9 of the Best TEFL Courses in China

Earn your TEFL certification in China!

China is as diverse as it is vast. It is home to a dizzying array of delicious cuisine, stunning landscapes, and (lucky for you) an incredibly high demand for English teachers! Although there is high demand for teachers, there is no sacrificing quality. Many schools are looking for qualified teachers—this is where a TEFL qualification can set you apart!

Do TEFL certification classes in China seem like your cup of tea?

Getting TEFL certified is a huge advantage if you're planning on pursuing the adventure of teaching English overseas. TEFL certification gives you a leg up on your competition, and opens up opportunities that are not available to the general population. If you are planning on getting certified, you might as well make the most out of the experience, and get your TEFL abroad in China! Why wait to start travelling? When you get TEFL certified in China, you can make a seamless transition between getting your TEFL to teaching English abroad in China! 

Here’s a sneak peek of the best TEFL courses in China, according to former English teachers there:

• Teacher Link
• Asian College of Teachers
• Premier TEFL
• International TEFL & TESOL Training
• International TEFL Academy 
• Ameson Education and Cultural Exchange Foundation 
• TEFL Graduate 
• Language Corps
• Global TESOL College NYC 

The best TEFL courses in China this year

Editor’s note: This information on getting your TEFL certification in China was accurate at the time of publishing. Please refer to each individual program for current data.

1. Teacher Link—9.36

“Teacher Link has been (and continues to be) a great resource and help to me here in China. The TEFL class, while intense, was very doable. The program pairs teaching foundation and theory with practical classroom experience. Without a doubt, this program has prepared me for teaching. In a span of 4 weeks, I learned so much about teaching, different ways to teach, as well as classroom management techniques. Not only do you get to monitor yourself and your own progression, but you also learn from other trainees in your cohort too. Overall, this was a very enriching and valuable learning experience.”—Read more Teacher Link reviews here

• Where? Shanghai
• When? Four weeks, March - August 
• Why? Teacher link works closely with the veteran ESL teachers and employers in order to stay on top of trends in the English as a second language field. Once you have completed your TEFL certification, they also offer job placement and resume assistance. It is an internationally recognized program, so it’s up there in the top places to get your TEFL abroad in China! 
• More info on Teacher Link

2. Asian College of Teachers—9.37

“The ACT TEFL program was all about discovering the teacher that was hidden in me. The approach was not only academic but also included a holistic development as educators of the future generation. It gave us in depth knowledge of the current practices and has also made us flexible to accept and adopt the better teaching practices in future as well.”—Read more Asian College of Teachers reviews here

• Where? Shanghai 
• When? 4 weeks, Year round
• Why? The ACT TEFL certification in China program will teach you everything you need to know to prepare you for your first teaching job. They even give you lesson planning help and practice teaching sessions! You will leave this program with practical knowledge that you can apply in your day to day work. 
• Read more about Asian College of Teachers here

3. Premier TEFL—9.25

“It is a very well organized course with very useful teaching strategies. The course content is already helping me as I am already working as an English instructor. I have already introduced some of the activities into my existing courses, and my students have responded very positively. Thank you very much!”—Read more Premier TEFL reviews here

• Where? Online
• When? 6 weeks - 6 months (independent study), year round 
• Why? With Premier TEFL, your certification is done completely online which means you can travel anywhere in China (and around the world!) while earning your qualifications. The main benefit of an online TEFL course is that you can work independently at the most convenient times for you. Premier TEFL also offer teaching internships in China, with TEFL qualification included.
• More info about Premier TEFL

4. International TEFL & TESOL Training—9

“ITTT Tefl provided me with numerous tools in their modules that helped me succeed in finding a job in China. The learning provided me everything from classroom management and lesson planning to grammar. The program is very affordable compared to the other TEFL courses I've seen.”—Read more International TEFL & TESOL Training reviews here

• Where? Shanghai, Beijing, Zhuhai, Chongqing, and online options
• When? 4 weeks, year round
• Why? Get a TEFL in Beijing and beyond! ITTT offers online or in class options, and even combination options of the two, which means you have ultimate flexibility! They have options to suit any needs or schedule, and operate in exciting locations worldwide. ITTT also gives you lifetime employment support, which includes resume reviews, interview preparation, and example lesson plans. 
• Find our more about International TEFL & TESOL Training

