7 Typical Jobs for Foreigners in China - English Language Teacher

Arguably, there are few countries in the world that offer as many work opportunities to foreigners as China. A decade or so ago, jobs for foreigners in China were largely limited to the fields of English teaching and manufacturing. Today, however, more and more industries are looking outwards for talent. Below is a list of 7 typical jobs for foreigners in China. English Language Teacher English language teaching is the gateway to China for many foreigners. The qualifications required to teach English varies depending on how official you want to be. It can range from needing to be a native English speaker with a university degree and IELTS certification, to being a foreigner spotted on the street by someone whose son needs some extra help at school. Typically, the truth skews more towards the former, and those looking to take a English teaching job in China seriously should prepare themselves accordingly. In terms of long-term prospects, the scope can be somewhat narrow for many English teachers in China. While some go on to open their own schools and enjoy great success, it’s only a very small percentage. What English language teaching is good for, however, is giving foreigners a base from which to learn about China, learn the language and make the sort of connections needed to jump into a different career with less of a ceiling.