Job Discussion Forums

[prespez]

i had a couple of friends go over to Taiwan (Taichung) and they had trouble finding jobs working without a degree, have things changed over there I heard it was supposed to be easy, just take manderin classes i've been told and schools will hire you without a degree, I guess it's changed, has anyone else heard this?

[clark.w.griswald]

[Aristotle]

The job market is sketchy everywhere on Taiwan this year. There are the same number of students and teachers just schools are hesitant to hire foreigners because of government persecution of schools that employ non Chinese teachers. Taichung has become a bastion for teacher students because of the local universities ability to get students and ARC. Students at accredited universities with an ARC are allowed to teach unharassed in Taichung. That means the job market there is saturated.
Add to that fact the recent government ban on English Language learning and pay goes down as well as the hours.
Both Kaohsiung and Tainan continue offer better paying block hours for foreign teachers. The drawback being that the local governments in those areas are prone to harassing foreign teachers as a means to extort bribes from schools.
SSETT is recommending a North American certified home schooling program that can be taught legally to small classes in students homes as a possible alternative to circumvent racist government regulations and local business malpractices.
Good luck,
A.

[junkmail]

[Xenophobe]

I have to agree Junkmail. I've met some people who were wonderful teachers, but had no degree or a degree completely unrelated to ESL/EFL instruction. I've also met people, and taught with them, that have B. Ed degrees that haven't got a hot clue how to work in a classroom. One fellow (a teacher with a B.Ed) that I worked with in Chile, thought teaching the students WWF wrestling moves and how to play DND was the only material he needed for the year. The other two teachers at our school, also holders of B.Ed degrees, were eye candy who had problems with simple spelling and didn't know how to use 's, often using it to express plural rather than possesive. They had absolutely no grasp of tenses and every third word out there mouth was 'like'. However, we had a substitue for a month, with a degree in Environmental Conservation ( Tree Hugging Technologist ) and he was one of the best teachers that I have ever encountered in a long time. He inspired the students, surly highschool boys, and had them actually talking amongst themselves within a month. Alas, Eye Candy 1 returned from holidays and they went back to drooling and making lewd comments in Spanish that she was oblivious to.

[prespez]

Im sorry I left out one valuable thing in my post I do have Global Tesol, you guys have been of much help though, thanks for your replies,

[TaoyuanSteve]

Over time, I've argued both sides of this issue. My position is something like the following: A degree in places like Taiwan, Korea and Japan is a requirement for obtaining the necessary visas and permits for work and residence (although there are alternative means). You will need one (or a 2 year AA degree + tesl) in order to work legally here in Taiwan, unless you are married to a Taiwanese. Having a BA degree for teaching work in Taiwan is the law. That aside, while my own major relates somewhat to what I am doing, I do not believe a degree alone makes one a good teacher. I also do not believe it is the only skill set required for the job, or the only one that can accomplish the job. Certainly, there are many very talented esl teachers out there without degrees. I agree with what another said. You may have to find a place more accepting of what you have to offer if legal work is the thing for you.

[clark.w.griswald]

[junkmail]

clark.w.griswald:
No disrepect intended. It wasn't an intentional misquote, I just wanted the revelant bit, but now you come to mention it I see your point. So I'm sorry about that.
I do think if that's your stance, and I fully believe it is, that you could have omitted the 'qualified educators' bit and just pointed out the legalities and marketing aspect. I say this because it is contentious issue on these forums. However I know from previous posts your neither naive nor egotistical about this stuff.
If I ever meet you I owe you a beer.

[TaoyuanSteve]

Please buy me one too. Let's all meet for a cold one...or ten. I'm in a very good mood tonight. Tried something called "around the world." Not sure what's in the drink, but it's very strong.

[clark.w.griswald]

[TaoyuanSteve]

My personally do not believe an education degree qualifies one for esl teaching in Taiwan any more so than any other majors. An education degree produces a teacher trained to teach a specific age group, in a specific western country. Most of their training would be irrelevent in Taiwan's English teaching scenarios. Further, very few BEds have esl teaching specializations. A BEd does not qualify one to teach every subject, to every age group and nationality of learner, everywhere in the world.

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

okay, i have a guy with an M.A. in computer science from the University of Calgary and no teaching experience. Nice guy and learns fast. But he has a non TEFL / Education related degree.

Then, this girl applies for a work at about the same time. She has a 2 year nursing degree from University of Ottawa and a TESL certificate as well as 2 years experience in Taiwan.

Who do you hire?

Why?

[TaoyuanSteve]

I couldn't make a decision based solely on the info you gave. A tesl certificate suggests at least an interest in English teaching and, if the tesl is from a reputable company, the nurse will have had a practicum. I lean toward the one with some sort of an esl track record. In reality, though, I'd have to interview them both, get a feel for their personalities and put them both in front of a class to see how they handle themselves.

[Xenophobe]

Buddy with the Masters in Compusi should have no problem getting a teaching position at a University. A kindergarten would be impractical, unless there are kindergartens that want to teach geek speek.