Job Discussion Forums

raitei · Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 4

Hi there everyone, I'm quite new to the forums but I've been reading a lot of topics in this section. I'm interested in teaching in Taiwan. My background consists of a Bachelor's in English and a year of teaching Experience wish 2 yr olds to retirees at AEON in Japan. I've been researching about all your experiences about teaching in Taiwan and am very conflicted about what to do, so I have a few questions I'm hoping everyone can help me answer.

1. Out of these four companies (HESS, Joy, Shane, and Kojen) which would you recommend is the best? Please state your reasons ("None of them" qualifies as an answer) I know some people can gripe really easily, but I'm talking about each as a company not as a branch school.

2. It looks like the average pay is about $50,000-60,000 TWD per month. Is is easy to save as long as your not partying, going to clubs, drinking, etc.? I'm not a drinker or a clubber so I mostly plan to take in the sights in my free time.

3. I'm hoping to be placed in Taipei, is it difficult to be placed there?

4. How much vacation time (paid/unpaid) is given on average with Buxibans? For example, would I be able to get 2 weeks off to go home for christmas?

5. What's Taiwan's policy on bringing prescription drugs (ie. Finasteride)?

6. I've heard in the major cities, some people can speak Japanese, is this true?

Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone! - Raitei

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

Hi,
I can't answer every question....
1)don't know
2)Yes, if you can cook and and don't waste your money at 7/11.
3)No.
4)The big vacation break is for Chinese New Year, usually in February. Most schools are operating at xmas, but there is a day off for new year's day.
5)Don't know.
6)If you are interested in keeping up with your Japanese you can take courses here at National Taiwan University. That will probably be the fastest way to meet people who speak Japanese.

raitei · Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks for your comments ESL Hobo. For the last question, I actually meant if it would be difficult for me to get around using Japanese? (since I'm conversational in Japanese and only basic in Mandarin)

steve_c · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 3:14 am Post subject:

raitei · Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 4

Your feedback really far has been really helpful! Can anyone give me advice on the qs that haven't been answered? Also, how much free time did those of you who have worked at a buxiban get daily?

ESL Hobo · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 262

I haven't worked in a buxiban for years but it used to be 5 a hours a day with a 2 hour lunch break, kindies eat lunch around 12 then take a nap between 1 and 2. My typical day was 9 to 12/ 2 to 4.
Some schools do 6 hours a day.
Then there are evening classes, if you want to work more. Or some people prefer to do afternoon and evening.

fin · Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 7

With regard to the holidays situation mentioned above, I was wondering what happens at Christmas in Taiwan? Are bosses sympathetic towards their teachers seeking to book holidays at this time of year so they can return home to be with their families?

Also, could someone tell me which city offers the best balance/tradeoff between vibrant teacher community/amenities and closeness to scenic countryside/places to visit?

Thanks!

TwinStarLA · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 30

At the buxiban where I worked, only one foreign teacher could go on vacation at a time. Teachers who had been there for a while had already asked for time off around Christmas, so it was impossible for newer teachers to get that time off. At the kindergarten, teachers usually took their breaks during the summer, since there were fewer classes. Christmas is a work day in Taiwan, though many schools give foreign teachers the day off.

tomintaipei · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 18