Job Discussion Forums

[astralfrog]

I have two years experience teaching ESL at a language school in the U.S. Of all the students that I had, my favorite were the Taiwanese. They were so fun to be around and were also excellent students. Aside from the two years of ESL experience, I have a B.A. and have worked as a sub in different K-12 schools. I also coached baseball in Europe a few years back.

So my question is: what sort of job am I qualified for in Taiwan? Ideally, I'd like to avoid the big cities and the big language schools (I have a general idea of what HESS is about). Will the lack of TESL/CELTA certification hurt my chances of landing a job?

Anyone have any leads on schools outside the big cities in Taiwan that would fit me?

Thanks,
AF

[Solar Strength]

[Taylor]

Hi Everyone,

This will be an interesting thread, I'm sure.

To Astralfrog: Generally, having certification (or not) hasn't been a major issue in Taiwan. It's certainly not a government requirement for a BA-holder from a recognized university. (That is, University of Phoenix may not be on the list.)

You didn't mention the ages of the students from Taiwan that you've taught. Most teachers around the world will agree that junior high students are NOT their favorite age groups. This is certainly true in Taiwan.

Fortunately, the Taiwanese know that students of this age should have PLENTY of academic endeavors to keep them occupied. Therefore, you won't have a lot of junior high students in your classes because they'll spend all of their time at school and in other course-specific classes (Math, Science, Chinese, and shall I say English grammar).

The market in Taiwan is definitely focused on teaching children who are 12 and under. This works out well since kids this young haven't yet passed Lenneberg's Critical Period. (Google that if you need more info...)

Looking forward to hearing others' comments.

Taylor

[astralfrog]

Just to clarify: the students from Taiwan that I taught were aged 15-22. All in the same class and visiting the U.S. for what you might call a "cultural exchange." The biggest challenge was integrating the students from Spain with the kids from Taiwan. The Spanish were quite amazed at how much school and extracurriculars the Taiwanese were involved in.

Solar Strength: one of the reasons that my students were so enjoyable is that they were so well rounded. I could take them to play basketball (or any sport) - and even the girls had skills. They just seemed to be very well rounded. Very knowledgeable in many different subjects. Maybe I just got lucky. The Spanish kids were fun, albeit a bit crazy. The Japanese were so kind and generous but it was almost too much. I felt the Taiwanese where a perfect mix of being good students and fun to be around.

Taylor: I didn't realize that the majority of the market in Taiwan is for children 12 and under. Ideally, I'd like to teach 16 to adult. You make a good point about the Taiwanese being occupied academically. My students described going to school from 7am - 4pm. Then cram school. Then sport or musical practice. Then study. I had to wonder when they had to time to eat. They explained that they ate while they studied.

Thanks for your responses.

Regarding my original question: anyone know of any non-industrialized cities (oxymoron?) that would be a good place to live/teach?

Regards,
AF

[JZer]

The best places to live are usually the places that have few to no language schools. Language schools are located in cities like Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaoshiung.

Though according to this discussion board it seems a challenge to get a job in southern Taiwan.

[Taylor]

Dear Readers,

While "the job market" is affected by numerous factors, I can assure you that Kaohsiung is becoming less and less industrial.

Back in the 1990s, Kaohsiung seemed rough and rugged. Having just returned from a 2 week visit in May, it seemed much more pleasant than in years past.

Taylor

[Solar Strength]

Dear Readers,

I just want to echo what Taylor has posted in that Kaohsiung is not as dirty and polluted as it once was. As usual, Taylor brings a tremendous amount of clarity to the discussion.

Try Kaohsiung, you might like it!

[astralfrog]

Solar Strength, Taylor, & JZer:

Thanks for the input. Kaohsiung sounds like it might be a good option. Anyone have experience with schools there?

Thanks,
AF

[JZer]

Sorry, I make my living in Taipei.

[kotoko]

When I go, I'd love to give Kaohsiung a try because I love the sea, but would I be missing out on great night markets, and some foreign home comforts by not chosing Taipei?

[scarab1169]

No, you wouldn't miss out on night markets and home comforts by coming to K. town. Here are a few good night markets - admittedly not as big and famous as Shinlin in Taipei, but still - quite a few nice ones and you can find anything that you're familiar with at home if you just ask and don't know where to find. The biggest thing that people sometimes may miss here is the club scene as there isn't nearly as many clubs as in Taipei. Kaohsiung is much more laid back - it doesn't mean nothing is going on, it's just not the same as Taipei. I've seen it change a lot in the 3 years that I've been living here and I think it's a great place to live- streets tend to be wider here than in Taipei Oh...and the seafood is great here, too if that's your kinda thing.

[kotoko]

Seafood is very much my kind of thing!! And the night scene has got to be better than the tiny town I'm in here in Japan.

Looks like Kaohsiung is where I'll be aiming for! Thank you!

[markholmes]

Having lived in Kaohsiung (pre-pollution clean up, apparently) and Taipei, I would rather live in Kaohsiung. I like both, but the south is warmer, friendlier (smaller expat community too) and it's easier to escape to the countryside.

Does the Love River not stink anymore?

[kotoko]

Does a smaller group of foreigners = a good thing?

Is there a nice expat community over there? Or are people cold to newcomers?

Also, over here (Japan) you get people who really become d*cks about language skills; boasting and patronising etc. Is it the same with expats who speak Chinese/Taiwanese over there?

Sorry for hijacking this thread, by the way!

[scarab1169]

I'll first answer Mark's question. The Love River is one of THE hot spots in Kaohsiung now. The city has cleaned it up beautifully and it's a real pleasure to drive alongside the river with lush green trees and nice bike paths and small areas where people can sit down and enjoy "nature" for a bit. It's really been beautified and a poplular area for people to go to.

To Kotoko - let me try and decribe the expat cummunity here. It's smaller in Taipei. When I went to Taipei earlier this year for some business, my head turned every which way when I saw a foreigner(one tends to do that if one get's used to not seeing many white people-almost like the Taiwanese that stare at us white faces ). Here in Kaohsiung, I do see foreigners , but not on the scale that I saw in Taipei. I'm not into clubbing, bars, etc so I don't get to go out a lot(which has other downsides to it) but, there are always a few, sometimes a lot of foreigners to be found at the bars, restuarants, etc. If you go out more, you'll be able to make good friends. I've found the people that I've met here, to be helpful, friendly for the most part. In return , I try to be helpful to new people in town if I happen to meet such people. You have to find your "crowd" if you know what I mean. I think the community is quite nice. There is always something going on at the various "foreign" owned bars/pubs - like a bowling league that is done by one of the pubs in town, things like that.As far as what I've experienced, foreigners who speak Chinese/Taiwanese over here, is very helpful and don't go about bragging, patronising, etc. That's just my 2c worth. Hope it helps