Job Discussion Forums

[Cole]

Hello all,

I'm an over forty fellow who's been considering coming to Taiwan to teach. I have read here in the forums that Hsinchu has it's share of older teachers; age isn't a big deal there it seems. Could anyone in Taichung tell me if there are many over forty teachers there? Also, could anyone recommend a reasonably safe and inexpensive hostel or hotel to set up camp while I look for a place to live and work?

Thank you for any helpful info you can provide.


Cole

[craigzy]

there are quite a few teachers here in taichung over 40. i think many schools would prefer blonde-haired, blue-eyed female 20-somethings (at buxibans anyway), but it seems like its not that big of a deal.

a lot of people just coming here like to set up 'camp' around the train station because its a relatively central location and has a large amount of hostels/hotels. the one i stayed at i wouldnt recommend, so i apologize for not having any names.

[surrealia]

This page has listings for hotels in the Taichung train station area, although prices might have gone up since this was written:

http://www.geocities.com/allhou/teachaccomtaich.htm

[Cole]

Thank you both for your help. I really appreciate it.

If anyone else has additional info or observations on where most over 40 teachers find their niche and/or how they fare, I would be very grateful for it.

[MyTrunkshow]

Hi.

I'm 43, male and chubby and not attractive at all. I have a friendly personality and come across as reasonable. I have no problem finding work. I have a regular kindy job. In all my additional work I command $900/hr and get it, even from a buxiban where I work on Saturday mornings for 3 hours. I would say age is in our favor.

I prepare for my classes, only call in sick if I am (one or two days/yr.) and am a real people person in the classroom. Many schools would be thrilled to have this. The one I am at asked me to sign a contract for 10 years. They were joking but they really like me because the parents respect me because their children are happy in my classes and we are goal oriented. We reach our goals that we outline for the parents each year at the parent/teacher meeting. They are happy so the students re-enrol.

I know how to teach, manage the students and detect student difficulties. My Chinese co-workers are warm and friendly. In the past, I have had other Chinese co-workers that were difficult to deal with too.

I would say 50ish+ and then you might notice some strange looks. Mostly tho, you will find little difficulty. Do you have experience? Where have you taught? Schools that are stable are more concerned with this.
My 50 year old girlfriend had no trouble with ageism. It does exist as some advertisements explicity demand good looking, young females but isn't as prevalent as some may lead you to think. I've personally not encountered it besides what people have said on this forum over the years.

Established schools with stability will have undetectable issue with your age. The buxibans that sometimes advertise for females under 28 years old may/may not be appealing to you anyway as there can be frequent changes of classes. This may make your life hell.

If you get a bad a school, get out. At one Happy Marican, the 4 year olds were mixed with the 6 year olds. We were given the same curriculum and it was a disaster with crying kids, kids who could read well, one student who had some emotional problems and others who had little English exposure. We had an outcomes based curriculum. What a mess. I ran away as there was no ARC. For one week, we took the kids to the park after the parents dropped them off each day because the inspectors insisted a new fire exit door be installed which required the removal of the classroom wall. THe school may be over these problems now but it was a sham and a shame.

If you like kids, get to a 'whole English environment'. This is a school that has kindergarten and perhaps an afternoon class. I work at this type of school now and love it. Minimal stress. A nice daily routine. I'm in charge of teaching the 4/5 year olds how to read.

My schedule is like this.

M-F 9-11:30 and 2:30-4:30. I have a 3 hour lunch break that is very productive (or not) if I chose.
MTWF I work from 4:30-6:30.

My private classes are mostly at lunch for 1.5 hours. One of them is very close to my school and the other is across town with a Walmart supplier. I've had this schedule for 4 years.

I am not burnt out and my schedule does not tire me. This is likely because I like my job, my students, my employers and I love teaching. I'm also completing my Masters online with an Australian university. The stress in my life comes from my studies .

My roomate is 42 and he works at a Happy Marian in Taipei County. Mgmt has changed and he has gone thru some difficulty but nothing major. His school was stable and is not so much now. I believe that he could find another job easily if he chose.


Giraffe, a big chain school in Taiwan now has a 50ish older looking male on its billboards as its face for advertising. That says something.

Taichung is a repository for many veteran Taiwan teachers who want nicer weather than hectic Taipei. Often these people have their 20s and 30s far behind them.

Regards,
mytrunkshow.

[pest2]

[markholmes]

Three hours a day to prep classes? Did you just get off the boat?

[BJ]

Erm I think if you read the post, that he is saying he has a break of 3 hours at lunch time, in which he can do whatever he likes. It is not set aside for prep time.

Split shift working is quiet common in Kindy environments as the children eat then sleep for an hour or so at lunch times. some people get a 2 hour class in the morn - whilst other teachers working at the same school have a break BETWEEN shifts so to speak.

Not my cup of tea, but I am sure people use that time to shop, eat, sleep, read, surf the net etc etc.

To each there own,
PS, 50+ here

[markholmes]

I was refering to Pest2's post, not the OPs.

I worked in a kindy and while a 2 1/2 hour lunch break is not ideal, at least most of your working hours fall between 9 and 5. Its a good opportunity to go to the gym, pay bills, etc.

[BJ]

Ah got it:)
A lot of "F/T" kindies had a long break at lunch around Taoyuen. A lot of friends who worked for Frobel, seseme street etc had a couple of hours or more, Doubt they used more than 30 mins preping.

[pest2]

[MyTrunkshow]

Dear Cole,

I will send you a pm. As a poster says, I have "(3 hours) of prep time, schedule-making, rolls sheets, time cards, and other crappp that (others) would not do elsewhere."

pest2. Sounds like you had a rough go in Taiwan to say the things you say.
Sounds like you must have had a rotten time with your work situation to arrive at this post with such negativity.

Nonetheless, I'm not sure how I can work 3 hours of prep time at lunch if I teach at a company during lunch? Seems to me, you just read what you wanted and ignored the rest of my post to arrive at your generalizations. I can teach you reading comprehension if you like.

BJ, Your Mar 03rd post was spot on. Personally, I teach at a company or study my MA at lunch. Some days, I go home, throw in a DVD and play with my dog - like today. My other two co-workers go the gym and are dedicated bodybuilders. Another co-worker other goes home, sleeps and watches TV. I agree, it isn't everyone's cup of tea. We do 2.5 or 3 hours in the morning. Have our 3 hr (or 2.5 hr as in the case of one colleague) lunch and then do 4 hours in the afternoon. We have a paid 30 minute break and a 10 minute paid break in the afternoon. We need to be at school for 20 minutes of the 30 minute break and the other break, we need to be in the school but we are free to chat, or prep. Yes, we fell into a gem of a school. I wouldn't say it's great, but the staff are happy. I have been there since 2002. Along with the owners, I opened the school as their first and only teacher. Another staff member has been working for the owners for 11+ years. He worked with the owners at anther school before he came here. After talking with the staff, most will stay on for another year too.

Regards,
mytrunkshow

[markholmes]

Pest, 20 minutes absolute tops for prep time for an entire afternoon. As for the rest of the things you mentioned, I never had to do any of that stuff and I worked in three different schools (at different times).

[pest2]

[MyTrunkshow]

Wow.

That comment about reading comprehension really hurt. Sorry.

Truce. Let's hope the mods lock this thread.

Regards,
mytrunkshow