Don't work there. The staff that handles foreign teachers is incompetent and dishonest and has the support of supervising departments in this regard. I'll just give a couple of examples to back up my claims, but be sure there is more.

I pointed out to the school officer in charge of the health-check process that she could use a previous health-check for teachers that had already taught in China, saving both her and the teacher some trouble, she couldn't accept this simple constructive criticism and instead responded that Regulations are different in different parts of China. which wasn't true in this case, and turned out to be just her standard whitewashing phrase.

The day before our first pay day we were informed that new teachers wouldn't be payed until a later date. I pointed out with help from my recruiter that this was in violation of our contracts and unacceptable, and the school payed the other new teachers but not me. They claimed that they couldn't hire me because I had epilepsy and that the SAFEA (department of foreign experts) wouldn't allow the university to hire people with epilepsy. Asking why I had never had a problem with the SAFEA through other employers, she responded that Regulations are different in different parts of China.

When I got in touch with the SAFEA office in that region, I found that the claim was entirely false. It would seem they just fabricated it to try to get rid of me; I'm guessing because of making noise over some of their questionable behavior.

Not wanting to work in a place like that anyway, I didn't want to fight against my firing but expected some compensation for the expenses of moving and the savings I'd lived on in order to get settled in a new city. I made a reasonable proposal for a settlement, significantly less than the contract allowed in such a circumstance, but they wouldn't have it. Finally, after initiating legal action, they moved to have a somewhat reasonable settlement rather than have the issue go to court.

If you're thinking that maybe a job there would work as long as you keep your head down, you should also know a bit more. Foreign teachers work for two departments; the Department of Foreign Affairs and the English Department. These two departments have one of the most dysfunctional relationships I've ever seen. The Department of foreign affairs decides who to hire and fire, often in contradiction to who the English department would like to. Much of the English department is good to work with, but important basic issues in English teaching aren't addressed. You'll face the common situation of insufficient materials to prepare your classes. Also students are grouped by year and by major, rather than ability, and from speaking to other teachers who tried to get things improved, the department isn't very receptive to changes.

I hope that's enough to convince you to not work there. If you're still thinking about doing it, when you speak to other teachers to decide if it's the place for you, don't speak only to Stephen. He paints a picture of the place in stark contrast to every other teacher's experience, and is the person the foreign affairs office will try to put you in touch with. At least ask to speak to one other teacher.