Expat life in China is different than it used to be. What was once a country where many expats were just passing through, has evolved into a home for many people who have come and stayed. The country offers great opportunities for English teachers and parents, but the focus of this article is on British Schools in China.
How many British schools are there in China?
As of 2018, there were more than 100 British schools in China. The number of British schools in China has increased significantly in recent years; however, it is difficult to pinpoint exact numbers because many schools keep their data private.
The increase in the number of British schools can be attributed to a number of factors: the growing popularity of English language education among Chinese students, as well as an increase in tourism between Britain and China.
How have the reforms affected British schools in China?
British schools in China have had a tough time since the reforms, but they’re not giving up.
The Chinese government’s educational reforms have made it harder for British schools to hire teachers and maintain their standards. Even though teaching jobs in China are in demand, some schools have closed down, some are returning under state control and others are completely adjusting their curricula.
The British Council has been working with these schools to help them adapt. They say that although there are still challenges, the number of British schools in China is growing every year.
One school that has been affected by the reforms is the International School of Tangshan (IST). It was founded in 2006 as an independent college preparatory school and included IB and A-level curriculum options. But it closed down last year due to financial problems and then reopened under state control with IB replaced by Chinese qualifications instead.
4 examples of British Schools in China
1. British School of Beijing
The British School of Beijing was founded in 2003 as a non-profit, international school with the aim of providing a high-quality British education to the children of expatriates and Chinese nationals in Beijing. The school is located in Shunyi, which is just north of Beijing’s city center.
The current curriculum at the school includes the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A Levels for its high school students, as well as an Advanced Placement program for its middle school students.
2. British International School Shanghai
The British International School Shanghai (BIS) is an international school in Shanghai, China that offers a British curriculum from Early Years through to IGCSEs. The school was founded in 2002 by Nord Anglia education, which also operates other international schools across the world.
BIS offers students an immersive experience in learning about British culture and language. In addition to English lessons, students can also learn Mandarin Chinese and French. The school follows a British curriculum from Early Years through to IGCSEs.
Students are encouraged to embrace life outside of school by participating in sports teams or attending extracurricular activities such as drama club, choir, and chess club. They have access to a wide range of after-school activities including music lessons and robotics classes.
3. British School of Guangzhou
The British School of Guangzhou was founded in 2005 by the British Schools Foundation, and is a co-educational school that offers a British curriculum. The school has a focus on the creative and performing arts, as well as STEM subjects.
Students at the school are taught in both Chinese and English. As such, they are able to develop strong language skills in both languages.
The school is located in Zhujiang New Town, which is also known as “Pearl River New Town.” This area was designed as part of an effort to build a modern city that would be attractive to foreign investors.
4. Harrow International School Beijing
Harrow International School Beijing opened in 2005 and is divided into four phases of progression. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, with students taking a variety of courses across the different grades and levels. There are three main departments: academic, extra-curricular, and international programs.
In the academic department, students work on English and Chinese language skills as well as math, science, humanities, and technology. In addition to the regular curriculum, they also take part in extra-curricular activities like sports teams, theatre productions, student government, community service projects and more.
The extra-curricular department offers many different clubs including the art appreciation club, debate club, robotics club and more. Students can also take part in school trips throughout China or abroad if their parents are willing to pay for it!
The international program at Harrow includes regular visits from other countries including Australia, Canada and England itself! The school also has exchange programs where students can spend time abroad learning about other cultures while still receiving an education back home at Harrow International School Beijing
How to get a teaching job in a British school in China
1. You need the right qualifications.
When you’re looking for a job in China, you need to have the right qualifications.
That’s because employers are highly selective when it comes to hiring teachers. They want someone who not only has experience teaching English as a foreign language, but also someone who can demonstrate their ability to work with Chinese students.
So if you’re looking for a position at a British school in China, make sure that you have:
- A TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject
- A TEYL certificate (Teaching Young Learners)
2. You need the right travel documents
The first step to getting a job in a British school in China is getting your travel documents in order. This means making sure you have the right visa, passport and any other necessary documentation before you leave home.
You need a working visa if you plan on teaching English at a British school in China, but if you’re just looking for work in general, then you might be able to get by with a tourist visa. If you don’t have either of these things, then it’s best to get them sorted out before booking your flight tickets.
3. Be prepared for an interview
Most schools will require that you come in for an interview before they hire you. Make sure that you are prepared for this interview! Make sure that your resume is up-to-date and includes any relevant information about your experience teaching abroad or teaching English as a second language (ESL). It’s also a good idea to bring some references from previous employers or colleagues that can speak to your character and work ethic.
Conclusion
If you meet the basic requirements and have the desire to teach English in China, then you’re ready to start looking for jobs. The best way to find a teaching position is by going through Top Tutor Job which specializes in giving you access to top educational employers in China.
The British curriculum has always been used by many schools as the base or backbone of their own curriculum. This is because it is recognized as being high quality, and it is updated regularly to implement the latest developments in educational technology.
Any parent choosing a school for their child should first ask what sort of curriculum that school uses so that they can be certain that the school will best prepare their child for whatever pathway they choose down the line.
