How do I apply to Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option?

You can apply to Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option by clicking the "Apply Now" button.

What are the age requirements for Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option?

Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option is open to participants aged 21 to 55.

Is housing provided for Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option?

Yes, the program includes housing. Participants stay in apartments.

What's included in Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option's fee?

The program fee includes accommodation and some meals.

Community Choice Award Winner

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Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option

Q: Where is Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option located?

Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option is located in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing, China.

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Impact Teaching

4.97 (31 reviews)

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Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option

Impact Teaching

4.97 · 31 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

China
- Shenzhen
- Shanghai
- Beijing

Length

52+ weeks

Classroom Audience

Early Childhood Pre-School Elementary Middle School High School

Health & Safety

Learn More

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Program Details

Classroom Audience

Early Childhood Pre-School Elementary Middle School High School

Housing

Apartment

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

Salary / Benefits

12,000 RMB - 21,000 RMB per month, plus housing allowance of 2,500-4,000 per month

Price Details

Refundable holding deposit of $120 required.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Meals

What's Included (Extra)

Reimbursements for authentication/legalization cost for the visa
Airfare up to a certain amount, 10,000 RMB for most schools

Last Reviewed: Sep 25, 2026

Wish List

64 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

About Program

Why teach in China?
• Competitive salaries that make it easy to travel and save
• Placements in amazing cities like Beijing and Shenzhen, plus other major hubs
• Free housing or a housing allowance, arranged by your school or paid monthly
• A chance to live like a local with incredible food and vibrant neighbourhood life
• Real cultural immersion in one of the world’s most fascinating countries
What you’ll gain
• Life-changing experiences and lasting friendships
• Highly valued international teaching experience for your CV
• Roles across early years, primary, middle, and high school
• TEFL included, or a discount if you already have one
Why work with us
• A trusted network of well-vetted schools in China
• Full visa support, with flight and visa costs reimbursed
• Pre-departure support and a full orientation day in central London
• Clear legal requirements and ongoing guidance
• Multiple start dates, typically August and February

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers strong support throughout the visa and placement process, with helpful staff and valuable training.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Program Highlights

Housing allowance included
Regular pre/post departure Zoom calls
PU letter from a schools
24/7 in-country support
Full visa support

Video and Photos

Program Reviews

4.97 Rating

based on 31 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Teach Intern

5 rating 96.77%
4 rating 3.23%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Benefits 4.8
Support 4.95
Fun 4.85
Facilities 4.8
Safety 4.95

Growth 5
Support 5
Fun 5
Housing 5
Safety 5

Good for Solo Travelers, Building your resume, Adventure travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 31 reviews

Impact teaching was very helpful and supportive with the full process from the start. When I joined them, They gave me a wide range of schools that would best suit my preferences in education. As well as this, they provide a training event that allowed me to meet other people in the same position as I was and allowed us to build a network as well as to give us some training and advise that will help us out. Even after starting at my school, they kept in touch with me to see how I was doing as well as informing me of any future positions that might be suitable for me.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

The most important advice I could give is to learn a bit of the language beforehand as being able to communicate with people will help make the transition a lot easier.

Pros

The company was really helpful from the start.
The schools offered matched my preferences.
Made sure I was fully prepared before moving.

Arnold is a great guy and this program was amazing. China is an amazing country but it takes a while to adapt and settle - Arnold was always checking in and finding different things for us to do in the city. He helped set me up with a few football groups, and this was key to helping me meet others. He also provided lots of very helpful teaching materials so that we could prepare before leaving the UK. My time in China was one of the best periods of my life and I can’t recommend this program enough!

What was your funniest moment?

When the security guard at my school asked me where I got my chairman Mao cap from - I thought I was in serious trouble but he just wanted to know where he could but it

Pros

Great people
Amazing food
Lots of time to travel

What other participants should know

Culture shock (also a pro)
Humid weather

It was an amazing experience to head to China, the support from Arnold in the first place was great. Constant check ups and all.

