Job Discussion Forums

[JZer]

On Wednesday, I pointed out that the workbook exercise was incorrect. They wanted the students to use much in the affirmative. All I got for correctly the book was scolded for not mentioning that before the class. What am I suppose to do when I do not have my own book and have to share my book with the Taiwanese co-teacher.

[Rooster_2006]

[zipper]

Maybe some bushibans don't offer material support to their foreign EFL teachers, because they are afraid that the teachers will jump ship after so many floggings.

[creztor]

Rooster, what you listed there is what I call doing your own thing. There are limited job opportunities here working for others outside of anything English related. So, you either need to leave Taiwan, put up with teaching or just do your own thing. You here meaning anyone in the esl business.

[dangerousapple]

What everyone needs to understand is that the effects of that recession from two years ago are still being felt in Taiwan, and are reflected in the bushiban industry. The Taiwanese get spooked about money very easily, and even if they aren't personally feeling any financial stress they will panic from what they see on the news, and stop spending money on things. Quality bushibans that charge a high price are going out of business because no parents will pay the tuition. Shite bushibans that charge a cheap rate are going out of business because parents want high quality...but they don't want to pay for it. It's a no-win situation for a school owner.

Three years ago I owned two language schools here. One was thriving and the other one was just getting by. Since then I've had to shut down the struggling one so that I could save the original one, which was not growing like it used to. Every September I've watched new student enrollments drop, even with a large promotional campaign and various other incentives. My school needs a minimum of 30 new students every year just to maintain its current size. So far this year we've signed up 10. It's not enough. We've had to eliminate both foreign and Chinese positions just to break even this year.

I've been here for 15 years, and have seen the best of the business. I don't think I've seen the worst of it, because I think the worst is on its way now. Thank god I made the exit plan part of my business plan when I opened up my school. We are financially secure, and the school has already met the requirements to either sell it, let others run it and watch a small profit trickle in, or just shut it down and walk away. No matter what, my family and I are out of here by next summer.

I'm not saying EFL is dead in Taiwan, but the market has fundamentally changed in the last few years, and any newcomers are going to have to find unique ways to make it in Taiwan.

That said, thank you Taiwan! I own houses in two countries, and have a nice portfolio of investments, all because of living here.

For all of you posters that keep making lists about what you plan to do, choose one and do it now, because you are going to lose your chance if you wait too long.

Just my 10NT.

[creztor]

Great post, dangerousapple. I have always wondered why people told me to open my own school. Going by what I have seen, was told by previous foreign owners of schools and the way the economy is going, opening my own school would be suicide now. Ten years ago? Sure, maybe, but not now. Was only last year that the boss at my old school sat everyone down and said that enrolements were down and we were losing students. Last night while eating dinner I overheard someone sitting near us say that his school is combining classes. It isn't hard to figure out why they are doing that.

[zipper]

I hate to sound so positive, but my wife said that her school is doing very well. She was given another class, today. She seems to be very optimistic. I remember the days when school loabans would reach for ya on the sidewalk and pull you into the school offering 800 plus NT an hour. I must confess that those days are gone for sure.

[creztor]

Zipper, some schools here are also booming, but they are in areas where there is literally no competition nearby. Every school that I worked at in the city has had problems with dropping enrolement numbers. It sucks as well coz during times like these bosses are even more sensitive and if one student leaves your class because he doesn't like you, you better be extra careful to avoid the chopping block.

[Rooster_2006]

If I go into business selling iPhone apps, charge $9.99 per app, and get a 70% commission, I will only need to sell 143 apps per month to surpass my post-tax buxiban salary.

That's less than five apps sold per day.

I can do it.

No more laoban. No more fickle kids. No more having to re-teach "What is this? It's a ____." for the 1,000,000th time.

Oh man, I can't wait.

I'm reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business and am learning a lot. I took some programming/computer courses in uni. I'm going to start learning Objective-C and some other PLs as soon as October 10 rolls around. I can't wait to get this thing off the ground.

EFL is dying a long, painful death.

[zipper]

And I want to move to the countryside where there is no competition and drink more beer. Give more green oil to my wife who bitches all the time about the mosquitoes.

[JZer]

While we are at it, I want to find a beautiful wife that will take care of me while I sit at home and read and write all day.

Opps, I just woke up. What a great dream!

[creztor]

Don't be a hater... dreams keep us alive

[zipper]

It sounds like JZer knows me.