Job Discussion Forums

mechanized · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 30

Is it easier to get a job once you're in Taiwan or is it easier to set something up first before you head there?

I'm an ABC and I should have a BA and TEFL cert, byt the time I'm ready to apply, if that helps.

wastoftime · Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Posts: 8

BigWally · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:17 pm Post subject:

do a few searches about "ABC" and you'll get a wealth of information...sure you'll have a bit of a challenge ahead of you, but its not impossible to find work here...especially if you consider a larger chain school where they hire many more applicants, especially well qualified ones, who have a passion for teaching

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

I would go both ways if I were you.

Contact some reputable schools and companies and line up some interviews for when you arrive.

Once you are on the ground in Taiwan have a walk around the area that you want to live and ask schools whether they are looking for teachers.

If you can't find anything on your own within a week or so then at least you will have the recruiters/schools that you made contact with initially to fall back on.

mechanized · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 30

ABC seems to be quite negative for my outlooks for employment..

Would it be easier to find a job in say Taipei as an ABC rather than a smaller city?

BigWally · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:46 am Post subject:

well based on sheer numbers yes...the more jobs available, the better chance you'll be able to find a school that doesn't have and pre-conceived prejudices

its not impossible, just going to be more of a challenge for you...good luck! Surprised

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

Just what is an ABC?

Also, I'm a vetern EFL teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience. Sigh- is it true that my age (43) will be a disadvantage in finding work and that my skills won't much matter? That's how it is (pretty much) here in Japan.

thewileycoyote · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 31

ABC- American Born Chinese
CBC- Canadian Born Chinese

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

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

That's encouraging. Yes, I'm very energetic and great with kids. Take my job seriously, but basically a kid myself otherwise.

Jamer · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 39

Contrary to popular belief I think it is best to get a job over the net. I listened to many who said "get a job when you get there" and decided to do just that, and man last two months have been tough as hell (mind you I am an experienced teacher with degrees and native USA speaker) as I interview with loads of employers who get my name from foot high stack of resumes.

Last year, I had a great job in Taiwan with steady hours, accomadation and even paid for flight and hotel on a sudden visa run-I got this one through the net. I left it so I could do some travelling-almost wish I didn't.

If you want to teach in Asia-go where the demand is-Japan, Korea, China-Taiwan is way too competitive, oversaturated with schools and basically the supply is drowning the demand.

Forgive me for my pessimistic attitude

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

I respectfully disagree with Jamer. In Taiwan, many jobs are never advertised, drawing on a pool of foreign teachers already in the country. You also will always have an edge if you physically go to a school as opposed to merely sending a resume over the internet. Who would you hire? The teacher in front of you that you interviewed and saw in action, or the guy who sent you a resume and who you have never met?

In Taiwan, it is still better to pavement pound than to use the net exclusively. I'd say, use Clark's method of a combined email campaign to obtain interviews along with your own visits to schools.

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

As someone trying to get a job from Japan though, I must say the window of time to actually get work on the street is extremely narrow. The best ticket I can get is a 10 day fixed, and a 60 day open would cost me over a thousand U.S. So, as for me, I just hope and pray I can get something BEFORE I go, and then look around later once I get my visa.
Seems you need to be lightening quick and take a lot of risks to get a job off the boat.
Just my feeling.
blue t.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:49 am Post subject: Re: ABC

bluetortilla · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 815 Location: Henan

[/quote]Even us old farts like to have something to do now and again,[/quote]

Well at 43 I hardly consider myself an old fart and would take on a 25 year old in cycling or mountain hiking any day. Sorry- just had to get that defensive macho retort in. (smile) Seriously, I'm as- more!- an exuberant teacher with kids now than I ever was. Doesn't that matter?

So dang it, it's the same in Taiwan as in Japan? Ironic isn't it? We mostly teach children and they can hardly tell the difference between a 25 and a 45 anyway, or much less care. You can be any age in fact and teach children- unlike strange adults, they are much more accepting. But no one seems to care about competence. Who are these schools marketing for anyway- young mothers? That's the way it is here. And plenty of students here are also learning absolutely nothing.

But if that's the way it is, there's nothing to be done about it. I suppose all I can do is try to get a toe hold and keep looking for a school that can actually appreciate a teacher with experience (20 years, does that matter at all?) and talent (not to boast, but my students actually learn).

Any older people have advice? Are there alternatives to the regular schools? I certianly wouldn't mind working in the countryside but for the time being I have obligations in Taipei. Depressing.

BT