Job Discussion Forums

[yamahuh]

While I realize that we're not all looking for exactly the same thing while teaching in Taiwan, I'd hazard a guess that most of us are looking for most or all of the following things:

Weekends free.
Reasonable pay (whatever that means to you).
Not too many hours (20 - 25 per week is fine).
Vacation time (preferably paid).
Class sizes that aren't too big.
A reasonably well developed curriculum.
The ability to actually test the students without having to worry about the effect a fail may have on student enrollment / your job security.
Bosses whose prime concern isn't to get as much quantity of work as humanly possible out of you every day, but is instead to get as much quality work as possible

There are more I'm sure (feel free to add your own) but my question is this: What schools have you worked for / what jobs have you done or have you seen offered that offer the best combination of these qualities?

I've seriously thought about going home to upgrade my teaching qualifications - perhaps a Master's or ESL/linguistics specific credential - but then I think 'What the hell for?' So I can work in a High School with a bunch of poorly behaved, disinterested teens? So I can work for low pay and long hours in a University just to get some paid vacation time? So I can be an overly qualified babysitter for a bunch of whiny, indulged little princes and princesses?

Are there any 'good' teaching jobs in Taiwan?
Or am I just feeling particularly cynical today?

(Edited to aid JZ'er comprehension)

[JZer]

Yes, but they don't involve teaching!

[yamahuh]

I think it's pretty obvious from my post that I'm asking about teaching jobs.

[yamahuh]

I guess the lack of response speaks volumes...

[markcmc]

I think you're right.

[booklady26]

Is it possible that no one teaching English in Taiwan is happy with their position? Why do people stay then?

[JZer]

Happy people don't come here and complain about how much they make.

When people who make money come here, certain individuals tell them that is impossible.

[markcmc]

[dangerousapple]

There are lots of great jobs, but no sure-fire way to get into one of them. It's very much a case of work hard and take advantage of opportunities when you see them.

I've been here 15 years and have done very well for myself. I'm currently earning more than I would be earning after 15 years teaching in Canada...it's allowed me to buy property both here and in Canada...but I've worked extremely hard for it and it has taken both a physical and psychological toll on me and my family. We are ready for the next chapter, and have already planned our exit.

The vast majority of people who have been here longer than two years are more or less happy with their situation. Getting to that two-year mark takes more effort than some people can handle.

As far as teaching middle school goes...I just finished a 4-month stint at a private catholic junior high school (one of the best junior high schools in Taiwan) and hated it from start to finish. I had planned on doing it for one school year, but gave notice after one semester. I like the cram school route so much more!

[yamahuh]

[JZer]

[KaiFeng]

There are great jobs in Taiwan that pay tons, but not consistent with your lifestyle requirements. If you're interested in coming, the smartest thing to do would be to contact dangerousapple and ask him/her for his/her client portfolio on departure.

The way your requirements are structured, you lock yourself into competing with bargain basement beach bums from Bali. Corporate training pays vastly more than pu-hsi-pan work, but it requires moxie, initiative, negotiation skills, and a consultant mentality, not an "English teacher" mentality.

Some time ago I posted a series of observations on how to maximize revenue in ESL; you might like to look them up. However, most of what I write about is not consistent with the lifestyle goals you set.

Good luck in any case!

[yamahuh]

[JZer]

[yamahuh]