Job Discussion Forums

[mitch_mooney]

Im planning on doing the TESL in Taiwan next fall (2005). I spend a countless amount of hours on the net reading people's blogs, looking at job ads and finding out absolutely anything I can about Taiwan.
I have never travelled out of Canada by myself. So on one hand I am soooo excited to be doing this even though it is still far away before I do. And on the other hand I can't believe how scared I am too.

Do you remember what it was like for you? Were you scared? I think it would help to know how other people felt and maybe possibly scary stories that turned out good in the end?

Im new here ... so take it easy on me! haha
Michelle[/img]

[Wonder]

There's a lot of scary stuff out there and you don't have to go to Taiwan to find it!

In all seriousness, if you are an adventurous type, you'll be more shocked and amazed than scared. When I first came to Asia three years ago, I walked out of my hotel room onto the street and was immediately interested in everything around me. However, I had travelled extensively in Europe and South America prior to that.

The thing that will "scrare" you the most is entering a Taiwanese ESL classroom (bushiban/cram school), for the very first time to do your demonstration class. And after that, your first actual week on the job will probably give you a lot of anxiety. So if you can, get some experience in Canada first, such as volunteering at a kindergarten or asking some ESL schools in your area if you can sit in and do a little teaching on your own.

It's really funny how perceptive little kids are sometimes. They are looking for a chink in your armour and they can smell fear and confusion a mile away. So unless you are prepared for this and take the upper hand right-away, they'll eat you alive.

As far as everything else, such as customs, nightlife and making friends, it should be a breeze.

You might want to take a few Mandarin language lessons. But I didn't and it wasn't really a big problem, just a little intimidating.

Good luck.

[TaoyuanSteve]

Pretty sound advice. The scariest thing is in the leaving. Once you are here, that part is over. Teaching will be a bit nerve wracking if you've never done it before. For me it wasn't, but I had taught English to immigrants for quite a while before leaving. The age group and way things are done here were an adjustment, to say the least. You've got the better part of a year to prepare. Maybe look into getting some experience before then, as already suggested. You can make it paying, if you've got a degree. Not sure about where you are, but where I came from there were plenty of English colleges and overseas students looking for teachers.

If I had to do it over again, I'd have taken some basic Mandarin lessons. Depending on where you are going, the spoken English ability of the average person here is low to non-existent. It's somewhat better in places like Taipei. However, even there, you cannot expect most people to be able to speak to you. Get a book, Pimsleur CDs or a private Tutor. Look into adult continuing education courses (run by your local school districts) for great deals on Mandarin courses. I found my first little while living in Taoyuan to be a little stressful because I had no language skills upon arrival.

[sbettinson]

Hi there,

I have only been in Taiwan for just over 2 weeks now so I guess my fears an anxieties that I experienced are still fresh in my mind. Everyone will have a different experience to share and it is not really possible to pinpoint how you will feel until you are here.

I was very excited and very nervous before leaving and all throughout the flight I went from bouts of excitement to almost sheer panic think, "What the hell of I done."

I had a bit of a small nightmare on arrival in that I got pulled to one side at the airport as they randomly check people's temperature using one of those in-ear electronic thermometors. Mine was slightly high as I had been drinking on the flight so I was a little concerned at any possible "rubber glove treatment" I might receive. I was take aside for 5 minutes and asked about why I was coming to Taiwan and a few questions about my health. The official then took my temperature again and it was normal so let me go.

Finding the hotel was an interesting escapade. I speak a little bit of Mandarin but even with the address in Chinese and my pronunciation of the Hotel name the taxi driver didn't know where he was going. I eventually found someone who spoke a little English and they explained to the driver where to go.

On arrival at the Hotel it turned out to be a complete and utter s***hole and after nearly 24 hours of travelling time the first thing I wanted was a relatively comfortable hotel room to get over the jetlag. The bed was as hard as wood like most of the beds in hotels here and the room was falling apart and quite dirty. For the first hour I was in a state of shock and was trying to convince myself not to go home!

After a few deep breaths and a relatively good night's sleep I went out hunting for a better hotel and found one straight away at a cheaper price.

I've been to mainland China before so had some expectation of what I was in for but it all still comes as a shock during your first week.

On the upside I managed to land a job within a week but I don't start for another week or so yet as I have to undergo training with the school. I have already looked at some fantastic apartments that are really cheap and am enjoying what each day brings that is new.

My advice is to keep at the research. This site, the Lonely Planet guide to Taiwan and advice from other sites like Forumosa.com, Tealit.com and suchlike will give you a good head start.

It's only natural to be scared and concerned as I was too. Once you get here and have been going for a couple of weeks it seemed like there was nothing to worry about at all.

