Job Discussion Forums

krh · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 25

Wondering about ELSI in Keelung... has anyone worked at one of their branches there or heard about them? What's Keelung like as a place to live? Is it convenient to get to Taipei from there?
Is it possible with the majority of the chain schools to show up in Taiwan without signing a contract and do so after visiting the branches where they are hiring?

daily chai · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: Brussels

I worked for Kojen (former ELSI) in Taipei, and enjoyed my time there. Kojen taught me a lot about teaching--I recommend them for newbies. Word is they have gone downhill in recent years, though.

It is a rookie mistake to sign a contract before arrival/visiting the schools. Don't do so under any circumstances. You can buy a guidebook and easily sort yourself out at the airport, by taking a bus to the main train station and finding a hostel around there. The airport-pickup and immediate residence are minor benefits compared to what the schools will do to you as a blind contract employee. You'll be farmed out to schools all over town, although your visa stipulates you can only work for a single branch. You'll spend hours every week in transit, and a chunk on transpo costs. With all that time in transit your time for extra, side work will be limited. *Beware.*

It is far easier and better for you the whole year if you arrive on your own, show up at a few schools and sign a contract after reviewing a few offers. BTW, don't leave your passport number at any school. They do not need to know your specifics until you are in the hiring stage, not within negotiation. One school asked me to do so, but it is not neccessary for an interview. I walked out. This chain is infamous for deporting their PART TIME illegal workers if they miss a class. This is totally unfair, because most PT teachers miss a class because their primary/legal employer asked them to cover a shift. Obviously the teacher has to prioritze their visa-sponsoring school. The "illegal" school anonymously reports the employment violater, and the person is deported. If you have a tiny twinge that something is amiss, or the other employees look like people you would not like to be friends with--walk. Your instincts are new at this game, but right. There are so many schools, and within that group enough to find one where you mesh well. Your opbjective is to find a workplace where you like the conditions, people, and teaching objectives. It is not to find a job ASAP. Please come with USD1000 to cover expenses while you find a school, and try to come in early spring. Schools train new employees at that time to help with the summer blitz. I arrived in November and it took 6 weeks to find a good job.

Best of luck to you!

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

I worked for Kojen in Kaohsiung and then Neihu from May 2001 to January 2003 and found them to be pretty good (except for one appauling manager and thats why I left, but that could happen anywhere).

There's another guy that posts here that works for them now in Shilin (north Taipei), I'm sure he'll be along shortly to give you more info.

Keelung looks like a reasonable place to live (I've been there about half a dozen times on day trips) and I think its about 30 minutes on the train to Taipei main train station.

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Fortigurn · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 390

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

Keelung is the Northern most city on Taiwan. It is also the second oldest city on Taiwan and as such has the traditional Chinese city planning (none at all). The streets are very small and it has little to no infrastructure outside of an antiquated and dilapidated public bus system as well as one train station.
The fact that it is a port is totally lost on the local government as no modern or functional ferry service to other parts of Taiwan exist.
Cold and wet in the winter, hot and wet in the summer with little to no night life.
Good luck,
A.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Well, I've been to Keelung several times and it seemed ok to me. I also knew a few people there and they didn't seem in any rush to move. The streets are narrow though, I'll give you that.

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

Jilong has some nice spots. I recently checked out the ruins of a fort dating back to the opium wars. Kind of a pretty park with some parts of the fort still intact complete with cannons. There are lots of trees and the whole thing overlooks the harbour, giving good views. Places like that'd make the city very liveable in my estimation.