Save Up To $50,000 per Year Teaching in China

[@ThrivingNotDying]

These numbers are pretty accurate. I used to live in Ningbo years ago, granted not at an international school and loved it! I went back to school and got certified because of my Ningbo experience. It would be nice to find other countries that pay comparable with the low cost of living included. I find that couples with no children who both work at international schools can save the most. Two incomes are always better than one. Very informative video!

[@Reddragondiaries]

You're absolutely correct about couples. Sharing expenses but with two incomes will make savings really add up quickly.

[@georgemkay5980]

Really good video! I hope to be in China teaching soon (within the coming year). Your videos are super helpful and to the point. I’m in my early 20s and initially was drawn to Korea because of the factors you mentioned (cool culture, pretty girls, delicious food, etc...). I obviously already speak English, and am fluent in another critically important language for Belt and Road (Portuguese) so it seems the best option would be for me to come to China, save money, learn Mandarin and enjoy the lifestyle. Looking forward to new content soon!

[@Reddragondiaries]

I wish you the best.

[@judorican973]

Welcome back tom happy thanksgiving 🦃!

[@Packadurm]

You really should have pointed out that these are not entry-level wages. If you're starting out, you should only expect 12-15,000 rmb. Still plenty of potential to save if you stay out of tier 1 cities, but not like what is mentioned in the video.

[@Reddragondiaries]

That's a good point, although some schools are so desperate that they will throw this kind of money at people without the experience

[@Markness]

I work at a training school, have two kids and a stay-at-home wife, on our income we can put away some numbers closer to the shanghai one, lol, but that also includes tuition for the kids and their food. I think you can cut most of those numbers in half if you're a young dude, as you'll want to go out and party and very likely you'll have some sort of habit you will get into as well (I am talking fun entertainment like PC gaming, or something similar to that, lol). It is hard to run a lean operation unless you do things as the locals do. Expat bars, and western food is very common to endulge in as people don't really have the language ability/pallet to enjoy the cheap grub a lot of the time. If your rental is cheaper then that means that you will very likely not have any western stuff around and will be enjoying an unhealthy diet of beer, boiled dumplings and fried eggs, as everything else requires you to have cooking ability to do on our own. The numbers you provide are possible, but I feel they are not very likely for the type of people that are only coming for a year or two to earn a quick buck and have fun while doing so, it is very likely their numbers would be a half or quarter as much (which is still a lot better than nothing!) Cool video! Mark

[@Reddragondiaries]

Yes, you hit the nail on the head on a few things. Saving definitely depends on the person. If I was younger, I would be saving far less if I lived as I did when I was younger. It's hard to get money to come in, but so easy to see it leave. You're also right about the food. It's definitely cheaper to order local dishes, but if others are like myself, I often don't go into places because I don't feel like going through the translation process on my phone. I do eat lots of local food, but there's a lot more to be enjoyed. Also, you're right about why people live abroad. It is usually for a brief time. I thought it would be brief as well, but here I am at 10 years! Now I'm focused on saving for the next phase of my life.

[@AlexC595]

Yes, I have heard about the money that can be saved from teaching in China.

[@Gooders478]

I've heard that English teaching jobs are much lower paid since Covid. Is this true? Cheers.

[@라이프-l5q]

Wow, this is so helpful! Great job, Red Dragon Diaries. This puts into context the money aspect of teaching in China. Your videos are a fount of so much useful information. Thank you thank you so so much! And please post more frequently if at all possible!

[@Reddragondiaries]

Thanks so much - I'm glad they're useful. Money is always a topic people wonder about.

[@cryptoforeveryone2689]

Great vid. My wife and I are about to begin the journey of becoming certified teachers and teaching in international schools. We live in Korea now and assume China will be our first destination. Also, I can see this video possibly really blowing up. Catchy title. Hope your channel is monetized!

[@Reddragondiaries]

It's quite different here than in Korea. I think if you get into a good city, you should have a decent time. And I hope you're right about the video. :)

[@cryptoforeveryone2689]

@Lucas Lee right back at ya!

[@estherfromasia]

Wow. The salaries are super high. Probably highest in Asia. No wonder so many foreigners flood to china to teach English. But this year the government has shut down many schools, I was wondering if it affects the foreigners

[@chriscaruthers883]

Hi Tom, I do have a random question. Why do recruiters and schools use RMB as the currency, but apps such as XE use CNY?

[@dicastats294]

CNY is the official international name of the currency CN (China) +Y (Yuan). However there's this informal name used by every chinese out there, Reminbi (RMB).

