|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
MomCat
Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 297
|
 Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:12 am Post subject: |
 |
|
| pest2 wrote: |
| Did that last week and with not too much luck (but had 3 offers in Taichung in the meanwhile)... Maybe the timing just isnt right for some reason or even no reason.... |
I've spent very little time in Taichung but what I did see of it made me wish I could transplant my circumstances there. I found it newer, cleaner and prettier (a very relative word) than Hsinchu and it had an aura of affluence that I liked. Of course, it's a larger city so maybe I just saw the good parts. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
773
Joined: 29 May 2005
Posts: 213
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I agree with you, MomCat. I thought that Taichung was nice and actually I thought it was the nicest city I saw in Taiwan. It seems to have been planned better than other places, and feels more livable too. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Terazu
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 3
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject: Re: You guys are a trip |
|
|
| Michael Kennedy wrote: |
| I am going to Taiwan for a learning experience and if things don't work out all I need to do is book a flight and hop on board to the next country. I can afford to be a drifter. The one thing I can't afford to do is sit in a dam cubicle in Detroit for the rest of my life at my boring job lol. |
Hi Michael,
I am a newcomer to Dave's ESL, but I think iyou will have a great time in Taiwan. I lived 3 years in Japan, 4.5 in Korea and 5 in Taiwan. As a part of my job, I traveled all over Taiwan meeting local teachers and felt that of all the small places (I am a big city girl), Yilan was a really beautiful and friendly place. The local teachers were the nicest I met. Taichung is also nice, and I didn't even mind Hsinchu... (although I wouldn't live anywhere in Taiwan but Taipei). Anyway, I think you will have a good time learning Chinese, sampling the local cuisine, shopping in night markets, traveling and making local friends. It seems likely to me that if you have time and money, you could spend a little time learning Chinese while you search for your job.
There are sometimes jobs teaching non-credit English courses at local universities. These are quite pleasant and if you are in a smaller city I would imagine they would be easy to get. I was offered evening classes at Shida in Taipei, but couldn't fit it into my schedule (ELT publishing job). There are also some schools teaching business English if I remember rightly.
I also had a great time in Korea, but life is Korea only became great (for me) after I gained a certain proficiency in Korean. I currently work in Northern Iraq, but really miss Taiwan... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glen Denton
Joined: 03 Jul 2003
Posts: 21
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Other than the obvious overly bitter tone of the comments above, it contains a lot of misinformation.
First, the comments about discrimination and unsound working environments are not views which most people share.
Second, your first job will almost certainly NOT be kindergarten. Kindy positions are becoming fewer and fewer as the birth rate drops. Also, good schools are intelligent enough not to offer Kindy positions to just anyone. Not everyone is suitable for Kindy teaching.
Third, if you are offered a job at a public/private high school or elementary school, it is illegal for you to work there. You need a Bachelor's in Education to do that, just like back home in the US. Anyway, you won't be offered positions there as most of those schools follow the law, as far as I am aware.
Fourth, a TEFL certificate certainly does mean something to some schools. Some surely don't care, but many do.
Finally, before seriously considering Staying Power's comments, I'd recommend reading through a bunch of his past posts. I think that will clear things up for you.
As for the comments of other people, I pretty much agree! Taiwan has been great to me, overall. Just make sure you come here through a reputable company.
Korea and Taiwan are both good choices, just think carefully about what your goals are and you will come up with what is right for you.
|
I don't know which Taiwan San Chong works in but it is certainly not Taichung Taiwan.
I think if you are a Chinese looking male who can speak perfect Chinese with a Taiwanese accent, you probaably won't have any problems as far as discrimination. All others beware, discrimination and harassment are widespread. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MomCat
Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 297
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Glen Denton wrote: |
| I think if you are a Chinese looking male who can speak perfect Chinese with a Taiwanese accent, you probaably won't have any problems as far as discrimination. All others beware, discrimination and harassment are widespread. |
I'm neither Chinese looking nor male but have not found discrimination to be an issue. And harassment!? Good heavens, the closest experience I've had to harassment was once while walking home after midnight and having a car full of "bad boys" slow down next to me and yell, "HELLO!" out the window. Perhaps Taichung is different. I really do believe that experiences vary widely. I'm sorry yours has not been good. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
blackmagicABC
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 68
Location: Taipei
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
I don't want to start a war here but there is discrimination is Taiwan. There is also discrimination in the rest Asia, Australia, Africa, the Americas and even Europe. If you are going to move to a place where there is no discrimination then go to Mars or Venus. Do note that there are also no people.
PM me if you get here and live in Taipei. If you are close to where I am and have a hard time finding something I may be able to point you in the right direction. Get the TEFL you mentioned because Taiwan may not be the first and last stop on your journey and if you enjoy teaching and want to move on or get better jobs that is a great start. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BJ
Joined: 03 Dec 2003
Posts: 173
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There are rude and ignorant people in every country, racism exists in every country, but I must say Taiwan is safer than most countries in general.
As momcat points out, most unruly youth just shout out Hello, and ride off laughing with embarrassment, either because they are not sure if they said it right, or just because they actually spoke. Compatre that to the violence of cities in the States and England.
In general I have found Taiwan a much friendlier place in general than Europe, but there is a dark side here to be careful off. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
