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What Is the Difference Between a Training Centre and a State School in China?
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Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step in deciding that teaching English in China is your next venture in life. You’ve done your research about the documents you will need to live and work abroad. You’ve thought about what country you’d want to live in and what city appeals to you most. Maybe you’ve even thought as far as what age ranges you’d like to teach. But has anyone ever asked you `What type of school do you want to teach in?'
This doesn’t usually cross people’s minds as you might only think of the traditional western public school system. Well, the differences between public and private schools are distinct. Public schools in China are typically referred to as government (or state) kindergarten, primary, high school, or university-level schools. Private schools in China will usually be the likes of English training centres (or language schools). Read on to find out more about the difference between private and public schools in China, and which is a better fit for you.
Schedule
Training Centre
The biggest difference between training centres and state schools, regardless of the age group you teach, is the schedule. Training centres provide extra classes that students attend after their regular schooling or that adults take after their workday.
For this reason, training centre teachers typically start their workday around 2:00 PM, using the time to plan lessons or attend in-centre training. The first classes of the `day' usually begin at 5:00 pm, and a typical language school teacher finishes work around 8:00–8:30 pm. Additionally, weekends are the busiest days for teachers, so English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers typically have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off, or Mondays and Tuesdays.
English 1 (formerly EF English First) offers new teachers 10 days of annual leave as part of the salary package. These days can be combined with Chinese national holidays (approximately 11 additional days) throughout the year to maximise vacation time. Teachers are expected to work summer and winter courses alongside their training centre schedule, and most training schools provide compensation for the extra time and days worked.
State School
State schools follow a schedule similar to Western schools, with a typical workday starting at 7:30–8:00 am and ending at 4:00–5:00 pm. Teachers work Monday to Friday and have weekends off. Most working professionals in China also follow these office hours, so Saturdays and Sundays are usually crowded wherever you go.
However, state schools offer excellent compensation in terms of holidays. Generally, all holidays are paid, including two weeks for winter vacation, three weeks for Chinese New Year, and anywhere from four to eight weeks for the summer holiday.
One similarity between training centres and state schools is the teaching hours—teachers typically spend 20–25 hours in the classroom. The remaining 15–20 hours per week are allocated to office hours, lesson planning, and in-centre training. However, some schools (both training centres and state schools) may choose to eliminate office hours and lesson planning requirements, giving teachers more free time.
Class sizes
Training Centre
Because private language schools prioritise the satisfaction of both students and parents, class sizes are typically small, with a maximum of 15 students per class.
At English 1, class sizes vary by age group:
Ages 3–6: No more than 10 students per class.
Ages 7–18: No more than 16 students per class.
Since training centres provide additional schooling, you may not have the same students for an entire calendar year. For example, at English 1, a single course book takes six months to complete. You will generally teach the same students throughout that course, but class enrolment may change for the next one.
State School
Class sizes at state schools vary depending on the grade level you teach. Generally, public kindergartens have around 20–25 students per class, but as students progress to higher levels, class sizes increase significantly. It is common to see:
Middle and high school classes with 50–60 students.
University-level classes with up to 70 students.
For the most part, you will teach the same students throughout the academic year.
Another key aspect of state schools is that the number of foreign teachers varies widely. Depending on how rural the school is, you might be the only foreign teacher in the entire school, or you could be part of a larger international teaching team.
Teaching styles
Training Centre
Teaching styles can vary significantly depending on the school you choose. Since training centres are for-profit and focused on maintaining a polished image, you will typically find:
State-of-the-art technology in classrooms.
Brightly coloured, newly renovated learning spaces.
Pre-designed course books and structured lesson plans.
Many language schools require teachers to host demo lessons to attract new students. In the classroom, students will take tests and give presentations, but for younger learners, the focus is largely on games, dancing, music, and interactive activities to enhance learning.
State School
As mentioned earlier, state schools typically have large class sizes, which can limit classroom movement and interactive activities. Due to space constraints, playing games or engaging in active learning may not always be feasible.
Classroom equipment is usually minimal, and you can expect to have:
A blackboard with chalk and erasers as the primary teaching tools.
In more affluent schools, a whiteboard, smartboard, or computer for projecting materials.
Limited central heating and cooling, though standing fans and plug-in heaters are often available to manage temperature extremes.
Public schools provide a syllabus and textbook to follow, but teachers generally have flexibility in how they deliver lessons.
As you can see, training centres and state schools have many differences. It's important to research the different types of schools in China, as your choice will shape the lifestyle you lead abroad.
If you think a training centre is the right fit for you, click the button below to start a conversation with our recruiters.