Job Discussion Forums

[cspitzig]

I've got a job offer from Joy English School in LinKou. Does anyone here have any opinions on the place?

LinKou itself sounds ok, but I have no idea about the school.

I'm currently in the US. I know that not everyone cares for taking a job without seeing the school. I don't care for the idea of quitting my job and moving to another country without a job, though. My parents had a bad experience with that in the SAME country.

The contract looks ok. No deposits, or any of the bad things I've read to look out for. Seems like a decent salary, plus a furnished apartment.

[BJ]

It is an industrial area, sandwiched between Taoyuen and Taipei, The Joy schools are a chain school like HESS, FROBEL etc. DOnt expect to much, and give it a try. Be warned it isnt scenic, it is a concrete jungle, BUT you do have a place to stay and pay from the beginning. DO your 1 year and in that time decide if you like it, or spend it finding an apartment, or other job.

For some people it is better to land running, than to walk the streets finding a job a few weeks later, and having the hassle of finding a place to stay. If you can handle the stress, and have money to take your time, go with coming without a job. If yoiu want an easier landing, place, money, RC etc go with a job they offer.

You take you choice and live with it for a year is my advice:), It will be differnet, challenging, not what your used to etc, but in the main you should be lucky.

[obnoxiousmime]

I checked out the Joy school in Linkou last year around March/April. The owner (female) was very nice but ultimately I did not take the job due to the location. There is just not a lot to do out there - the owner said there wasn't even a movie theater. She also said the teachers there were just trying to save money, since the rent is inexpensive and they could get more hours.

The commute to Taipei and civilization takes about an hour by bus due to the route the bus takes. If you bought a car it would only take about 20 min. with no traffic. There is a McDonald's, KFC, and Blockbuster Video within walking distance but no Starbucks unless you take a bus to the Taoyuan Hospital.

The school itself seemed allright. Not the newest building but they try to keep it organized. Classrooms a little small but you'll see that a lot of places you go.

I suggest you ask the employer for some of her current teachers' contact information so you can ask them for advice (MAKE SURE IT'S PRIVATE, DO NOT LET THE OWNER SAY "OK, OK I HAND HIM PHONE. YOU TALK NOW." And watch out for the "testimonials" you might come across online or through e-mail - you cannot trust those.

[cspitzig]

Well, apparently I'm not taking the position. I emailed one of the teachers, but she never responded.

[SanChong]