Job Discussion Forums

[krh]

I'm just wondering- does the year long contract always work out to exactly 12 months or is it sometimes more like 11 or 11 1/2? Also, when your year is up, is it possible to extend your contract for another 2 or 3 months or do you have to sign for another full year?

[clark.w.griswald]

For the application of a work permit contracts of twelve months duration are generally required. Although this can sometimes be negotiated with employers, particularly if you don't need a work permit through them, most employers have a preference for a full year. In many cases, good schools will probably not negotiate this as they know that the next applicant will just say yes to a year.

As to extending the contract for a period of less than a year, well it is possible, but again most employers would probably be resistent to it. I think that your best bet would be to work like a star teacher in your first year and then when it comes time to negotiate your second contract you will be in a much better position as you will be bringing something to the table.

[Girl Scout]

It easy to negotiate a short term extention. I've done it twice. Private buxibans have different hiring scheduals. A common Taiwanese trait is to wait till there's a problem and then fix it. Sometimes they wait till the last minute to hire a replacement. If they have the option of putting off hiring for a couple of months they might jump at the chance. You will have to try to negotiate an extention a few months before you contract ends. I have only had experience with private buxibans. Companies and chain schools are likely to have more stingent rules about extentions.

Contracts are for a year. Be aware that this might not be a year to the day you signed. Most schools work on a monthly schedual, your contract is likely to go until the end of the month. If not specified in the contract ask. Mine does not say the absolute ending date it just says one year.

[TaoyuanSteve]

Yes, contract extensions for a couple of months are possible. I've seen it done plenty of times. It's really going to depend on the employer, though. Employers have to get new work permits for you in these circumstances, and these are only available for a year. Of course, they can cancel them as well, but it amounts to extra effort on the part of the school. I tend to think most will opt to get a couple extra months out of a teacher, though. From what I've seen, it's about 6 months before a new teacher is any good. So, if a school can get an extra couple of months out of a teacher who's through the break-in period, I tend to think they'd do it and delay having to train a new one for a long as possible.