Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

Does anyone know anything about either of these schools, good, bad? I want to come to Taiwan, right now I'm in China, once SARS settles down and am looking for a reputable school to work at.
Thanks

[Aristotle]

American Eagle School in Hsin Chu
A former teacher's comments,
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:981442481-17176.txt
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=630
The school's response,
http://www.eslcafe.com/jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1049812251-95542.txt

[Felix]

In regard to American Eagle School: the Director is impossible to deal with.
She is an older woman who will bad-mouth you behind your back in an instant - within a month of working there, she was letting the new teachers know of her distaste for the owners of American Eagle school. Kind of like, "trust me, they're idiots, I'm on your side". In no time she was doing the same to me though, and I saw her true colors - not a woman to be trusted. "Very manipulative" to quote a fellow teacher.

[Felix]

...for what it's worth, American Eagle School isn't paying as much as they did last year. They used to pay 56,000 NT a month (base), and now the base pay is 53,000.

As far as the housing/utilities goes, they provide it - last year the cost was 2500 a month, this year it's 3500.

[Pop Fly]

Felix, are you talking about JB? If so, then I would agree with you that she is a menace and has zero management skills. Another one to watch out for there is the head teacher of the kindy...even though the foreign teachers were greatly resposible for the riot that happened there 3 years ago, effective management could have diffused the situation....but instead, these self-styled gifts to teaching fanned the flames of dissent to the point that all but one of the original teachers left after 6 months

I have said in the past that this is a good school to work for and I'll stand by that...I was hoping that the above mentioned people had moved on by now, but if they haven't, then you should think twice about working in their kindy department....

As for the owner and the Taiwanese staff go, they are helpful, friendly and kind....the school is modern and clean and we always got paid on time....

As for the pay descrepancy, I think it still works out to 65,000NT a month with the extra buxiban work....the rooms are small dorm rooms, but clean and quiet....you can find yourself a place in Hsin Chu for a little more money, but if convenience is your thing, I lived 14 steps from my classroom...not something I would do again, but it was quite cool at the time. We are talking about a negligible amount of money here....

To summarize...If Jerry and Kyle are gone, I would even consider going back...okay...no I wouldn't...but it would be a fine school to work for if you're ok with working with kids....I have moved on to teaching only adults and am loving it...

Good Luck

[khmerhit]

[b]Popfly wrote

[Pop Fly]

[khmerhit]

Thanks Popfly. Sounds like a lesson learned.

Around the same time (three years ago) I was in Cambodia and seriously toying with the idea of striking. A little birdie put the idea in my head, saying You're being ******* by a Cambodian! (meaning the school's owner). And he had a point.

But it was clear that a strike would be opposed by half the teachers, a few of whom had families, and that it would lead nowhere. Except to instant unemployment!

For everything there is a season....

[Felix]

Yes, Pop Fly, that's the Director I'm talking about - and she's still there.

The head teacher you mentioned has moved to another branch they opened in downtown Hsin-Chu. I never really worked directly with him, though I hung out with him a few times.

[At the end of the month I was paid 56,000 NT before taxes. That figure will drop to 53,000 for this coming year. Add to those figures the elementary bonus (about 10,000 a month), and do the math. PLUS, be sure to take out the extra 1000 they're charging for housing]

I have to say that in regard to the pay decrease - which you seemed to think was minimal - is quite substantial. It's 4000 NT less in your pocket each month. That's works out to over $1300 USD a year!

The bottom line is that you work LONG hours for them - and I wouldn't do it for less than they paid the teachers last year.

[/quote]

[Pop Fly]

According to their most recent advert....they have included the missing 2K as an attendance bonus....that was paid over and above the base of 55K when I was there....the extra 500 a day for evening classes was a result of the fight that I have already discussed....so you still take home 65K a month (b4 taxes of course)

That said, I am making 55K now and I only work 27 hours a week in the most pleasant of conditions and I have no prep, correcting or final reports to do....hourly I could do better, but why bother...quality in sacrifice of quantity....PM me if you want more info...

And yes...the housing fee has gone up from 2500 to 3500....

It's too bad they are trying to cheap out...they could be an excellent school if they would just get their heads out of their bankbooks....they are the most expensive school in HsinChu and maybe even Taiwan...tehy should reflect this by offering a decent wage to their staff...then maybe they could keep some teachers beyond a year (if they even last that long)

But as long as the American Hag is still there, I would steer clear of them...too bad too...cuz I really like the owner and chinese staff....

[Felix]

I agree that the Chinese staff is tops - I can only say good things about them.

...and I certainly would've considered staying on another year had it not been for the director. I wouldn't work under her again for any amount of money.

[Felix]

I agree that the Chinese staff is tops - I can only say good things about them.

...and I certainly would've considered staying on another year had it not been for the director. I wouldn't work under her again for any amount of money.