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wailing_imam
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 580
Location: Malaya
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 Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 8:12 am Post subject: Thinking of Taiwan... |
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Hi.
I am in Hong Kong at the moment and going through the frantic process of applying for jobs in China, HK and Taiwan so that I can get my bank account back into a healthy shape after the last few months of holiday.
I am interested in Taiwan as the more pleasant option of the three and the one option that seems to make saving a real possibility. It also sounds like quite an attractive country with a lot to do.
Here's some info about me: UK native, male, 29 years of age, BA (Hons) 5 years ESL teaching experience (China, Singapore, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia).
Here are some questions for you:
1) Where to start looking? I've checked out dewey and they seem to offer loads of opportunities teaching kids. I've done my time in the trenches with little kids and won't be heading there again. I don't mind teaching adults and high school kids. Where is a good place to check out these kind of jobs?
2) Can anyone explain to me this tax business in Taiwan?
3) Is it customary for places to offer accomodation?
4) Do most places offer flight money?
5) What happens if another job turns up halway through my contract and I decided to leave? Is there often a penalty clause in the contract?
6) Is it possible to leave the country without the school's permission (unlike KSA and Indonesia)?
Thanks all. |
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trukesehammer
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
Posts: 168
Location: The Vatican
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| Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:58 am Post subject: Re: Thinking of Taiwan... |
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| wailing_imam wrote: |
1) Where to start looking? ...[no more little kids]... I don't mind teaching adults and high school kids. Where is a good place to check out these kind of jobs?
2) Can anyone explain to me this tax business in Taiwan?
3) Is it customary for places to offer accomodation?
4) Do most places offer flight money?
5) What happens if another job turns up halway through my contract and I decided to leave? Is there often a penalty clause in the contract?
6) Is it possible to leave the country without the school's permission (unlike KSA and Indonesia)?
Thanks all. |
Well howdy! 
Y'know, there used to be a FAQ somewhere in this little corner of Dave's but for some reason, I can't seem to find it anywhere.  It had answers to all these questions and more. Well, since I can't find it, I'll do my best here...
1) Hmmm... AHA!
a. Clark W. Griswald has a list: Schools in Taiwan
b. wix has another:Teaching English in Taiwan
c. Forumosa Maoman has Yet another.
2) Tax Business? Ummm, I assume you mean the dang 183-day clause. Different people will tell you different things, but what I've been hearing from various secretaries is that if you are here less than 183 days in a given year, you get taxed at 20%. After 180 days, it goes down to something like 6% or whatever, depending upon your income. Geez, it gets complicated but here's the link with a better explanation.
3) Accomodation? HEH! Good luck! Some places do; most don't.
4) Flight money? Never heard of it. Most people I know who asked about it were laughed at 'til they wanted to hide under rocks. But again, that's not to say it cannot be obtained. I just never heard of it.
5) Ahhh, the infamous Taiwanese contract. This is a tough one to explain. Contracts here are flimsy little things which come and go like the plum rains. But I guess I ought to resist the temptation to give you a lecture and just tell you the truth: so far, neither I nor anyone I know has ever had trouble weasling out of a contract. Just remember to either (a) remain on good terms with your employer or (b) read the fine print before signing or (c) get a good lawyer.
6) Leave the country without the school's permission? Egads! It sounds like you were working in a gulag or something! Uhhh, so far as I know, you can split whenever you want. But it's a good idea to keep your employer informed of where you're going; otherwise, he or she will be tempted to report you to the police as MIA.
Hope this helps!
Fr. Truk
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Thinking of Taiwan... |
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| wailing_imam wrote: |
Here are some questions for you:
1) Where to start looking? I've checked out dewey and they seem to offer loads of opportunities teaching kids. I've done my time in the trenches with little kids and won't be heading there again. I don't mind teaching adults and high school kids. Where is a good place to check out these kind of jobs? |
It's been said a million times, but I'll say it again: don't use a recruiter. Get here and find yourself a job with a company you can live with, in a place you know will be liveable. There's a high incidence of disatisfaction with jobs from recruiters in Taiwan. They are unnecessary and should be avoided unless you are desperate.
| wailing_imam wrote: |
| 3) Is it customary for places to offer accomodation? |
Not in Taiwan, it isn't. Jobs will very seldom offer accomodation. The only exceptions seem to be in areas where the rent is so cheap it isn't a signifigant perk at all. I think no housing from employers is a good thing. I prefer living my own life, as I would have in my own country, with my employer having as little influence over my after work life as possible. Rents here, I think, are pretty reasonable and some schools will house you until you can find your own place.
| wailing_imam wrote: |
| 4) Do most places offer flight money? |
Many places offer a bonus at the end of a contract that is similar to the price of a round trip ticket to many places from Taiwan. However, no, it is not normal for flight money to be offered up front. Some schools will advance you enough for your flight if they need teachers badly enough, but this is a loan and is to be repaid through salary deductions.
| wailing_imam wrote: |
| 5) What happens if another job turns up halway through my contract and I decided to leave? Is there often a penalty clause in the contract? |
There can be. Depends on the contract. Many will have some financial penalties in them.
| wailing_imam wrote: |
| 6) Is it possible to leave the country without the school's permission (unlike KSA and Indonesia)? |
Yeah. You are not tied here nor prevented from leaving in any way. If you make a habit of doing "nightflights", though, getting subsequent work permits may be hard when you return.
Further points:
Taiwan is not as desperate as some places for teachers, so employers here tend not to offer airline tickets to overseas recruits. That they aren't that desperate ought to say something for the quality of life here: better conditions mean fewer teachers leave, so employers don't have to pay newbs to get on a plane to come here. Taiwan's rental system is much like you would be used to in a western country. There are no key money deposits and reaosnable rents can be found easily. There is no real reason for an employer to include housing in a contract, so very few do.
If you have some seed money, Taiwan may the right call. If you are broke, Korea seems to be the place a broke teacher can go with little or no money. |
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