Possible advice would be to go through lots of adverts for ESL teachers in China and pick out the best bits that they offer a prospective teacher..

And don't use "Recruitment Agencies"

Perhaps also ask for ex teachers email addresses for their experiences?

And don't be scared by all the bad reviews; learn from them... There has to be an awful lot of good schools who don't get a mention..

Most of the adverts for ESL teachers are posted by recruiters. For most newbie teachers intending to work in China recruitment agencies are the only way to get a job; as long as it's your average recruiter who doesn't ask you for a fee. Now, once you get experience and connections in China, maybe you can by-pass recruiters.

Hi, new EFL teacher here in China. I've been looking for a job and have gotten a few bites, but I'm not sure if what they're offering is reasonable or not. For example, some of them (Okay, most of them) don't seem to offer any vacation time other than the national ones (and not even most of those- just the big ones). I'm already in China, so the whole airfare/housing thing is a little moot to me, but what else should I be looking for? Some are talking about potentially teaching 6, 7 hours a day- is that reasonable?

Any help or advice you can give to a newbie EFL teacher in China would be greatly appreciated- Thanks in advance!