YOUR SAFE & SUPPORTED ROUTE TO TEACHING IN CHINA
See China with your own eyes and kickstart your post-uni life alongside a group of adventurous grads with TravelGrad.
China is an obvious choice for adventure-seeking grads looking for something truly different. Shrouded in mystery, it’s a country of contrasts, with no end of things to discover. From the glamour of Shanghai to the authenticity of Guizhou, it’s full of opportunities — to travel, explore and expand your horizons.
On this 12-month teaching adventure, you’ll experience modern China in all its vibrant glory. You’ll dive headfirst into the mother of all new cultures, test the boundaries of your comfort zone, and gain the kind of knowledge and confidence that’ll make you stand head and shoulders above the crowd.
This is the opportunity for you if…
-> You’re in (or have just graduated from) your final year of uni and are ready to go out there and see the world in a unique, challenging and eye-opening way.
-> You’re fascinated by Chinese culture and want to see and experience the country for yourself.
-> You’ve explored other ways to teach in China, but the horror stories have led you to seek a safe, easy and supported route that’s anything but stressful.
-> You want to try teaching and gain hands-on classroom experience in a chilled environment.
Is that you? Great! We’ve got you.
Since 2014, we’ve been connecting globally-minded grads with exciting alternatives to the traditional ‘grad job’ we’re all bored of hearing about. After starting our own careers abroad, we discovered the world has so much more to offer than life at home — and we’re all about helping you see and experience it.
We’ve designed our services to create a safe, supported way to catapult yourself into the unknown. It’s not as scary as it sounds with us in your pocket: we’re here to guide, support and advise you every step of the way, so you can be sure you’re making a great decision.
Our 12-month Teach English in China opportunity is your fully-supported, hassle-free route to teaching English in the Middle Kingdom. Including thorough step-by-step guidance from a team that’s been where you are, it’s the foolproof way to embark on a safe and meaningful adventure.
Find a legit job you can trust
We’ve partnered with honest, reliable schools and agencies with your best interests at heart. You’ll receive your full monthly salary, comfortable housing, and a legal working visa, so you can make the most of your experience without the niggling concerns.
Take control of your adventure
From the major to the more rural cities, you’ll have the chance to teach in almost any region you like. Tell us your preferences during the application process, and we’ll use our network and knowledge of China to place you in a city where you’ll feel right at home.
Skip the confusion, fast-forward to the fun
We’re here to guide you through all the confusing stuff — from gathering legal docs to applying for your visa. We’ll tell you which hoops you need to jump through and when and keep you updated on any regulatory changes, giving you peace of mind you’re doing it right.
First-time teacher? Happy Days!
A 120-hour online TEFL course will bring you up to speed with the need-to-know best practices and classroom management hacks before you leave. You’ll arrive in China with the know-how, confidence and energy to do an amazing job. Trust us, you’ll smash it!
Experience China for yourself
It’s time to see what it’s really like. You’ll witness the intoxicating blend of old and new, explore Insta-worthy gems you never knew existed and experience dynamic cities that literally never stop. It really is as exhilarating as you’ve heard, and you’re about to become a part of it. Buzzing!
PLACEMENT INFO
You’ll work in a school in a big city like Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou or a smaller city like Foshan, Guiyang, Nanning.
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School: Public Schools, Private Schools, Kindergartens, Language Centres
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Position: Foreign English Teacher
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Schedule: Variable
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Accommodation: Included FREE in most placements
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Salary: £1000 - £2000 per month (depending on placement)
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Extras: Most contracts include either £550 or £900 for flights
WHEN DO YOU WANT TO GO?
You can start your adventure whenever you like!
Application Deadline: Minimum of 4-6 months before departure
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TEACH ENGLISH IN CHINA IS FOR YOU IF…
-> You’re a native English speaker keen to make a difference in students’ lives by teaching them to speak your language.
-> You’ve got (or will soon have) an undergraduate degree in any subject and are looking for an authentic way to experience Chinese culture.
-> You’re bang up for a real adventure, and you’re ready to commit to a full 12-month placement.
-> You’ve got a clean criminal record and are ready to invest in making your journey happen.
COST: FREE
Teach English In China [Start Any Date]​
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Application process assistance (incl. School application, visa process and related documents)
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Free Accommodation (in most placements)​
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Flight Reimbursement (in most placements)
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Access to our China Members Area, where you’ll find tips, travel guides, lesson plans and more, to prepare you for your overseas adventure.​
“TravelGrad was fantastic in helping me to overcome both administrative/bureaucratic barriers and the general anxieties of moving to the other side of the world. The service and support they offered was friendlier and more personal than other providers and made the whole process as smooth as could be.” — Cameron​
The Unavoidable Costs
If you’re going to move to China, you’ve got to do it properly. And legally doing so involves a few extra costs, spread over the 3-6 months before you go. We’ll give you a heads up before they’re due, so you know what to expect.
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Visa ~£200
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Apostling Documents ~ Anywhere between £130 and £500, depending on the dates your original documents are ready to Apostle. It's also more likely to be closer to the £130 end for UK applicants but closer to the £500 end for USA applicants
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Travel Insurance ~ £400-500
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Flight ~ £600
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Medical - Some regions in China require a medical be completed in your home country before departure, while some regions don't. It can cost anywhere from 0-£500/$600 in the UK/USA. You can avoid this cost by choosing a placement region that doesn't require it.
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Initial Spending Money £500+ (An extra £750 initial spending money is advised for accommodation set-up, but is not 100% necessary - speak with us about this for full deets)
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Vaccinations~ Average is £100 (however, applicants have reported paying anywhere from 0-500. It really does depend on what you get, where you get it, and your own personal attitude to risk.
READY TO KICKSTART YOUR CHINA TEACHING EXPERIENCE?
-> A life-changing experience that opens your eyes to a little-understood part of the world
-> Expert support from a team that’s (literally) been in your shoes and knows China inside out
-> A placement at a legit kindergarten, language centre, primary or high school that’ll look after, pay and support you
-> Thorough personalised guidance to answer your questions and put your mind at ease, throughout
-> A smooth, supported route into teaching in China with other like-minded graduates
FAQS
Is this the right option for me?
The fact you’ve made it this far suggests it is. If you’re a soon-to-be or recent grad looking to safely start your China teaching adventure with the step-by-step support and guidance to get you there, this is 100% the right option for you.
Can I apply with a spouse, friend or a group?
Yes, absolutely! Talk to us about joint/group placements.
Will I be close to other Travel Grads?
This varies placement to placement. Let us know if its something that would make you happy!​
Is it possible I won’t like it?
There’s no denying that living abroad has its ups and downs — it’s part of the experience. That said, our goal is to ensure you make the best decision for you. So to make sure you do, we share everything you need to know about life as a teacher in China during the application process. If at any point before you leave, you feel another option is more suitable, just let us know, and we’ll see what we can do! Then, once you’re there, our team is only ever a text or call away.
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