Job Discussion Forums

[7969]

edited.

[Aristotle]

It would be a mistake, don't sign.

[7969]

i understand enough not to sign a contract without knowing all the facts and so on, otherwise your advice wasn't much help. thanks anyway.

[Okami]

What is really going on there? This whole set up sounds fishy. Is it a new school? Is it through an agent? Why are you travelling all over town to 4-5 different schools?

I'll go through some points with you and give you some info.

1. An agent CAN NOT GIVE YOU AN ARC!!! No matter what they say, they can't get you an ARC.

2. Contracts are worthless in Taiwan. Perfectly good waste of material better used for toilet paper. If the boss don't like you, they can cancel your ARC and have you out of the country in 7 days.

3. Schedules always change. In Taiwan flexibility is essential, being a doormat isn't.

Things you should ask yourself:

1. Why aren't the other teachers signing a contract?

2. Is my boss honest and somewhat trustworthy?

3. Can I get a better job somewhere else with less travel time?

I would feel out the other teachers without giving away your own position. Do some research on the school. You can actually check out if a school can legally give you a working visa or not over the internet(Chinese reading ability mandatory). Start a language exchange and have your partner do that for you. You can research that info through the ministry of education(I think), look on tealit.com. That website was the first to post such info. Stay away from your colleagues, do not share info with them as it could come back to haunt you develop a circle of friends outside your school and avoid politics. You need to sign up for Chinese classes and take a trip to Hong Kong and get another visa. Start working on a long list of contacts for further help and jobs later on down the line.

CYA
Okami