Teaching Jobs in Shanghai, China

Teaching English is certainly one of the more popular types of teaching jobs in Shanghai, especially suited for native English speakers. In fact the majority of contracted teaching job in Shanghai are for positions that require teachers to teach English as a second language, which may or may not require some basic Mandarin language skills.

Private schools in Shanghai are always looking to hire foreign teachers to expand the educational opportunities they can provide for students. If you would like to teach in Shanghai, but prefer smaller class sizes (and more money), then your best bet is to look into teaching jobs at private institutions. The drawback, however, is that schools like this are often specialized, and you likely won’t have as much choice in subject. Many private schools in Shanghai are focused on English language immersion.

Public schools tend to offer teaching jobs in Shanghai less frequently. Public schools will have much larger class sizes, sometimes up to 60 students. You are likely to see a wider range of subjects taught in public institutions, but these schools will often require that teachers have a degree in the field they wish to teach or a teaching license. However, one of the advantages of landing a teaching job at a public school in Shanghai is a greater number of paid vacation days.

Roughly 14.5 million people live in Shanghai, which means you’ll hardly ever be alone. One thing you should be more than prepared for before teaching in Shanghai are the crowds. Don’t expect to have a lot of room and be prepared for a great deal of smog and noise on a day to day basis.

On the other hand, one of the great advantages of living and teaching abroad in Shanghai is the high level of safety. Violent crime in Shanghai is relatively low, for such a large city; petty crime, like pickpocketing, credit card fraud, and financial scams, are most common.

Given the population, driving or navigating the streets of Shanghai by foot can be rather overwhelming. However, the city has a fairly reliable public transportation system. It can be confusing at first, but with time, you’ll get accustomed to the routes and times, and how to cross the street.

Learning. You are certain to learn a critical amount about China’s government and economy while teaching abroad in Shanghai. This knowledge and understanding of a country that is becoming a world superpower will no doubt shape your perspective on the global marketplace and be useful in many different future career paths.

Language. As China continues to expand its international diplomatic and economic ties, Mandarin is becoming a more and more useful language, so teachers should take advantage of any immersion opportunities they have during their teaching job in Shanghai. In general, employers in any field will see Mandarin proficiency as a great asse

Smog. Pollution is a very real problem in China and you will probably be taken aback by how bad the smog in Shanghai really is. But, if you learn to deal with it, you’re sure to find a fascinating culture, history, and people behind the hazy skies.

Read our comprehensive guide on teaching abroad in China.