Job Discussion Forums

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

Everything that Clark and TaoyuanSteve are saying is true.

I'm not sure what Miyazaki or Snowalker are thinking, or getting there informaiton from, but they will out the hard way if they try to apply to work in TAiwan without the proper qualifications!!

twinkletoes · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 76

People are being deported left and right this week for fake degrees and working illegally.

I don't know what the situation used to be, but I know that it is changing. Be careful. And make sure you have enough money saved for a return ticket home. I've heard so many stories recently about visas not being extended and people being deported - not sure what the outcome will be, but something is definitely changing.

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

twinkletoes · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 76

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Illegal teachers, and the shady schools that hire them, are part of the reason why the general English level is low in Taiwan (certainly not the whole reason, but this thread is about illegal teachers). As long as people open up cram schools as a get-rich-quick business opportunity, there will be people coming here to get-rich-quick through "teaching". The only people who lose out are the students themselves, as the average Taiwanese cannot tell why one language school is better than another.

Of course, getting a degree does not automatically make one more qualified to teach English. I'm sure there are many illegals here that do an excellent job in the classroom, but that isn't the point. The point is to follow the law. Breaking the rules just because everyone else does not help a society improve.

I personally welcome a crackdown on illegal schools and illegal teachers, but I would prefer to see them crack down on the schools first, so that they can't hire a new "teacher" every time their old "teacher" gets deported. If the sources dry up, the illegals will have to go somewhere else to make a quick buck.

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

twinkletoes · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 76

jonks · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 1240

From my limited experience in Taiwan, EFL teachers need a degree. A teaching qualification is not needed (unless you are to work in the public sector), and it does not matter if you have a three or four year degree.

If you want to work in a university, you need to have an MA (at least) but I think this may be the universities requirements - not the governments (please correct me if I am wrong anyone).

Universities do not usually (so I have heard numerous times) accept degrees that have been achieved via distance learning - even if the school is accredited. They will however accept an unaccredited school, that was done on campus (which is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion).

Again, this is all hearsay, and I am not sure exactly how much is fact - though I have heard it from enough sources that I believe it to be true.

If you are really concerned about obtaining legal work in Taiwan, and the minimum requirements to do so, then I would suggest anyone to take Clark and Taoyuan Steve's info - ahead of the others who seem to be basing their opinions on pure speculation. I am aware that I am too - but I am at least stating it is pure speculation.

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

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

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Zen-Poet · Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 16

Using what I have dubbed �The Aristotle Formula�, I present to you an analysis of Aristotle�s latest post to this thread:

Sweeping Generalization(s):
1) ��many of these four year degree holders are criminals and pedophiles��
2) ��the ever growing number of drug addicts and known criminals who are allowed to teach on Taiwan��

Lay Blame with the Government
1) ��because the occupational governments priorities in terms of education has more to do with their political views and grafting of public funds intended for education and educators than the welfare of Taiwanese students.�
2) ��the occupational authorities ability to oppress the local population and spout their own racist and ignorant politics in public schools.�

Poor Grammar
I�ll bide my time on this point. Aristotle maintains that nearly every official document in both Chinese and English uses the term �on� as opposed to �in� when referring to Taiwan. Ignoring that political views do not alter the rules of English grammar, I am in the process of acquiring/viewing as many �official documents� that fit Aristotle�s criteria to attempt to substantiate his claim.

Fail to Provide Evidence
Not a single statistic to substantiate his claims of criminals and pedophiles. The dictionary defines many as a) amounting to, or consisting of a large indefinite number, b) The majority of the people; the masses. By the second part of the definition, Aristotle is claiming that at least 50% + 1 of all four-year degree holders, currently living and teaching in Taiwan, are either pedophiles or criminals. So, as always, I think it is now incumbent upon Aristotle to provide unequivocal proof of this latest outlandish claim, but if past history is any guide, that will not be forthcoming.

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

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

So why not have a go at Thailand too? I am fairly sure there are more western paedophiles and criminals there, but all you ever mention is the price of rum and coke.

I would be interested in you giving us a comparison study.

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