Foreign tutors without work permits could face penalties, the Guangzhou Daily reported.

However, a tutor agent argued that part-time tutoring was not a formal form of employment and should not be considered illegal.

Native speakers have been favored by parents looking for English tutors for their children.

The parents, eager to have their children learn and speak good English, are favoring foreign students studying in Guangzhou.

The foreign students usually charge 80 yuan (US$9.7) to 150 yuan per hour, more expensive than local tutors. Some foreign tutors also take the chance to learn more about China.

Since the start of the new semester early this week, agents have been gathering near the gates of many primary and middle schools to promote their tutors to parents.

A woman surnamed Wu said she began hiring a foreign student, identified only as Jones, to teach her daughter English two years ago, when her daughter was still in Junior One.

The girl has been improving in oral English, hosting her school's English broadcast program and winning awards in several English contests, Wu said.

She said foreign students' outgoing character could also help the children's development.

Chinese laws stipulate that foreign students should not work during the term of their studies and that foreigners should obtain work permits and residence certificates to work in China.

But a tutor agent surnamed Gao said the foreign students were teaching in their spare time and the informal employment had not been dealt with by the laws.

(Shenzhen Daily February 24, 2005)