Bilingual Schools in China

Learn about bilingual schools in China, where you are most likely to find your best job

Bilingual Schools Overview

What Is a Bilingual School?

In the 1970s, with the advancement of national reform and opening up, more and more foreign embassies, consulates and foreigners entered China, and their children lived with them. In response to this, first batch of international schools in China was established, to provide international education for the children of expats living in China. This is the earliest form, also the narrowly construed definition of an international school. Please refer to Expats School in China for more details. 

Today, the main enrolment target of International Schools in China has changed from foreign children to domestic students, therefore, the definition of International School in China has expanded. Bilingual schools are the main form of Chinese international schools for domestic students. It refers to schools established in China that partially or fully adopt an international curriculum system to provide full-time education for Chinese students. It complies with the domestic syllabus standards, but fuses international courses to varying degrees.

What Is Bilingual Education?

Bilingual education refers to the utilization of two languages as the means of instruction for students and is considered part of, or the entire school, curriculum. However, schools that simply offer English Language classes cannot be considered as Bilingual Education.

Generally, the path for Chinese students to receive on-campus education is to enrol in a school close to their homes during the compulsory education stage, gather in counties and cities at the high school stage, and go to urban areas and other cities at the higher education stage.

Bilingual education opens up another option. Students can enter a bilingual school from the kindergarten stage and benefit from Chinese and international learning. These children will speak Chinese as their first language and parents of these children are looking for their children to experience a western style education, whilst still maintaining their Chinese heritage. In such schools, the Chinese National Curriculum is obligatory. Students in these schools are also required to take the ZhongKao exam (Chinese High School entrance exam, see our Glossary for details). These students are more likely to stay in one school for their entire school lives and move on to English speaking countries for university.

  • Local Education: Kindergarten - Primary School - Middle School - High School - University/College
  • International Education: Bilingual Kindergarten - Bilingual Primary School - Bilingual Middle School - International High School - Study abroad

*Nine-year compulsory education stage: from primary school to completion f middle school (from 6 to 15 years old).

Bilingual Schools in China

Overview

In China, we often see three types of international schools: privately funded bilingual schools; schools only for foreign passport holders; and international programmes within a public school (often found in a public high school, or Pinyin "Guojibu", as an alternative to the Gaokao system).

Bilingual education exists in the above-mentioned categories. In privately funded bilingual schools, courses are delivered in Chinese and English, such as Wahaha Bilingual School, Beanstalk International Bilingual School and Beijing SMIC Private school, etc. In international schools, courses are delivered in English and a specific mother language, such as Shenzhen Japanese School, French International School of Guangzhou and Etonhouse Suzhou, Japanese Kindergarten, etc. International programmes attached to a public school include the International Department of Ningbo Xiaoshi High School and Ningbo Foreign Language School International Department, etc.

Bilingual schools can also refer to schools that use minority languages and Chinese language to deliver teaching in minority schools. That is, for example, the courses of mathematics, physics and chemistry in primary and secondary schools are taught in Chinese, while other courses are taught in mother tongue. It shows how the Chinese government inherits and protects minority cultures.

The development of international schools in China is massive as we see from the number of newly established international schools in recent years. From the year 2016 until now, many new establishments have been set up. According to the TTJ School Database, there were more than 100 new international schools in 2017 and 2018, around 29 in 2019, and around 9 more new ones by the end of September 2020. They are mostly in tier-one cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, followed by some new tier-one cities and tier-two cities like Suzhou, Chengdu, Ningbo, Qingdao, Xi'an, Dongguan, Dalian, Tianjin and Nanjing.

Bilingual School Jobs

Based on TopTutorJob’s understanding about the Bilingual Education Market, public schools, don't usually employ foreign teachers or teach any foreign curriculum. Normally, those schools will hire bilingual teachers to deliver bilingual courses. However, private bilingual schools and international departments attached to public schools will employ foreign teachers and teach a foreign curriculum.

Among the schools working with TopTutorJob, more than 70% are private bilingual schools. Job opportunities available vary from English teaching jobs to specialist subject teaching jobs. Apart from the essential requirements for visa applications, schools would prefer candidates with the following preferred qualifications:

  • Minimum 2 years’ full-time teaching experience;
  • ESL experience is desirable, experience with Chinese students preferred;
  • Excellent classroom management and behaviour management skills;
  • Ability to work as a part of a team in planning and implementing the school’s curriculum, strategic plans and policies;
  • Strong interests in leading extra-curricular programmes.