Good luck.

Shaun

[m o n k]

I would suggest getting a travel book on Taiwan. It can be extremely useful in providing information about places to stay, eat, etc. Especially if you don't speak the language.

I always feel extremely nervous and akward in a new country up until the moment I check into a hotel. Somehow, having a home base and a place to put your bags is very relaxing to me. I bet you'll feel that way too. Have a place to stay in mind when you arrive, drop your stuff off, get cleaned up, wait a little bit, and then start exploring! If you get overwhelmed, tired, or just plain freaked out, you can retreat to your hotel room. Oh, and make sure to carry the business card of the hotel, so you can show it to help you get back if you get lost. And keep a journal for the first few weeks. When you read it later, it'll be entertaining to see what your first impressions were.

As far as teaching goes, read up as much as you can about teaching in Asia/Taiwan. Get some books on the topic. OVER prepare, OVER prepare, OVER prepare. If you've got a 50 minute class, prepare enough material for twice that. You never know when something will bomb. If you get demonstrations lined up, find out as much info you can about the level of the class you are going to teach.

[mitch_mooney]

Thanks! I worked in a preschool for 5 years dealing with children from 15 months to 6 years of age. So, surprisingly the classroom part isn't really freaking me out. Even knowing that the difference being they won't necessarily understand me. I used to spend countless hours planning learning games, songs and all that fun stuff. Thats the part I am actually very excited about. I remember I had to learn sign language for one of the little boys and that in a way is the same. Learning to communicate with him. I look back at it now and laugh at how I was trying to get him to understand what I wanted him to do. The other challenge was that he wasn't deaf, he had a mental disability.

The part I am scared about is ... I can envision this .. I get off the plane and then I stand there and think now what? where do I go? haha. But after talking to someone that just came back from teaching in Japan, she reassured me that other English people are more then willing to help.

Anyways. .. its just good to know others felt the same way. I am basically a travelling virgin!

Cheers!

[patchwork]

scared?

there's nothing in taipei to be scared of. it's just another city. think of it as another Toronto

[kait]

Of course it's scary to pack up and leave the familiar. The stress of trying not to overlook anything and realizing that when you get off the plane, almost nothing in your life will be the same, is quite intense. It's amazing how quickly the new place starts to feel normal though.

The airport is pretty mild. Signs are in both English and Mandarin. Just follow the crowd through the different steps toward being set loose in Taiwan. Don't forget to exchange some money at the airport.

Taipei is just another big city. The difference is that you can't read the signs, and you don't know who will be able to understand you if you need help. You may have to exercise those problem solving muscles a few times. There are many Westerners floating around the city. Some of them will try not to make eye contact with you. The rationale is a mystery to me, but, whatever melts their butter. If you approach them and ask for help, however, they will help you.

Overall, I think you'll do just fine. It is scary to come to Asia, where so much is different, but then, it's exciting to come to Asia for the same reason.

[aiyo]

[mitch_mooney]

WoW! Your right. The airport website is a cartoon trip! haha

[TaoyuanSteve]

Of course, the airport is the least of your worries.

[mitch_mooney]

Well ... hmm... obviously!

Being a mature person, I have done and am still doing alot of research. A move like this takes alot , giving up my apartment, my job, finding a place to store my junk etc etc etc ... Another concern is am I setting myself back a bit in the work world here in Canada by taking myself out of the equation for a year if not more. Its funny how people think (and I am not pointing a finger at anyone in particular) that because you are looking into it, that you are going at it half-a$$ed and blind of what to expect.

I should have kept track of how many blogs I have read. How many information-tourist websites I have looked at. How many of these posts on different places I have read religiously over the last few months. I have contacted practically strangers who are doing this or have just returned home and emailed them a million questions.

Lets see ... I could go on and on and on ... on the research I have done to date and still plan to do

(I hope this post didn't sound too defensive - just the plain facts)

[TaoyuanSteve]

You did come across as defensive, actually. I was simply informing you of a fact: the airport is the least of your worries re: relocating to Taiwan. I'm not implying that you're doing anything "half-a$$ed" or anything of the sort. I am sure you are doing all you can to prepare. Trouble is, a lot of what you are going to experience can not be prepared for. You are just going to have to get here to know what I mean.

[Aristotle]

[theEnglishman]

Just to reiforce what everyone else has said;

When you are at home contemplating these things it all seems very daunting and intimidating, but I have found everything to be MUCH easier than I thought. I stepped off the plane 5 days ago in Taipei. I'm now in Tainan where I have a job to start soon and I have already moved into a flatshare.
I dont know if my experience is typical or not, i think perhaps it is. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.