Job Discussion Forums

[Brian D.]

I`m planning to teach English in Taiwan (Taipei) in June and am uncertain whether to apply for jobs from the U.S. or to wait until I get to Taiwan. I`ve talked to some people and done some research online. The advice that I`ve gotten is to be very wary of contracts, but I have heard about some schools that seem to be somewhat more on the up and up (like Kojen and Hess).

Also, I read that it`s much easier to get out of a contract if I`m being mistreated now that an ARC can be transferred.

Any suggestions (or experiences) you could share would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Brian

[Aristotle]

Hi,
Please read this.
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck,
A.

[TaoyuanSteve]

You are correct. You may change jobs here if you are dissatisfied with the one you are working at. You always could, but it more often resulted in having to leave and re-enter the country.

I usually tell people to get here first and then get a job. Quite often people who apply from overseas are putting faith in recruiters who find them lousy jobs in out of the way places. All too often, these recruiters rip off the teachers as well. However, if you are applying to a large and reputable company, and dealing with them directly, then I'd say applying from overseas may not be a bad risk; if for no other reason than the visa rules have changed (or so I hear). When I arrived here, you could convert a tourist visa into a resident visa without the need of a visa run. I keep hearing that has changed recently. Perhaps someone who more recently went through this process can comment. However, someone picking you up at the airport, providing a free place to stay and a job when you arrive (which you know you can leave if it sucks) are definite advantages.

[Ki]

If you do have someone meet you at the airport, free accom. etc. never feel like you owe them anything. If you want to leave then just leave, preferably when they aren't looking. Also do not hand over your passport or degree.