Teaching English Abroad: A Comparison of China and Vietnam
Teaching English as a foreign language is a popular career option for many people looking to work in Asia. Two countries that offer many opportunities for English teachers in Asia are China and Vietnam. Today, we will talk about teaching English abroad: a comparison of China and Vietnam. The job opportunities, salaries, visa requirements, flexibility, market size, and racism in both countries to help you decide which one may be the better fit for you. Job Opportunities Both China and Vietnam offer many job opportunities for English teachers. China is known for having a large and well-established English teaching industry, with many public and private schools, language centers, and universities hiring English teachers. Vietnam is a rapidly developing country that is also seeing an increase in demand for English teachers, especially in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Salaries Both China and Vietnam offer competitive salaries for English teachers, although the exact amount may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, nationality, race, and location of the job. According to recent data gathered, the average salary for an English teacher in China ranges from $15,000 to $35,000 per year, while in Vietnam it ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 per year. Some companies that offer competitive salaries and benefits packages for English teachers in China include: EF English First: This company offers salaries ranging from $1,500 to $2,700 per month, plus benefits such as free housing, airfare reimbursement, and health insurance. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, and a clean criminal record. Wall Street English: It offers salaries ranging from $2,000 to $3,700 per month, plus benefits such as free housing, airfare reimbursement, and health insurance. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, and a minimum of two years of teaching experience. Some companies that offer competitive salaries and benefits packages for English teachers in Vietnam include: Apollo Education and Training: Offers salaries ranging from $1,700 to $2,200 per month, plus benefits such as free housing, airfare reimbursement, and health insurance. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, and a minimum of six months of teaching experience. Language Link Vietnam: Offers salaries ranging from $1,700 to $2,700 per month, plus benefits such as free housing, airfare reimbursement, and health insurance. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certification. Visa Requirements Both China and Vietnam require foreign English teachers to have a work visa or work permit in order to legally work in the country. However, the requirements for obtaining a visa may differ between the two countries. China has stricter visa requirements and may be more difficult to obtain a work visa for some nationalities. You will need to have a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certification, from an English-speaking country or a European, and a clean criminal record in order to apply for a work visa in China hence making it difficult for Africans and other nationalities to get a working visa. Vietnam is more flexible and may be easier to obtain a work permit. You will need to have a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certification, as well as a job offer from a school or language center in Vietnam in order to apply for a work permit. Flexibility Both China and Vietnam offer flexible job opportunities for English teachers, with many schools and language centers offering part-time and full-time positions. However, China may be more rigid in terms of scheduling and teaching requirements, while Vietnam may offer more flexible teaching options, such as online teaching or private tutoring. Market Size Both China and Vietnam have large markets for English teaching, with many students seeking to improve their English language skills for academic, professional, or personal reasons. However, China has a larger market overall, with a population of over 1.4 billion people and a growing middle class. This means that there are more opportunities for English teachers in China, especially in larger cities. Racism Unfortunately, there are still racists in our 21st century so I understand your need to be worried about this issue whiles deciding to teach English abroad in China or Vietnam. Even though both countries have made efforts to combat discrimination and promote diversity, some foreigners still experience discrimination or prejudice based on their nationality, race, or appearance. However, it is important to note that experiences can vary widely depending on the individual, the location, and the employer. Many foreign English teachers in both China and Vietnam have positive experiences and feel welcomed and respected by their colleagues and students. Websites to find teaching jobs in China and Vietnam; China: EF English First: https://www.englishfirst.com/ Wall Street English: https://www.wallstreetenglish.com/ Teach Away: https://www.teachaway.com/teaching-jobs-abroad/china Vietnam: Apollo Education and Training: https://apolloreducation.edu.vn/ Language Link Vietnam: https://www.languagelink.vn/ TEFL.com: https://www.tefl.com/job-seeker/jobpage.html?jobId=175648 Facebook groups to find teaching jobs in China or Vietnam Facebook groups can be a useful resource for finding teaching jobs in China or Vietnam. Many schools and recruiters post job listings in these groups, and members can also share their own experiences and recommendations for job opportunities. Some examples of Facebook groups for finding teaching jobs in China and Vietnam include: Teach English in China Teach English in Vietnam Jobs in China for Expats Expats in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) WeChat groups or pages for finding teaching jobs in China WeChat is a popular messaging and social media app in China, and it can also be a useful resource for finding teaching jobs in China. Similar to Facebook groups, WeChat has groups and pages centered around different topics and interests, including job postings for English teaching positions. Some examples of WeChat groups and pages for finding teaching jobs in China include: China Job Opportunities: This WeChat group has job postings for a variety of industries, including English teaching positions. You can search for the group by its WeChat ID: China-Job-Opps. China Expat Jobs: This WeChat page has job postings for expats in China, including English teaching positions. You can search for the page by its WeChat ID: ChinaExpatJobs. Teaching in China: This WeChat group
