Job Discussion Forums

SanjayDhinsa · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:03 am Post subject: Dark skin in Taiwan.

Hi.

I'm just after any info people have on teaching English in Taiwan if you're not a white European. I am a half indian native English speaker from England, with a degree and heading to Taiwan to teach English. I've heard that it can be difficult if you are not white.

Anyone with any positive or negative experiences, first or second hand, who can shed some light on wether or not I'll be able to find work please let me know.

Thanks.

Sanjay Dhinsa

[email protected]

puiwaihin · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 91

If your English is perfect and you have the right passport (which is your case) you can find a job. However, if you don't look white you can get passed over for a job. You may even be better off being black than looking Indian. It's all a matter of perception.

But I'm sure you can find work. Not all schools care more for their teacher's image than for the quality of their teaching.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

For the record, people who are black can find work in other fields without too many problems, from what I've seen. My wife (who is black, originally from Michigan), works as a paralegal for an attorney. And makes twice the money I do. Shocked

It was the first job she applied for over here, three months into our stay.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Do you mean half native of India or a half native north American?

Yes, you can find work, particularly with chain schools (try www.kojenenglish.com ). They take Asian looking & black teachers. I'm sure other chain schools do the same.

I worked for Kojen and there were a couple of south Asians there.

I don't know if you are interested but I worked in Japan for a school that recruited Indian / English teachers (from the UK) . They also had atleast one native Canadian. They aren't the best school in Japan, but it might give you something to think about. Do a search on the Nova Group.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

Each1Teach1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

Yo.. Guy that's worried about being brown...

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT!!!! I can tell you from experience with working with people from all over the world.... your skin colour is not an issue... it comes down to your attitude and your teaching ability.. and no matter what others suggest you shouldn't just go apply to a school just because it has a reputation for hiring non-white people. If you know that you can teach, or at least know that you are a caring, proffessional person, then hold your damn head up high, and stop worrying.. if people don't want to hire you because they are superficial, then that's their loss.. but just to let you know, every country has it's racists and not all the people of any country are going to be racist or unexperienced with diverse people... Especially when you go to big cities. I've been in the same situation as you've been in, and I chose to go out there, made a super amazing resume, and had confidence in myself.. and guess what.. I sent my pictures and resumes out there and got tons of response back... and I'm not white. It's not a burden if you are not a white english teacher, and although the cold hard truth is that you have to initially work harder to prove yourself, and you'll find people who want to believe you are some kind of imposter.. in the end your better for it. And you get to make a difference in the world by opening up your students' eyes to how diverse and interesting the rest of the world really is! Just believe in yourself kid! And don't be a loser by trying to play up your half white side during a job interview... just be proud of who you are, every side.

-Lots of love to all the english teachers out there no matter what your background-

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

How long does it take to train as a paralegal?

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Travel Zen · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:24 am Post subject:

Each1teach1:

Excellent advice to share. You been around.

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

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

I'd like proof of how the government in Taiwan is one of the most racist on the planet. Granted, there is a homogenous thing going on with the locals but the variety of people I've met here astounds me.