Job Discussion Forums

enoch83 · Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 69 Location: Taipei, Taiwan

are therre any schools in taipei that will do less than a year contract. i'm nervous about signing my life away for a full year without knowing if i'm going to like the day-to-day workings of the school. does anyone know about any jobs out there that don't require a year contract, maybe a 6 month one? and is it feasible to quit a school midway thru a contract and find legal work with another school?

BigWally · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject:

very unlikely that you'll find a school that'll give you a 6 month contract...especially since many places have a 2 month "probationary" period....furthermore, if you do decide to quit your job 6 months in, there is always the possibility that you'd be blacklisted by your school, and therefore ineligible to teach anywhere again in Taiwan

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

One year contracts are necessary because that is what is the normal term required for a work permit. You may be able to negotiate to work for a school for less time than that and, indeed, many have. Your employer still has to apply for a one year work permit, all the same, and you in effect "resign" before the end of the term. This is usually done for people who simply cannot stay in Taiwan for one year. Of course, restricting your work term period availability will make you less attractive looking to an employer and you will have a harder time finding work.

You're not signing your life away, btw, if you sign on for a year. You can quit or change employers as long as notice is given, just as they can fire you with notice.