Job Discussion Forums

[km]

Hi

I've read about elsi schools and they have a program whereby you get your flight paid for and you work for them, have elsi a good reputation? i understand they don't pay that much but as i have never been taiwan before i feel it might be a good place to start. any ideas?

[Pop Fly]

[Aristotle]

Here is a previous post on the school/franchise in question.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=5922
Please note that some of their branches in Taipei still have a fairly good reputation. Outside of Taipei city they should be avoided like the plague. Particularly in Taichung and Kaohsiung.
5 out of 10 rating.
Please read this,
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck,
A.

[mjed9]

You could do a lot worse! Yes they don't pay too much but its not outrageously low. If you've never taught before or been to Taiwan then they are a good training ground. Use them and then move on! (That's what I did!! )

[MTurton]

Mjed is right. The chains are good places to start, get your feet on the ground, orient yourself to Taiwan. Then gradually leave them once you understand what is going on. ELSI is reliable -- you'll get paid -- and they won't exploit you too badly.

Michael

[Pop Fly]

okay okay...geeeez....

Yes, they will pay you. Yes, you will improve as a teacher. But when you do decide to leave, you will (most likely) become persona non grata in their eyes. This is probably true of most places, but I've heard more than my story about the cold shoulder you get once they sniff you won't be re-signing.

When you do leave, be prepared to go it alone. No one at Kojen will answer your questions about when they will cancel your ARC or where to pick up your tax forms. And forget about a reference or transfer letter.

This applies whether you are a free thinking, no bull, trouble-maker like me or a hard-working, young, quiet guy like my buddy. They will even throw out any mail for you that happens to land at their office after you've left.

I concur, chains are the way to go for a newbie. In fact, I work for a small chain school. Some branches are better than others and it comes down to the on-site management at a particular branch. That Kojen would employ such a hag as runs School #4 is warning enough for those that care to heed it. She'd make Lady McBeth cower and blush.

There are plenty of chains. Look at them all and meet and work in a school for two days before committing to giving them your passport. Once you give them a passport, the process is underway. That is the "signing" of the contract here.

Good Luck.

[mjed9]

Popfly is right in terms of how your experience will be shaped by the boss of the school. But then again that is part of this game. Sometimes a lucky dip. I was in exactly the same position as you (from the UK to ELSI) and I more than survived. True, once you leave, the door will be closed quickly and abruptly but again this is more to do with how you leave. I never had any problem receiving my Tax forms nor ultimately my release letter from Kojen.

[daily chai]

Mjed, I second that. I was at Kojen and have nothing but good things to say about the training and experience they gave me. I signed for an adult contract and got weekends off and a month of unpaid vacation. I only worked evenings. I had a terrific nightlife. It was a blast. Word is the management has gone downhill since my term.

Funny you all mention the cold shoulder! That is exactly what happened to me. However, I got documentation of my experience without trouble. Release letters aren't needed anymore so no sweat there.

Please DON'T sign a contract before leaving. That is a rookie mistake. Kojen and every other school doing that will eat it from your paycheck, don't worry. They will compell you to take classes no one else wants (like Saturdays at 0830), and commute all over town. You'll lose the airfare from commuting USD25 a week. It happened to my friend there. Don't do it! Come here, check out schools, see if they copy machine works, watch a class, then get around to signing. Buy Lonely Planet Taiwan so you know how to get from the airport to Taipei, than airport pickup won't be necessary. Come with USD800 to make yourself comfortable. You'll probably have to live in a youth hostel for a few months, but they aren't bad.

[mjed9]

For the most part release letters aren't asked for but are part of the official documentation. My current employer insisted I obtained my release letter from my previous employer (KOJEN) but they do follow the law to the letter (unusual for Taiwan )