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Tawa
Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 7 Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:17 am Post subject: Kia Ora Taiwan |
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Hello All
I have been viewing this site for a few months now - getting the low down on wages, Hess, the best/worst cities, nightlife and how to put a band together.
My wife and I currently live in New Zealand and work within the social services field mainly with young teenage offenders. We are 31 and 33 (im the second eldest!! lol) .
Backpacking was our religion before we met and we have both devoured many a beer in unique little corners of the globe. We were playing with Orangutans in the Borneo rainforest when the World went mad one September day not too many years ago.
Recent sad events have prompted us to get out that list of goals that we never actually made.One of them was to spend some part of our lives living and working in Sth East Asia. We have spent quite a bit of time there and even did some conversational English classes in a little town on Java, Indonesia a few years back.
Our plans are a little bit different to the majority of peoples on here..........i think. Money is obviously important for such a move but is not our guiding principle. We have investments back here in the Godzone, so our wages would be used for travelling around that neck of the woods and not so much saved and shipped home. We like Taiwan because of the climate and the ease at which we can still get to the beach and forest parks. We also have a good friend here in NZ from Taiwan.
We have degree's and no kids. We love the outdoors, night markets, drinks with friends and no doubt a few of our old traveling mates will make guest appearances once word gets out. Im familiar with Hess but also dont mind making the move and finding our own work.
We do have a few questions though? What are your days off like? do you still enjoy yourselves and relish weekends away? Also, is there anything we should or could be doing now in order to set things in place for 2008? Some idea of the best months to arrive would be good to know too pleeez? On a week by week basis, do you still find your teaching jobs interesting or do you get to a point when it all seems like a money train? Do any of you belong to any sports clubs?
Im looking forward to sharing a few ales with Big Wally, i enjoy his postings but if anyone else, especially couples want to throw in their 10 cents worth please do..................and if theres any Aussies viewing - THE ALL BLACKS ARE GONNNA KICK YOUR A** on Saturday
Thankyou and Goodnight
Tawa  |
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krizchin
Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 5
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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Hey fella,
If your heading over to work with Hess, you can come at any time as they have training all through the year. Hess is a bit of a weird one. It all depends on the branch you are in. I've got a bloody good one so i am buffered from all the crap that others go through and we all get on well. My partner wasn't so lucky and she quit within the first six months. I am not sure what the chances are of you and your partner working at the same branch with Hess, I think it depends on the area of the country you are in.
If you go with Hess, chances are you will be working Saturdays and Sunday will be your only day off. If you want to make decent money you will have to do kindy in the mornings. It can be a bit draining at first as you have to pull the split shift with bushi ban at night. If you and your partner are not at the same branch you wont get to see each other that much.
If you are just doing bushi ban you will make enough to live well but not much to save. It would be a good idea to get some privates lined up. They are pretty easy to come by once you start meeting people.
Teaching is ok. It's just a job really. Most of the people i know don't enjoy it. There are a few that are fully into it.
For us, socially this place rocks.
We have made some amazing friends here -even South African and Australians- We are in a band and play around town all the time. I play in a rugby team. We often head out on trips around the country when we get time. beer is cheap as hell compared to nz. You can get a pretty nice place with no probs, and she will be cheap. No pies here but.
Even though Taiwan is an island don't expect a beach culture like NZ. There are a few places like Kenting and the east coast that get pretty close to it, but the rest is concrete and smog.
But i bloody love it here. I have made some cool memories and met some of the best fellas. Here in Kaohsiung people look after each other and you get a big circle of friends and support network super quick.
I see shit on the road that makes me laugh every day. You just gotta come with the right kind of heart, be willing to laugh and youll be sweet.
Che bro.
If you get to Kaohsiung look us up. |
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Tawa
Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 7 Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:48 am Post subject: |
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Hey K
Thanks for the reply man - i was beginning to think the whole Taiwan page was set up for people to moan their hearts out about certain companies and/or individuals !!!!
So whats the actual teaching like? ive met some people who say its just a ticket to ride which is fine with us. We have no aspirations of moving the Earth with our first attempts at teaching, but it will sure make a difference from working with Black Power and Mob prospects for a living.
Good to hear about rugby and your band - good on you bro. Ill take note on the beach advice too, we thought that might be the case.
In a nutshell we have travelled quite a bit and like the idea of doing a cruisy job with willing people/students and enjoying a warm climate in the heart of Sth East Asia. We love night markets, trying new food, mixing and mingling and generally living the life of Riley whoever the hell he was. Also like the idea of a nice place to call home whilst we are there. Do you like your choice of accomodation?
We dont really want to work at the same school but funny you should mention Kaohsiung coz thats where we have been focussing on. We have a good friend here in NZ who comes from there.
What will probably happen is i will head over first then a few weeks later the wifey will cruise over. That way we dont lose out on wages too much whilst we get our *bleep* sorted in Taiwan. At this stage im not sure about Hess, i like the idea of weekends off but no doubt ill write you again to suss out whats the best schools in K town.
