Job Discussion Forums

[ratdog]

Well, I�m making the big move over to Taiwan, leaving in 2 days, going via Singapore, and arriving next week. Been thinking about going overseas to start a career teaching English for a few years now. I did a postgrad certificate in TESOL, which I loved, and am finally making it happen. It�s exciting, but very nerve wracking. I feel very underprepared.

I don�t know a great deal about it, but I chose Taichung because I had to make a decision, and I like the sound of a something a little bit smaller and with more space � especially with accommodation. Also the weather. I can�t wait to get out of this Melbourne winter.

Some questions.

One thing that concerns me is there has been talk on here of the actual job of teaching English being more difficult and less desirable than some other Asian countries. Can anyone elaborate?

Can anyone recommend a good map/street directory for Taichung? Good gyms? Classes in Mandarin? Classes or practice in Tai Chi (I started some classes here this year in the �yang style�)?

I have a lot more questions, but I�ll leave it at that for now. Cheers.

[surrealia]

As you will see, the [url]taiwanfun.com[/url] website has answers to many of your questions (also, try http://www.geocities.com/allhou/taichungscene.htm):

[englishmaster]

I taught in Taichung for over three years, and found it very liveable. You can google the city's name to get links to it, and also check out www.forumosa.com, www.taiwanho.com and www.tealit.com.

There is a large number of expat venues there, especially in the Little Europe quarter of downtown. You can do your grocery shopping at Finga's Base Camp, for example, although the supermarkets there also have good food--including imported Aussie beef.

As for worries about teaching, Taiwan has the same frustrations as other NE Asian countries. Personally, I found it much more tolerable than China or Korea, though. If you can take the students' difficulty with creating their own discourses in stride, you should do all right.

The island of Taiwan has quite a few scenic spots considering its size, and Taichung is centrally located for most of them.

Good luck!

[ratdog]

Well I've arrived, and made it down to Taichung. Can't wait to get settled in. I'm finding my lack of CHinese a real difficulty, so planning to make that a priority for sure. Tried miming and pointing to get some noodles & vegies today, but ended up with noodles and meat with a side plate of vegies. They went through everyone in the shop to get a translation that I was vegetarian - and then looked at me strangely, the translation coming back that everything had meat in it. It was quite embarassing, but the eventual meal was amazing!

Thanks for the all the links guys - they're REALLY good. I think I'm going to really like it here.[/b]

[craigzy]

a reverse swastika might work.

[parrothead]

Good luck, Ratdog! Keep us posted about things, what is going well for you, what you would do differently. Your experiences could be helpful to potential new Taiwan teachers.

[steve_c]

All the best luck to you Ratdog! (From someone who just took the plunge 3 months ago) Yes, please, update us from time to time.

[t-asia]

All the best teaching in Taichung, Ratdog.

I plan to come to Taichung, but wait for the B.A. Cert in the post.

Ratdog, are you in a hostel or smart apartment until yout teach?

They say it is polluted in Taichung, what do you think, honestly?

Tel: $4 U.S. Is it expensive ringing home, family and friends?

Best for the future,

t-asia

[craigzy]

often times, the smog in taichung hangs around due to the surrounding mountains. while in traffic youll definitely see, taste, and smell it, but its not extreme. im looking out the window right now at blue skies.