational settings, including language centers, public schools, and private institutions.
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Greater flexibility in assignments, allowing for a diverse teaching experience.
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Long-term support and guidance from the agency that employs you.
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Stability and assurance as you are directly employed by the agency.
Employment agents are ideal for teachers who want to gain varied teaching experiences and prefer the security of being employed by an agency rather than a single school.
Which Agent Is Right for You?
Choosing between a recruiting agent and an employment agent depends on your qualifications, preferences, and the type of experience you’re seeking. For those who lack a TEFL qualification or two years of experience, Foreign Teacher will first connect you with an employment agent. This is the surest way to find a suitable placement and gain the experience needed to open up more opportunities in the future. Employment agents can provide opportunities that allow you to build the necessary qualifications and skills, such as teaching in diverse educational settings.If you’re unsure about where to start or want to explore a range of opportunities, a recruiting agent may be the best option. On the other hand, if you value the flexibility of working in multiple institutions and the stability of being employed by an agency, an employment agent can provide the ideal solution.Whichever route you choose, both types of agents can help open doors to teaching in China, even if you don’t tick every box in the standard requirements.