MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHING JOBS
Middle School Teaching
As a Middle School teacher, you’ll be working with students at the start of their exam journey. Although their end of high school exam is their biggest exam, it’s never too early for the middle school students to get ready. Expect to be working with 30 plus students in a typical classroom environment, educating them about English as a second language, or your subject you’ve studied to teach as a professional teacher.
Middle School is a fantastic time in a student’s life to learn English as a second language, as you can make fun, active and engaging content around learning the language. Expect to be teaching the same lesson to multiple classrooms and planning your lessons around your teaching time. Students in Middle School range from 13-15 years are full of energy and enthusiastic about gaining a global perspective. So, remember, teaching middle school students is more about teaching English as a second language, as they’re ready to understand your perspectives, culture and passion for the English language.
Is Middle School Teaching Right for Me?
The main goal of most secondary schools is to prepare students for higher education, to college or university. Secondary schools are usually measured by how many successful students they send, and to which colleges or universities. This competitiveness has lots to do with limited spaces and high applicants. Why are we telling you this? Middle school students will be starting their exam journey and are most likely a little stressed with their now, intensified workload and pressure from their teachers and parents to do well. Therefore, teaching English as a second language to middle school students, you’ll need to make sure your lessons are fun and allow the students to learn in an engaging environment.
The classroom styles for typical middle schools are a teacher at the front, and then 30 plus students in rows facing the teacher. You’ll need to be a teacher that enjoys engaging the classroom with activities. Mostly using PowerPoint, you’ll be driving home the school’s curriculum of key areas they want you to focus on. The support and infrastructure from schools is constructive in a middle school environment and you’ll be communicating that to a diverse range of English abilities. Be patient, be loud and set your classroom environment expectations with your students from the start of the year.
What is the salary for a Middle School Teacher in China?
1. 10,000RMB to 22,000RMB per month before tax
2. Accommodation Provided or an allowance included in your salary
3. Reimbursed Flights to come to China and to go home
4. Z-VISA support throughout your application, so you can come to China and teach legally
5. Fully paid public holidays throughout the year
6. Private Health Insurance
7. English speaking colleagues who can support you
8. Training and Development Opportunities
All the provided benefits are general benefits, and we’ll let you know what your Kindergarten offers before you sign a contract.
Requirements for Teaching ESL in Middle School
- Fluent English speaker with a clear and audible accent
- Bachelor’s degree or above (non-native English speakers need to have theirs from a native English-speaking country)
- TEFL certificate, OR 2 years of teaching experience, OR English related degree
- Below the age of 60 years old
- No criminal record
A Typical Week Teaching in a Middle School
To start the day strong, the middle school students all stand proudly to attention while they sing the national song for their flag-raising ceremony, just like they have done from Kindergarten and through primary school. As a Middle School teacher going from classroom to classroom, you’re most likely not going to be with your students while they raise the flags, but you can watch from the warm inside as they do this in the cold winter. The middle school students then progress to their daily schedule, where they mostly stay in the same classroom. Routine morning exercises usually occurs with music that keeps everyone in sync, and sometimes the middle school students run laps. When you’re going from classroom to classroom teaching English as a second language (ESL), you’ll just be with the middle school students for when they need to learn English as a second language.
Expect to have a daily plan for your English lessons, and time to prepare (office hours). Your lesson planning may be orientated around a syllabus or curriculum the schools provides, so it’ll be your job to make this learning criteria come alive and inspire all the children to actively engage and enjoy learning English. Middle School follows a Monday to Friday schedule, so you’ll be guaranteed to have every weekend off unless there is a major school event.
Your FAQs
Yes, HiredinChina and your school can support you with anything you need. We’ve been through it all before.
Your school will apply for your VISA for you to work directly for them. We’ll be with you every step of the journey. We’ve created our own VISA support page. Remember, the VISA you’re applying for is a Z-VISA.
You will be employed directly by the school. HiredinChina helps you meet your perfect school.
Your contract will be a minimum of one year. Some contracts are two years long, depending on which school you teach in.
If you’re ill, don’t panic. You’ll have private insurance from which you can quickly be taken to a hospital with your school’s HR staff. They’ll support you until you’re better, translating everything throughout your journey. Once you’re better, you can claim the hospital bills against your insurance.
Yes, absolutely. You’ll have to go through your bank to legitimately send money home. To do this, follow the steps they give you. Your HR support at your school will be able to translate anything you need to properly do this.
Most class sizes are 12-25 students. Try to allow for different levels of learning throughout your class, so all your students are engaged.
That’s fantastic news! Not speaking Chinese is great for your students, as you’ll be able to immerse them in English more. To communicate to the locals, we recommend you learn English whilst teaching, to appreciate the culture more. We’ve put together a short basic mandarin guide to help you get kick-started before you come.