Oh yeah one more question, are there some cheap flights in and out of Kaohsiung to neighbouring countries for some travel R'n'R??
Cheers Dude, party on Taiwan Stylz
Tawa  |
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BigWally

Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 765 Location: Ottawa, CAN (prev. Kaohsiung "the Dirty South")
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:05 am Post subject: |
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OK, Tawa....you got me, mention me by name (and offer free beers!) I can't help but spend a few minutes answering some decent questions! Here we go!
Tawa wrote: |
What are your days off like? |
I LOVE my days off. Saturday and Sunday are my little slices of heaven away from the job. Its not that the job is that bad, but if you're putting a decent amount of effort into the work, and you're entertaining the kids all day, then by the end of the work day you're pretty beat. Not to say this stops us from enjoying a good number of weekday nights out on the town.
Tawa wrote: |
Do you still enjoy yourselves and relish weekends away? |
I don't think the enjoyment factor has dropped at all, in fact, I think it may have actually become more enjoyable with time. Now that the culture shock, the language barrier, the social behaviors, etc.. are no longer foreign to me, I find day to day life very enjoyable. Weekends away, of course, are fantastic. From K-Town, you can be on the beaches of Kenting within 2 hrs, or in the mountains of Maolin in about the same amount of time. Either place also being quite accessible by scooter. Even better, there is all the other stuff "in between" these end destinations if you just want to go out for a drive in the country side. Oh, I guess you could really go to any city on the west coast of the island from K-Town too, since that High Speed Train can get you to Taipei in 80 minutes.
Tawa wrote: |
Also, is there anything we should or could be doing now in order to set things in place for 2008? |
Start saving some money (I went with about $3000CDN, and was never short for money) for getting comfortably set up once you arrive. As you typically don't get paid for at least a month into your job. You've clearly already started doing your research & reading (good for you), and you can also start sending out feelers to schools asking them directly when they might be hiring. You may also want to start thinking about what things in your current life will have to be changed/cancelled/un-subscribed, because a lot of places need 1-2 months notice to do these things.
Tawa wrote: |
Some idea of the best months to arrive would be good to know too pleeez? |
Well, August is usually a good time, since many schools start new semesters in September. But, I've also heard that December might be okay, for jobs available in January, or in April for jobs starting in May/June (just before summer vacation). Although with the May/June jobs the hours are quite often reduced, schools are closed, and many foreigners might be away on summer vacation, which makes the social aspect difficult.
Tawa wrote: |
On a week by week basis, do you still find your teaching jobs interesting or do you get to a point when it all seems like a money train? |
I think this is pretty cyclical...I mean, some weeks I love the kids, and the job, other weeks I love the kids and hate the job...and some weeks you're just going to have an "I miss home, and hate Taiwan" week. Personally, I have more of week type number 1, but does anyone really LOVE work? Anywhere? Like you ask in your question, it is nice sometimes to sit back and think about how much we are getting paid for what it is we do. I mean we get paid far above the national average, and have far more free time than many of the locals. It makes it all worthwhile when you can take vacations to destinations all around SE Asia.
Tawa wrote: |
Do any of you belong to any sports clubs? |
Unfortunately, no I don't, but I blame this on my arthritis-riddled knees and shoulder. Although, I have recently joined up at a really nice, brand new gym here in K-Town and I'm looking to get back into better shape. With so much free time, its kind of silly just to be sitting around all the time.
Tawa wrote: |
So whats the actual teaching like? |
Well, an average day is probably going to be something like 2-9pm. You may or may not have to make lesson plans. You may or may not have to mark homework. You may or may not have a Chinese co-teacher in the classroom with you. You may or may not have a curriculum and books laid out for you, and how to teach them. There are so many variables from school to school, its really hard to answer this question. As for the kids, they are generally great kids, and the Chinese culture places a high amount of respect on the teaching profession (waiguoren or not), so you will be treated with respect (in most cases).
Tawa wrote: |
Also like the idea of a nice place to call home whilst we are there. Do you like your choice of accomodation? |
I love my place. I have a 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 floor loft apartment that I share with my wonderful girlfriend. We have a full kitchen (minus an oven - which is standard), eating area, 2 large open areas (one partially an office), and living room/japanese style room. I live about 10-15 minute outside of Kaohsiung City proper, but its well worth it. Some of my Chinese co-teachers consider the area to be "wealthy", which is shown by some of the nicer cars in our garage, but compared to rent we paid in Canada, I'm paying 1/4 of what I paid for 1 bedroom in a 5 person shared house at university. To prove my point further, here is the view I have every day.
Tawa wrote: |
We dont really want to work at the same school but funny you should mention Kaohsiung coz thats where we have been focussing on. We have a good friend here in NZ who comes from there. |
Its a great city, has all the amenities of a major city, and has great access to a lot of the nicer things in Taiwan (beaches, mountains, countryside, etc..). Not to mention a lot of the foreigners here are really nice folks, and there is a pretty decent nightlife, which is also very foreigner friendly.
