Job Discussion Forums

seamonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 29

Hi, i've recently finished doing the CELTA course and am looking for my first job. I've been offered a job with English first in China, and i have an interview with HESS for a job in Taiwan. Its starting to do my head in, i just can't decide where to go. I've read good and bad things about EF, but not much about HESS. Can anyone offer me some advice on which country to go for.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 7:13 pm Post subject:

Unless you've lived overseas before, shoot for a major city in a country where the culture is interesting and not too different from you own. This will give you a chance to develop some "expat" skills while you are trying to develop your teaching skills - and adjust to a lot of change all at the same time.

If your choice was China or Taiwan - do Taiwan as the culture is just a little more Westernized and in Taipei or Khaoshuing (sp?) you'll meet a sizeable foreigner population.

Worse comes to worse - in Taiwan you'll at least save a few thousand US$.

Hess had a reasonable reputation in Taiwan when I worked there, but that was quite a few years back.

Don't worry too much about it, except to make sure that you will enjoy yourself. You'll probably have many more years, and maybe many more countries while teaching, so the first one doesn't have to be 100% right - and none of them will be!

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

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

On the other hand, you might also get a good experience living in a small town somewhere in Asia. Even if it is just short term, it will give you the advantage of picking up the local language easier.

dvasas · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 138 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

Hess is till ok and have schools all over Taiwan, so they could place you in Taipei or in the county which is a different world. I would contact as many people and schools and go with what feels to be the best I am friends with a recruiter here from who is from the US www.reachtoteachrecruiting.com I don't think he works with Hess, but does with Kojen, Kid Castle, and Gram, also big chains, Mitch can give you some great information.

As for China, I had some friends that taught here 2 years, left and went to Beijing but came back here after 3 weeks as they loved the benefits of Taipei as they had lots of travel time in Beijing, the pay was so much less, it's cold there; etc.

BUT if you haven't been to either place things like that may not matter, cause at first I think it's about the cultural experience.

best of luck!!

seamonkey · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 29

Thanks for the tips. I think Taiwan sounds like the better option. I've got an interview with Reach to Teach next week too, for a job in Taiwan.