Is it Better to Teach English in Japan or China?

Japan and China are among my two favorite destinations for traveling and teaching English abroad. Initially, I wanted to move to Japan to teach TEFL given that both countries offer a unique cultural experience, a chance to contribute to making a positive impact in the world, an opportunity to earn extra money, and travel across Asian countries. 

Which one is better for teaching English? I believe that the most important criteria in choosing between Japan and China will depend on your personal preferences and your level of adaptability. 

Let’s compare Japan and China in terms of the cost of living, culture, language learning opportunities, and working conditions to help you make an informed decision. 

Japan vs. China: cultural differences 

Teaching English abroad is a great way to experience a new culture. 

Japan is known for its polite culture and strong work ethic; it’s not uncommon to see people working late into the night. The Japanese are also very respectful of their elders and other authority figures. 

In contrast, Chinese culture tends to be more relaxed; people are less likely to stay late at the office. The good news is that Chinese students are very respectful of teachers, making your job as a TEFL teacher easy and giving you plenty of leisure time. Additionally, the Chinese are very friendly, and it is easier to make local friends. 

More importantly, China would be a good choice if you love history, traveling, and food.

Japan vs. China: cost of living 

One of the biggest factors to consider when deciding between Japan and China is the cost of living in each country. Japan is generally more expensive than China because its currency. 

For example, one US dollar equals 132 Japanese yen (JPY), while it equals 6.77 CNY (as of January 2023) This means that if you’re teaching English in Japan, you will need to make more money than if you were teaching in China just to cover your living expenses. 

Japan vs. China: culture and language learning opportunities 

Both countries have much to offer in terms of culture and language learning opportunities. While Japanese culture is known for its traditional customs and etiquette-based lifestyle, Chinese culture offers a unique blend of ancient traditions with modern influences from around the world.

Additionally, both countries have rich language learning opportunities; Japanese has several writing systems, while Chinese has thousands of characters for written communication!  

Whichever country you choose to teach English in—Japan or China—you will experience unique cultural experiences, taste delicious foods, and learn a new language.

Japan vs. China: working conditions 

Another important factor is working conditions in each country. Working conditions in China largely depend on the school you work for and how well you negotiate your contract. 

In both countries, many schools provide housing for their teachers and offer other benefits such as free meals, free housing, and transportation costs covered by the school. 

I strongly recommend you find a reliable school if you choose to teach in China as it is easy to end up working in bad working conditions. 

So, is it better to teach English in Japan or China?

Ultimately, choosing between teaching English in Japan or China will depend on your personal preference. 

• If you are adaptable, China can be a better choice for you as it can become comfortable and lucrative. 
• Most teachers I spoke with find living in Japan to be “boring.” It can be challenging to make local friends. On the other hand, it is reasonably easy to make local Chinese friends. 
• In addition, the ex-pats community is known to be bigger in China, particularly in bigger cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. 

I suggest you consider factors like cultural differences, cost of living, salary expectations, and language learning opportunities before making your decision so that you can get the most out of your time abroad. 

Both countries offer unique experiences that will help you grow personally and professionally; no matter where you choose, you can rest assured that your time abroad will be enriching.