Job Discussion Forums

robitusson · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 74

Which is better for money? I've heard the money is comparable but the standard of living is lower in Taiwan which would make it easier to save. Anybody lived and worked in both places?

SurfTaiwan · Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

There are actually people on some thread somewhere that have entire websites about this....look it up....

Lived in both and worked in both.....

Overall Korea is the better deal financially......the pay airfare/housing....cost of living is not that much differnt.....u have to buy a scooter in Taiwan...(500 USD) & Gas

At the end of the year Korea is about 6-7000 USD better....really...

Korean girls are hotter....but harder to get to know and less friendly...

Taiwan's weather is nice....

Taiwan has TOO MANY teachers now...prices going down all over!!

Korea a little more picky about who they hire, and really really hard to quit in Korea...it's like your in a gang and the only way out is if the beat you.....taiwan u work harder but your boss will probably be cooler...probably..

Korea's cell phones are the worlds best

of course these are genarlizations....but most other teachers I have talked to agree that have done both....

Might want to try Japan....It's like heaven...but expensive......

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

korea is very dangerous and violent, scaming of westerners is more severe too

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

Ive got friends who are in Korea now making around $2500 Aussie a month while im here spending more on living expenses than them and working in a much more ordinary situation.
There does seem to be a lot of teachers in Taiwan so demand and supply are pretty close - I sent one email to a Korean school and they were begging me to come over so i guess it might be easier and more money over there at the moment.

I wouldnt agree that Korea are more picky about their teachers - Id say quite the opposite - most of the people I know who are there or have been havent really been the kinds of people I would expect to find work easily in Taipei or Taiwan.

I guess Im looking at it from an angle though - Korea is more open to Australians than Taiwan - north american accents are manditory for many schools in Taiwan, and you can get quite ridiculous money for privates over in Korea...

The draw backs with Korea from what I understand are the cultural issues (people who can seem quite xenophobic) and the cold. Ive hearda f ew stories of pretty dodgy bosses over there too and it can be pretty boring apparently - although Ive never been there so i cant comment first hand.

The draw back for Taiwan in my opinion would be the over-supply of teachers, the working conditions in SOME school are ordinary, living expenses arent as cheap as people might suggest (dont stay in Taipei if your at all interested in saving) and the pretty dissappointing food options by asian standards (I can tell you first hand that food in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam is sets a standard far above the fair offered in Taipei) - although some of the aboriginal dishes are quite nice.
boozing here will knock a hole in your cash - and most of the expats ive met seem so depressed that they have to booze... Poor sods...

As for rip-offs - Ive would have though Korea, but Ive met some teachers here in taiwan who had some shocking stories - the english guy in our building suggests that Taiwan has the worst working conditions for ESL teachers anywhere in asia (his experience after 8 years teaching ESL in asia).

This is all just my opinion based on my experiences, the people I know and trust and what the many teachers ive met in taiwan have told me. Your experience could be vastly different to mine, but Im thinking Korea sounds more and more appealing - free accommodation - airfare paid for - and cheaper living standards.

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

Ok,

Now to answer your original question: The money is nearly equal considering living expenses.

However, I would guess that you'd be able to save more in Taiwan. There seem to be more salaried jobs in Korea and that automatically means you'll be working more hours there for less.

Simple translation: You spend more hours on the clock there and you make as much as a teacher here who is paid by the hour. Your average hourly pay is lower.

Everything is easier if you're interested in this place or that place. I like both places equally. But that's because I've never been interested in money. Take your pick.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

I've been in Korea off and on for quite awhile. Jobs are EXTREMELY easy to get here.

As far as scams and dodgy owners.. they do exist.. but I've never had a problem, and nor have most people I know who have been here a long time.

Honestly speaking, anyone who signs a contract sight-unseen has a chance it won't be perfect. Most people who know Korea well, we just fly in and look around for the perfect job with our eyes and with our feet - and do extremely successful - as once again, there are tons of jobs all around here.

The bad schools which are out in the middle of nowhere or have something wrong and high turnover are usually the same ones willing to sign someone sight-unseen taking the same risk as the teacher is coming over. And yeah, some of those weird schools bring in some damn weird foreigner as well.

But for the most part, things are pretty good here. Also someone mentioned Korea as boring? Definetely not boring. Well, not if you are into drinking (one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the world) and 24-hour nightlife and bars nearly everywhere.. its also pretty great for those who like mountains, hiking, skiing, or martial arts. The food here is also extremely healthy - lots of vegetables, and cook the meat at your table (tastes great)..

Negatives would be the xenophobia. However its not really in your face and most Koreans are quite friendly.. it hits you more when you do things like 'read the newspaper'.. that suddenly you see things like people want to take down 'the MacAuthur statue' (which is the recent one) or the Tokdo Island (a problem with Japan).. but a lot of it is more like nationalism in many ways.

But anyhow.. for whatever reason, I like Korea. I've visited Taiwan before and I liked it.. I have opinions about it positive and negative, but since I was there only 4 days, I don't know how much accuracy they have.

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

Well i look at it this way - the payrate is comparable - but if you come to Taiwan now your paying 20% tax, you have to pay for your own airfare and accommodation, and you have to be willing to take a lot of part-time work and juggle or go out in the country and work 40 hours.
I know a girl who work at NTU and they deal with a woman who happens to own a number of cram schools in Taipei. She says that there has never been more teachers in Taiwan looking for work - she was saying that most jobs - even the small ones get around 10-12 teachers applying so its competitive.
If this is the case and they can pick and choose, this doesnt provide new arrivals with much bargaining power here in Taiwan.
And living expenses in taiwan are weird - some things are surprisingly expensive (any one else bought an iron here?) and alcohol is bloody pricy here.
In Korea there seems to be more work, accommodation is paid for and you can get good hours, for a salary its true, but juggling five part-time jobs isnt for everyone.

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

http://www.filecabi.net/v/file/police-brutality/wmv

S. Korea is VEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERy dangerous for Whites, they scam and assault us worse than in Taiwan. Look how the police act to peacefull S. Korean labor protestors trying to renegotiate their contracts in the above link.

chinwubachu · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 32

iF korea is violent where on earth do you come from teacha? lol Confused

I have never seen any trouble in Korea at all and quite safely walk the streets at night. it is very rare to see any trouble even in Seoul (Itaiwan included)so I am not quite sure where you got that from.

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

maya.the.bee · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 118 Location: Stgo

teacha
I do have to thank you for the idea to check the US State Dept (http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/teaching/teaching_1240.html). If anyone is considering going to Korea to teach this site is very informative. I do not, however, feel that it is warning Americans away from teaching in Korea.

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

TEACHING ENGLISH: The U.S. Embassy in Seoul receives many complaints from U.S. citizens who enter the Republic of Korea to teach English at private language schools ("hagwons"). The most frequent complaints are that the schools and/or employment agencies misrepresent salaries, working conditions, living arrangements and other benefits, including health insurance, even in the written contracts. There have also been some complaints of physical assault, threats of arrest/deportation, and sexual harassment. Some U.S.-based employment agencies have been known to misrepresent contract terms, employment conditions or the need for an appropriate work visa. Since Spring 2005, Korean police have investigated a number of foreign teachers for document fraud. Several Americans have been arrested and charged with possession of fraudulent university diplomas which were used to obtain employment in Korea. A comprehensive handout entitled "Teaching English in Korea: Opportunities and Pitfalls" may be obtained at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs homepage at http://travel.state.gov/ under Travel Publications.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1018.html