Teaching Jobs in Shenzhen, China

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8 Teaching Jobs in Shenzhen
Premier TEFL
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China offers some of the highest demand for English teachers in the world—making it one of the best places to start your TEFL career. With an accredited 120-hour TEFL course, you’ll gain the skills and certification needed to access teaching roles across China. Designed for beginners, this programm
SIE - Succeed in Education
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Embark on an unforgettable teaching adventure in some of China's most vibrant cities—including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and more! With positions available throughout the year in private, bilingual, and international schools, you'll have the opportunity to teach high school students
See All 3 ProgramsTeach & Play
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Don’t get trapped! Did you know that 80% of teaching jobs in China require evening and weekend work? Not us! For Teach & Play, football (soccer), a fantastic social life, and incredible memories come first. All our jobs are football-friendly, meaning you’ll never work on weekends or in the evenings
Shanghai Meiji Culture Communications Co.,Ltd
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JOB DETAILS: This program is designed for individuals who would like practicum experience in teaching while traveling and learning a new culture. This program allows you to experience actual classroom teaching without making a long-term commitment. You will be teaching in a Kindergarten, Primary, o
Yohoo International Culture Exchange
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Join Yohoo Au Pair China for a meaningful cultural exchange experience with a carefully screened Chinese host family. This program is designed for applicants aged 18-28 who want to live in China, study Mandarin, experience local family life, and share their language and culture with children in a wa
English 1
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Teach English Overseas with Full Training, Visa Sponsorship & Career Support Looking for a stable, full-time job abroad where you can teach English, gain international experience, and receive professional training- even if you’ve never taught before? English 1 is recruiting entry-level English tea
A Guide to Teaching Abroad in Shenzhen
Popular Teaching Jobs in Shenzhen
As China’s first Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Shenzhen is a rapidly developing city. It receives massive foreign investment and, as such, provides plenty of chances for teachers to find their place, be it on a small scale or as highly qualified educator in some of the best universities of China.
Public schools, universities, and tutoring centers. If you’re looking to teach English in Shenzhen, English teachers are needed at all levels in public schools, from preschool to adult learners. Another option to teach is as a homestay tutor, which is generally well paid. If you are qualified in another field, you can teach business English classes in corporate training places. University jobs are also available, and they tend to pay average rates, but they sometimes throw in airfare and housing, so it’s worth checking the terms and conditions.
Short-term vs. long-term teaching jobs. Most of the teaching positions (especially teaching English in Shenzhen) are for a full year, but you could also find programs that are for a few weeks or months The salary range starts at $1000 a month for most public sector jobs, which allows for a comfortable lifestyle. Some international schools even pay up to four times as much, which funds a rather luxurious time in Shenzhen.
Teaching English vs. teaching other subjects. English teaching jobs are widely available and in high demand — they usually will pay for airfare and housing as well. Non-English teaching jobs are limited, but still available in international schools in Shenzhen, especially to teachers who have some level of understanding of Mandarin. You can attend Mandarin classes yourself, which at times is part of your program.
Life for English Teachers in Shenzhen
If you are after vibrant city life, then teaching in Shenzhen won’t disappoint with its urban lifestyle. There is a huge expat community in Shenzhen, and it will be easy for you to find company with other who share your interests and first language.
Shenzhen is your typical urban center, with plenty of eating-out options, shopping opportunities, and hopping nightlife. Restaurants have food from all over China, but it might be difficult to recognize what you are eating, as the names are rarely in English. (Do be sure to try barbecued oysters and the Xinjiang garlic bread.) If you want more, Hong Kong is a mere train ride away, and if you are craving for a bit of home, there are plenty of western bars in Nanshan, Futian, Luohu, and Shekou.
There are numerous attractions outside the city as well, such as the serene Wanly Lake and the majestic Guishan Mountains. Shenzhen may be a hot climate, but it has the most beautiful coastline in China to compensate for that fact. There are gorgeous beaches with large stretches of gorgeous national parks providing welcome relief from the hustle-and-bustle of the city.
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Mandarin immersion. An English teacher need not necessarily know Mandarin, but in a place where Mandarin (and sometimes Cantonese) is such a necessary part of daily life, taking Mandarin classes will help you learn phrases to navigate Shenzhen and to order delicious foods in the area.
Harsh climate. Shenzhen is very hot and humid, much like the rest of South China. It might be difficult for people from temperate climates to adjust. There is a brief and mild winter from January to March, but the rest of the time, it will be sweltering. You may spend most of your time in classrooms, but remember to stay hydrated! Teachers usually dress very casually, but women usually cover their shoulders and chests in the hot and humid months.
Work culture. When you receive your contract to teach in Shenzhen, just be aware to read the fine print and do your best to negotiate for your salary and benefits — they need you more than you think. Also, keep in mind that everything is last minute and to expect the unexpected when it comes to scheduling and communication issues.
As one of the most sought after teaching destinations in Asia, and if city life is what you are after, then you should definitely teach abroad in Shenzhen! You will get a chance to see the modern way of life in China and learn some Chinese culture between lesson plans and noodle stalls.
Latest Program Reviews
Enjoy my teaching journey with SIE
July 30, 2026by: JACOB ROBERTS - United KingdomSIE have given me great support in all aspects; from organising documents prior to arriving in China, to support during the arrival process and further support with any assistance I have needed during my time in China. Their support allows teachers to focus on both teaching and enjoying their free time, resulting in a great experience with a good work-life balance.

