Job Discussion Forums

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

By saying "humble" I mean something like don't make waves. Most of the schools here have their own tried and tested way of doing things and they are not interested in how you or anyone else could make things better.

I was very lucky at my first school. I had my own homeroom class of the same kids all day and I was given a free hand to teach the way I saw fit. I followed their program but was given a lot of leeway to add art and music into my lessons.

In my last school I tried to change the system of having to teach English the Taiwanese way. They went along grudgingly and at the end of the year there were a lot of angry parents. It's just not worth it.

By open minded I mean you have to open your mind to understand that everything is done their way or it's the high-way.
Why struggle against? Basically you are not a teacher, you are an English teaching machine that gets programmed to do things their way.

If you can put up with all this and still enjoy teaching, by all means come to Taiwan. Having said all that I should add that there a few good schools here. DO your homework on the school you are applying to. Insist on getting an email address of someone who teaches there.

globalgourmand · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 23

globalgourmand · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 23

Also, Hobo, how did you find your first school?

Or, to anyone, how did you find your favorite school?

I'm not asking how most people do it, in general. I'm asking how you did it.

That Canada Guy · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:40 pm Post subject:

So is there really a lack of job security in Taiwan? I've been trying to decide on Taiwan, China or Korea so this could help.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Korea is probably safer since they must put some much money up front and the fact that demand for teachers is higher than the supply. Thus Korean managers cannot fire you so easily.

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

Hi GlobalGourmand,

I was in southern Thailand when I got my first job in Taiwan through an ad on Dave's ESL Cafe. I sent my resume to the school. They sent me an email expressing their interest and set up an interview on the phone. I was impressed by the manager and the way they set up the school. I also got an email address of a person that worked there and wrote to him. Although, he was their lead teacher who had worked their for 5 years it gave me some assurance that I was talking with someone who knew the school well. They faxed me a contract. I filled it out and faxed it back. They were great. They helped me with the ticket, set up an apartment for me, walking distance from the school and offered to advance me some cash, which I declined.
I arrived with one suitcase and 4 dollars in my pocket, back in 2001.

123Loto · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 160

Cool story Hobo!

I'm afraid mine wasn't nearly so adventurous. I applied from Australia (I'm not Australian) over the internet. I was contacted and interviewed by telephone. The school let me know that I would work for them by email. They sent me a lot of documents to fill out in regards to health tests, their employee policy and lots of information about taiwan. I was picked up at the airport in Taipei and taken to a hotel before I began training for kindergarten and for bushiban. I was given assistance to find accomodation within walking distance of the school. They also lent me $30,000NTD interest free, which did a lot to make me feel confident in their stability and long term prospects.

In general, I felt like "my hand was held" throughout the whole process.

I too arrived in 2001 but was lucky enough to have a fistful of money borrowed from the parents.

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

Thanks 123 Loto,

I went 40 days on that 4 dollars, until I got my first pay.
I arrived at school early everyday to prepare and eat morning snacks with the kids. I ate lunch at school and the afternoon snack. I had a private student that lived in my apartment building, the one class a week I had with her payed for my food on the weekends.

I wouldn't recommend doing this kind of thing to anyone, but my back was against the wall and I had no one to rely upon aside from myself. I have a lot of other stories that most people find hard to believe.

My retirement plan is to live in a pension in the Gothic section of Barcelona, tell stories and play guitar/harmonica to tourist on La Rambla, maybe sell a few sketches. But I still have a few countries I would like to see before that!

123Loto · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 160

Ha, I think you and I are coming from opposite ends of the travelling safely spectrum! Laughing

So are you still in Taiwan, if not how long did you stay?

Sounds like you are a really resourceful person; and keen on getting a lot of life experience!

Or, in other words, more stories please! Cool

globalgourmand · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 23

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

Hey,
I have an idea. I like hearing stories, too.
So why don't we start a ESL Story Board in the general esl section.
See ya there.

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

globalgourmand · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 23

MomCat, your post is insightful and helpful to me. I want to know what is possible and need to know what is practical. You've shared both. Thanks.

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

No, teaching in Taiwan isn't enjoyable - or financially reasonable.

try korea or Japan...even China, Vietnam or Thailand.

Taiwan is a dud.