Job Discussion Forums

[skunk_booty]

This may seem like a pretty stupid question... but... What are the dress codes for working in Taiwanese schools? My only experiences so far have been in Korea, where you can get away with wearing jeans/ shorts and a T-shirt. Is it casual or formal?

Cheers!

[matchstick_man]

Most of the schools here are very casual. My school has a dress code which just means everyone wears an ugly orange T-shirt with the school's name and logo on. Personally I'd prefer a collared shirt as I like to differentiate between what I wear at work and wear at home and I think a collared shirt looks a lot more professional.

[skunk_booty]

Thanks for that matchstick-man...

I was wondering what do other teachers prefer, casual or formal? Personally, I'm with matchstick-man... I want to be able to seperate work with pleasure, so for me work= formal clothes.
That said, I'm sure it would be a pain in the @$$ buying formal clothes in Taiwan , I'm 6ft 5ins tall !

[Chairman Roberto]

For my part, I've been waging a one-man battle against the fashion faux pas of wearing a necktie with a short-sleeve shirt. I tell all my students (especially the guys, of course) that it makes them look like insignificant, petty little bureaucrats with no future and certainly no hot babes.

Anyway, Matchstick is right...it's pretty casual here. The only dress code I enountered was at one school that just wanted you to wear pants and a collared shirt. The school I'm at presently, David's, doesn't even require that...some teachers walk in unshaven in shorts and a T-shirt. Heck, slovenly dress might even help your "foreign mystique."

Be that as it may, clothes are not that much cheaper than the States, and not very fashionable. (unless you want to pay through the nose). You're better off getting some cool threads at thrift shop.

Jesus, I'm sounding like some maven from Cosmo. Somebody shoot me, please.

awaiting my richly deserved death,
The Chairman

[Aristotle]

You need to ask a prospective employer about the dress code for teachers. They can vary greatly from one school to the next. Also ask if the class room is air conditioned. Many local public schools do not have air con. in the classrooms and may ask you to wear a tie. Not a very pleasant experience in the summer heat.
Some locals have different ideas about shoes and feet. You will have to be here for a while to understand what that means.

Please read this.
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck,
A.