Job Discussion Forums

[Malone]

Hi there

Just a quick question to anyonw with deep resevoirs of knowledge and a few minutes to spare: I'm considering teaching in Taiwan for 5 months or so. How simple is it to find short term work there, and what are the possible pitfalls (or benefits) of this?

(I'm aware that this question has probably been asked a number of times, but I cant find it on a search of the forums, so please be forebearing...)

Much appreciated

[timmyjames1976]

I am in no way the best person to answer this, but from what I have researched it seems like your country of origin and you level of education is important in regards to what type of visa you can obtain. Once you know the type of visa you can get, you can narrow down your work options. Check out the FAQ's for Taiwan. I saw them somewhere in these forums and they were very detailed.

[anlia]

Hey there

This is just from my own experience and I will try not to go into too much detail. If you have any questions just pm me.

To be legally employed you need to have a degree and agree to a year contract. Most schools would prefer that you stay for a year anyway. The chain schools that hire throughout the year will insist on this and the smaller schools, even the ones who want you part time will ask you how long you are willing to stay. You could lie to them, which is what most people do but the problem with that is that they get testy when you tell them you want to leave.

There is a lot of illegal work or subbing work available especially during the summer months and when the schools are desperate it doesn't really matter if you have a degree or a work permit with them. The problem with that is that if you are caught you might get deported or at least fined. I have never heard of anyone being deported but I have known people who had to sit in a broom closet or jump out of the window when the police came because they were illegal. Being illegal also means you don't have any legal recourse if you are being cheated by your employer out of money or hours.

Since you are coming here short term you need keep a few things in mind.

Visa. Visitors visas are good for two months mostly and if you happen to get a grumpy official who gives you a thirty day visa then you need to do a visa run.
So every two months you have the option of having to leave the country, go to a visa office, pay lots of money and show proof of an outbound ticket and then you get to come back if you weren't refused. With a visitors visa you also have to do a proof of funds thing when you are applying in places like Hong Kong or Japan. Don't know about the rest though.
The way around that would be to enrol in a language school. You pay lots of money and you have to attend classes but you don't have to leave the country or purchase another ticket. You can go to the police station for your extentions. There are places where you don't have to attend the classes, you just pay the money but the class is a great way to meet people, learn the language and network.

Housing. You can stay in a hostel but that is not a lot of fun long term. So you have to find a place to stay. Best thing there would be to check the classifieds of a couple of websites and be someone's roommate. You don't have any set up costs that way and you already know someone who can show you around.

Location. You need to decide where you want to live. Taipei is expensive but you have the best chance of getting employment there and with the MRT you don't have to invest in a scooter just yet. Avoid the country towns unless you really want to experience Taiwanese culture as the expat scene in country towns is not that great. Or make sure that it is close to the city. Try to decide on a larger city. Taiwan is not that big and weekends are great for trips around the country.

Transport and other set up costs. You have to factor in that it will take you at least two weeks to get settled in and over your jet lag and acclimated. If you need a scooter then you can either rent or buy a cheap one. During this time you should try to go on as many interviews as you can. Make sure you come here with enough money to pay for everything you might need for at least two months. Plan on a visa trip, plan on not getting a cheap place to stay, plan on having to buy a bike, plan on having to leave the country if you hate it.

Buy the lonely planet book. The new one is great and there are only a few mistakes in it but nothing too vital.

Very important though. Do not accept a job sight unseen i.e. without seeing what the school looks like, without talking to the teachers, without knowing where the town or city is.
Do not go through recruitment agencies that offer you the sun, moon and stars without checking them out on the web first. There are a lot of nasty people in the recruitment field. There are some really good ones as well. Just check out everything that anyone has to say.

Okay, my spare minutes have been spent.