The state administration of foreign experts affairs is set to release a raft of guidelines designed to ensure that unqualified foreigners are not employed in schools and educational establishments. wang yanfei reports.

Twenty years ago, many English-speaking expats in China applied for teaching jobs because work was easy to come by. Routine inspection of qualifications was almost nonexistent and all most people needed were their mother tongue and an engaging character.

The old criteria no longer apply. China is now demanding better-qualified, more-competent English teachers, and by the end of the month the nation's top regulator of expat employment is expected to further raise the bar by implementing a tough application policy.