My highlight would be ending up on Shenzhen news! Something I couldn’t believe happen. But it was great to have recognition of all my hard work I put into the year.

I really tried my best to enjoy everyday, I made sure that I went out to eat everyday almost because the cost of living is so low you are able too!

Life was good, the bike riding, exploring different cities and overall lifestyle.

This was the one job where I was sad that it was a Friday and happy that it was a Monday!

What was your funniest moment?

I think the students made me happy everyday. They always said or did something random that would put a smile on my face.

Pros

Excitement
Adventure
Cultural experience

What other participants should know

I struggle to think of many

For many years I had been interested in living and working in China, but living in the UK the process seemed so overwhelming and I had no idea where to even start looking for jobs. Then I discovered Impact Teaching. The support from Impact Teaching has genuinely been amazing. Arnold always had my best interests in finding me a school placement, offering alternative school options when my original plans weren't working out. The meet ups that he holds in London and the orientation are also really useful and great to meet people who are also coming to China, I even got to meet someone who would be working for the same company as me in China, and since arriving in China I've met so many more teachers that have come here through Impact Teaching. There is no way I could've navigated the application, interview, and visa processes by myself without Arnold's help and guidance. Arnold has still been really supportive since I've been in China, he had always been reachable if I had any questions or concerns and he still keeps in touch, asking how everything is going and asking about any issues im having that he may be able to help with. China has been such an amazing place to live and work and I am now starting my second year here!

Impact Teaching's ongoing support and extensive experience helping teachers get positions has made a massive difference, and I would recommend them to anyone coming to China or any of the other countries that Impact Teaching offers placements with.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

With the job market constantly changing here in China, I would seriously recommend to anyone who is considering teaching in China to start applying now! Choosing a trusted agency with so many years of experience placing teachers in China is so important, and I couldn't recommend Impact Teaching enough. Their knowledge of the whole process, keeping updated with the work situation in China, and having so many different connections to placements in China really sets you up for the best possible chance to have the best time of your life here in China!

Pros

Amazing support and guidance
Extensive options for placements
Trusted and legitimate agency

It’s been a dream of mine to live in China, and I truly believe it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Impact Teaching. Moving to China can feel overwhelming, but Arnold made the process so much easier. He was honest and supportive, taking my preferences into account, coordinating with a recruiter in China, guiding me through the visa application process, and connecting me with other teachers who would be in the same city. If you’re thinking about teaching English in China, I definitely recommend Impact Teaching!

The school and program I’m working with is fantastic! It not only meets my living and teaching requirements, but also accommodates any unexpected personal needs. It gives me challenges and rest when I need to. The staff and students are very caring and supportive. Impact Teaching program gave me a great guide to prepare me for moving. Being a first time traveling teacher can be stressful so I wish there was more support and understanding from the program. However, with their help and the help of a sister agency I was able to find an amazing school. All we need is more blogs and videos to help guide new people and we are good. Overall, a great first experience. Good luck to new travelers.

Pros

Great Journey and preparation Guide when
Amazing School and Agency Recommendations
Flexible and Legitimate Company to help the overseas travel

What other participants should know

Customer service needs to improve for first time US travelers
More support before and after moving to China
More guidance on what to think about before moving hwre

First class experience all supported and organised through impact teaching which before was teach English in china. Arnold and the guys made everything simple and there was always support and someone there to help when needed. Process was very smooth and service was excellent. Very well organised and did not feel like you were moving so far away from home.

