Hi Raoul: this is magnificently helpful. I am a newbie in China having arrived very recently. I set the goal of teaching English in China in 2006 after a trip to Chengdu. In 2009, I completed the CELTA course in the US - rigorous and highly useful, it was. I'm a semi-retired professional with good presentation skills although CELTA taught me to shut up! I volunteer taught in the US and India until I now have a year's experience (teaching jobs, especially for new teachers, have disappeared because the financial meltdown there). Thanks again for the invaluable contract information. I feel much better prepared to deal with Chinese employers.