Job Discussion Forums

[dmd887]

Hi, I am looking to teach English overseas after I graduate from college, which will be soon. My original plan was to go to Korea but I have since learned in order to get a work visa there you can have absolutely no criminal record at all since they do a background check and require no criminal record.

What is the procedure for getting a job teaching English in Taiwan?

In order to get a work visa do they require a background check and if so, does a DUI disqualify you for a teaching job?

Other than that ONE infraction, my record is totally clean.

Thanks for your help, I am trying to see which countries I should devote my energy towards as I seek a job teaching English, since I have this one blemish on my record.

I look forward to everyone's repsonses!

P.s. what is the current climate for teaching jobs in Taiwan? Plentiful?

[atreyue]

I see you're "Fishing" for a job on several boards (China/Thailand/Taiwan)

If you work for one of the larger ESL pancake houses in Taiwan (ie: Hess) they will require you to present a background check with application, and yes, a DUI will probably earn you a free space on the "Don't Hire" wall.

Come to think of it - I believe it is becoming the norm in Asia (Thailand/Korea/Vietnam require it) to ask for background checks thanks to the Gary Glitter's of the world.

And, of course, there is the issue of the Taiwan APRC. If you plan to stay in Taiwan for a long period of time (+5 years) then an APRC will require an FBI background check which would also make you ineligible.

Otherwise the Mom/Pops of the Island will hire without much ado, but insomuch as that is possible you are also increasing your risks of shadiness in getting paid on time, no control of who you get to teach (Think 4 year olds who vomit on you in the middle of a story) and split shifts which can begin at 8:00 a.m. and your day finishes at 10:00 p.m. (Total 3 working hours)

The jobs are always there - just ask yourself what are you willing to trade off in exchange for this ONE infraction?

Good luck to you.

[NEP]

Dear dmd887,

I fear that atreyue is suggesting an overly negative picture.

Basically, I've been in Taiwan for 5+ years and have never had or heard of a background check. I worked at Kojen 5 years ago, and have worked at another big chain for 3 years, no check. No foreign teacher has ever mentioned such a thing.

So, I can't speak for Hess...but let's just say: if schools were doing background checks, wouldn't that be a kind of dramatic thing and become a hot topic among foreigners? Like, "Dang, I gotta call my county police in Dogpatch, USA to get them to send a background check to Hess..."

That being said...the job market doesn't seem hot. But that's all hearsay.

[atreyue]

Hi - I'm not sure what part of my reply you find "overly negative" as I have only posted personal experiences with no sugar coatings. Congrats on you being in Taiwan for 5 years, I've been here for 7.

I do, however, find there is a small irony in typing Kojen+shady in the Search function. The poster asked for the truth and I gave it. You're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.

[NEP]

Wow, atreyue, you can chill on the snark there. I wasn't disparaging you. I merely disagree with some of your statements.

[Rooster_2006]

I've had my ARC sponsorship from three different employers in Taiwan and never needed to submit a criminal background check.

It is NOT required for a visa. Whether or not it is required for an APRC, I'm not sure, but even if the OP arrived here tomorrow, he wouldn't have to worry about a CBC for an APRC for another five years.

Hess DOES require a CBC, BUT they don't require you to submit it until you've been working there for a month or two. In my case, I was hired (no CBC necessary), fired when the probationary month ended, and I never needed to bother to get my CBC.

The other two schools at which I have worked have never asked for a CBC.

However, there is one thing that atreyue said that I agree with -- it is the POTENTIAL that they will be required in the future. Very possible. Taiwan could ask for an FBI CBC and nobody on the island would bat an eye -- there are only what, 5,000 foreign English teachers on this island? That's insignificant. They could even legally require us to wear blue hats and nobody would really make an issue out of it.

OP, you should be more worried about actually finding a job than about the CBC. You CAN teach here, at least with the current regulations. Whether you can find someone who will hire you or not, I don't know. What are your qualifications?

[Rooster_2006]

Here, take this little quiz that I just made up for fun:

What job are you qualified to do in Taiwan? THE QUIZ

1. Do you have a TEFL certificate?
DELTA or other diploma in TEFL = 3
CELTA/CELTYL/CTEFLA = 2
Generic or online TEFL = 1
Nothing = 0

2. Do you have teaching experience that isn't just "tutoring a few students in ESL during college?"
Yes, 5 or more years = 3
Yes, 2 or more years = 2
Yes, 1 or more years = 1
No, not really (<1 year) = 0

3. Do you speak Chinese?
Yes, at an advanced or fluent level = 2
Yes, at a basic, elementary, or intermediate level = 1
No = 0

4. Do you have a degree related to this job?
MA TESOL/MA Applied Linguistics/PhD in basically anything = 4
Unrelated master's degree or a bachelor's degree in education = 3
Bachelor's degree in English = 1
Unrelated bachelor's or associate's degree (must be combined with TEFL certificate to get a visa) = 0
No degree = -1,000,000

If you scored...
<0 points: you are not qualified to teach in Taiwan, and any job you got would be illegal, and likely risky and crappy.

0 - 1 points: you might be able to land a crap job here, but I recommend a less competitive market like China.

2 - 4 points: you stand a good chance at getting an acceptable buxiban job.

5 - 8 points: you stand a good chance at public school, but ONLY IF you have a teacher's license in your home country.

9 - 12 points: seriously consider teaching at uni! You're a pro!

By the way, on that quiz, I'd make a 4.

[Pretentious Parrot]

I have been asked for an FBI criminal background check for one of my previous teaching jobs in Taipei. It isn't too common, but I have met other people who were required to have one as well. Luckily, before I came to Taiwan I got a background check completed.

But seriously, I would be more concerned about the current job market.

[Rooster_2006]

[Dr_Zoidberg]

I came to Taiwan with a criminal background check in hand, but for the life of me could not get one person to so much as look at it.

Applying for my JFRV was a different matter. For that I had to be fingerprinted by the local constabulary, and the fingerprints sent back to Canada for the RCMP to do a criminal background check.

FYI for any Canadians considering a long-term visa, the RCMP can take up to four months to complete their criminal background check due to high volumes of requests. Also, the local Taiwan police fingerprinting form is perfectly acceptable, but you may have to argue with the local police. Even though I knew the local form to be acceptable, I got a dufus who insisted I use an FBI form. It took quite some arguing to get him to acquiesce.

[TaoyuanSteve]

I want to provide a little clarity to this thread-- my friend wants to come here but was somewhat confused by this thread and lead to believe criminal background checks are needed for work permits in Taiwan.

You do not require a criminal background check for a work permit to teach English in Taiwan. If individual companies want to check you out, that is their own policy and not government policy.

Currently, criminal background checks are only required for joining family resident visas ( aka JFRV or marriage visas) and permament alien resident cards (aka PARC).

So, to answer OP, a DUI from years ago should not impact your chances.