Job Discussion Forums

[Slowcoaster]

I have been reading posts on this channel for the last few months in preperation for teaching overseas. I have no real preference (as I have no real experience) in where I teach, but China in general and Taiwan in particular has attracted my interest. Here's the deal: I have a 4 year B.A in Sociology/Social Anthorpology, much kudos from professors concerning my writing skills, some informal teaching experience, and a willingness to deal with potential pitfalls without curling up in a ball. I don't have a lot of start up cash so this restricts my options (I think?) to recruiters......I have been in contact with several and the ones that truly interest me are unfortunately lacking in up front flight pay. I am also perplexed by visa and ARC requirements.....I want to go but I don't want to get there and find I was ripped off by a dishonest recruiter, or go on my own and find I don't know what to do without one. Any suggestions??????

[wood]

[Wonder]

You will find that most schools will not pay for your flight, so forget that right now. And hooking up with a recruiter is risky. There a 1001 sob stories and only a few good ones.

What you should do is check out a few ESL schools in Calgary and see if they have any links to Taiwan. If so, then perhaps they have a sister school in Taiwan. Don't count on it being in Taipei, but that's not really a big deal. If you are prepared for a challenge, then you can work in any of Taiwan's major cities without too much discomfort.

Check out Dave's ESL job board and start sending out your resume on your own. You'll soon hook up with someone in Taiwan who is western that can help much more than this board will. No offence to anyone here, but too much advice can be confusing.

In any event, you should plan on eventually coming here and making yourself available. Perhaps $1,000 U.S. will get you by if you are careful for the first month. There should be some part time work available until you get your first full-time job.

Some schools will offer housing with the contract, so look for those. They are usually outside the bigger cities, but if you are low on cash and not too picky, you may just be happy there.

Things are much easier once you are here and have spoken to a few people. It's really not that difficult finding a job if you really want one and you look every day until you have one.

Watch your spending, network like crazy and if at all possible, stay away from recruiters....there is a reason they are recruiting someone and it's usually because the school couldn't find anyone to teach there.

Cheers

[Taylor]

Dear Teacher,

Just charge your airline ticket on your credit card. If you can set-up a bank account that has on-line banking, just leave a couple hundred in that account to pay bill(s) with.

It should work out fine.

Best wishes,

Taylor