Job Discussion Forums

[theEnglishman]

Hello, allow me to introduce myself. I am theEnglishman; pleased to meet you. I notice that most of the (excellent) advice given on these boards comes from a specifically North American/Canadian perspective and I was curious as to whether this would apply to a teadrinking badtoothed limey like me. For instance, do the visa stipulations differ? do limey laptops run ok? do employers look favourabley on Brits because we invented the bloody language anyway? You know the kind of thing.
(by the way, what do you think the proportions are of teachers? I mean- 70% NA, 10% UK, 10% OZ etc, for instance. Just out of idle interest)

You might be interested to know that I was originally planning to accept an offer from 'footprints', recruiters, at a chain school called 'Kojen' (calm down man, I 'm not taking it). The salary is $41,000. I gather that is pretty funny eh? I suppose you would say 'just buy a fucking ticket and sort it all out here', so, barring any UK specific advice to the contrary, thats probably what I'm going to do.

One last question; I like hot weather, some mountains to look at (but far away enough to not climb), and to be near, or on, a littoral (its ok to use it as a noun). Which city would you suggest? Kaohsiung? or perhaps Tai'nan?

My sincere and heartfelt thanks.

theEnglishman.

[TaoyuanSteve]

Plenty of Brits in Taipei. When I go into Taipei to have a drink there are loads of 'em watching satellite soccer (football). Schools will hire you. Shouldn't be a problem.

Can't comment on visas. Check with the Taiwan representative office nearest you. The same rules usually apply to all of us, though.

[sbettinson]

Hello to a fellow limey,

I am in the process of getting my Visa and have been told by the UK representative office that only a 30 or 60 day single entry tourist visa is available to UK residents.

The following are required to apply for the Visa.

1) A confirmed return ticket (send photocopy)
Note : To cover your arse get yourself a flexible return date ticket but book the initial return date within the remit of your visa to avoid problems at the check-in desk and with customs upon arrival.

2) Passport valid for 6 months longer than your duration of stay.

3) Bank statement showing sufficient funds for duration of stay. (They say �40 quid per day although I have heard that this is just a formality. Better safe than sorry and to play it by the book.)

4) A cheque for �25 quid for the visa.

5) A recorded delivery SAE to return your documents to you.

Hope this helps but I would call the office yourself for confirmation and bear in mind it is only open between 9am and 12:30pm.

[theEnglishman]

Thanks sbettinson and steve. You mention a return ticket, I have just booked myself a one way flight (the return prices are ridiculous at the moment), was that a mistake??
Whats the worst case scenario? they put me on the first flight out?

[theEnglishman]

Nevermind, I just realised that I can book some cheap tinpot Iraqistan Airlines hop to HK or somewhere like that. It doesn't have to be England right?

[markholmes]

No it doesn't have to be to England, but you do need to book it before you fly to Taipei and have the ticket in your possession.

I'm English and never had trouble finding work. You have two countries above you in the pecking order and several below. Unless you are hideously ugly you'll find work.

Kojen's website is www.kojenenglish.com. You don't need a recruiter to work for them, do it on line. I worked for them for a year and a half. Hourly salary is NT$550 (roughly) and I certainly never took home NT$41,000. They are a reasonable company if you want to find a job before you get here.

Don't use a recruiter.

[theEnglishman]

Thanks Mark, I guess its a good job I'm beautiful then. Thats a good idea about Kojen.