Would highly recommend Arnold very personable and willing to help. Has kept in touch nearly 10 years later and has helped me with a few career things along the way.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Go for it. Don’t think, DO. Travelling and seeing the world is a better experience than anything else . You will grow

Pros

Support
Experience
Organisation

Firstly Arnold at Impact Teaching was incredibly helpful and supportive during the entire process, and was always there when I needed him. Living here is a great experience which I am glad I did, and I believe it is incredibly valuable and will hopefully open the door to more opportunities potentially in Shanghai, Hong Kong or other well connected places. It is very important to get stuck in to some extra curricular activities to get a better chance of meeting new people which I have done with football.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My future advice would be to think about how you are going to spend your evenings in the week, and even the weekend, as having hobbies like football, learning the language, or in my case trying to learn some music production skills, because when you don’t have anything to do in the week once you get home around 6, it could prove to be a bit lonely and you may feel a bit homesick, which is normal.

Pros

Cultural differences
Independence
CV (showing you are willing to go and do something like this is valuable)

What other participants should know

Losing all your habits and comfort foods that you may have at home and having to find new versions of everything.
May feel lonely at times which emphasises the need to get yourself out there and do activities.

Community Questions

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Staff spotlight: Corey

What is your favorite travel memory?

I would have to say my travels in South Africa are some of the best experiences that I have had. As I have family there, I’ve probably been around 12 times now! Cape Town is quite possibly my favourite place in the world, so any memory there is a good one.

I think my top memory would have to be from my most recent stay there. It was my first time not staying with family and living there by myself, and I had to go out and meet new people. I found an incredible meet up group that was focused on deep conversations – skipping the awkward part of meeting people for the first time. It obviously worked, as the next day I had an invitation to go to a hidden cave on Chapmans Peak Drive. Known as one of the most beautiful roads in the world, how could I say no! We found the cave and ended up watching the most beautiful sunset, with sky turning pink and yellow and the sun slowly disappearing into the sea. A local friend that had been to the cave before said that it was the best sunset he had seen there – so I obviously got lucky!

Another top memory from South Africa is definitely Kruger. I have been lucky enough to go on safari there twice, and it never disappoints. Being able to see the Big 5 up close is such a surreal experience, paired with some of the most incredible scenery. A highlight was going with a friend who spoke the same language as the guide, and getting an extra hour of safari for free by ourselves, as he was so excited to be able to speak his local language at work. Traveling with local friends always brings out the best experiences!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I haven’t been at the company for long, but I’ve definitely seen some growth already. I’ve become a lot more aware of what my strengths are, and how I can use them to benefit both myself and the company. Having Arnold (Director at Impact Teaching) let me implement any ideas that I have on the technical side of everything has really helped me to develop more confidence in what I do, and will definitely help me in this company, and in whatever else I end up doing.

I have also become more self-assured. No two days are ever the same in this job, and sometimes we have issues that need to be dealt with quickly, like something that needs to be fixed urgently on the website or a last-minute applicant that needs a school in a week. Through my work at the company, I have found that not only do I have the skills to deal with these types of issues, but also, it turns out that I do some of my best work with a bit of extra added pressure.

In terms of changes, I think that they came during my time in China. I moved when I was 22 and left when I was 28, and as anyone that has lived abroad before knows, it forces you to grow up quickly! I never had a job outside of being a sports coach at home, so being thrown into teaching English in a classroom setting was a big step. Suddenly you have the responsibilities of living by yourself, the expectations of parent, the expectations of a school and the pressure of being a good teacher for the kids, and for me that worked out. A one-year job turned into 6 years in China, and now working for Impact Teaching.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Over six years in China, I taught hundreds of different students of all ages, so as you can imagine, I heard plenty of weird and wonderful stories! The ones that stick for me are definitely the ones from the younger kids, as they definitely do just say anything.

One of my favourites was when we were learning about jobs in class – the kids in this class were about 5 years old – and we were deciding what they wanted to be when they were older. Of course, we had the standard options, doctor, nurse, footballer, musician, teacher, and all pretty much all of them were giving relatively normal answers, of course with a few princesses thrown in. That was until we got to Charles. Charles had incredible English for his age, especially as his parents didn’t speak any. So, when I asked Charles what he wanted to do when he grew up, he said “Teacher, I don’t want to do any of those jobs when I’m older”. I said that it’s fine and asked him what he did want to do, and he replied “Teacher, I want to be a Narwhal!”

