I've been working in China as an English teacher for many years at government schools and international schools with my wife Catherine who teaches A-level chemistry. Before coming here I had read some bad reviews from ex-teachers about the school, but we weren't going to let ex-teachers influence our judgement of the school, so we agreed to visit the school and do a demo class. We had been to many schools and had many offers, but we chose Suzhou Foreign Language School because the people here are all very professional and friendly. The school offered us a good salary and gave us a nice apartment on the schools campus (we had the option to live off campus - the school also offers excellent apartments off campus).
Gordon was the man who recruited us. He has been very helpful and friendly since we moved here. He helped us move in and treated us to dinner with his family on our first day. This school has the best atmosphere amongst all the teachers and staff that I have ever experienced. Everyone is happy here, everyone is friendly and helpful towards each other. The teachers here all seem to have a great sense of pride about their work and the school. The school has first class facilities, with no expense spared and whenever there is a problem (a leak in our apartment) they will send someone to fix the problem right away. They are very prompt in paying salary and never cheat anyone. The Chinese teachers, the directors and even the school principle are very friendly, they know you by name, treat you with respect and APPRECIATE the good job you are doing. The students at the school our excellent too, the school has high standards and many of the students here will study abroad and go to top universities in America and the UK.
Both Catherine and myself our loving our job here and we enjoy being part of a productive team in an excellent working environment. I think those who speak badly of the school aren't serious about teaching and/or failed to meet the schools standards (I base my assumption on how great this school is).
I just want to add if you are considering applying here and you are a dedicated serious teacher, please don't be put off by negative reviews. Come here and look around the school and talk to the foreign teachers here (there's over 30 of us) and everyne here will tell you what a great place to work it is.