Job Discussion Forums

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

And I had read this site too and many many others. I had researched Taiwan's market online for a year and a half before I went. As I did with other countries, eventually deciding on Taiwan as the most profitable. Once I got there I spoke to everyone I could about the things I read and everyone KNEW THAT what Aristotle says is truth. I found him to be the only person that shoots straight and offers real glimpses into the illegal and immoral world of teaching in Taiwan. I know GRISWALD and him are always fighting but I like GRISWALD's dedication to the topic. I have to say I think he is not as accurate as Aristotle and tried to be the opposite, e.g. positive. I wonder how can you strive to be positive about this topic but then I also know that GRISWALD can afford to be. Aristotle can too, but he is a realist. It's easy to be positive about getting your foot in the door and established in Taiwan when you are SUPER DUPER WAY WAY EDUCATED AND EXPERIENCED AND QUALIFIED. Aristoitle risks his life and his money everytime he tarnishes the governemnt and the industry becuase they are beyond ruthless. I say that if we had more Aristotles, Taiwan would not have so much trouble getting "CERTIFIED" teachers to teach there. Their reputation is so bad now that they cannot get "CERTIFIED" teachers to teach in EVERY state school (THEIR GOAL FELL SHORT BY ABOUT 2 THOUDSAND) for what they pay. Is this because of what one man says, or is that indicative of a reality that one man comments on? You decide, I already have. TAIWAN is full of the most lying corrupt people that claim to know how to do business than I have ever encountered nor will ever encounter. They will lie about the pay, the hours, the school location, the age of the kids, the requirements, the labor law, the taxes laws, their license, who owns the school, the housing market, and anything else you need to know. ALL OF THEM DO. I HAVE YET TO HEAR OF ONE THAT DOESN'T and I have spoken to dozens and dozens of teachers, schools, the top recruiters, and been offered countless contracts, ALL WITH ILLEGAL STIPULATIONS!!! Not to mention unreasonable ones (but so are the real laws regarding teaching). When you call them on a lie they invariable reply with a gentle smile, "OH.....AH.......YOU MISUNDASTAN ! IS OK...."

I'm sorry to burst your bubble as mine was, but you hopefully won't expend the money. humiliaton, sleepless nights, worry, months, and tears I have to find out the truth that I did.

Chris Smith · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 86

You obviously had a bad experience here and I'm sorry to hear that. Do you think your experience here is typical of most teachers? I've been here for 8 years now and I've been fine.

Yes, things are different to back home and there is certainly a degree of blatent trickery that goes on, but... it is pretty obvious and once exposed can really affect a school's reputation. This board helps to inform people about cheating schools/bosses, etc. Can you give any specific examples? Your input could be invaluable to others.

Chris

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Just one point here:

Glenski has NEVER lived or worked in Taiwan so it is unreasonable to expect someone who has never lived there to be accurate about Taiwan but he (and I for that matter) are usually pretty spot on on things in Japan. Any of Glenki's posts are usually in reference to living in Japan. Taiwan and Japan are two totally separate and different countries with diferent languages societies and legal systems. Work conditions also vary for foreign teachers.

i'm not sure where you get your information but judging by your recent post on the Japan thread this post comes dangerously close to trolling.

You have made some fairly wild and racist accusations with very little in the way of solid evidence. I cant speak for what happened in Taiwan, but you mentioned that you spent two years researching teaching in Asia and talking to countless people and reading on the internet. What can have been so different after all this research from what actually occurred on the ground?

wix · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 250 Location: Earth

Chris Smith · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 86

teacha. After reading your Japan forum posts, I'd say you need to get yourself together and think about your direction in life. You are expressing amounts of stress and frustration that suggest this life doesn't suit you. Have you considered setting up back home? It might be your best option considering your finances and current state. Time for a (total) rethink?

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

Chris Smith · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 86

Ok, so regarding the legality stuff, can you give us the name of a school you, either, did or didn't work for that succeded/tried to get you to do something illegal? Please give some detail so anyone with similar experiences can add to the dialogue.