At this point, my Chinese co-teacher stepped in to point out that being a Narwhal isn’t a job, but Charles was insistent, spouting out tens of different Narwhal facts that he had learnt at home. He was sure that he didn’t want to be anything else, so we left it. For the next 2 weeks, Charles was coming into class with new Narwhal toys, explaining to his friends that it was what he was going to be when he grows up!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I think this is a difficult question, as I would genuinely do any of our programmes. I think the one that probably sticks out to me the most is the Australia program. Not just being biased as I am the coordinator, but it’s the program I would be most excited about.

The fact that you can go to so many different types of schools across the country, and that you have the opportunity to teach different subjects besides English. The salary of course would be a huge bonus. I think I would be willing to go to a more remote town if it meant I could get £80,000 a year! Australia itself is such a cool place with so much to offer. I’ve been to the Gold Coast before and had such a good time, so I would want to see more of the country. I would always be spending the school holidays traveling around!

I would also definitely want to do the China programme again. Since I did it in 2019, we have so many more options in terms of types of schools and locations. Again, not being biased (I’m the China coordinator too!) but I think that the programme that I did was probably the best things I have done in my life so far. China is an incredible place, and life is very easy there. A big bonus of our program that I loved when I did it was that you get to meet the people that you are going with before you go. It creates a community, and makes the move a bit easier.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I think that what makes us unique, especially as a small team, is how personable we make the whole process. From the initial interview to moving to a new country, we try and make everyone feel as confident as they can be, from emails making sure they know what to do next in the visa process, to zoom calls giving them ideas of things that they can do in a lesson. We try incredibly hard not to make anyone feel like they have just been dropped in the deep end.

The contact with our director Arnold is something that I think is unique too. He regularly keeps in touch with teachers, whether they applied last week, or 10 years ago. There are meetups scattered across the year, where new teachers can meet alumni – even if they aren’t still teaching, to hear about their experiences, and even give them some advice as to how to deal with life after living abroad.

One thing I’m proud of is the effort we put in to listening to feedback, and the amount of time we put in to making sure our partnerships are as beneficial as they can be to our teachers. TEFL isn’t always easy, and there are schools that definitely take advantage of people with low wages and few benefits (speaking from experience at those schools!), but we put in the effort to make sure that isn’t the experience our teachers get. It can be incredibly daunting moving abroad, and we want everyone to feel happy and safe in their jobs.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think that one of the biggest factors in being a successful company, especially in this industry, is trust. People are trusting us to find them a job on the other side of the world, where they don’t know anyone, and don’t speak the language – that’s a huge responsibility. This makes the in-country partners especially important. People won’t trust you if you send them to a school you’ve never spoken to. Even more important is the trust you have from the teachers themselves - building relationships with them from the first interview, seeing what they’re excited about, seeing what they’re worried about – it all goes a long way. Sometimes ESL recruitment can seem like an over saturated market, and so being a company that teachers and partners trust is the difference between being a successful company and not.

Another factor that I think is important in being a successful company, is being consistent. Sticking with the same few countries and establishing yourself as a trusted partner goes a lot further than changing countries each week. I think this is something that Impact Teaching is good at. We have years of experience in China – we were previously Teach English in China – and so we have many trusted contacts there. The same with Poland, Hungary and Thailand, countries that we worked on early into changing to Impact Teaching.

Lauren Pettit

Programme Director

Amy Warmington

Programme Coordinator for Paid Teaching Programmes

About Impact Teaching

At Impact Teaching, we specialize in helping you find the perfect teaching program in your ideal location. We work alongside carefully selected partners in cities around the world to offer you programs you know you can trust. We know just how nerve-wracking it is to step out of your comfort zone and experience a new culture for the first time. That...

Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option