Job Discussion Forums

akmassager · Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Juneau, Alaska

Ok, I've posted in this forum before that I thought of going to Taiwan but my economic situation has worsened now I need to get out or be stuck in Juneau, Alaska.... ('')
I've been told that getting a job out of the traditional hiring periods (Sept and after chinese new years) is difficult in Taiwan... usually run aways or fired jobs. Still possible to get a job at this time in Taiwan, or am I walking into a worse situation that I'm already in (job pretty much part time... need to either find other employment which is getting harder since Palin instituted a hiring freeze/state job cuts, or return to school, nearly broke) I am also considering China, since apparently there is still A LOT of work there for English teachers.
I have $15KUS in credit cards so if I want to I can get on a plane and go.
BTW, 45, male, US, native speaker, 9.5 months experience teaching esl, 1.5 years teaching Spanish to high schoolers, but no ed. degree, no toefl, or cert.
Thanks for your reply

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

short answer: no

long answer: if you read any of the other posts on this forum they would all lead you to the same answer. The fact that you are 45 (have some life experience) you should no that you should never put yourself into debt going into a very unsure situation. The fact is, Taiwan has a smaller economy than the USA, and it is shrinking faster. The NT dollar is getting weak. If I could move back to the USA at this time I would. I would not aim on incurring debt to relocate, especially if you don't have a job lined up. It is pretty ugly right now.

Also, watch those CCs. Many companies have been tighting up or removing unused credit for customers. They are being quite nasty.

akmassager · Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Juneau, Alaska

I've read that Taiwan is pretty grim right now for English teachers.. I've decided NOT to go to Taiwan but to go to China instead.
I hopefully will not have to tap into credit cards to get there. I am trying to leave a bad situation here in the states, or better said, Juneau. In essence, I need to get out of here and get to something else... and with the economy the way it is in the states... I feel like I better get out now while I have some cash or else I"m stuck here.... underemployed and looking at homelessness. Not a nice situation

linzbc · Joined: 04 Feb 2009 Posts: 29 Location: Arlington, VA, US

akmassager · Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Juneau, Alaska

Linzbc,
I've heard from someone on the ground that jobs are plentiful in China... he's in Chengdu. There are plenty of jobs posted right here on this site. I myself am thinking of going, just buying a ticket, get a job, then go to Hong Kong for a Z visa.
I wouldn't DARE go to Taiwan after what I've read on these forums... NOT RIGHT NOW.
I've also read that there's still work in Korea but the won is taking a bath.
Good luck,
akmassager

KaiXi333 · Joined: 03 Dec 2008 Posts: 30

Interesting situation you're in right now. I've lived in China and done ESL before and I'm thinking about going to Taiwan, myself.

If you're going to China, don't expect to save any money.

If you need to get out NOW, and you have a degree, China shouldn't be that hard. Do yourself a favor and try to get a Z Visa, or at least a promise for your employer to get you one, BEFORE you go.

akmassager · Joined: 30 Nov 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Juneau, Alaska

I've decided to go to Vietnam. I can save money (hopefully) and they're always hiring. And I"m going to get my Toefl cert too, so the doors will open easier.

romanworld · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 388

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

I'm beginning to wonder if some of these post are written by "plants" living in Taiwan and writing to scare people off just to keep the competition down.

Not one of my friends or acquaintances have had a problem finding a job, even recently.

I often encourage people to come to Taiwan. If one is looking for the opportunity to have an overseas teaching experience, live in an Asian country for a year or a few, learn Chinese or do a little traveling in the east AND you have the qualifications to teach here, then I think it's still a good place to come.

If you have huge debts at home, don't have the start-up cash, don't meet the desired demographic, haven't a clue how to manage a classroom, believe it's your right to tell others how to run their business, don't have good people skills, don't have a Bachelors, do have a heavy accent or do believe you're entitled to something better here than you would qualify for in your home country then you may have a difficult time.

In most schools where I've worked most of my colleagues have been competent and qualified and the schools have had well developed curriculum, well thought-out standards and small classes. This was absolutely not the case in China and I doubt it's the case in Vietnam.

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

romanworld · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 388

romanworld · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 388

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

romanworld,

I worked for two years in the Big Red. At my first school my classes had between 45 and 70 students each, at the second school there were 20-22 students in each class. I have never had more than 20 students in any class in my almost three years in Taiwan. Most classes have been much smaller.

No, I will not name or discuss any individual school where I've worked. Did you really think I would?

I don't have just one type of friend; some have university work, some cram school, some adults. And they all come with different qualifications, strengths and weaknesses. Do you really think I'm going to discuss any individual or any person's individual circumstances on a public forum? How bizarre.

romanworld · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 388

MyTrunkshow · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:01 am Post subject:

Well, there is some speculation on here.

There is change in Taiwan but there is no evidence that the economic crisis has hit the private school circuit. None. If there is, I would like to see it and then change my tune.

Only after next September will schools and teachers really see any difference if there is change coming. Schools do not close willy nilly because of the media. Also, parents with kids at kindy are under yearly contracts often. Afternoon classes are more changeable but students are still not going to be yanked out of classes. Good grief, what is being suggested here?

Taiwanese also value their children's education very strongly. People will cut holidays, luxuries and eating out before cutting their children's education.

Having said this, likely few new schools will come online soon. But the ones that are here likely won't close..and whoever it is is going home is part of a revolving door that has always existed with teachers. Some come, some go.

Also, FWIW, none of my friends have had difficulty in finding new work, including after this Chinese New Year. Mind you I don't know many people, but my friend looked for a job near his MRT station in the TPE County and got it and one other part time job. Business as usual as far as I can see.

Two friends have left Taiwan recently because their school closed, but that had more to do with school management than the economic crisis. I asked them the reason why they closed and it wasn't the crisis.

Now, if a poster came on here and talked about the declining birthrate and the fact that the marriage age has been increasing and people are getting married less, then I would heed this and apply it to Taiwan's educational situation. The short and long term is that there are less kids being born...however I doubt this is the 'writing on the wall' rowanworld or any of 'his many friends leaving' were thinking about.

mts.