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Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

quick question...

why go make 5,000 RMB a month in China TEFL'ing when you can go to Taiwan and make at least 12,000 - 20,000 RMB?

In Taiwan, you'll live and work with people who are allegedly much easier to get along with while still experiencing 'Chinese' culture?

in other words, what is it about living/working in China that you like so much to withstand the low wages and difficult people and that you cannot get in Taiwan?

Ludwig · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 6:28 pm Post subject:

I must say, you make some good points, though I suspect you may be overestimating the amount of real choice many actually have as regards possible employment locations.

I for one have always preferred (Mainland) Chinese 'culture' (there is no real culture there above spitting, pushing, shouting, DVD/CD/VCDs, and national broadcasts of military galas) from afar; usually 30,000 feet.

Chinese culture, for me at least, is symbolised by both Hong Kong and Singapore (and the various China Towns peppered around the globe), and, of course, these two locations are obviously immeasurably better places to work than the Mainland in all possible regards.

One thing that does surprise me is the sheer amount of noise pollution that those who work on the Mainland must endure. I spent last weekend in Shenzhen and spent Friday night at a flat of a friend who works there. I was awoken at six o'clock by what turned out to be a full-scale 'controlled' demolition of a 22-storey block. It is not clear why they felt such an event needed to be staged at such an ungodly hour. My friend informs me they have drilling, blasting, and candid camera style 'dynamite demolitions' from 6am through 11pm straight.

Needless to say, I never intend finding out.

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

I considered the big 4 (Taiwan, Japan, Korea and China) when my wife and I decided to get into this field.
While Taiwan was a strong option in the beginning, it seemed that there were just too many horror storied coming out of that place. I couldn't get straight answers from the schools or the recruiters so I figured..... the hell with it.

cheekygal · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 1987 Location: China, Zhuhai

Taiwan is actually not as cheap as you'd think it is. The accomodation there costs much more. Yes, you can make more money in Taiwan but you will spend most likely more than you'd spend in China, but also it is a smaller place so it can't fit everyone willing to work there. They are more picky with foreign teachers.
The average salary for a foreign teacher in Taiwan is 12,500 RMB. You can of course be a freelacer and earn much more but you'd have to spend your own money on visa, accomodation (the latter depends on where you are at - Gaoxiong is cheaper, Taipei and Taitung are more expensive).

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

A pathetic comparison by the original poster!

In Taiwan you have to fork out your own rental, in China it's part and parcel of a deal. Normally anyway.

And, besides, you choose to live abroad not because they pay you good salaries but in spite of the low pay you stand to get. Otherwise, why do you have to move house in the first place???

And then, many long-termers in China make at least RMB 12'000. I came by an offer of RMB 25'000 - just to refute your simplistic number crunching act.

Finally, China is China, and Taiwan is Taiwan; it's a small island and you can't get away from it unless by plane.
I hate planes and prefer taking a train. Here in China, I can travel on a comfortable train for several days.

That's why I am willing to stay put here even if the salary may be as low as RMB 3000.
More variety here!

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

The island is small, but it's densely populated enough and also full of natural variety that it would be hard to get bored.

Supposing that Shanghai were a seperate country or economic territory (not hard to imagine), I'd find enough to keep busy and it's not nearly as large as Taiwan. This is due, of course, to the incredible variety and population density.

On the other hand, easy access to a vast hinterland on the mainland trumps living in a smaller country. This is why I'd take China over Taiwan. You can break China down into smaller 'mini republics' or bite-sized chunks whereas Taiwan is well, only Taiwan.

Steve