Job Discussion Forums

[obsculta]

I�m on the verge of a career change, and would value the input of the Dave�s community. Please let me know if I�ve gone astray in my planning, and where!

I�m 37 years old with a B.A. in English and a background in grant writing. I�ve always been interested in linguistics in general and second-language acquisition in particular. Personal and professional upheaval makes this an ideal time for me to embark on TEFL.

My goals:
1) to teach mostly adults, preferably in a university setting (eventually).
2) to be able to return to the States some day if circumstances warranted.
3) to be in a setting where success is possible (i.e., small classes that meet frequently).
4) to have enough leisure to pursue my own linguistic interests.

Financial considerations and an interest in Mandarin lead me to consider Taiwan. My hopes would be 1) to save $10K annually over 3 years, 2) to bring my beginner�s Mandarin to working proficiency during that time, and, 3) to begin a Master�s program (TESOL or applied linguistics) in 2-3 years, either bricks-&-mortar, online, or some form of hybrid program.

I welcome any feedback from the Dave�s community, particularly re: the following areas:
* Since no 4-week TEFL training program is offered in Taiwan, are there any certification centers with special connections in Taiwan (e.g., Philippines, Thailand, or Shanghai)? I understand that certification is unnecessary, but it seems advisable to someone considering TEFL as a career�.
* I understand that the best way to get a job in Taiwan is to just show up on a visitor�s visa. Are there any cities I should consider that would allow me both to save money and to learn Mandarin? I�d like to live by a university just to participate in its cultural life, but affordability is also a priority.
* Silly question: Should I shave my beard? I remember reading that the Japanese like clean-shaven teachers, and it occurs to me that Taiwanese employers might have a similar preference.
* Please feel free to PM me if you have any leads you think I�d find helpful.

I�m a longtime reader of this thread, and hope I haven�t rehashed subjects covered in previous posts.

Thanks very much for your consideration.

[JZer]

[JZer]

I would say that you should either choose to learn Mandarin or save $1000US a month. Doing both at the same time might be difficult. A five day a week mandarin course is about $600US (21,000NT) for three months. Tution for a year would be around $1800 US.

[obsculta]

Thanks for your helpful responses, JZer. I noticed from one of your older posts (2005) that you'd had considerable success w/ Mandarin after a year in country. Did you study formally at MTC or equivalent, or did you use more self-directed methods augmented by language exchanges, etc.?

Has anyone successfully saved money while studying Mandarin intensively? I can't imagine surrenduring either goal.

To clarify, teaching adults in a university setting is a long range goal. I have no trouble teaching various age ranges at a language school at the outset.

[JZer]

[JZer]

[JZer]

[obsculta]

O.k., more about my mandarin interest. I�m still very much a beginner focused on input�listening to Assimil, FSI, Pimsleur, and various podcasts. It�s too early to say, but I don�t find the tones as difficult as producing/distinguishing between the various sibilants/fricatives (s, sh, ch, zh, x, j, etc.) & also of course the retroflex �r�. While I do have a background in language learning, this is my first sino-tibetan language.

I haven�t really started on the characters yet, but reading and writing will be important to me. I�d eventually like to know both the traditional & the simplified. I�m not terribly visually oriented, so I�m guessing this will be a significant challenge.

If I had to prioritize, I�d say it would be more important to me to have at least limited functional proficiency in speaking/listening before attacking the characters. But I�m not sure.

[JZer]

Well you could attend TLI. They use pingyin and you learn the vocabulary and grammar. You could probably attend TLI for two years and still save $1000NT a month. TLI does not test you very seriouslu so if you are not self motivated this might not be your best option. TLI is 10,000NT for three months ($300US). Make sure you come before July 1 or you will not be able to get your tax money back. This happened to me and I was out about $2000US because I arrived in Taiwan on September 1, 2007. There is no tax return if you come after July 1.

[JZer]

obsculta, as for me I might try to learn Hakka if I am here long enough. That is one Chinese dialect in Taiwan.

If it is possible I might even try to do a second B.A. in Taiwan and work in the afternoon.