The official Chinese regulations state that you must have a degree to come here to teach. Most institutions - definitely all the better quality ones - will hold you to that. The better ones also require you to have two years teaching experience, post-graduation.

As with lots of things in China, there are some shady ways around these requirements. One such way is to go through an agent. However, I wouldn't recommend doing this. The working conditions of the job you're given probably won't be great and you are likely to face no end of problems. Your contract will also be strongly weighted in your agent's favour.

Plus, if you have speak no Chinese, are coming alone, and have no Chinese contacts or previous experience of the country, you will undoubtedly find life hard when you first get here. I think this applies to anyone - regardless of his / her qualifications.

Most of all, I would say this. Think carefully about why you're coming to China to teach. If it's because you're genuinely interested in teaching, want to experience Chinese culture, want to learn Chinese, etc., then great. You should definitely consider coming over.

If any of the following apply to you:

- You think English teaching is an easy way to pay for your travels.
- You have no interest in English teaching.
- You can't speak, read or write English at an advanced (C2) level.
- You want to chase Chinese girls.
- You are a moaner.

then please stay in your home country.

Don't get me wrong - I am not intending to speak negatively about China or to sound harsh. I've been here for almost 2 years and have experienced a lot of positives as well as negatives. However, there are a hell of a lot of unscrupulous misfits who come over here to teach. As one of my friends commented recently, "China is a wanker-magnet". Unfortunately, this is all too true.

As someone with a genuine interest in English teaching and a genuine interest in China, it pains me to see (and work alongside) these fraudsters. My hope is that, with time, they will be prevented from coming. Unfortunately there's no sign of this happening yet.

However, if you can come here and genuinely offer something useful, then please come and you will be welcomed.