Luck to be with SIE
July 07, 2026by: MAGGIE LEVIN - United StatesI began my teaching journey in China a year ago. I feel very lucky to have found SIE. They have been reliable and very supportive through my entire experience in China. They have come through for me in difficult situations. Looking back, I would never have wanted to take on this adventure without them.

My time teaching in China with SIE
June 25, 2026by: FRANKO MAREE - South AfricaProgram: Kindergarten Homeroom Teachers in Shenzhen/Guangzhou
I have been teaching in China for a year and a half now, and my experience has been very positive. SIE played a key role in making this journey smooth and successful. SIE was extremely helpful in all aspects of the process, from my initial application to settling into my teaching position. One area where SIE truly stood out was their support with documentation. They guided me step by step through all the required paperwork, visas, and procedures, making what could have been a stressful process feel clear and manageable. Throughout my time teaching in China, SIE has remained supportive, professional, and responsive whenever I needed assistance or advice. Thanks to their help, I was able to focus on my teaching and enjoy living and working in China with confidence and peace of mind. I am very grateful for the support I received from SIE and would gladly recommend them to anyone considering teaching in China.

Teaching SHENZHEN primary school with SIE
June 15, 2026by: Norbert MALECKI - United KingdomSIE is great. They found an amazing school for me and helped me every step of the way to start my life in China. Whenever I need something I just send a message to Yuki or Lena and they always personally help out or provide helpful advice. SIE is always there to support you, whatever issues or change of circumstances occur they will have your back and go above and beyond to assist you.

BIG THANKS TO SIE!
June 09, 2026by: Katrina MITCHELL - United StatesProgram: Kindergarten Homeroom Teachers in Shenzhen/Guangzhou
I am so glad to have found SIE when coming to China one year ago! Having the support and help when navigating a new country and culture has been incredibly helpful and i can’t imagine having done it without them. Thanks to SIE for helping me find a job I like and supporting me through the process!

Almost 6 years' career path with SIE
May 25, 2026by: Lucas Unwin - EnglandMy current title is Academic director, I have been teaching here in China for 8 years, and the last 6 years have been with SIE. Living in China is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It has been nothing less than an amazing experience. I first lived in Shenzhen for 2 years and then moved to Guangzhou for these 6 years. Shenzhen is a modern metropolis and if you’re interested in a fast-paced city then that is the place for you. Guangzhou is a more historical and culturally fascinating city. It’s still a vibrant city like Shenzhen, but if you are about traditional commodities like food and customs, then Guangzhou is more suitable. I began my teaching journey straight after finishing university. My degree is in English Literature which helped me secure a position at a primary school as a teaching assistant. I was given an abundance of varied responsibilities such as coordinating advanced level programs for higher level students to support with 11+ examinations to establishing and guiding support programs for lower level students. I quickly progressed to teacher status, giving myself plenty of experience in education. I stayed at this school for 5 years until I made the decision to move to China to develop and enhance my teaching career further. When I arrived to China in 2018, I was working for another agency at the time. After 2 years, I was looking for a change. I heard of SIE through friends which recommended it to me and as I valued their opinions, their positive comments were reassuring. I started as an ESL teacher in a middle school for a year. After the initial year and my previous experience, SIE given me the opportunity to become an academic director and to take charge of a new bilingual school in Guangzhou. I have now been at the school for 5 years, helping to build the reputation and maintain high standards within the institute. Being an ESL teacher is the vital foundation needed in order to progress. I was lucky to have quite a few years of experience in different countries to build my teaching experience. I learnt many valuable skills and techniques working in different environments. It’s crucial to have gone through the ESL teacher process to be an effective academic director. It was a natural and smooth transition to become academic director as I just used my existing skillset and applied them to the new role. As academic director, I still teach and develop my teaching skills every day. This is useful when directing the team as I am aware of the teaching environment in the school and can give guidance where needed. Being aware of the workload as an ESL teacher, I was able to adjust my time management to fit in the additional responsibilities that the new role requires. Working in different educational environments has given me experience working with many different people, useful when wanting to effectively lead and guide a team. The institution is new and has a small group of 4 foreign teachers. As the school is expanding and more teachers join the team every year. My main responsibilities include managing the foreign teachers, making sure they are maintaining teaching standards, according to school regulations and protocols, and guiding and advising the team when needed. I am the main point of contact for the school, so I am responsible for relaying information back and forth to the foreign teachers. I also handle any questions the school or teachers may have. I organize lesson observations and give feedback on a monthly basis to ensure school standards are upheld. I also attend meetings and keep up to date on daily school briefings. I coordinate with the school to help promote school demo classes and open days. Also, I work closely with the school’s management team to establish an unique and effective curriculum for the foreign teachers. SIE has given me lots of opportunities teaching in many different educational institutes. SIE gave me a kindergarten summer camp position, ESL teacher position in a public school, teacher training sessions, teacher observations amongst other things. This led myself to gain enough knowledge to be suitable for academic director. SIE saw this and thus gave me the opportunity. I am grateful to SIE for seeing the potential in their employees and giving them the chance to excel and thrive in their field. They have connections with the educational bureau and government entities which help organize teaching events and give valuable guidance. SIE is always willing to provide support when needed. SIE management team is friendly and readily available to help. They are very experienced and knowledgeable about all aspects of teaching in China.

