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krh
Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 25
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 Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 1:37 am Post subject: Job search- Taiwan |
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Hi, I'm a new addition to this forum. I'm looking into moving to Taiwan next month to teach. I've read a bunch of stuff about teaching at chain schools vs. other bushibans. My question is: can't I just check them out (Hess, Kojen, etc) when I get to Taiwan and then decide to work for them or not? To me, it seems to make a lot of sense to see a place/meet the people before deciding whether or not to work for them. Also, $550/hr seems to be pretty standard- but I've read some posts suggesting that's low, even for a newbie. I have a CELTA and 6 mos experience- should I be expecting more?
One more- where are some good places to live/teach besides Taipei?
Thanks! krh |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:01 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
$550/hr seems to be pretty standard- but I've read some posts suggesting that's low, even for a newbie. I have a CELTA and 6 mos experience- should I be expecting more?
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That is the wage offered to people overseas. For teachers in Taiwan the wages are 10% to 30% higher depending on location and the school. The fact that you have arrived seen, the place and not headed immediately back home, increases you earning potential. Chain schools as a rule are at the bottom of the pay scale both in terms of take home pay and renumeration for the amount of work that the teachers are required to do.
Be advised that the job market is a little strange this year because of infighting among the various Taiwan government ministries over control of the lucrative ESL industry on Taiwan.
There are the same number of students and teachers it's just that the schools are a little reluctant to hire foreign teachers.
Private tutoring should see a big increase in the amount of business and wages.
SSETT is also working on recommending a fully accredited North American home schooling program that foreign teachers can offer small groups of students to be taught in their own homes. This program will allow foreign teachers to circumvent racially motivated government regulations and local business malpractices.
Good luck,
A. |
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TaoyuanSteve
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 1028
Location: Taoyuan
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| Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:20 am Post subject: |
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| I say you could work at those places (Kojen,Hess) without alot of risk. These are very large companies and they employ alot of people, so the chances of encountering digruntled former emloyees is that much greater. In reality, they are pretty good employers -- at least that is the opinion of most people I've met who have worked (or still work) for them. I've also said-- and I'll say it again-- there's much more to a job than supposed per hour pay. Consider conditions, curricullum (or lack thereof in some places), how many classes they can give you, whether or not they can give you an ARC and health insurance, will they pay on time... the list goes on. Definitely do check them out when you get here. Read down a bit for some recommendations from former and current employees. |
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junkmail
Joined: 19 Dec 2004
Posts: 377
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| Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:35 am Post subject: Re: Job search- Taiwan |
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| Quote: |
| My question is: can't I just check them out (Hess, Kojen, etc) when I get to Taiwan and then decide to work for them or not? To me, it seems to make a lot of sense to see a place/meet the people before deciding whether or not to work for them. |
Just as general advice ie. this goes for teaching anywhere: Yes.
What your saying is exactly right. Go there and see it for yourself. Allow yourself generous set up costs, the more money you have in your pocket when you arrive the less desperate you will be.
You seem to already have the right attitude so I can't see you going far wrong.
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: Job search- Taiwan |
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| krh wrote: |
| Also, $550/hr seems to be pretty standard- but I've read some posts suggesting that's low, even for a newbie. I have a CELTA and 6 mos experience- should I be expecting more? |
Yes, some people do claim this, but I wouldn't pay too much attention to them if I were you. I have seen them claim this time and time again, but never actually back up these claims with any concrete information about jobs that offer this money.
The average starting pay for a job that offers enough hours to A) be legal; and B) live on; would be around NTD550 up to 600 per hour. Yes, there are plenty of jobs that offer more than this, but quite often there is a reason for this higher rate of pay. They may be illegal positions. More often than not, they are smaller schools that cannot offer any more than a dozen or so hours a week. In order to make a living you would need to pick up a second job and spend time travelling. There may be legality issues with this also.
I would be very interested to hear from people such as Aristotle who claim that NTD550 is too low. Where are the jobs that offer more than this, but still offer legal work with a decent number of hours, and would accept a newbie?
My advice would be to take a job with a chain school when you first arrive. You will no doubt learn from their training, and at least you are guaranteed to actually get the money that you earn, and pretty well guaranteed not to get deported. In your second year you can put your experience and qualifications to work and start earning NTD600-650 per hour.
| Aristotle wrote: |
| Be advised that the job market is a little strange this year because of infighting among the various Taiwan government ministries over control of the lucrative ESL industry on Taiwan. |
What infighting?
The MOE was removed from the process of processing of work permits for foreign teachers, as they were an unnecessary cog in the wheel. All work permits have always been approved by the CLA, and it is a vast improvement now that foreign teachers only need deal with one government organization in this regard.
The system has been streamlined. The system is more efficient and far quicker. The system now works better than it ever did. I don't see the MOE complaining at all! In fact I am sure that they are quite happy that they no longer need to collect the paperwork for applications! |
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