Chris

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

A COMMON MISCONCEPTION, and it's common because SCHOOLS TELL YOU THIS LIE: you get a refund for your taxes.........NO YOU DO NOT UNDER MOST CIRCUMSTANCES:

Basic Tax Facts SEE ..6:

Some schools use creative ways of manipulating their tax structuring and may not charge you the rates as stipulated above by Taiwanese law, or may pay them out of their own pocket on your behalf, or may ('accidently') charge you too much. The following are common scenarios you may encounter at an average, legal school.

1) If you're single and unmarried the first NT$74,000 you earn is untaxed.

2) Wages are normally taxed at 20% for the first 183 days of a tax year (deducted from

your paycheck.)

3) After 183 days, the rate is reduced to your income level (13% is average for most teachers - see above chart.)

4) Since you overpay by 7% for the first 183 days (assuming you make the average 50-70,000NT p/month), you'll get back the difference when you file your taxes.

5) Taxes for the current year are always filed in May of the next year. If you are planning to leave before May of the next year see info on refunds at bottom of this page.

6) If you stay less than 183 days in any tax year you will still have to pay the full 20% tax rate and will receive no refund. Even if you stayed 182 days, there is NO REFUND. If you arrived on or after July 2nd, there are less than 183 days left in the tax year. No refunds. When you get your (legal) job and ARC, your employer may legally withhold 20% until the end of the year. No refunds. No matter how little or much you earn, since you were here less than 183 days in the tax year you'll have to pay 20%, and you can't get a refund. You start over at zero days on January 1st every year.

7) The counting of days in the tax year is cumulative. Say you stay for 4 months then leave the country for three weeks on vacation, your 4 months will continue to be countable toward your 183 days for the current tax year (the 3 weeks you were away are excluded.)

Cool

The 183 day total is derived by the amount of total time you have been here, regardless of whether you had a job or not. If you were here for 2 1/2 months and then suddenly got a job and an ARC, the previous 2 1/2 months WILL count towards the �183 day� total for refunds.

10) The day count goes by the dates in your passport, except the first day you arrived. If you came on February 1st, but didn't get an ARC until July 3rd, you would have to pay 20% tax (or have it deducted automatically by your employer) for only 1 month. The 183 days are calculated by the date you arrived. Since you arrived 5 months ago, even though you are just getting your ARC and beginning to work, those first 5 months are counted toward your 183 days.

11) If you stayed in Taiwan 183 days in the previous year, and stay into the next year, you do NOT go back to the 20% tax rate. You will remain at the regular rate for your income level (see chart above.)

12) After your first 183 days in a year period, as long as you stay in the country for 183 days each successive year, your tax rate will not go back to 20%.

http://www.eslisland.com/guide/taxes.html

Chris Smith · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 86

Thanks a lot teacha.

Seems to be fairly standard except for the NT$30,000 compensation fee for running or being terminated without notice. As I understand it this requirement is illegal and can surely be brought to the attention of the authorities.

Any other Jordan's teachers out there who can confirm this element of the contract?

Aside from the compensation fee, I didn't notice anything else that goes against Taiwanese law. There's a lot of obvious stuff like don't be late; don't give away our materials; your schedule is as follows, etc.

The tax related stuff is readily available for those who are aware it could affect them. If you're not aware then it could catch you out, but that comes down to your own research.

If the person recruiting you lied, as you have said, for three days about the 183 day tax rule then she's well and truly in the wrong. This is a recruiting issue, and so I wonder if any others were fed the same line.

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

letting them control YOUR RIGHT TO TEACH ELSEWHERE goes against your rights as stated by labor law.

Chris Smith · Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 86

"related field"

Basically they don't want you to work for their competition. Without breaking contract you can still work for other companys that aren't in the English language teaching field.

Legally speaking, I think you can teach for another school (up to three, I think). If you get caught by any of the schools who insist on this exclusivity thing, you may find yourself out. Can't blame them for that, though. Do you know any companys back home that employ part time workers who also work for a competing firm? Not knowingly, I think.

Chris