How to Teach English Online to Chinese Students

China is one of the largest TEFL markets for ESL teachers. There is a huge demand for English teachers in China. Although teaching abroad is a great option, not everyone can travel to China to teach English. However, teaching English online to Chinese students is available for most ESL teachers. If you are also interested in teaching English in China, check the job opportunities.

Continue reading to learn how to tutor Chinese online.

Teaching English Online to Chinese Students

When teaching English to Chinese online, there are a few factors to keep in mind.

• TEFL Certification
• Find the best Online English Teaching companies
• Time difference
• Create a professional virtual classroom
• Lesson planning
• Understand Chinese students
• Rewarding and Praising

TEFL Certification to Tutor Chinese Online

The first thing you want to do before anything else is to become TEFL qualified. What is a TEFL certificate? It is a Teaching English as Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate that is an internationally recognized entry-level EFL (English as Foreign Language) teaching credential. TEFL certificate is recognized by general communities and schools globally. If someone has a certificate, that person is qualified to teach non-native English speakers anywhere around the world. A TEFL certificate is one of the most basic qualifications that global ESL students or language schools look for from future teachers.

Find the Best Online English Teaching Companies for Chinese Students

Online English teaching is certainly a growing market. Therefore, it isn’t surprising to see a large number of online English schools. However, the huge list can make it difficult for ESL teachers to choose or find the best online English teaching company. It can be even more difficult when it comes to finding an online teaching school for Chinese students. Here is a list of the few online English teaching companies that are popular among ESL teachers for you to consider.

1. VIPKID: Teaching English Online to Chinese Students

One of the best online English teaching companies to teach Chinese students is VIPKID. This company to popular among ESL teachers because of the scheduling flexibility and relatively high hourly pay. The best part of VIPKID is that you can create your own schedule and teach one-on-one lessons. You do not have to worry about finding time slots and fitting your schedule into a pre-organized timetable. Furthermore, lesson plans are created by the VIPKID company, so you do not have to prepare lesson plans or materials.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 7.5 hours
• Class time: 6PM – 12AM
• Hourly salary: $14 – $22

2. DaDa ABC

DaDa ABC is another well-paying online English school that teaches Chinese students. The company is officially partnered with the TESOL Institute. This means that DaDa ABC has a strict standard when they choose their ESL teachers and provide education to Chinese students who are willing to learn English online.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree, teaching certif6 PMtion, 2+ years of work experience
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 6 hours
• Class time: 6 PM – 9 PM
• Hourly salary: $14 – $25

3. Magic Ears

Magic Ears is a great option for ESL teachers who are willing to teach younger students. It is an online English teaching platform that focuses on providing tutoring to students who are between 4 and 12 years old.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree, 1+ years of work experience
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 1.5 hours
• Class time: 6 PM – 9 PM
• Hourly salary: $12 – $26

4. EF Education First

EF Education First is a great option for teachers who want to teach English online and work from home. The good thing about teaching English online to Chinese students with EF Education First is that teachers do not need to prepare lesson plans and course materials. EF Education First designs provide their teachers with pre-made materials and a pre-designed curriculum.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 5 hours
• Class time: 9 AM – 6 PM
• Hourly salary: $10 – $17

5. Skooli: Tutor Chinese English Online

Skooli is an online school that provides education to students all around the world. Although Skooli provides tutoring for all kinds of subjects, English is one of the most popular subjects among Chinese students. This interactive online teaching company uses Google Docs and additional technology.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 15 hours
• Class time: 6 AM – 3 AM
• Hourly salary: $25

6. Qkids

If you are from Canada or the US and want to tutor Chinese online, consider applying for a job at Qkids. It is a company that strictly hires teachers from Canada and the United States. The students’ ages range from 5 to 12 years old.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree, 2+ years of work experience
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 15 hours
• Class time: 6 PM – 9 PM
• Hourly salary: $16 – $20

