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Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option

Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option

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Impact Teaching
4.96 · 27 reviews
Community Choice Award Winner
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Impact Teaching

 4.96 · 27 reviews
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Location
  • China
    • Shenzhen
    • Shanghai
    • Beijing
Length
52+ weeks
Classroom Audience
Early Childhood Pre-School Elementary Middle School High School

Program Details

Classroom Audience
Early Childhood Pre-School Elementary Middle School High School
Housing
Apartment
Age Min.
21
Age Max
55

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

May 25, 2026
Nov 09, 2025
Wish List
51 travelers are looking at this program

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

Video thumbnail Play Video
Teacher in Chinese garden.
Teacher jumping for joy in the mountains in China
Teacher having fun in a Chinese classroom
Teacher enjoying a drink with an amazing view of Shanghai
Teacher exploring a garden in Wuhan, China
Teacher enjoying the mountains of Hunan, China
Group of teachers enjoying Wuhan, China
Jumping for joy on the great wall
James with his students
Fantastic felix looking very professional
Lovely Lewis and his lucky students
Lewis and his friends in Shanghai
Super Shawn helping out
Nicole getting into the spirit of things
Reading time
Jess, Ewan and friends at the Bund
Pauline and her students
Working hard or hardly working?
Beautiful Shanghai
Christian and his trusty tiger
Snow in Beijing
Arnold meeting up with teachers in Shanghai
What's going on here!?
Chinese food in China hits different
This is how you do it...
And the award for best teacher goes to...

View All Photos

Program Reviews

4.96 Rating
based on 27 reviews
Leave a Review
  • 5 rating 96.3%
  • 4 rating 3.7%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Benefits 4.75
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.8
  • Facilities 4.75
  • Safety 4.95
  • Growth 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 5
  • Safety 5
Good for Solo Travelers, Building your resume, Adventure travelers
Showing 25 - 27 of 27 reviews
Laura
27
United Kingdom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer Program

Oct 30, 2019

I have taught in China twice now with this company in my summer terms of university. The company allows a really safe and exciting experience to teach and thrive in China. The communication and help provided makes the trip surprisingly relaxing, and the orientation days allow an opportunity to meet other teachers also going on the program!
I decided to go back with the same company as it was so enjoyable the first time. Despite not knowing anyone else either of my times, I made good friends with the other teachers and have an experience I’ll never forget. I intend to travel back to China, and if I do it’ll 100% be with this company, as I know it’s legitimate, safe, and a truly amazing time! I would recommend this to anyone considering travel or teaching!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Really throw yourselves in to all of the opportunities offered, especially by your new Chinese friends (as long as it’s safe!)
155 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Josh
30
United Kingdom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEIC review

Oct 13, 2019

The whole process was great...the only thing that was somewhat of an issue were the hidden costs that kept reoccurring. It would be better if people were told straight away, rather than when they are too deep into the process to stop. Apart from that though, the whole process was smooth and really enjoyable! Amy was especially brilliant when we got to China but so was Arnold in the build up. The training at the hotel in Beijing was great!!! The hotel (and food) was amazing, the lessons were somewhat informative but definitely helped. The summer camp was really fun! Although the beds weren't particularly comfy and it was had a lot of similarities with a prison...I will never forget it. We were certainly thrown into the deep end but everyone swam, it was great to bond with the kids. I still miss them!!! Oh and one thing which only applies to people in Shanghai with Pacican...because they only do primary schools, it would have been good to know beforehand because I thought I was teaching middle school.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Chicken rings when I thought they were onion rings haha not great signage from the chefs at the summer camp, they did their best!!!
152 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Retshepisitswe
35
South Africa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Just do it

Oct 13, 2019

I've only been in China for a little over two months and I can honestly say that it is one of the best decisions I've made. The language is vastly different from those that I'm used to hearing - I'm from South Africa - but the culture shares a few similarities with those of my own. Primarily, the sense of community. The people are friendly and the sights are breathtaking. Through the Teach English in China I've been able to meet people from various parts of the world who I can now call friends, traveled farther than I'd ever previously dreamed of and, above all, learn skills that have not only helped me in the classroom but beyond. I've learned self-assuredness; I feel more confident in the things I say and do more so than I ever did before. So if you're thinking about coming to China then stop thinking and 'just do it.'

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing that I've eaten so far is called Durian. It is supposedly a fruit and most people describe it as sweet but I have my own opinion on the matter. Having said that, China is not only a great place to expand your horizons but also your palate as well.
151 people found this review helpful.
Helpful

Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

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

Corey Pyke

Program
Teach English in China Program 🇨🇳 free placement option
Job Title
China & Australia Programme Coordinator
Studied sports coaching at Edge Hill Uni, teaching in China for 6 years, was the right time to leave and help other people find their placements. Started by writing blogs about China for Arnold, and just evolved into a job.
Corey Pyke in China

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.
 

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...

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