Job Discussion Forums

CV · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 3

This is my first time posting here. I am interested in teaching abroad, no experience, just a BA. I got in contact with a recruiter to teach in Taiwan. Initially, he only asked for a resume and headshot. After another email, he said to send a photocopy of my passport and diploma in addition to the resume and headshot.

Also, from the website, they said that they offer free housing if it's outside the city, but when I emailed him he said they have two openings and there's no free housing and no stipend. Only one school has airfare reimbursement. The apartments there he said run about $300 (U.S.)

Is there anything I should be weary about? He gave me detailed answers to my questions and if he mistood my question he would explain things again correctly. He didn't seem condescending or feign sincerity.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Recruiters love talking about airfare reimbursement and free accomodation, but in reality this rarely happens in Taiwan. Why would a school pay the airfare for a stranger to come over? You need to get the salary and benefits information from the school, not the recruiter.

I_is_teach_English · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 44 Location: Taiwan

Some schools pay a contract completion bonus, which can be enough to cover your airfare, but this would be paid at the end of your year - this may be what they are talking about.
US$300 (NT$10,000) for an apartment sounds about right, but it depends on where you are living as to what you would get for that. In Taipei, it would probably mean you are in a studio, whereas as elsewhere that would get you a 2/3 bedroom place.

You should be wAry about your spelling to make sure you're not miSUNDERstood if you're applying to teach English! Wink

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

Before you sign up for anything you should spend a good couple of months reading and posts on forums like this, so you know what you are getting into.

By the sound of your post you haven't done much research (but I could be wrong).

I_is_teach_English · Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 44 Location: Taiwan

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

I was joking

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Never ever sign a contract with a recruiter. Contracts must be signed with the school only. I think I know which recruiter it is who you are talking about and they are bad news. You are best off coming to Taiwan first to find a job, even without any experience. Your chances of being big time screwed will drop significantly.

CV · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 3

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:16 pm Post subject:

There's a reason they're looking for young graduates. They're going to work you into the ground and pay you diddly-squat.

USD18 500 is only 50 000 NT per month. No apartment included, no mention of contract completion bonus, no mention of the city in which you will be placed, no mention of office hours.

You will, however, teach kindergarten. That is illegal. It's been discussed many times, so in short: If you're caught, you're screwed.

In addition to kindy in the morning, you'll teach grade school in the afternoon. This sounds like a full 25 to 30 hour work week, not including office hours, nor any other bullshit stuff they'll want you to do. Divide the monthly salary by the number of hours and your hourly rate is between 400 - 500 NT. WHAT A TOTAL FUCKING RIP-OFF!

Come to Taiwan and find a job yourself. You can do much better than this offer with a minimum of effort.

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

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Never ever under any circumstances sign a contract with a recruiter. Good recruiters have you sign your contract with the school. Not only does this help ensure that the recruiter doesn't deduct a quarter of your pay each month but it also helps you avoid many of the hassles recruiters are prone to do in Taiwan. Watch out for any recruiter that tells you it is okay/common/beneficial for you to sign a contract with them. You are certain to end up in a world of pain.

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

It's important to distinguish between good recruiters and bad recruiters just like it's important to distinguish between good and bad schools. Some are horrible, while others can actually ensure that you are at a GOOD SCHOOL.

Similar to getting a job back home, doing your research is very important. http://Buxiban.com is a very good place to start.

Also, I strongly disagree that it is better to get a job when you arrive. I think it's almost MORE likely that you will find yourself in a bad situation this way. As DangerousApple has mentioned a few time, GOOD schools use GOOD recruiters and plan ahead to make sure they have a teacher in time for the beginning of the semester. Many times, it's the poor, unorganized schools and recruiters that wait until the last second (ie, when you are already in Taiwan) to start their hiring process. That's why you often see desperate ads (NEED TEACHER NOW!! COME NOW!!). Self respecting, organized schools back home wouldn't wait until it was an emergency to find a teacher. Taiwan is no different and is becoming more organized all the time.

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

That's a good point San Chong it is the same schools always advertising on the websites, the best schools don't need to advertise either because they use a recruiter or because their teachers have been there a long time. If you wait till you get here you will find schools in panic mode and disorganized, if you find the school before you come you may respect eachother more, and they will be organized becasue they PLAN ahead.

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

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

I would say that any recruiter which makes the teacher sign the contract with them and not directly with the school is deducting a quarter of your pay every month. That is why it is important to always sign with the school directly if you decide to go the recruiter route.

But because you asked for an example I will give you one. Cosmos consultant company (recruiter) deduct about $20,000 every month from teachers' pay checks. This does not include the illegal bond money or last month's pay which they will also neglect to give you.

By all means use a recruiter. Reach to teach and Dewey seem to be two recruiters which haven't had much bad press.

Probably, but not always, schools plan ahead to look for a new teacher. They may or may not use a recruiter to do so. I thought it was predominantly the recruiters, who advertise NEED TEACHER NOW.

Sanchong, although I do agree that is a great site for information, do you know of any good websites which don't make you pay for the privellage.