First time teaching in China!
May 21, 2026by: Clarence Swiegers - South AfricaProgram: Kindergarten Homeroom Teachers in Shenzhen/Guangzhou
Throughout my time in China, SIE have offered strong support, particularly during my initial arrival. They would assist me with accommodation, visa processes and various day-to-day challenges, always providing guidance when I was unsure how to proceed. Their teacher training and ongoing support helped make the transition into both teaching and living in China much smoother.

My teaching journey with SIE in China
May 13, 2026by: Jorge Medero - United StatesGreetings my name is Jorge from the United States. I have had the privilege of teaching English in China for over 11 years, working closely with children of all ages and language levels. Throughout my time living and working in China, I have gained a deep appreciation for the culture, the students, and the passion that young learners bring into the classroom every day. During my teaching journey, I have worked with a variety of schools and programs, but my experience with SIE over the past three years has truly been the most rewarding and fulfilling. SIE stands out as an organization that genuinely values both its teachers and its students. The academic support, professional environment, and strong sense of community have made teaching not just a job, but a meaningful and enjoyable experience. Working with children has always been at the heart of my teaching philosophy. I strive to create engaging, supportive, and energetic lessons that help students build confidence, develop strong communication skills, and enjoy learning English. Seeing students grow—from shy beginners to confident speakers—is the most rewarding part of my work, and SIE provides the ideal environment for that growth to happen. After more than a decade of teaching in China, I can confidently say that my time at SIE has been the highlight of my career here. It represents the best of what teaching and living in China can offer: professional growth, cultural exchange, and the joy of helping young learners succeed.

High school experenice with SIE
May 11, 2026by: Jessica q - United StatesProgram: Kindergarten Homeroom Teachers in Shenzhen/Guangzhou
Hello! My name is Jessica, and for the past four years, SIE has been the reason my husband and I have been able to build a wonderful life here in China. It started when they guided us through the visa process during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because of that solid start, we were both set up with great teaching jobs at well-known high schools in Guangzhou. Since then, my career has really grown. I am currently in my 4th year, and in that time, I’ve gained expertise teaching AP Psychology, AP English Language, Literature, and test prep courses like TOEFL and IELTS. I’ve helped students prepare for everything from speech competitions to research essays, and I’m so proud of the relationships I’ve formed with students, many of whom have gone on to top universities. With SIE’s ongoing support, I was even able to earn my PGCE while working full-time. I absolutely love my life here and hope to stay for a long time. Looking back, none of the career advancement, the qualifications, or the amazing experience would have been possible without SIE’s help from the very beginning.
Teaching high school in China?
May 07, 2026by: Jamie J - United StatesHonestly, it’s been the greatest adventure of my life. And I’ve gotta say, the whole amazing crew at SIE, have been a huge part of why it’s been so amazing. It’s wild to think I only landed here a year and a half ago. I had no idea how much this place would just click. Right from day one, SIE was there to help me figure everything out with all the tricky stuff that comes with moving to the other side of the world. They didn’t just find me a job; they really helped me get settled, bridging that gap between my old life and my new one, both culturally and professionally. What’s so nice about teaching here is how much everyone encourages and helps, but without all the pressure. The support is just there. And the fun stuff? I’ve gotten to do it all: help coach the school football team, play in a local Chinese football league, and join in many events with other expats.
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