Teach English in Shijiazhuang, China
Teach young learners at the city's largest private English school, one hour from Beijing by high-speed train. 10 places with start dates from March to December 2027, a sponsored Z visa and no placement fee through ESLstarter.
English teaching jobs in Shijiazhuang
Yingfu Education (英孚教育) is the largest private English language school in Shijiazhuang, with four schools across the city, over 4,000 students and a team of around 60 teachers from all over the world. Its first school opened in 2002, and the Shijiazhuang team is part of one of China's biggest English school networks, with over 250 schools nationwide.
You'll teach children aged 3 to 14 in bright, modern classrooms, each with an internet-connected smart screen. All course materials are provided, younger classes have a bilingual teaching assistant, and you'll have your own desk and classroom.
We're recruiting 10 teachers for 2027, with roughly one new start a month from March to December across the four schools, so the earliest applicants get the most choice of start date. Looking for other cities? See our jobs in Shanghai, Beijing and more or all teaching jobs in China.
Your Shijiazhuang package
A net package worth up to RMB 22,000 a month, depending on your qualifications and experience, in a city where your money goes further than in Beijing or Shanghai.
Net monthly package
Flight reimbursement to get you to China
Rent your own unshared apartment, with help finding one
RMB 100 to 200 an hour for extra classes
Sponsored legal work visa, with a team to guide you
Free commercial cover for illness and accidents
Including Christmas, plus a chance to travel China
The Teaching Knowledge Test, provided free
Met at Beijing airport and taken to your new home
Who can apply?
To qualify for a Chinese Z work visa in Hebei, you'll need:
- A passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa
- A bachelor's degree or higher, awarded by a university in one of those countries
- At least 2 years' full-time work experience after your graduation date (in any field)
- A TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate, or be willing to complete one before you go
- A clear criminal background check, dated within 6 months
- A love of working with young learners. Positive, enthusiastic and fun!
Teaching experience is preferred but not essential, as you'll get comprehensive induction training when you arrive. Your degree and background check both need to be apostilled, and we'll talk you through it.
No TEFL yet? You need one for your Z visa, and you can complete it online. Our partner TEFL UK's 120-hour TEFL starts at just £63 and many people finish in 3–4 weeks. For the strongest application, go further with the Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL from £239. Remember to bring your paper certificate to China.
Get TEFL certified from £63The role
- Plan and deliver fun, active lessons using the school's own materials
- Teach phonics, vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing
- Track and evaluate your students' progress
- Give oral placement tests to new students
- Join meetings, workshops and school social events
- Work alongside teaching assistants and other departments
Your working week
| Wednesday | 13:30 – 20:30 |
|---|---|
| Thursday & Friday | 14:00 – 20:30 |
| Saturday & Sunday | 09:00 – 19:30 |
| Monday & Tuesday | Days off |
40 hours a week, of which 20 are teaching hours (26 in July and August). This is a typical schedule and may vary by school.
Bright Sparks
One-hour classes of up to 10 children, with songs, games, stories and puppets. A bilingual teaching assistant joins every class.
High Flyers
The main course: two-hour classes of up to 16, mixing phonics, readers, videos, chants and games.
Trailblazers
Two-hour classes of up to 16 teens, building vocabulary and grammar with a focus on reading and writing.
Living in Shijiazhuang
Known to teachers as "The Shiz", Shijiazhuang is the capital of Hebei province, a modern city of around 11 million people with a subway, four distinct seasons and an easy-going pace. It's flat and easy to cycle around, and living costs are noticeably lower than in Beijing, which is just an hour away by high-speed train for weekends away.
History is right on the doorstep. The ancient town of Zhengding, just north of the city, is full of temples, pagodas and old city walls, and the Zhaozhou Bridge, built around 1,400 years ago, is one of the oldest stone arch bridges in the world. Head west and you're in the Taihang Mountains, with hikes at Baodu Zhai and Zhangshi Cliff and the temple suspended between cliffs at Cangyan Mountain.
Life with the team
With 60 teachers across the city, you won't be on your own. There are regular social events, from bowling, laser tag and football to mountain hikes, Halloween parties, Christmas pot-luck dinners, a black-tie gala and teacher awards nights. Teachers also head off together on weekend trips to Beijing and the Great Wall.
The school's bilingual Foreign Affairs team helps with the practical side too: opening a bank account, booking trains and flights, online shopping and doctor's visits.
How it works
Apply with ESLstarter
Send the form below. We'll check your eligibility, including your work experience and visa documents.
Start your documents
Order your background check and get it and your degree apostilled. This is the step that takes longest, so start early.
Interview
A video interview with the school, with tips from us beforehand.
Offer and Z visa
Choose your start date and apply for your sponsored Z work visa with the school's visa team.
Fly to China
You're met at Beijing airport, taken to Shijiazhuang by high-speed train, and trained before you teach.
Ancient temples, mountain hikes and Beijing an hour away, with a big, friendly team to share it with. Shijiazhuang is one of China's best-kept secrets for English teachers.
Earn a Cambridge TKT while you teach · Read teacher stories
Teaching in Shijiazhuang: your questions answered
How much do English teachers earn in Shijiazhuang?
This role pays a package of up to RMB 22,000 a month net, plus overtime at RMB 100 to 200 an hour. You also get RMB 10,000 towards your flight, an accommodation allowance, health insurance and a sponsored Z work visa.
When can I start?
We're placing around 10 teachers between March and December 2027, roughly one new start a month across the four schools. The earlier you apply, the more choice of start date you'll have.
Do I need two years' work experience?
Yes. Hebei's visa rules ask for at least two years of full-time work experience after the date on your degree certificate. Internships don't count. The experience doesn't have to be in teaching.
Do I need teaching experience?
No. Teaching experience is preferred but not essential, as you'll get full induction training when you arrive, ongoing mentoring and a free Cambridge TKT qualification.
Do I need a TEFL certificate to teach in China?
Yes, you need a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate for your Z work visa. You can complete it online, but bring the paper certificate with you to China. If you don't have one yet, our partner TEFL UK's 120-hour course starts at £63.
Is accommodation provided?
You rent your own unshared apartment with an accommodation allowance from the school. The school's Foreign Affairs team helps you view apartments and check your rental contract after you arrive.
What is the working week?
You work 40 hours a week, of which 20 are teaching hours (26 in July and August). A typical schedule is Wednesday to Sunday, with afternoon and evening classes midweek and full days at weekends. Monday and Tuesday are your days off.
What is Shijiazhuang like?
Shijiazhuang is the capital of Hebei province, a modern city of around 11 million people with a subway, four distinct seasons and a lower cost of living than Beijing, which is about an hour away by high-speed train. Nearby you'll find the ancient town of Zhengding, the Zhaozhou Bridge and the mountains of the Taihang range.
Does ESLstarter charge a fee?
No. Our recruitment service for this role is completely free for teachers.
Ready to teach in Shijiazhuang?
10 places for 2027, filled roughly one a month. Applying takes five minutes, and our service is free.
