subject: Teach English In China And Enjoy Great Benefits, Too [print this page] Nowadays, fluency in at least 2 international languages is an asset in the personal and professional sense. Globalisation plays a major role in the increased desirability for bilingual individuals especially among employers that want their employees to be imbued with good communication skills in at least 2 international languages.
Of course, the English language tops the list of the second language most studied around the world. No surprise here as English is the foremost official language used in most international for-profit and non-profit organisations.
There are many benefits to teaching English in foreign countries from Asia to Europe although we have to say that China is the best place to be at nowadays. Why China in particular? We can name many reasons of which the following are the most attractive.
Low Cost of Living:
When you do decide to teach English in China, you will be delighted with the relatively low cost of living in the country. Even in metropolitan cities like Beijing, a teacher's salary is sufficient to enjoy a good life assuming that you can live without the extravagant lifestyle. Costs of living in smaller cities and towns are even lower so certain luxuries are possible.
For example, you can have a filling, delicious and affordable meal of a bowl of noodles from a roadside eatery - each bowl costs just 7RMB (around 0.70 pounds). Even a city bus fare costs just 1RMB! In contrast, the costs of living in European countries where English is also taught as a second language can be high. A teacher's salary may be too low as to even afford a good-sized apartment especially in cities like Paris.
Rich Cultural Heritage:
In contrast to the relatively low cost of living, China does not scrimp on its cultural heritage, far from it. It seems that everywhere you turn in China, be it in a cosmopolitan city or a small village, you will come face-to-face with the nation's colourful, rich and fantastical culture.
Monuments, palaces and temples are almost always built with an eye for grandeur, for beauty and for eternity. Most of these structures were built hundreds of years ago and yet continue to take the breath away in our modern times. Do we need mention the likes of the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors?
The Chinese people are also known to be one of the friendliest peoples in Asia. Their hospitality toward guests is legendary so much so that you will always be welcomed in one of the homes of your students.
The numerous opportunities to travel to and in a land steeped in an ancient history and yet surrounded by modernity with an eye toward a bright future are great reasons to teach English in China. You will be able to make new friends, meet potential employers and make a good life in the vast country that many call the sleeping and now awakened giant.
Your small adventure into the world of teaching English as a secondary language for Chinese students will reap many rewards that you may never even thought of as possible.
