It's standard Fujian Contract, where utilities aren't included in 'free housing', 'cause hot climate.

20 hours a week? I would Q meaning of 'hours'? Is it '20x 60' hours' or '20 classes' x 45' each?

I assume, School would give me consent for private work, if I wouldn't be ever late for my scheduled classes. Make sure you'll tell them, your part-time work won't interfere with your main schedule, when you'll asked them for consent in part-time job.

I had to sign consent in 'protecting School's curriculum and other 'secrets' I'll learn during my work.

You miss salary for 3 months of holidays. At Public Schools is usually 1 full salary, either dived in two 1/2 (winter & summer), or as in my case 'full salary in winter recess'. In summer recess, I'll receive '2000 Rmb transportation cost' (whatever that means), if I'll renew the Contract.

I'm free to quit job for any reason with 30-days notice, but I must repay Z visa cost, if I don't complete the Contract.

That deal sounds ok... and I'm not even a teacher and know nowt about it.

Have you taught in China before? Maybe it's better to be here and in a job before you start doing stuff on the side.

I know if I had to do 20hrs plus in front of 60 kids I would need to shut myself in a dark room for 12 hours at a time .

I suspect you will take this job.... so good luck .

I'd get EVERYTHING spelt out clearly in the contract, especially regarding bonuses:

what exactly do they mean about a 'Performance based bonus'? - it is very vague, and in China 'vague' means  - "we are going to avoid this if we can"

what criteria do you have to meet to get the bonus?

Will a complaint by a lazy student or a trouble-maker mean you don't get a bonus?

Have you asked if there is a curriculum to follow? In one place i was told "make them like English". I turned this place down.

to avoid being asked to do things last minute in your free time (it happens), you could ask for a clause "at least 24 hours notice required for activities outside class hours"

What is your gut feeling about this position? - at the end of the day, it is what your feeling is on this offer.

Good luck in your decision 

This offer seems fine. Like Sorrel said, get everything down on the contract. Make sure it's on BOTH the Chinese and English copies. The legal version is the Chinese one. 

There should be a teaching plan which stipulates the dates and lessons to be delivered for the semester. This is for you to follow. Also, be careful of students' and parents' feedback on your performance. Although they don't understand a word you say, whatever THEY SAY matters, so put on your sweetest smile even when you are cursing them! 

Make sure it's teaching hours, not hours. Usually each teaching hour is about 40 to 45 mins. And the performance bonus criteria must be spelt out, what's it based on? Fulfillment of teaching plan, no complaints, punctuality, no medical leave etc. Have everything spelt out in ink to prevent disputes later on. Keep all copies of your email exchanges with them. 

Last of all, watch your back! And good luck! 

Sorrel is spot on. Vagueness is often a bad sign, and while not every job will take advantage of it, it does give them the option. I'd also say to address any any all points that are not clear, and make them clarify in writing. 

Like Sorrel said, be careful with the "performance based bonus", since they can find any excuse to not give you your bonus. Check on the curriculum, and make sure that your bonus is only for fulfilling the curriculum (which you need in detail) and not missing hours. Otherwise, they can easily claim that your performance wasn't good enough, without telling why it's not good enough (and it's also possible for a student who learned fof the system to be a trouble maker).

The idea of making sure that you get at least a 24 hour notice for any extra work is also a good one. Find out the maximum number of weekly hours too. In the past, for me, the "extra hours outside class" thing was mostly school functions, like the sports day, student graduation, assemblies, that sort of thing. Still, you can't tell from that wording, so it could also mean they just dump extra work on you.  

Also, get photos of the apartment, the actual apartment. The phrase "decent standard" is way too vague. It could be a single room studio with chipping paint, dripping pipes, and and dirty floors, and they can still say it's decent standard, since it's up to their standards. The more recent the better, since the last tenants could have trashed the place. 

No meals provided isn't a big deal. I never had free meals from a job that were worth it. Usually, if they're free, that means they'll cut corners any way they can. 

With permission, for private companies, they don't want you poaching their students, and teaching them directly, which prevents them of taking their cut of the fees. With public schools, though, it tends to be that they don't want you to divide your attention too much. If a few hours on the weekend in your otherwise free time doesn't cut into the work at the school, they probably will give permission, unless they are just using it as an ego thing, that you should devote your life to the school, and any outside work is seen as cheating on the school. Ask about it up front, say you would like to offer some tutoring jobs in the side, and see their reaction. I would definitely recommend against taking up side work without telling them, though, since word would get around. 

Also, really useful, talk to current and former teachers there. What are their experiences, and do they recommend the place. Talk in private if you can, away from the school, and ask for honest opinions.

I would balk at the "may not take up any other work including any private tutoring without the employer's prior written consent." I would ask myself "Do I want or need the extra work?" If you are  offered a tutoring job; then why does the school need to know?

This is my 5th year looking for work and I have noticed every,I mean EVERY, contract has so many ambiguities they are worthless. Last I taught at two different high schools. The previous 3 were at 3 different colleges.

All in all, I like the contract. pay and hours. Find out about office hours.  Public schools usually don't have any. High schools can be the worst places to teach.  The grade 12 (Senior 3) are concentrated on Gou Kou. Half of these kids will not go beyond high school due to low scores. You must prepare your mind for this or you will face a lot of frustration.

Ive encountered this before. For the performance bonus try to include it into your base salary and let them deduct in increments up to 2000 based on how many classes you miss.

They should be willing. Always better to get the money first. Is this their first offer? Have you tried for more? All teachers should be pushing for higher salaries. Schools pay less because people take it. Though your city is smallish fujian isnt that under developed and asking for 10 to start isnt un reasonable.

8000rmb is too low.I can even get 8000rmb job here in Shanghai with company buys me all insurance.

Here in Shanghai public school,you can get 15000rmb with free working meals,good standard free apartment,traveling fees,bonus fees,some free coffee too I guess.Summer and winter holiday with payment as well I guess.My ex was working there,I know.

But well,I guess you need bachelor to apply .

Victoria: The conditions you refer to seem very attractive. I am certain however, that to land a job like that you need to be a native-speaker with a lot of experience under your belt. As I have not been blessed to have God's speech as my mother tongue and my experience is virtually nil, I have not been able to get any offers even near the 12,000 RMB/month mark at the same workload.

Just a little update on my situation, if anyone is interested. The school refused to amend the contract in any way under the excuse that is a standard, non-negotiable agreement that everyone gets. The agency assures me that I need not worry too much because it is a reputable school which treats its teachers well. They have given me QQ details of a teacher with whom they have been co-operating for a few years, but I have not heard from him. The fact they divulged these contact details readily seems to indicate they have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. They have given me photographs of the apartment, as requested. It's not Hilton, but seems alright. All in all, I have decided to take the position despite any concerns I may have. Let us see how it goes. If the worst comes to worst, I can always look to switch jobs, but I hope it does not get to that. If anyone lives in Fujian and wants to hang out, let me know.

See you in China!