Job Discussion Forums

rowea23 · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

Hi There,
I had a few questions concerning teaching in Taiwan, firstly I am a College Graduate (2 diploma's) without any other teaching certification...i do have 6 months teaching experience in Cambodia (computers). In any case, would I be able to find any work in Taiwan (teaching english)? Secondly, I have a concern about racism in Taiwan...being african american would this be a factor in finding work, i should note that i've lived in asia for over 2 years (cambodian & vietnam) and am guessing that Vietnam might be comparable to Taiwan in terms of racism, but i've read about the 'status' of have a native white teacher instructor is regarded quite highly, i was only wondering how this might affect my job prospects, no need to sugar coat anything, just the facts if anyone has any experience or knowledge. And my third question, i have heard about this having to leave the country every two months which i dont really mind doing, but why might this be so prevelant and about a new 'police' crackdown on illegal teachers in taiwan, might this just be the wrong time to go? (within 6 months)

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

By college grad, do you mean four year or two year credential? If you have a four year credential, you will be able to get a work visa without any problems. No every two month visa runs willbe required. If your credential is a two year AA or similar, you can still get a work permit, but you will need to take a tesl course and obtain an additional certificate.

If you are thinking about going the illegal route, I'd say don't bother. The risks of being apprehended and deported are not very high. I know people who've lived here under this arrangement for years. Still, there is a lot of bother and expense involved in the illegal route; and people who go this way just don't do as well, at least that has been my experience. There are alot of advantages to the legal route. You get health insurance, the right to own and license vehicles, enter contracts, leave and enter Taiwan with ease (and only when you want to) and a stable income. Illegal is a possibilty--and not overly risky-- but I just don't think it's worth it.

DirtGuy · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Posts: 529

Hi.

Just want to relay an experience I had while stuck in Narita on my way back from Taiwan. Couldn't fall asleep so started talking to the only other person at the same gate. He was black and had been working in Taiwan for the past year. Only had minimal teaching training in the States when he went over to work. I forget the schools he had worked at but they were all big ones. He stated it took him a bit to find a job but, once he got hired, he had no trouble getting all the hours he wanted. Strictly legal, ARC and all that. I was really curious to ask if being black had affected his employment in any way but didn't. It sounded like as long as he did his job and the students and teachers liked him, skin color was not a problem. He said he consistently was offered more teaching hours than he could handle. At one point he was working 40 hours a week but got burned out.

So there you go. Good luck.

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

Your diploma will not be a problem as previous restrictions on teaching or non teaching credentials have been replaced with race based restrictions.
Both available positions and wages are have decreased and are expected to continue to do so.
That could change but it doesn't look to do so any time soon.
Presently the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China has issued a decree that effectively bans non ethnic Chinese from teaching in many schools regardless of qualifications or nationality (no whites or blacks allowed).
Please read this.
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Welcome to Taiwan.
A.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

rowea23 · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

[quote="TaoyuanSteve"]By college grad, do you mean four year or two year credential? If you have a four year credential, you will be able to get a work visa without any problems.

I have a two year diploma and an additional one year post grad diploma, but to be honest im alittle obivious to the different certifucations that are out there (teaching certifications) TEFL, TEOSL...in terms of work in Taiwan which certification course might be advisable to use with my college diploma?

Those were great comments by the way!

rowea23 · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

Well a friend and I are considering going together, one working legit (bacherlor's degree) and the other namely me, struggleing to find work in Taiwan....just wanted to know how big of a struggle it would be. I have a feeling though, that these runs might not be such a bad thing...(two months) out of the country might be just the breath of fresh air I might need. I did wonder about studying Chinese though and getting the student visa that i have read about on this forum. How much does it cost to study Chinese (roughly) and is it difficult to get a student visa?.....i was think about arriving, getting a student visa as soon as possible then getting a job soon afterword (i have legitable intentions on learning chinese) as it's a great way to meet people and learn about the culture.

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

I'd strongly suggest doing a tesl. I've even seen them offered here (so perhaps you can get one after you arrive, if you're anxious to get here in a hurry). They are not lengthy programs. Another user on this board got an ARC with a college diploma and a tesl, the program length for which was only 60 hours! That's what? Two weeks full time; a month or so part time? Getting one would likely make you legit, which is something you'll want to be if you intend to stay a while. Trust me. People I've known who haven't had ARCs were constantly envious of the stability and benefits (health insurance!) it provided.

Studying Chinese is not overly expensive. The cheapest by far is a place called CLI. They offer classes for 4500nt for 8 weeks. This place is mostly for people who only want visa extensions. Many simply don't attend classes at this place. CLD is a little more expensive at around 10,000 nt, but you get 12 weeks for that price. I also noticed a little sign in their office, last time I was there, that had the name of a university in Taizhong on it. They told me they are now affiliated with that university and can offer student ARCs now. If you get a visa extension, or especially if you get a student ARC through them, you will have to attend classes. TLI is another place offering Chinese to foreigners. I haven't been there, but I hear the quality is good as well. Then there are the local universities. Universities are much more homework and time intensive. I won't say the quality of instruction is necessarily better, though. I had a friend who was attending Shi Da at the same time he was coming to CLD. He eventually dropped Shi Da because he felt classes at CLD were more communicative, whereas the uni emphasized memorization and recitation of text. Perhaps that was just him, however, as he was a bit older and likely prefered a more self-paced approach.

Visitor visa extensions for Chinese study are relatively easy to get, provided you have an extendable visa. You just have to enroll in Chinese classes at a language center ahead of your visa expiry date and pay the tuition. The school will instruct you from there. Student ARCs are a little harder (and I believe you may have to provide evidence of enough money to support yourself during your proposed study period). You have to be a little more commited to studying and attending classes before trying for one of those.

Hope that answers some of your questions.