As for steps, I would just say you should do the following:

1. Do research on a specific place first. Type the place on google or bing and try to find any negative reviews. Read into them.

2. Look at the business model of these places. A McDonalds chain like EF, Aston, Web, Global IELTS, New Oriental, Shane, etc. wouldn't care about the quality of the people they allow to carry their name. So you are putting yourself at risk.

3. When in China, always make sure you have your home country's consulate contact info. written on a small piece of paper tucked away in your wallet. Also make sure you have enough money stored up for a one way ticket out of china at anytime, expecially if you decide to go to a training center.

4. To be honest with you, if the boss of a private training center makes you live with his/her relatives it probably should tell you that this person is despicable beyond belief and doesn't have any regard for the well being of others anyway. Common Sense does help.

5. Trust your gut feeling about people.

6. Establish a support network with other expats. Be ESPECIALLY WEARY of any expats who have nothing but good things to say about china or particularly their own bosses. Probably Grovelling Weasel types.

7. Apartments do get broken into, so be aware.

8. Be careful with making friends with locals, as some of them have hidden agendas.

That's all for now.