Also, according to our recent research, the salary range offered in bilingual schools in Tier 1 cities could range between 25-35k per month, with an additional housing stipend, travel allowance, etc.

Bilingual School List

Since China has a very large amount of bilingual schools in total, we will only list bilingual schools in the four biggest cities in China for your reference here: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen. Also, please check the latest update time of these lists.

Tips: Copy the name of the school and use School Search to find more information about more about the school.

Name (in Beijing)Found YearName (in Shanghai)Found Year
Beanstalk International Bilingual School Beijing Chaoyang Changyin☆1998Adcote School☆2018
Beanstalk International Bilingual School—Beijing Shunyi☆1998Dulwich College, Shanghai Puxi☆2016
Beijing 21st Century International School☆1993ECNU Affiliated Bilingual School☆2015
Beijing City International School☆2005Lucton School Shanghai☆2018
Beijing Concord College of Sino-Canada☆1997Mingyuan Bilingual High School☆2014
Beijing Experiment affiliated Foreign Language School☆2000Minhang Crosspoint High School, Shanghai☆1994
Beijing Financial Street Runze School☆2019Shanghai Experimental Foreign Language School☆2008
Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School☆1999Shanghai HD Bilingual School☆2016
Beijing Junyi Private School☆1993Shanghai Hongwen School☆2018
Beijing Luhe International Academy☆2005Shanghai Jinmao Bilingual School☆2020
Beijing No.4 High School International Campus☆2012Shanghai Liaoyuan Bilingual School☆1992
Beijing SMIC Private School & Kindergarten☆2005Shanghai Shangde Experimental School☆2003
Beijing Xin FuXue International Academy☆2016Shanghai Starriver Billingual School☆2012
Capital Normal University High School☆2008Shanghai Transformation Academy☆2013
Carden®China at Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School☆1999South West Weiyu Middle School☆1993
HD Beijing School☆2017Xiwai International School affiliated to Shanghai International Studies University☆2004
Nord Anglia School Beijing, Fangshan☆2018YK Pao School☆2007
U.S.A. Veritas Prep School☆2015A-Level International Curriculum Center of SJTU, SCE2011
3e International School2005ACABRIDGE College, Shanghai2017
AIDI International School1999American Lee Academy International School (Shanghai)2018
AIP education, Beijing2004Aurora Foreign Language Middle School1988
BDA School of The High School Affiliated to Remin University of China1998Bright Start Academy (Gubei Center)2009
Beanstalk International Bilingual School Haidian2019Bright Start Academy (Xuhui Center)2009
Beanstalk International Bilingual School Upper East Side Campus2002Britannica International School, Shanghai2013
Beijing 101 Middle School International Division2011Caoyang NO.2 High School1954
Beijing Academy of Creative Arts2011Concordia International School Shanghai1998
Beijing Bacui Bilingual School2004Dehong Chinese International Chinese School, Shanghai2017
Beijing Bayi School1947Dulwich College, Shanghai Pudong2003
Beijing Beanstalk International Kindergarten (Solana Campus)1998Educational Center of International Curriculum — Jian Ping High School2010
Beijing BISS International School1994Gezhi High School Shanghai1874
Beijing Central Conservatory Preparatory School2012Guanghua Academy2017
Beijing Changping Xinxuedao Linchuan International School2012Hangzhou-Bay Bilingual School (Shanghai Jinshan)2017
Beijing Chaoyang KaiWen Academy2017Harrow International School Shanghai2016
Beijing Enlighten School2020High School Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University (International Division)2006
Beijing Foreign Language School affiliated to BFSU1959Hong Qiao International School1997
Beijing Foreign Studies University International Course Center2018Huili School Shanghai2018
Beijing Haidian International School2013International Department High School Affiliated to Fudan University1950
Beijing Haidian Kaiwen Academy2016International Education USA2012
BEIJING HAIDIAN SHANGLI FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCHOOL1993Jincai High School2000
Beijing Huijia Private School1993Living Word Shanghai Bilingual School2000
Beijing International Bilingual Academy2006Lycée Français de Shanghai (Qingpu Campus)1996
Beijing Jianhua Experimental School1993Lycée Français de Shanghai (Yangpu Campus)1996
Beijing Mingcheng Academy2018Maple Leaf International School Shanghai2013
Beijing National Day School2004Nord Anglia International School | Shanghai, Pudong2002