7. iTutorGroup / TutorABC

iTutorGroup, also known as TutorABC, is an online tutoring company based in Shanghai. TutorABC or iTutorGroup was once known for giving different pay rates depending on the student ratings. However, the company has recently changed its payment system. Now, the hourly salary is mostly dependent on the experience level.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 5 hours
• Class time: 6 AM – 12 PM
• Hourly salary: $5 – $22

8. Gogokid

Gogokid is a great option for teachers who want to tutor Chinese online. The scheduling is relatively flexible. Instructors can choose any time they want to teach during Beijing daytime. Although you have to schedule classes in a different time zone, it still gives some freedom to teachers when it comes to choosing the class times. Also, most of the students are between 4 to 12 years old. Therefore, it is a nice choice for ESL teachers who prefer tutoring younger students.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, 2+ years of teaching experience
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 10 hours
• Class time: 9 AM – 9 PM
• Hourly salary: $14 – $25

9. SayABC: Teaching English Online to Chinese

SayABC is a popular online English teaching company that pays well but has some restrictions on scheduling. Compared to the other companies, SayABC’s scheduling isn’t so flexible. However, your hourly rate can be much higher than other online English schools. Also, you renew your contract after a three-month contract. During the three months, you will be dedicated to only one class.

• Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification, 2+ years of teaching experience
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: 5 hours
• Class time: 6 PM – 9 PM
• Hourly salary: $15 – $28

10. Italki

If you are looking for a platform with the largest number of students, you want to check Italki. However, Italki isn’t necessarily an online English school. Rather, it is a platform that connects ESL teachers who are willing to tutor English online and students who want to learn ESL virtually.

• Minimum requirements: No
• Minimum weekly teaching hours: No minimum hours
• Class time: 6 AM – 3 AM
• Hourly salary: self-set

Time Difference when Teaching English to Chinese Online

It is important to keep in mind the time difference when you tutor Chinese online. There are five different time zones in China (UTC+5, UTC+6, UTC+7, UTC+8, UTC+9). Also, the Chinese students might be living in a completely different country. Wherever they are, it is crucial to understand the time difference and take it into consideration when you schedule classes. You want to find the best time to teach English to Chinese students.

Create a Professional Virtual Classroom

Working from home is awesome. However, it is a double-edged sword. You get to work from the most comfortable place, but that comfortableness can get in the way and damage your work efficiency. Therefore, you want to create a separate and professional work environment within the living space if you are going to work from home. Also, it is crucial to create a professional environment that can minimize distractions, especially for the younger students.

Lesson Planning

Lesson planning isn’t the most important part when you teach English online to Chinese students. This is because most the online English teaching companies provide pre-made lesson plans, curricula, and course materials. However, most of the companies that provide ESL lessons to Chinese students will be more than happy for teachers to use extra lesson materials of their choice. If you feel like you can enhance a student’s learning with external ESL class materials, feel free to incorporate it into your tutoring session. There are numerous online ESL resources that can assist your teaching.

Understand Chinese Students

When you teach English to a student from a different culture, it is helpful to have at least a little bit of understanding of that culture. It is the same for teaching Chinese kids English. Most importantly, understanding Chinese students and understanding their culture can help you avoid making any unintended offensive comments. Additionally, understanding the people and the culture can help you improve your learning efficiency by adjusting the way you teach. Depending on the student and the culture, you can approach it differently. These slight differences can bring a surprisingly positive outcome.

Also, understand the purpose of the student’s learning. Why is this Chinese student learning English? In most cases, you will find Chinese students willing to learn ESL to find better job opportunities. They might want to improve their English for business purposes as China has a massive market for almost every industry. On the other hand, you might be teaching students who are simply learning English as another language just for fun. You do not want to approach these different types of students with the same way. Therefore, it is important to understand who you are teaching.

Rewarding and Praising When You Teach English to Chinese Students Online

Rewarding and praising are very important when teaching English to Chinese students because they are often scared of making mistakes and looking silly in front of others. You want to teach English to Chinese students in a way that will not embarrass them and discourage learning. Therefore, appropriate rewards and praising can be a great way to encourage Chinese students’ English learning lessons. However, rewarding can be tricky when you are teaching English online. You will have to come up with a smart way to reward the hard work your Chinese students are putting in to learn English.

