A better class of teacher

Regional differences

For some, the question of whether the new policy can be properly implemented nationwide is still open to debate because supply and demand varies in different parts of the country.

In first-tier cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, higher standards and more regulations on recruitment will become the future trend, but the regulators may not have to impose further measures because competition for teaching posts in those places is so intense that only the best will be offered work.

According to Chi Yaqing, head of recruitment of foreign-language teachers at New Oriental Education and Technology Group, applicants without at least two years' experience and a degree from a recognized university are unlikely to pass the first round of screening in Beijing.

Li Xin, an English teacher at the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China in Beijing, said parents have higher expectations of foreign teachers than before because "they want their kids to learn much more than just improving their pronunciation".

Some parents told her they hoped foreign teachers would provide more information about things such as preparing for college applications and advanced speech and writing skills.

"Few students, especially in first-tier cites, are scrambling for the simplest metrics of academic success－many high school students look forward to getting advice from foreign teachers to help them better prepare for applying to top universities overseas," she said. "If teachers cannot fulfill the rising expectations, they might not find a well-paid teaching position at all, even if the government does not raise the bar."

Whether the new policy can be implemented in second- and third-tier cities remains a concern, because demand far exceeds supply and many unregistered institutions neglect to get official approval to issue work visas to expat teachers.

Moreover, some schools in less-developed regions may be unable to hire qualified teachers because expats prefer to work in big cities, and the schools cannot afford to pay teachers who have professional qualifications, degrees and experience.