Beijing New Talent Academy1995North America International School2017
Beijing Newbridge Foreign Language High School1996North Cross School Shanghai2011
Beijing No. 55 High School International Students Section1989School of continuing education,SJTU
Beijing No. 8 Middle School Yihai International Division2007Shanghai American Lee Academy International School
Beijing NO.80 High School2002Shanghai American School1912
Beijing Royal School1996Shanghai Aspirations Education (SAE/IEUSA) (Xuhui)2012
Beijing Saint Paul American School2007Shanghai Australian International School2011
Beijing Shida High School2001Shanghai Community International School Hongqiao ECE Campus1996
Beijing Sino-bridge Foreign Language School2000Shanghai Community International School Hongqiao Main Campus1997
Beijing Tongwen School Affiliated to Peking University2001Shanghai Community International School, Pudong Campus2009
Beijing World Youth Academy2001Shanghai Concord Bilingual School2017
Beijing Zhongde School2003Shanghai Datong High School2009
Beijing Zhongguancun Foreign Language School (Haidian)2004Shanghai DTD High School2018
BFSU Foreign Languages School1959Shanghai EtonHouse International School2013
Cambridge International Curriculum Centre of Beijing Normal University2003Shanghai Experimental School International Divison1986
Camford Education1993Shanghai Foreign Language School2016
Camford Royal School2007Shanghai Fudan-Vanke Experimental Private School1996
Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB)2005Shanghai Fushan Zhengda Foreign Language Primary School2010
Collegiate Academy International School2012Shanghai Gold Apple Bilingual School2000
Daystar Academy (Beigao Campus)2002Shanghai Guanghua Cambridge International School2011
Daystar Academy (Sanlitun Campus)2017Shanghai High School International Division1865
Dehong Beijing International Chinese school2019Shanghai Hongrun Boyuan School2018
Dewey International School2016Shanghai Honor School2017
Dulwich College, Beijing2005Shanghai International Studies University Bilingual School2001
Educhina International School Beijing2018Shanghai International Studies University Litai A-level Center2013
ESS International High School, Beijing2018Shanghai International Studies University, Pudong Foreign Language School1996
Fangcaodi International School1956Shanghai Ivy School2013
Harrow International School Beijing2005Shanghai Jinhua School International Division2007
Hyde Academy2003Shanghai Jinshan World Foreign Language School2017
International Department of Beijing NO.25 Middle School1864Shanghai Livingston American School2003
International Department of Beijing No.35 High School2012Shanghai Luwan Senior High School International Division1953
International School of Beijing1980Shanghai Mount Olive International School2016
JINGCHENG SCHOOL, Beijing2019Shanghai New Epoch Bilingual School2015
Joy EL International Academy, Beijing2018Shanghai New Hongqiao High School2000
Keystone Academy2014Shanghai New Qinghua Pacican International School2015
Kingswood International School,Beijing2013Shanghai Nord Anglia Chinese International School2016
Limai Chinese American (International) School1995Shanghai Oriental Ladder Bilingual School1993
Liuli International School2008Shanghai Paddington Bilingual School1998
Livermore International School — Beijing Branch2011Shanghai Pinghe Bilingual School1996
Livermore International School Beijing2016Shanghai Qibao Dwight High School2014
New Oriental Academy2010Shanghai Qingpu World Foreign Language School2015
New Oriental Acdemy, Beijing2010Shanghai Shixi High School2013
No.12 Middle School of Beijing1934Shanghai Singapore International School1996
No.8 Middle School of Beijing2013Shanghai SMIC Private School2001
Olive International School2015Shanghai Soong Ching Ling School2008
RDFZ Chaoyang Branch School2004Shanghai Tianjiabing High School2014
RDFZ Xishan School2009Shanghai Tongzhou Model School1998
Shang Academy2014Shanghai United International School - Pudong Campus2008
Shuren Ribet Private School1993Shanghai United International School, Gubei Secondary Campus2007
Springboard International Bilingual School of Beijing2000Shanghai United International School, Hongqiao Campus2003
The Affiliated High School of Peking University1960Shanghai United International School, Jiaoke Campus1998
the Asia-Pacific Experimental School of Beijing Normal University1992Shanghai United International School, Pudong Campus2008
The British School of Beijing (Shunyi)2003Shanghai United International School, Qingpu Campus2018
