Job Discussion Forums

kiwitraveller · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 8

Flying out to taiwan in a couple of days. Got a job set up. A couple of things on my mind, first of all, how much mandarin is a new teacher expected to know? Also, is there an internet site or the like where I can look for shared accomodation with other english teachers?

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

A new teacher isn't expected to know any mandarin. But a few words would be helpful and generally makes you look less ignorent. If you already have a job lined up you are either going with a recruiter or a chain school. Ask Aristotle about the "benefits" of both choices. If you are with a recruiter you actually don't have a job lined up but they'll help you to find one once in Taiwan, at a considerable financial cost. Often you should avoid them but they can be useful if you don't have any experience. There is one that regularly advertises everywhere, especially on the free job boards, that calls itself a consultant company. Stay away from this one.

If you are staying in Taipei then check yourself into a hostel for info about jobs, accom, chinese classes, furniture, etc. Other boards to look at are tealit.com and gogotaiwan.com. Again, watch out for the recruiters who advertise on these sites, especially on the last one.
Good luck.
Ki

kiwitraveller · Joined: 24 Jun 2004 Posts: 8

Thanks for the advice Ki. Good to know i'm not expected to be able to carry on a conversation in Mandarin, but i will make the effort to learn a few words before i go.

MTurton · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 107

No mandarin needed. Check out www.forumosa.com in addition to the sites above. Also, visit some of the local foreign hangouts, people advertize for roommates there. The American school and Missionary schools are other good spots for places to live.

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

Recruiters can provide you with access to more jobs and may only be paid by the school rather than out of your pocket. Some schools take the cost out of your wages and some don't. Ask aristotle a question like that about recruiters and you'll just get a reference to a website asnd nothing concrete. Most of his information is second-hand.