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root555
Joined: 28 Feb 2007
Posts: 7
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 Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject: Teaching in Tawian- What to expect???? |
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Hello. I am currently a teacher working at a public school in Korea. After this contract- I will have over 2 years experience,having also taught in Europe for a year. I am working and living with my boyfriend, who also has my qualifications. We also both have TEFL certification, and are looking into Taiwan for work after this August. I've done some preliminary research about working in Taiwan- and was wondering if you could all help me answer some of the following questions:
1. What is the work like? (I'm assuming from these boards that teachers' work is taken much more seriously than in Korea.)
2. What is the average pay of a contract, and what is the cost of living in a major city?
3. How much can you anticipate to save while there?
4. If any of you have worked in Korea, how would you compare Taiwan???
(I guess our main complaints with Korea have been the work, and absolute lack of structure in both private and public schools. Also- the lack of an interesting culture for us here, and how we are treated as westerners)
5. How are westerners treated in Taiwan??? And how what is the nightlife, expat culture like? Is there much to do???
I guess these are our main questions. If any of you have any insight or advice- it would be much appreciated. Thank you!!!  |
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BigWally
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 765
Location: Ottawa, CAN (prev. Kaohsiung "the Dirty South")
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching in Tawian- What to expect???? |
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POST #300! I'M OFFICIALLY A VETERAN!
| root555 wrote: |
| After this contract- I will have over 2 years experience,having also taught in Europe for a year. I am working and living with my boyfriend, who also has my qualifications. We also both have TEFL certification, and are looking into Taiwan for work after this August. I've done some preliminary research about working in Taiwan- and was wondering if you could all help me answer some of the following questions: |
This is all very good, but most likely you would be hired as a new teacher, as any teaching experience outside of Taiwan is considered "useless" by most schools, and you would be treated the same as anyone who came here with no qualifications.
I also think you might need to work harder on your "preliminary research" skills if you didn't find the answers to these questions with the search:wink: ...none the less I'm happy to help out! 
| root555 wrote: |
| 1. What is the work like? (I'm assuming from these boards that teachers' work is taken much more seriously than in Korea.) |
The work is quite similar, the major difference (from what my close friends have told me who worked in Korea prior to Taiwan) is the paperwork and the preparation times involved. Also, the constant bureaucratic (read: parents, bosses, secretaries, etc.) BS that you will find that you have to deal with on a daily basis in Taiwan.
| root555 wrote: |
| 2. What is the average pay of a contract, and what is the cost of living in a major city? |
Most 1st year teachers can expect to earn $55-60,000 NT/month in a 1st year contract in Taipei, in Kaohsiung you may see a bit higher. Cost of living is more expensive in Taipei than other cities, but it really depends where you want to live, and how you live your life. Cost of living is different for everyone.
| root555 wrote: |
| 3. How much can you anticipate to save while there? |
I know some couples who send home close to $40,000 each, each month. Then I know other couples who send home $20,000. I also know people who spend all their money on drinking and eating out at western style restaurants all the time, and send home next to nothing. Again, it depends on your lifestyle.
| root555 wrote: |
4. If any of you have worked in Korea, how would you compare Taiwan???
(I guess our main complaints with Korea have been the work, and absolute lack of structure in both private and public schools. Also- the lack of an interesting culture for us here, and how we are treated as westerners) |
Depending on the school, there may be structure there may not. Most chain schools have a strict curriculum to be followed, which some like, but most hate. The culture here is unique, especially if you go and visit some of the older aboriginal areas, but I wouldn't say its been one of the most culturally exciting places I've been to.
| root555 wrote: |
| 5. How are westerners treated in Taiwan??? And how what is the nightlife, expat culture like? Is there much to do??? |
You are treated as a 'waiguoren', and that will always be the case. Regardless of your quality of Chinese, you are a foreigner and that is all that needs to be said. Most Taiwanese will fall into three categories, friendly and inquisitive, annoying and intrusive, or rude and scrutinizing. The nightlife and ex-pat community are what you make of it. Depending on the city you go to, there may be a lot to do, and a lot to see, or there may be nothing to do but sit in front of a 7/11 and drink Taiwan beer and chew betel nut with the locals. |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 12:24 am Post subject: Re: Teaching in Tawian- What to expect???? |
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| root555 wrote: |
1. What is the work like? (I'm assuming from these boards that teachers' work is taken much more seriously than in Korea.) |
Easy. Unlike what Wally said about bureaucratic stuff, when I've compared what I do in Taiwan to what my friends have done in Korea, I feel lucky. I don't do much apart from teach my classes. Guess it depends on the job  , but I've had a few here.
| root555 wrote: |
| 2. What is the average pay of a contract, and what is the cost of living in a major city? |
Pay in Taiwanese offers vs Korean offers is best looked at from an hourly pay perspective. A typical Korean offer works on a 30 hour teaching schedule, whereas a Taiwanese somewhere between 20 and 25. It may appear that Korean offers pay more, but it is because you work more for it. Work as many hours here and you'll do comparably well.
The cost of living question is influenced by too many variables, including lifestyle and what neighbourhood you choose to live in.
| root555 wrote: |
| 3. How much can you anticipate to save while there? |
Again, that depends on the individual, how much they want to work and their lifestyle.
| root555 wrote: |
4. If any of you have worked in Korea, how would you compare Taiwan??? |
I haven't worked in Korea, but one of my closest friends has. Taiwan has far less xenophobia. You can date a local easily and without rude comments from average Taiwanese.
Culture? Everything becomes old hat eventually. There is culture here, but sometimes you have to look for it. The highrises of the larger cities certainly won't give a flavour of the exotic.
| root555 wrote: |
| 5. How are westerners treated in Taiwan??? And how what is the nightlife, expat culture like? Is there much to do??? |
On the whole, pretty well. Taiwanese are not aggressive in the ways Koreans can be. Their nationalism is much more understated. There is no "Korea number one!" sentiment here (sorry, I worked with Koreans back in my home country). As mentioned, the racism is far less noticeable here. Day to day, I don't feel mistreated.
Nightlife, as mentioned, will depend on where you are. Where I am, it's quiet beers at a friend's house, which suits me fine. |
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