The British School of Beijing Sanlitun campus2003Shanghai United International School, Shangyin Campus2001
The British School of Beijing, Shunyi2003Shanghai United International School, Wanyuan Campus2012
The Canadian Trillium College, Beijing1998Shanghai Victoria Kindergarten (Xuhui)2005
The Experimental High School Attached to Beijing Normal University1917Shanghai Wenlai International School1994
The High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University1901Shanghai World Foreign Language Middle School1996
The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China1950Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School1993
The International Montessori School of Beijing1990Shanghai Yangjing High School International Division1930
The Second High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University (International Division)1953Steam International School, Shanghai2017
Tsinghua International School2009Stuyvesant International High School2006
Tsinghua University High School International2015The Barstow School Shanghai2014
Tsinghua Zhiqing International (High School)1989The British International School Shanghai, Puxi2004
Western Academy of Beijing1994The High School Affiliated to Shanghai Industry and Commerce Foreign Language College2001
Yang Guang Qing International School of Beijing1999The international Division of No.2 High School of East China Normal University (Zizhu Campus)1999
Yew Chung International School of Beijing1995The MacDuffie School Shanghai2019
Yew Wah International Edcuation School, Beijing2016The Second Foreign Language School Affiliated to Shanghai Normal University2000
Yifan International school of Beijing2015The Western International School of Shanghai2006
Yitian Tongwen School Affiliated to Peking University2018Vanke Bilingual School2016
Vanke School Pudong2017
Weiyu High School International Division2002
Wellington College China2014
Wellington College International Shanghai2014
Yew Chung International School of Shanghai1993
Yew Wah International Edcuation School Shanghai1998
Yew Wah International Education School, Shanghai Gubei Campus2001
Zhangjiang International School2002
Table1: Bilingual Schools in Beijing and Shanghai (Updated 11th Nov. 2020)
Name (in Guangzhou)Found YearName (in Shenzhen)Found Year
English School Attached to Guangdong University of Foreign Studies☆1993Futian International & Fine Arts School☆2003
Fettes College Guangzhou☆2020Fuyuan British American School☆2002
Guangdong Overseas Chinese High School☆1930Quality Schools International of Shenzhen☆2001
Guangzhou Foreign Language School☆1963RDF International School☆2015
Guangzhou Yinghao School☆1994The Affiliated High School of Peking University (Weiming School)—Shenzhen, Nanshan☆2000
Phoenix City International School☆2003WeiMing School—Bao'an Campus Shenzhen☆1999
The Affiliated Foreign Language School Of SCNU, Guangzhou☆2015Avenues: The World School Shenzhen Campus2019
Vermont International Academy☆2011Bao An Shen Zhen Fanshen Experimental School West Campus2000
Weiming School(Guangzhou Campus)☆2002Bao'an No.1 Foreign Language School1999
Yew Wah International Edcuation School, Guangzhou Campus☆1932BASIS International School Shenzhen2015
Zhixin High School International Division☆2012Bromsgrove School2016
Affiliated Middle School of Guangzhou University International Department1950Buena Vista Concordia International School, Shenzhen (BCIS)2011
Alcanta International College2011Cambridge International Institute Shenzhen2002
American International School of Guangzhou1981China America International School2018
Art School of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts1978Green Oasis School2001
Basis International School Guangzhou2017GRIT Academy, Shenzhen2017
Britannia International School2017Harrow Innovation Leadership Academy Shenzhen Qianhai2020
Canadian International School of Guangzhou (CIS)2012Harrow International School Shenzhen Qianhai2020
Clifford School1996International High School China-UK College Shenzhen2014
College of International Culture South China Normal University2004International School of Nanshan Shenzhen2002
French International School of Guangzhou1997Korean International School in Shenzhen2005
Guangdong Experimental Middle School International Department2013Maple Leaf International Academy—Shenzhen2018
Guangdong Experimental Yuexiu School International Department2013Merchiston International School, Shenzhen2018
Guangdong Guangya High School1888Nanshan Chinese International School1999