[@calmingbabysleep1256]

Thanks for the info! Been following you for years! Mind telling us your mbti type? Curious, would be interesting to know. Thanks!

[@JoseRodriguez-lq3gu]

"You just have to settle in" That's the key. Some of us ex-pats come to China with unrealistic expectations and closed-minded.

[@Reddragondiaries]

You have to check your expectations for sure. There are some aspects of living here that take some patience and changing of your thinking. If you can do that, it's pretty good in the larger, more active cities.

[@videosilike]

Can you talk about the recent crackdown of English education outside of public schools in China?

[@_vic97]

So informative. Thank you

[@st-ms1gl]

thanks for the info!

[@getsmartpaul]

Hi Tom, can you comment on Chinese Taxes that you are paying ? is it about 10% of gross ? I think the Salary is below the US Taxes threshold for foreign workers. Thanks :) Maybe a video on this ? How is your Chinese Mandarin learning going ?

[@Reddragondiaries]

Good point. I might look into that down the road

[@alicealvaran2561]

What are your job expectations at an international school? Benefits? Holiday pay? I'm thinking of going but I'm unsure. Recent teachers college grad asking. Also, what sites do you use to look for jobs? I've been using Dave's ESL. Are there any better ones ? Any help would be appreciated 🙏

[@Azadum]

What are the minimum qualifications you would need to get started? I have a 4 year business degree from a major university and one year of teaching English to Chinese students online. I could get a TEFL type certification. Is that good enough? I should qualify for an F4 Korean visa. Do you think Korea would be easier to get into? I've been meaning to start this journey for so many years...

[@Reddragondiaries]

In China almost any qualifications will get you a job somewhere. For the big international schools though, you'll need TESOLs, licenses, Master's or some combination of those.

[@Azadum]

@@Reddragondiaries Are the 120 hour TESOL's good enough for the big schools? Is the CELTA in demand in Asia?

[@Reddragondiaries]

@@Azadum CELTA is the best to have, but TESOL is just fine in most cases. Each school is different and so much depends on how needy they are to hire and what the pool of applicants looks like.

[@vincentnnyc]

How come you are getting paid more in dongguan than Shanghai and Beijing? Isn’t Shanghai and Beijing 1st tier city and bigger than dongguan?

[@victorjones2681]

Those expenditures are quite optimistic for most young people. I don't think people really learn how to save money until they reach their 30s. lol

[@Reddragondiaries]

We do get more frugal as we get older!

[@spindle7397]

Damn why do teachers get paid so much in China haha. Its really cool. Love the fact there is a low cost of living with high wages.

[@FishTalkFish]

Where do you peruse recruiter postings? I have looked on ESLCafe, but that's about all I know.

[@Reddragondiaries]

Job boards, recruiter sites, Facebook. There are almost too many places to look for jobs.

[@nataleeflores3487]

I'm applying for a first year ESL job in Seoul and a recruiter has already asked me what about China?

[@tomgates6262]

haha. That's common nowadays. The biggest differences between the Korean and Chinese markets is the pay and the breadth of jobs available in China. Everything in Korea is a hagwon job except for EPIK and a few international schools and universities. China is an abyss of jobs.

[@Boby985]

Dude you have an actors face !! You should do some action movie !!

[@Reddragondiaries]

thank you. maybe I can get a hold of Jackie Chan someday

[@trippontwowheels]

Not bad money!

[@Reddragondiaries]

I like it.

[@stevenobinator2229]

Biggest problem for anyone working in China is that you're in China. And making money like that anywhere else is impossible. So everyone gets stuck.

[@Reddragondiaries]

It's a double edged sword. These times are not optimal for fully enjoying the stay, but then there's a shortage of teachers so it's a great opportunity. Rates are going up too.

[@ithrowyoucatch5676]

Wiring money home. Like Mexicans in the US. How time has changed

[@3210vca]

Mr. Gates, buy me a beer in Shanghai!

[@lorettaliu7989]

Hi, do you have an email address? I just have some questions I would like to ask you about teaching abroad. Thanks!

[@stevenobinator2229]

Shanghai is just so much better. You could actually live there and smile most days. The other cities are just depressing. Shenzhen would be great, or Kunming. CHeers for letting me know how shit my pay is in Thailand.... kidding. Take care.....DID you buy my book yet ....CUT THE CRAP TRADER?

[@deaftv4035]

想学习乌尔都语吗？在我的频道上与我联系

[@maldova]

You are a very handsome man

[@Reddragondiaries]

thank you :)

[@Garrotegarrote]

The middle east is comparable..and less intrusive...😉

[@Fektthis]

Happy Turkey Day

[@Reddragondiaries]

Thanks. Same to you