5. International TEFL Academy—10 

“After receiving my TEFL certificate, they put me in contact with Jose who had lived in Beijing for eight yrs when I arrived. It made my transition to teaching English in China easy. He helped me find a job. The TEFL degree made living abroad so much easier.”—Read more International TEFL Academy reviews here

• Where? Various locations across China
• When? 4 weeks, year round 
• Why? International TEFL Academy offers online or in person certification classes. When you complete their TEFL course, you are offered lifetime job placement assistance. This means you will have help in transitioning to positions all around the world! Their connections and alumni network is an invaluable resource as a new teacher. 
• Read about International TEFL Academy

6. Ameson Education and Cultural Exchange Foundation—9.5

“I joined AYC in its inaugural year upon graduating from college. Traveling to China (and living and working there for a year) was made easy by having support teams in both DC and Shanghai as well as a network of fellow ambassadors. I was attracted to AYC by the mission of promoting cultural exchange along with having a relatively light work load, which gave me time to explore, learn Mandarin, and work on music. Many of my fellow ambassadors used their time outside of class to prepare for grad school and work on interesting personal projects.”—Read more Ameson Education and Cultural Exchange Foundation reviews here

• Where? Shanghai, and various locations in Zhejiang, Hunan, and Jiangsu provinces 
• When? 10 months, starting in August
• Why? English teachers in China love The Amerson Education and Cultural Exchange program, which is much more than just a TEFL course—it’s a cultural exchange program. Their "Ambassador Year in China” opportunity gives college graduates the chance to become ambassadors by spending a year in China teaching, learning, and offering support to public schools. You have the chance to participate in community engagement, self directed pursuits, and school support activities, all while completing TEFL courses in China.
• More about Amerson Education and Cultural Exchange Foundation here

7. TEFL Graduate—9.5 

“I am currently still living in China and love it. The work schedule gives you a lot of time off to travel and explore the rest of the country! And if you’re not interested in travelling, saving money is the easiest task - the cost of living is very cheap! With lots of friends near and local attractions it’s easy to save and still have a good time! Don’t hesitate to try this experience, it will be worth it!”—Read more TEFL Graduate reviews here

• Where? Online
• When? Year round
• Why? TEFL Graduate offers TEFL training and job placement services with the help of professional recruiters. Their certification is all online so you can travel wherever you wish. They offer different levels of TEFL courses, from a basic course to a master course, to best suit your needs!
• More TEFL Graduate info

8. LanguageCorps—8.5 

“This was an absolutely top-notch program. Quality of instruction was excellent and the help they provided in finding teaching positions after the program really pushed me along. I got three teaching offers before I had even finished the program! Definitely recommended! Thank you to everyone at Language Corps.”—Read more Language Corps reviews here

• Where? Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and various locations across China
• When? 4 weeks, start dates from April to October 
• Why? When you get TEFL certified with Language Corps, you will also get the chance to visit Cambodia! They offer their 4 week TEFL course in Phnom Penh, and then will connect you with a position to teach in China. Their course includes an observed teaching practice to make sure you are truly ready to step into a classroom. Language corps also offers online courses, combined online and in person courses, and teaching internships for every aspiring teacher. 
• Find out more about LanguageCorps

9. Global TESOL College NYC—10 

“It has been a wonderful experience working with Global Tesol. Maria worked hard to get us a job and was very helpful. Thank you so much Maria for all that you did for us. I can highly recommend Global Tesol to anyone that wants professional assistance for their future career as an English Teacher.”—Read more Global TESOL College NYC reviews here

• Where? Online, or at branch locations around the world 
• When? Year round
• Why? Global TESOL college has branches and training centres worldwide! Although they do not have a location in China, they have connections all around the world for you to get your first English teaching job in China. The best part: they have a job guarantee!  
• More Global TESOL College NYC info

[Browse ALL TEFL Courses in China]

Fulfill the TEFL requirements in China

Who knows who you’ll get to hang out with when you get TEFL certified in China? Maybe this guy will be there!

With entire industries built around learning languages, China is one of the best places in the world to get your TEFL certification and start your English teaching career. It is a country teeming with energy and activity, where you’ll find no shortage of eating, exploring, or English teaching opportunities in China! 

Getting your TEFL certification will allow you to face the unique challenges of English learning lesson classroom head-on. There is truly no better place to get your TEFL certification and start your English teaching journey. It’s time to jump-start your English teaching career, and get TEFL certified in China!

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