Job Discussion Forums

Chris Smith · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 86

I notice there seem to be very few opinions or discussion about Wall Street in Taiwan. Does/has anyone work(ed) there and what do you think about:

the general environment from a teacher's point of view?
the curriculum?
pay and benefits?

Chris

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Actually there has been quite a bit said about Wall Street, particularly over the past year or so. Most of this came from one particular ex-employee who is a member of this very board so you may hear from him.

For the lowdown you could conduct a search on this board using the search function to see what has been said here, or you could search for the school over at www.buxiban.com

Chris Smith · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 86

Thanks Clark,

I did a bit of looking around and found what you're referring to. Couldn't find much on buxiban.com, though, except for the blurb the company issues. The comments section was empty.

I was more wondering what they actually do behind the glossy frontage. Their marketing is excellent, but it doesn't necessarily follow that the product is good.

Just curious really.

Chris

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

Hello. Ex-WSIer here.

Are you the type that can stay below the radar or do you have dreams of becoming a manager? If you are the former, WSI may be right for you. It is a simple curriculum that you can learn no time. You get guaranteed hours, but minimal pay. If you are the latter, stay away from WSI. The place is run by The Anti-Buddha who constantly drones on about how only people that think like him can work for him. He is creepy, greasy and a general dick. Avoid him at all costs.

As for quality of method, they are mostly smoke and mirrors. How they get the Taiwanese to agree to sit at a computer terminal for the lion's share of their training and pay 90K a year to do that is indeed a testament to their marketing ability. But, like all other buxibans and institutes in Taiwan, it does not care one jot about actual results.

To recap: A good place for a McJob, but if you have character or ambition, give it a wide berth.

Chris Smith · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 86

Thanks for the feedback Pop Fly. I'm just intreagued by the number of branches they have (= plenty of teachers with an opinion), but only one person with experience can give a response. Your opinion about WSI is a valid one and I wonder whether others share the same view.

Chris

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

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

There is not much written about "Wall Street School" mostly because it is a newer franchise.
Nearly all the complaints I have seen on Wall Street School both public and private carry a similar tone. Unpleasant management, low pay and low hours.
Their website:
http://www.wsitw.com.tw/

That is pretty much par for the course here on Taiwan.
5 out of 10 rating on and ascending scale.
Please read this,

http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck,
A.

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

jonjack · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 34 Location: Canada

As usual Aristotle is the only one who seems to track the esl stories with any

sense of acccumulative historical analysis. He is also the only one who see's

the long term damage done to the Taiwan esl market by agents.

Go go A.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

jonjack · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 34 Location: Canada

Even the no clues can see why an agent is problematic for them

personally, but Aristotle seems to see the damage done over the long

term. Schools were paying 500 -600 NT per hour in the late eighties and

early nineties. The U.S. dollar bought only 26 to 28 NT at that time. The

cost of living was much lower then and with all that in mind Aristotle

looks like someone who seems to be aware of this. Teachers have lost

20% or more of their pay over 15 years or so.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

jonjack · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 34 Location: Canada

I will break this down to make it easier to follow.

Exchange rates are important because this means in addition to a normal rise in the cost of living in Taiwan, X Taiwan dollars per hour is much lower
as a real net pay than even 15 or 16 years ago.

Therefore pay would have to rise against these two variables just for teachers to receive consistant pay rates over time without loss of net gain and spending power. 500NT per hour in 1990 would have to be about 700-750 today to actually be the same rate of pay. Now if we factor in the less favorable exchange rate on top of the inflation then pay today should on average be about 900 to 1000 NT just to keep us where we were in 1990.

But that is not the average pay today is it?!

There were basically no agents back then or at least very few. As agents became more and more prevalent pay increases were fewer and eventally, by about 1998 wages began to freeze and drop. Agents are paid by schools not by teachers. These agents are an expense that schools did not pay in the eighties and early part of the nineties.
Moreover, agents often tend to recruit teachers from overseas who do not clearly understand local play as low, medium or high. They are also usually inexperienced and willing to work for low pay. The overseas people (potential teachers) are not really in a fair position to negotiate.

I do not know how old Aristotle is but I am of the opinion that he is junior to me in years. I also do not know him personally. In fact to this point we have not even exchanged opinions on this board. I do however see that he has at least been around long enough to have SOME idea of what is going on in the Taiwan esl market. More than most of the postings I have read.

Bottom line,

Pay should be higher and agents do more harm than good.

/JJ

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056