Tawa wrote: |
Oh yeah one more question, are there some cheap flights in and out of Kaohsiung to neighbouring countries for some travel R'n'R??
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No problems. K-Town has an international airport that can easily get you to where you want to go. Personally, we've flown from Kaohsiung to Singapore, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. We had to go through Taipei when we flew to Japan, but thats OK, even if you have to get the connection from KHH-TPE, and then on to your fun, its a quick 40 min flight. Or you can just take the HSR to Taipei, and hop on a plane there to save a few bucks.
Well, I hope that helps answer some of your questions, and if you have some more feel free to ask away, and I'll do my best to help you out.
Cheers/Ganbei!  |
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Tsimplyme
Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Location: Canada
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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BigWally mentioned September to start the new school semester. However, neglected to mention that arriving in Sept really hammers you from a tax perspective. I went during Chinese New Year, arrived while the climate was relatively dry and still found a job quite easily. You'd be surprised how many people do 'runners' during the holidays and schools almost always need replacements. |
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Tsimplyme
Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 15 Location: Canada
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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PS - Wally ChengChing Lake (?) is a fairly wealthy neighborhood. Have you looked into the price of the golf course? |
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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 Aug 27, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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Tsimplyme wrote: |
PS - Wally ChengChing Lake (?) is a fairly wealthy neighborhood. Have you looked into the price of the golf course? |
Yeah, its ChengChing Lake...and like i said, comparatively it is, but i have friends living in the city, paying a lot more, for less space, in apartments that arent nearly as nice.....as for the golf...thats a private club i believe, i'd rather go down to the course on the converted army base, that is owned by the gas company...much cheaper... |
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Tawa
Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 7 Location: New Zealand
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Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:26 am Post subject: |
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Hey Big Wally, thought the free beers might grab your eye. Thanks for the info and a big upper case THANKYOU for the photos too....not a bad view my friend!!
I think my question about the actual teaching needs unpacking a bit more, so here goes. We both have degrees but at no time did we ever have to stand up and teach an English language class. As far as i can gather i can get off the plane in Taiwan, score a job and before i have time to scratch my nose im standing in front of a class of kids who's parents have payed some top dosh to be taught the Queens finest!!!
Now i can blag an interviw with the best of them but i guess what im getting at is with no prerequisite life a TEFL or Celta im kinda out on a limb. Saying that, once this message is typed i will pilot my way through the ideas cookbook of the teaching thread.
I can do a Celta course here for $3000 NZ but im hoping to knuckle down with the aid of our Japanese flatmate and learn what she is learning. In my case, for the knowledge of whats required and whats being taught.
Oh yeah and what is a bushiban?? what age group does that cover??
So anyway i figure that that view of yours will be just the location for me to begin repaying my promised debt of beers..............swiflty followed by some top shelf finest whilst discussing the finer points of New Zealand and Canadian sporting prowess against our geographical big brothers, the sepo's and ockers.
Cheers again everyone
Tawa  |
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BigWally

Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 765 Location: Ottawa, CAN (prev. Kaohsiung "the Dirty South")
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Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:52 am Post subject: |
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Tawa wrote: |
We both have degrees but at no time did we ever have to stand up and teach an English language class. As far as i can gather i can get off the plane in Taiwan, score a job and before i have time to scratch my nose im standing in front of a class of kids who's parents have payed some top dosh to be taught the Queens finest!!! |
Sounds about right so far!
Tawa wrote: |
Now i can blag an interview with the best of them but i guess what im getting at is with no prerequisite life a TEFL or Celta im kinda out on a limb. Saying that, once this message is typed i will pilot my way through the ideas cookbook of the teaching thread.
I can do a Celta course here for $3000 NZ but im hoping to knuckle down with the aid of our Japanese flatmate and learn what she is learning. In my case, for the knowledge of whats required and whats being taught. |
To be honest, don't sweat the teaching aspect of the job. Most schools have a way that they want you to teach the class. Ranging from being the white person in the classroom who helps with the finer points of English, while the Chinese Co-Teacher does most of the teaching, to schools that have a set "curriculum" with books, and lesson plans, and you are in the classroom teaching full out English immersion.
In reality, there isnt much need to worry about how good (or bad) your teaching will be....to be honest at first it will probably suck, but you'll get into your groove quickly, and find out what works for you. I'm in a curriculum based school, but I guarantee no two teachers teaches the classes exactly the same way (even though we go through the same week long training session).
Dont waste your money on CELTA, or TEFL, or anything, just come here and try to find something that works for you.
Tawa wrote: |
Oh yeah and what is a bushiban?? what age group does that cover?? |
A bushiban (or buxiban) is basically an elementary aged English Cram school. Meaning the students will go to their regular Chinese school from 8-3, and then they will go to cram schools at night, to further their education in specific subjects (ie. math, English, science, music). You can expect to see kids aging from 4 or 5 all the way up to 12 or 13. I have a class right now of 15 12-13 year olds, most of whom just started Junior High (grade 7) and its a blast.
Hope that helps...any more questions, feel free to ask.
Ganbei!  |
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