Foreign teachers face stronger regulation

Evaluation system

The company has adopted an evaluation system based on credit for its foreign teachers. Points are deducted from those who violate company regulations, such as arriving late or being the subject of complaints from parents, which will affect their salary and position, Qiao added.

Kelly Hong, director of Bling-ABC's Center of Foreign Teacher Management, said the company records all classes on its platform and they are reviewed by staff members and parents.

"Some parents may have low requirements for foreign teachers and think that native speakers should be able to teach English well, but that's simply not the case－just like not every Chinese person is able to teach the Chinese language," she said.

Hong added that establishments still need professionals who know how to manage a class, understand body language, can energize students and know the basic principles and methods of teaching a second language.

Qiao noted that the high demand in the sector resulted in several English-language platforms being founded almost every week last year. However, many subsequently closed because the teachers they employed did not meet the stringent quality standards.

"The market has a way of weeding out companies that engage in malpractice. At the end of the day, parents still prefer foreign teachers who can offer high-quality English tuition to their children."

Zeng Jiru contributed to the story.