Job Discussion Forums

[Mydnight]

I have recently toyed with the idea of moving to Taiwan. I am pretty conflicted about all of this because I basically do as I wish and call my own shots here in my teaching and other endeavors. I am able to get my own visa and things.

I keep hearing Taiwan is a good place; though, from the Mainlanders and the few Taiwanese that regularly return home that I have association with. I do pretty well here, but I feel I need a change.

Maybe I am suffering from a bit of the 'ol stagnation and "the grass is greener" syndrome.

Anyway, can any of the Taiwan-old-hands here give me some pointers or advise. Are visas as hard to come by as here? I don't really know what to ask, so I'll lurk around here and read up. I don't want to get scared off by the jaded, though.

How about a poll? Stay on the mainland or move to Taiwan?

[markcmc]

To stay or to go is probably not a question anyone but you can answer. To get a visa you need a job, but it's not hard. The hours offered in most language schools are low, which can be good or bad depending on what your plans are.

[louis.p]

Just a heads up. The English teaching market here is really bad right now. People who have been living in Taiwan for years are having trouble finding decent work. (Check out forumosa if you have a doubt.) Employers seem to be picking up on this and are lowering salaries and worsening conditions in response. If you're happy on the Mainland, I wouldn't come unless you are up for it or know that you can get good work.

[yamahuh]

Money is better here if you can get enough hours but that's not a given.
My wife and I made the move from China to Taiwan back in 2007 and it has treated us well as we have always been able to find full time positions this year we're feeling the pinch. I found FT but my wife is managing on PT at 2 different schools and it is still barely cracking 22 hours per week.

As an older couple it is becoming increasingly harder to find work (we're in our 40's not 50's or 60's) we have been blatantly refused work due to our age and nothing more - employers can afford to be picky.

Try Vietnam or Thailand, Taiwan is becoming increasingly difficult unless you're in your 20's, poster friendly and willing to be bullied.

[Rooster_2006]

I agree with most of the other posters here.

My current job, though tolerable, is only 14.5 hours a week. Guess how many people applied for this job?

TEN PEOPLE.

That's right, ten people (as in ten living, breathing human beings) threw themselves at a part-time cram school job out in Kaohsiung County, and I had to beat out nine of them to get the job.

If you're looking for 20+ hours a week at one school (seems that most English teachers are), all I can say is "good luck."

Can you find a job? Yes, probably, with a great deal of effort, if you're willing to accept any job you can get.

Do you have a specific reason to move from China to Taiwan, though? Because unless it's a very good reason, I don't see the point in moving.

[living&learning]

I lived in Taiwan from 2003 - 2006, then China from 2006 till present.

I was happier in Taiwan (with the salary, job and level of people's behaviour). But I still had 'Taiwan Days' - where everything annoyed me.

I'm now in a good place financially here, but will go to Taiwan on a fact-finding mission/holiday in the next month to decide if I will return later this year.

Taiwan has a more polite populace, better healthcare system, and is not as vast as China. It is also more free, politically, and in many other ways. No FB or YT or blogs being blocked.

However, most teaching work is in buxibans where you do the Dancing Monkey routine. Adult work and privates take time to build up.

I think me going back might be like taking a step sideways or back, so that's why I'll do the mission, to see what's happening there, and also maybe meet with some schools/companies/recruiters (I actually want to get out of teaching for a while).

Any more questions, fire away!

[yamahuh]

[louis.p]

@ living&learning --

Seems like you know what you're getting into. I've been thinking about quiting graduate school and moving to China (ideally with my wife). What keeps me here is the fact I won't "progress" but stagnate. (And most likely I'll end up going alone.)

[living&learning]

[louis.p]

[living&learning]

[yamahuh]

I always thought that the cops drove around with their lights flashing to warn people that there was a police presence on the street and, as such, they should pay attention to their driving and not do anything stupid.

BWAHAHAHAHA

Momentarily forgot...

This is Taiwan - home to the most selfish and incompetent drivers on the face of the planet.

[living&learning]

[yamahuh]

Is there a difference?

You just described every third person in the road in Hsinchu and the other two thirds are driving Japanese SUVs or scooters.

I wouldn't trust a single one of 'em to check their mirrors or do a shoulder check before changing lanes or making a turn.

[Mydnight]

Wow.

These replies seem dark. Anyone care to enlighten me to the bright side?