Review criteria

IF YOU want to write a review of your own school, or even if you just want a better understanding of our review process, the review criteria below should provide everything you need to know. If you have any questions about the school review process, feel free to contact us.

School review criteria

The big picture - school overview
Some general information about the school. Where is the school located? Is it a big or small school? How long has it been in operation? Does it employ a lot of foreign teachers or just a few? Does it specialise in foreign languages or cover a range of subjects? Does the school have only foreign-teacher classes, or does it also employ Chinese teachers?

In the classroom - classes
Details of the kind of students you can expect to teach. Does the school specialise in teaching children, adults or does it teach all age groups. Can you expect to be teaching mostly beginner, advanced or business students? Will most of your classes be on the school's own campus or contracted to other schools?

Keeping it together - organisation
Covers timetabling, professionalism and the general organisation level of the school. How many hours a week is expected in the standard contract? Are contract arrangements flexible for different lengths of stay in China and/or teaching hours per week? Does the school operate in a professional and well-organised manner? Does the school provide teacher training for new teachers? Are there any appearance or dress standards for classes? Are teachers required to submit teaching plans? Can you expect to have an assistant teacher for most of your classes or will you work alone? If assistant teachers are provided, how helpful are they? How much advance warning do teachers receive before a class? Is there a structured timetabling system in place to ensure teachers get a day or two off every week? Does the timetabling allow sufficient time for travel and meals between classes?

Money matters - salary and benefits
Deals with the school's standard salary, bonuses and benefits arrangements. What is the starting salary for a new teacher? Does the school offer higher salaries for more experienced teachers? Does the school pay monthly or yearly bonuses for good performance? Does the school cover travel costs to and from classes? What other benefits does the school offer (for example airfare reimbursement, holiday pay and so on)? Does the school offer a higher hourly rate for overtime? Does the school include some free travel opportunities in the contract? Does the contract include free Chinese language lessons?

The home front - accommodation
Details the accommodation arrangements in the standard contract. Is a fully furnished apartment included in the standard contract? Does the school pay for the apartment outright, reimburse rental fees or pay an apartment allowance? Does the school cover utilities such as water, gas, electricity, Internet and TV? Are the school's apartments always furnished to a Western standard, including fridge, microwave, TV and DVD player? Are the school's apartments always close to the school and/or teaching locations? Are the school's apartments in a safe neighbourhood? Is the school willing to find another apartment for a teacher who’s not happy with his or her current home?

Word on the street - reputation
Gives an insight into what present and former teachers think of the school’s manner of dealing with foreign employees.

Work/life balance - Social life
Covers the social side of working for a given school. Where do most of the foreign teachers come from? What's the average age of the teachers? Does the school have regular social gatherings of its Chinese and foreign staff? What does the typical social get-together involve? What's the general working atmosphere at the school? How much holiday time do foreign teachers get every year?