Job Discussion Forums

flapjack · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:54 am Post subject:

Hi again Kelly,

Well, some important points to mention about teaching in TW. Teaching kinder inTW is not legal for foreingers.

A few years back the police would look the other way, but there were times when teachers would have to climb out a back window not to get caught and deported.

Now things are much stricter and many private schools who have closed down because parents wanted foreign teachers and many of the schools are no longer willing to take the risk. Personally, I wont go near a kinder class anymore.

That means you will be teaching mostly elementary school to high school age kids in the afternoons and evenings. Or teaching adults.

There is a place to teach called, ALE (actual Living English) They are a lot of fun. It's an Adult English Language Learing Club. They use restaurants as classrooms. The students get a meal and a couple of hours of English speaking practice through cleverly devised games and activities. It can be a little difficult at first, because of teaching all around taipei and taking buses to different restaurants but the cammaraderie with fellow teachers and students makes it worthwhile. A good balance of work and enjoyment would be to work 12 hours at a private school and do about the same amount with ALE. They also take an international trip once a year and several local trips, which makes seeing TW easier for a newbie.

Good luck with your search!

Toe Save · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:54 am Post subject:

tito_suarez · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Australia

Ohhhhh, what about the beers???
Lets get wasted.

BigWally · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:53 am Post subject:

Just to further the point Toe is making about the business aspect of the schools. I'll provide you with a direct quote from the "firing meeting" of my good friend J. (read my other recent large post to get the back story).

BOSS: "well J we just dont feel that the parents see profit in you"
J: "the parents dont see a profit or the school doesnt"
B: "well you have to understand that I am a business man"
J: "so you're saying that this is a business first, and a school second"
B: *pause* "yes, of course, i have to run this as a business or the parents dont see a profit, and if the teacher cant show the parents results then they dont see the profit of giving money to the business"
J: "ok well where do we go from here"
B: "well can you finish out the week?"

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

Hey Toe,

Just to let you know, I'm listening too Smile

So, thanks for the last post. It's been an interesting thread and hopefully we gave newbie's some good information to ponder.

To sum my position: I do agree with a lot of the criticisms of Taiwanese schools as "businesses". Many schools do put money as too much a priority (not all, but a lot). But, I also think once you are in class, that it's a separate issue. If we allow our frustrations to affect our teaching and the way we treat the kids...... well, then we are as bad as the Lao Ban.

Kids are kids. We all remember who made a difference in our lives, when we were children. We can be a bitter teacher or one who makes a difference. Trust me, the kids are always paying attention to how we act/treat them.

Toe Save · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:13 am Post subject:

After watching that video clip Zoidy posted (actually could only watch the first 30 seconds), I'd be one of the bitterest people in the world if I ever had to experience that again. OMG that was horrible. I would die if I was forced to teach kids. I love kids too. I am great with them and when I did teach kids, I was highly successful. But that video served as a great reminder to me to be ever so grateful for adult practitioners.

Again, my hats are off to any and all that do this. You are better men and women than I.

Jared · Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 319 Location: Canada