Bank Big Teaching Abroad: The Ultimate Guide to Move to China to Teach English—Earn Up to ¥35K/Month & Live Your Best Life
Dreaming of adventure and a fat pay‑cheque? You’re not alone. Every year thousands of graduates move to China to teach English for salaries that dwarf entry‑level jobs at home, plus housing, flights and international health insurance. With the right plan you can save USD 20 000–40 000 a year—and that’s before side hustles kick in. This article shows you exactly how. Keep reading, bookmark it, share it—then start packing.
China’s English‑teaching gold rush (What you’ll really earn)
| City tier | Typical monthly salary (RMB) | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen) | 18 000 – 35 000 | Housing allowance, flight reimbursement, bonuses |
| Tier 2 (Chengdu, Hangzhou) | 14 000 – 23 000 | Housing, local insurance |
| Tier 3 (Harbin, Guilin) | 10 000 – 18 000 | Low rent, paid holidays |
Listings on Go Overseas and Dave’s ESL Café regularly advertise packages up to ¥21 000/month plus free housing and insurance gooverseas.com. Factor in China’s lower cost of living and you’re suddenly pocketing a higher net salary than many NYC or London peers.
2. Minimum requirements (tick these first)
Must‑haves
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Bachelor’s degree (any major).
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Clean criminal record.
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Passport from an English‑speaking country—or strong IELTS‑level English.
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120‑hour TEFL/TESOL certificate (online or in‑class).
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Age 21–55 (China’s legal work‑visa range).
Nice‑to‑haves
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Teaching licence / PGCE for top‑tier international schools.
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Two years’ classroom experience (waived for many language centres).
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Basic Mandarin greetings—Ni hao!
3. Get certified without breaking the bank
A reputable 120‑hour online TEFL certification costs USD 400–500 wise.com. High‑CPC keywords that convert well here include “TEFL certification online”, “TESOL course cost”, “accredited TEFL”. Sprinkle them naturally:
“Choose an accredited TEFL certification online provider so Chinese schools can verify your certificate instantly.”
Pro tip: Pay with a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees to earn miles for your relocation flight.
4. Visa & paperwork (Z‑visa made simple)
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Signed job offer and ‘PU letter’ from your employer.
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Medical check (blood work & chest X‑ray).
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Degree & TEFL notarised + authenticated.
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Apply at Chinese embassy/consulate for the Z‑Work Visa.
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Convert to a Residence Permit within 30 days of landing.
5. Finding the right job—safely
Top job boards / recruiters
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TeachAway
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Gold Star TEFL
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Dave’s ESL Café
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Go Overseas
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LinkedIn “Teach English in China” filter
Before you sign:
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Ask for a written housing allowance amount.
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Confirm whether the school buys international health insurance or basic local cover. China is among the 10 most expensive healthcare markets worldwide international-sante.com.
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Check paid leave days (Chinese New Year + summer).
6. Negotiating a high‑earning package
Must‑request perks
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Monthly housing stipend ≥ ¥3 000 (Tier 1) or free furnished apartment.
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Flight reimbursement (onboarding and contract completion).
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Contract‑completion bonus (one month’s salary).
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Expat health insurance covering private clinics.
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Overtime rate clearly defined.
7. Moving money & maximising savings
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Open a multi‑currency digital bank account (Wise, Revolut) to dodge hidden FX fees.
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Use cheap international money transfer services to send RMB home.
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Set up an expat tax filing service before the April deadline.
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Leverage high‑yield savings accounts in your home country for the funds you repatriate.
8. Cost‑of‑living hacks
| Expense | Beijing (¥) | Chengdu (¥) |
|---|---|---|
| One‑bed city‑centre rent | 6 500 | 3 000 |
| Metro ride | 3 | 2 |
| Dinner for two | 150 | 90 |
Cut costs further by:
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Using a VPN for China (budget ¥400/year) to access Gmail & Netflix.
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Buying health products on Taobao and claiming via international health insurance.
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Cycling with shared‑bike apps (¥1/ride).
9. Side‑income streams
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Online tutoring (up to USD 25/hr) via Cambly, Preply.
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Private IELTS coaching for local professionals.
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Affiliate blogging—write about digital nomad insurance or travel credit cards, earning high‑CPC commissions.
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Voice‑over gigs for Chinese educational apps.
Remember to check your visa: the standard Z‑visa ties side work to your main employer; get written permission to avoid fines.
10. Settling in & thriving
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Download WeChat & Alipay day 1.
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Join expat Facebook/WeChat groups (e.g., “Shanghai Expats”).
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Learn basic Mandarin on Duolingo; locals appreciate the effort.
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Take advantage of cheap domestic flights to Xi’an, Guilin, Zhangjiajie on travel credit card points.
11. Your “move to China to teach English” checklist
| Stage | Task | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 6 – 3 months out | Finish 120‑hr online TEFL | ☐ |
| 3 months | Apply for jobs & schedule Zoom demos | ☐ |
| 2 months | Sign contract, start Z‑visa docs | ☐ |
| 1 month | Book flight with no‑FX fee travel card | ☐ |
| Landing week | Register residence, finish medical re‑check | ☐ |
| First paycheck | Open multi‑currency account, start RMB → USD transfers | ☐ |
Alt‑text suggestions (for Yoast image optimisation)
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“Teach English in China salary infographic 2025”
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“Z‑visa application document checklist”
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“Beijing skyline with ESL teacher”
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“Multi‑currency app screenshot for expat teachers”
Conclusion
If you want to travel, stack serious cash and future‑proof your résumé, move to China to teach English this year. Follow the steps above—get certified, clinch a high‑value package, protect yourself with international health insurance, and manage money smartly. Within 12 months you could have a six‑figure RMB nest egg and memories for life. Ready? The adventure—and the pay‑day—awaits.
