Job Discussion Forums

Ledie · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Toronto, Canada

I'll be in Taichung in June and was wondering what schools usually put in their contracts.
Does anyone have an example of a typical teaching contract from a school in taiwan that I could see???

logician · Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 70

Ledie · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Toronto, Canada

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Dear Concerned Teachers,

In answer to the original question about contracts....let me say it this way: Contracts are much like Graduation Speeches and Sermons....The Shorter the Better!!!

The only contract that has any validity is the one that states you will have 14 hours per week of work. This is a 'guaranteed' minimum required by the government. (In the past, all paperwork was submitted to the Ministry of Education. I have heard this changed. Anyone care to comment?)

As mentioned previously, school rules and contracts are two different things! Therefore, the fewer 'rules' the better off you will be.

It is probably very true that the school cannot apply for work visas if they are planning on moving to a new location. If none of the other teachers are worried, then you can relax too....as far as not having a contract. Have they indicated that they are concerned?

What do you guys do about visa runs? Do you just cover each other's classes for a couple of days?

Keep us posted and Best wishes!!!

Taylor
Kaohsiung 7+ years

Ledie · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Toronto, Canada

logician · Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 70

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

Once you pick a school email me.
We have a very large collection of old contracts on file.
Good luck,
A.
[email protected]

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

kubulka · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 14

I just wondered if I could outline the steps one takes when coming to Taiwan.

1. Submitting one's paperwork (degree, TEFL certification, etc.) to the employer
2. medical check-up
3. if all goes well, a work permit is issued

In case I change my mind and would prefere a different employer/school, what are the chances that my work permit gets revoked? And if so, who does the cancellation? Based on what precisely? Am I at that stage, if the above happens, entering something like a pre-deportation stage?

I found this message board extremely helpful, yet at the same time incredibly confusing. As the time of my departure for Taiwan is approaching fast, I'm becoming slightly hysterical.

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Dear Kubulka,

Congrats on your decision to teach in Taiwan. Things can be very confusing, so keep asking questions. Also, things change from time to time and place to place regarding foreign work visas (just keep this in mind).

Since it can take 10 days or so to get the results of your health exam, it was always better to do this first. Also, you can 'prove' to the schools that you are healthy and 'approved'. Teachers usually pay these fees on their own, so don't think you are being cheated if you are asked to cover such expenses. Fees for the visa vary depending on your home country. Med exams cost around $1600 NT ($50 US) as of 2003.

Keep the questions coming!

Taylor
Kaohsiung 7+ years

kubulka · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 14

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Dear K,

You might want to start another thread to find out more about everyone's experience with laptops and cell phones.

I asked a relevant question a few months back. Here is the link to that discussion:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=11269&highlight=laptop+taiwan

Coincidentally, I just sold my laptop on ebay today. Someone in New York did the "Buy it Now" for $360, which is a bit more than I had paid for it! Smile

If you always charge up your battery and use it (instead of plugging into the wall) you might come out okay. With school starting now, you might be able to sell it to a student. That is, if you would consider selling it at all.

I don't know much about cell phones, so you'd better ask around.

Best wishes.

Taylor

Ledie · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Toronto, Canada

Aristotle, I emailed you and you never got back to me.... Crying or Very sad

zealflyer · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Winnipeg, MB

Taylor - you mention that it is best to get a medical examination first and foremost, before you even start applying for jobs. Do you know if this examination must be done in Taiwan? Is there a standard list of things that they check for? And if yes, could I have my physician here in Canada check me out and write up a clean bill of health? I am planning on going for a check-up before leaving the country anyways. So if I could get the examination out of the way for free...

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

The exam must be done here. So, you can't use one from a foreign country. They are checking for communicable diseases, such as HIV and Hep, as well as the presence of illicite drugs in your bloodstream. You'll have to wait until you get here to do this test. It's not overly expensive, about 80-100 dollars in Canadian funds. It's a necessary expense though, so prepare for it. A lot of the costs surrounding visas and ARCs are borne by the teachers. Don't come here without a couple grand to take care of incidentals.

Ledie, what are you looking for interms of contract examples? Wage guidelines? A good average is 600 nt per hour. I'd recommend staying away from "package" salary deals. The hourly rate is often much lower and they can, and will, expect unpaid work when they pay a lump sum each month. Things that should set off alarm bells are: excessive deposits and penalties, provisions for unpaid work such as demos and meetings as well as anything that just makes you feel as if you're getting screwed. BTW, contracts here are no way near as forceful as in western countries. Don't worry a lot unless it involves your money. Walk away from anything you don't like. Also, stop worrying about job particulars while your on the other end of the earth. Get here, then deal with it. If you try to do so from your end, you'll regret it. Trust me.

BTW, the user Aristotle does not represent any reputable (or real) teacher's organization. He does not speak for the majority of teachers, nor even a signifigant minority. Aristotle is also banned from posting on the biggest Taiwan expat site, Forumosa.com. He refuses to disclose his own personal identity, but to join his so-called anonymous organization, he demands you send all your personal information to him-- a person you've never met and can't even put a name to. His posts here border on fear mongering and are frequently "reality challenged." Be very cautious if you choose to deal with him.