Guangdong Pharmaceutical University1958Nord Anglia School Shenzhen2019
Guangdong Zhongyuan High School1934Oxstand International School Shenzhen2004
Guangwai Zengcheng Experimental School2018Princeton International Forest Kindergarten, Shenzhen2018
Guangzhou Dongpu Middle School1987Princeton Sky Lake International School, Shenzhen2018
Guangzhou Fok Ying Tung High School2004Regents Education Group1989
Guangzhou Grace Academy1996Shekou International School1988
Guangzhou Haizhu Foreign Language School1960Shen Wai International School1990
Guangzhou High School of Fine Arts2005Shenwai Longgang International School2017
Guangzhou International Middle School Huangpu ZWIE2008Shenzhen Academy of International Education (SAIE)2014
Guangzhou International Primary School Baiyun ZWIE2009Shenzhen American International School2005
Guangzhou International Primary School Huangpu ZWIE2003Shenzhen Arcadia Grammar School2002
Guangzhou Japanese School2018Shenzhen Chinaus School2009
Guangzhou Middle SchoolShenzhen College of International Education2003
Guangzhou Nanfang International School (GNIS)2003Shenzhen Cuiyuan Middle School International Department2009
Guangzhou Nanwu Middle School1905Shenzhen Dalton Xinhua School2016
Guangzhou No.1 Middle School International Department2010Shenzhen Elite Experimental Secondary School1997
Guangzhou No.113 Middle School Canadian International School2013Shenzhen Experimental Chenghan  School2007
Guangzhou No.2 Foreign Language School International Department2013Shenzhen Foreign Languages School1990
Guangzhou No.6 Middle School International Department2000Shenzhen Fujing Foreign Language School1999
Guangzhou No.86 Middle SchoolShenzhen Futian Foreign Languages High School1998
Guangzhou Tianhe Foreign Language School2012Shenzhen Grandale International School2017
Guangzhou Xiangjiang High School International Department2009Shenzhen Habor Academy2009
GuangZhou XiGuan Foreign Language School1948Shenzhen Huangyuyuan School2002
Huamei International School1993Shenzhen International Foundation College2004
Huanan Country Garten School2002Shenzhen Japanese School2008
Huanggang High School Guangzhou Branch2011Shenzhen Luohu Foreign Language School1999
Huanggang Middle School--Guangzhou School2011Shenzhen Merchiston International School2016
International Department of Guangzhou Tieyi Middle School1952Shenzhen Middle School1947
ISA International School of Guangzhou2014Shenzhen Mingde Experimental School2013
ISA Science City International School2020Shenzhen Oriental English College1994
Kelly Hill College, Guangzhou1957Shenzhen Penghhui Chinese & English School2004
Meisha Acedemy by Halleybury2017Shenzhen Sandy Quan Foreign Language School2016
Nansha College Prepapatory Academy2015Shenzhen Seg international school2007
Nord Anglia International School, Guangzhou2020Shenzhen Senior High School International Department1997
Nord Anglia School Guangzhou, Panyu2020Shenzhen Shiyan Public School1995
Panyu Foreign Language School1993Shenzhen Yaohua Experimental School2004
Peking Univerity Experimental School (Zhuhai)2003Shenzhen Yinhu Foreign Language Experimental School2002
Shrewsbury School Huangpu, Guangzhou2020ShenZhen YongYuan Experimental School2002
St. Paul International School2008Shenzhen Yunding School International Department2004
Sun Yat-sen University Cambridge A level International Course2014Shenzhen Zhanhua Experimental School International Department2003
The Affiliated Middle School of SCNU International Department2004Shenzhen(Nanshan) Concord College of Sino-Canada2001
The British School of Guangzhou2005Songgang Chinese & English Experimental School2003
The Experimental School Affiliated to Guangzhou College International Department2016The Affiliated High School of Peking University Shenzhen Nanshan Branch2000
Tianjiao Bilingual School1998The Affiliated International School of Shenzhen University2008
Utahloy International School Guangzhou (UISG)1997The Houde Academy Shenzhen2016
Utahloy International School Zengcheng2003The Independent Preparatory Academy2010
Win-Win Bilingual School2016The King's School Cantebury Shenzhen International2019
Xiehe Middle School Guangzhou1911The No.Three Senior High School of Shenzhen International Department1996
Zengcheng Country Garden School2013Vanke Meisha Academy2015
Zhongshan Whampoa World College2017Veritas Collegiate Academy Shenzhen2019
Whittle School & Studios2019
Whittle School Shenzhen2019
Table2: Bilingual Schools in Guangzhou and Shenzhen (Updated 11th Nov. 2020)