What are some Tips for Teaching Children in China Online?

Teaching English online to children in China can be a rewarding experience. Here are some tips to make your online English lessons engaging and effective:

Use Visual Aids

Incorporate visual aids such as props, flashcards, or pictures to support comprehension and make the lessons more interactive. Visuals can help children understand and remember vocabulary and concepts more easily.

Interactive Activities

Plan interactive activities that involve movement, gestures, or games to keep children engaged and actively participating in the lesson. Use online platforms that allow screen sharing, interactive whiteboards, and virtual games to make the learning experience enjoyable.

Incorporate Chinese Culture

Introduce elements of Chinese culture into your lessons to foster a connection between their native culture and the English language. Share stories, festivals, or traditions from China to make the lessons more relatable and interesting for the children.

Utilize TPR (Total Physical Response)

TPR is a teaching technique where students respond to commands or instructions through physical movements. Utilize TPR to teach vocabulary, action verbs, or prepositions. For example, ask students to stand up, jump, or point to objects while learning the corresponding English words.

Break Down Lessons into Short Segments

Children have shorter attention spans, so break down your lessons into shorter segments. Plan different activities or topics to maintain their focus and prevent boredom. Switch between speaking, listening, reading, and interactive tasks to keep the lesson dynamic.

Encourage Speaking and Pronunciation Practice

Provide ample opportunities for children to practice speaking English. Use repetition, modeling, and correction techniques to improve their pronunciation and fluency. Encourage them to speak in complete sentences and ask questions to develop their communication skills.

Engage Parents

Maintain regular communication with parents to update them on their child’s progress and provide suggestions for further practice at home. Share resources, websites, or apps that parents can use to support their child’s English learning outside of the online lessons.

Create a Positive and Supportive Environment

Establish a warm and encouraging atmosphere during your online lessons. Praise and acknowledge students’ efforts and achievements to boost their confidence and motivation. Use positive reinforcement and gentle correction when necessary.

Use Multimedia Resources

Incorporate multimedia resources such as songs, videos, or interactive websites into your lessons. Online platforms like YouTube or educational websites can provide engaging content that reinforces vocabulary, grammar, or listening skills.

Provide Regular Feedback

Offer constructive feedback to students, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement. Use a positive and encouraging approach to motivate them to continue their English language journey.

FAQs About Teaching English to Chinese Students Online

Here is a quick guide to some commonly asked questions on how to teach English online to Chinese students.

How much can you make teaching English online to Chinese students?

Depending on your experience, the online English teaching company that you work for, and additional qualifications, online English tutors who teach Chinese students can make around 12 to 30 USD.

Is VIPKid still hiring?

VIPKid is a global platform, so you can still teach Chinese students who are residing outside of China. Unfortunately, many online English teaching platforms are having a hard time in the Chinese market due to the new education policies. So if you are a foreigner living outside of China, getting a VIPKid teaching job for Chinese students can be tough.

Can I teach English online without a TEFL certificate?

There are online English teaching companies that do not require a TEFL certificate. However, if you are considering teaching English online, obtaining a TEFL certificate is strongly recommended because it opens up many more job opportunities. Furthermore, you will become a strong candidate when applying for teaching jobs not only online but also globally if you are interested in teaching abroad.

Do you need a degree to teach English online in China?

Not every online English teaching companies in China require a university degree. However, many ESL companies will expect teachers to have a degree. Still, it isn’t a big deal, even if you don’t have one. A TEFL certificate and prior experience will be enough to find an online English teaching job for Chinese students.

Teaching English Online to Chinese: Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on teaching English online to Chinese students? Did you find an online teaching company that you like, or do you prefer teaching abroad in China? Also, if you are interested, consider teaching English online to Japanese students. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you.

Last update on 2022-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API