Job Discussion Forums

t-asia · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Thailand

Hi,

Concerning ''Taipei diaries''

Is the current cable programme a biased account or what, that is, the jollyrodger-ed persons who ''go'' teach in Taiwan?

Is this cable programme a true representation of those foreigners teaching in Taipei presently, in the main, or is it me?

t-asia

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Is it current? I've never seen it, but I heard people talking about it several years ago. I don't think it's even been shown on any tv station here, but I might be wrong.

t-asia · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Thailand

There are many cable stations. So not sure of the exact broadcasting date (for sure, mornings). But current. 'Taipei Teaching Diaries', is broadcast in Thailand. Taiwan, unsure. Perhaps I am wrong, and the programme is several years outdated in Taiwan, but the programme projects the ''bad habit'' we wish to ignore. Anyone seen the programme?

Now, can't win in Taiwan or Thailand. Do I have to be slightly mad to teach in Taiwan or is the prerequisite a ''US-CAN'' accent ARC visa?

chienkun · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 16 Location: Southern California

I did a video search for it on google - no find. Is it on the web anywhere?

t-asia · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Thailand

I am now able to include a link (wikipedia), which gives a brief background on the show ''Taipei dairies'', if at all interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Teachers

I appreciate why there have been few comments on the subject. I wonder if the television show is actaully shown in Taiwan.

If not, I can understand why.

t-asia · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Thailand

''Document Series Depicting Teaching English Overseas''

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/4-11-10/24228.html

Is it pointless asking if anyone has seen the televison show, outside of Taiwan? Now reside outside the country (for whatever reason), and are able to account for the accuracy and value of the show?

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

No, it's not shown in Taiwan, at least not where I live. A number of years ago I heard some people talking about it, who said it was total bunk.

However, it is true that most newbies make an ass out of themselves the first year that they are here, either by being drunken buffoons or loudmouths who complain that nobody respects them and how much they hate it here.

If that's what the show talks about then maybe there is some truth in it.

t-asia · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Thailand

The thread states Nov 2004. Okay, now familiar with the term newcomer and arrivee as this was some time ago. And comparing this to the rest of Asia, most countries appear to be improving the standard of vetting foreigners. Hopefully before arrival and on arrival. Dependent, no doubt, on those foreigners who have applied for a teaching post before arrival, or are endlessly applying for a teaching post on extended-arrival.

Dare I add, there is also the promise of coming to Taiwan as a Tourist to Train and Teach, or is it Train to Teach?

t-asia · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Thailand

I watched the re-run of ''Taipei diaries'' (2004) this morning and saw the teacher rambling round Taipei and being caught up, through no fault but his own, in the middle of a demonstration (Riot), as the elections were unfolding (2004). If anyone can recollect, that was the year when there were political tensions between mainland China and little Taiwan?

I am not at all familiar with the current political climate. But, now that it is 2008, and presumably elections are held every four years, what is the likliehood of the 2000' repurcussions; three rockets landing short of the capital, and the political riots of 2004, happening once more in 2008?

t-asia · Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 51 Location: Thailand

... Okay. No-one knows what I refer to? Perhaps some have not watched the programme, or do not recollect the cable progamme? I do plan to fly to Taipei and teach at the start 0f 2008. However, if there are on-going political tensions between China and Taiwan, I would like to know first hand from the people on the ground, the expats, how they perceive the current situation?

mandalayroad · Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 115

With the new president tensions with China have and will decrease considerably. That may or may not be a good thing for Taiwan, but that's for the Taiwanese to determine.

saloma · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 211

Ok, I have seen a few episodes of this show here in Turkey. I spent a 7 years in Taiwan and the show;

A) is totally fabricated. At one point a guy loses his wallet with all his money (thousands of dollars!) in and "underground mall", which is actually located in the MRT station just outside happy family hostel where he's staying.

Who would pickpocket someone who's being followed around with a camera? And if I thought I had really left it somewhere, I would ask them to rewind the tape and see if I left it at the place where I bought my cell phone instead of trying to interrogate the poor cell phone salesman in English.

B) shows the worst of the worst. One desperate guy comes over not to teach, but to "get a girlfriend". He gets a language exchange partner in the hopes of bagging some girl. He even goes to Carnagie's and hits on every girl in the place. He goes from girl to girl like a lost puppy trying to get one to love him. It was pathetic.

C) shows foreign teachers being totally disrespectful towards people trying to help them. One girl goes off swearing at a taxi driver as he's trying to take her to a modeling shoot in some remote location outside of Taipei city.

This show made me embarrassed to be Canadian. (It's a Canadian show.) I yelled a lot at the screen and later started avoiding the show altogether. But it did make me nostalgic for crowded night markets, hello kitty scooters, moulding closets, president papaya milk and the great students and friends I left behind.