Job Discussion Forums

ncaraway · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 62 Location: Tainan, Taiwan

I'm wondering if there are any geographical differences as far as opportunities go. Post in other threads mention Taipei and Kaohsiung, which is understandable. Any thoughts on Tainan or Pingtung?

My wife and I will be moving from the States to Taiwan next year - probably Tainan or Pingtung (she has family in both places so we could live rent free). We're mainly moving back to help care for my aging mother in law. I'm a white American, 46, and she's from Taiwan (obviously). She used to work for a cram school (administrative job) in Tao Yuan that is now defunct so she's been giving me some inside scoop.

I should mention that I don't have any teaching experience other than a year-long volunteer stint teaching computer skills to recent immigrants here in the US. (My career for the past 20-odd years has been as a techie.) I was planning to get a TEFL certificate this year (either from Lado or ILI in DC), if for nothing else than to get some practical knowledge of the field.

For what it's worth, I've been to Taiwan half a dozen times over the years to visit in-laws, so I'm not worried about culture shock (though my Mandarin needs a lot of work).

Any feedback is welcome.

creztor · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 473

Tainan has more work than Pingdong, or so I believe. There are a few schools in Pingdong but jobs there are pretty rare. Since your wife is Taiwanese, the best thing would be to approach schools and just see if they would be interested in hiring you for one or two days a week. Either way, you will really need to work on networking and getting yourself known. Privates are a pain in the arse but job opportunities in southern Taiwan aren't very good at the moment. Hope that helps.

zipper · Joined: 14 Dec 2009 Posts: 237

ncaraway · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 62 Location: Tainan, Taiwan

Many thanks for the responses. This is very helpful and I'm grateful. Between this and the other threads I'm reading it looks like my timing couldn't be worse (though technically I'm planning for a year from now). At least I have the luxury of planning. I have one friend here in the states who has now been unemployed for a year and another friend unemployed for half a year. It's tough all over.

ncaraway · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 62 Location: Tainan, Taiwan

After much delay, I have finally arrived in Taiwan. We're living with relatives in Gangshan and Pingtung while I get my spouse visa and we wait to get our cat out of quarantine. We'll be settling in Tainan. The tips about networking have been reinforced through conversations with others so I appreciate that info. I'm sure I'll be popping in on this forum more.

Cheers!