Teaching English in China versus teaching English in South Africa

April 9th, 2014 — the day I left for China. 

Twenty-four-year-old me was contacted by English First (EF) Dongguan via email to teach English as a second language to kindergarteners, elementary students, high schoolers, and adults. I was thrilled! 

It took approximately three months to obtain my employment visa and before I knew it, I was settled in Dongguan. The transition was far from easy. From culture shock to people spitting all over the place, not to mention racism. It was a lot to process, but I eventually adjusted and began to enjoy my new life in a foreign country.

Today, there is still an immense need for English teachers in Asia, particularly in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. I'm still receiving emails from former employers asking me to return to China to teach, but I politely decline. In my opinion, the best-paying teaching jobs are in China. There are countless career opportunities for expats living in China but prejudice towards people of colour is serious and has worsened after Covid-19. 

Having lived, worked, and conducted business in China for six years, I found Guangdong province (the Southern part of China) to be extremely comfortable and lucrative for me. Compared to the rest of China, Guangdong is warmer in the Winter, and its residents are also friendlier. Additionally, the cost of living is affordable. I was able to save a lot of money while stationed there because I opted to work for private schools rather than public schools. Public schools in China pay far less than privately run schools. Furthermore, private schools typically have 8-16 students per class, whereas public schools can have 40-50 students, which is appalling. 

Initially, when I started teaching in China, I particularly enjoyed working with students between the ages of 4-6. But these days, I prefer mentoring and empowering young adults. Looking back, China was a fantastic career opportunity for me because I’ve always been business-minded. I jumped at the chance to teach at EF Dongguan because I was confident that it would present me with new opportunities. Now, at the age of 33, I’ve come to realize that teaching English in South Africa is a lot more challenging than in China, simply because many South Africans have a nonchalant attitude towards life and learning (or improving) their English.

Furthermore, opportunities for teacher-turned-entrepreneurs like myself are limited in South Africa mainly because of rampant corruption, economic imbalances, and extreme poverty. Unfortunately, it’s all about knowing the right people in the right places. I would advise young South Africans interested in teaching English in Asia to conduct extensive research. China was an excellent opportunity for me and many others, but it may not be the ideal location for you. The world hasn't been the same since Covid-19. In truth, the world has not yet recovered completely. So, with every decision you make, be mindful and intentional. 

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