Job Discussion Forums

[Jon99]

I'll just start by saying that I'm 24, I've just graduated from Univeristy in Canada with a BA in English, and I'm very interested in teaching English in either Taiwan or Japan. I've read the vast majority of the posts on these forums regarding Taiwan and Japan, and I've read the vast majority of the posts on the Journal thing regarding Taiwan and Japan. And I've come to the conclusion that it's nearly impossible to get a handle on what it's like over there since the opinion on almost every single aspect seems to be split about 50/50.

I'm not overly interested in immersing myself in the Asian culture (I'm not saying that I'm opposed to it, in fact I'd probably enjoy it, it's just not my primary motivation for wanting to do this). All I really want is to have a nice teaching job that isn't overly boring (preferrably actually enjoyable), a nice, clean apartment where I can get a nice tv, computer, and a comfy couch/chair. And I'd like to be able to bank a bit of cash so that if I decide to come back home, I'll have anough money to get settled away. And I don't drink or party really - I can easily entertain myself in my spare time with DVDs, video games, a good book, just walking around, and hanging with prospective friends.

Is this a realistic expectation? Or is this a pipe dream? And if it is realistic, would I have a better chance of achieving this in Taiwan or Japan, or would it make no difference?

I greatly appreciate any and all feedback

Jonathan

ps - seeing as this will be my first time doing this, I feel a great deal safer signing on with one of the big chain schools (Nova or Hess or the like). I realize that may cost me a bit of $$, but I'd just feel far more comfortable with that arrangement for the first year.

[Pop Fly]

Your instincts seem sound. I can't speak for Japan, but what you are seeking is entirely possible in Taiwan. Even with a low-paying gig like Hess, you can get yourself set up in a couple of months. It usually takes a year before you are comfy enough to see actual savings, but as you don't party etc, you may cut this time down.

Japan is more expensive to live, so probably take longer to achieve your goals.

Best of Luck to you.

[Girl Scout]

There's nothing really wrong or unrealistic about your plan. I have to say though, that buxibans are not a bad gig. What will really make or break your time in Asia is the people you work with. Good co-workers make good friends. They can make any job more tolerable.

Chain schools still have a lot of the same problems and disadvantages as buxibans. Hess, for example, dictates what you teach in class. You might find this boring.

Since you want to make at least some bankable money be more selective when accepting a job. Think about your expenses including housing, food, personal items, entertainment and travel. Make a budget, then get a job that will allow you spend that much per month and still send money home. Remember, it will probably take three month before you really start banking money.

Sorry, I too know nothing about Japan. I do find Taiwan comfy and livable. I think that the more you find out about jobs in each country the easier your decision will be.

[Sheep-Goats]

You can achieve your goals quite easily in either country -- but don't expect to save much more than 500USD a month (though many folks in Taiwan and Japan save 1000USD a month without trying that hard -- depends a lot of lifestyle, setup, and luck).

So long as you're in the US there are a number of Japanese companies that will interview you in LA or Chicago (or somewhere) and then send you over if you get the job with an apartment set up and the like. You can probably find someone to send you to Taiwan in a similar fashion, but the likelyhood of that setup being a bad deal or not-legit is more likely than dealing with a big school in Japan.

So, basically, you're looking at fringe benefits to make your decision:

1) Reputability? Japan.
2) Short commute? Taiwan.
3) Decent apartment in a liveable city? Taiwan.
4) High quality entertainment and arts? Japan.
etc etc.

Make a list of abstract things that are important to you for a job, and put them in order, and then post that and folks could probably give you a better idea of what it is you want. For most people, the breaking decision between Japan and Taiwan would be whether they wanted to learn Japanese (generally for access to modern Japanese pop culture) or Chinese (generally for business reasons, or to eventually step up to nearly unparalleld richness and depth of Ancient Chinese literature and philosophy), but since you put cultural interests low on the radar perhaps this doesn't apply to you?

[Pop Fly]

Hey, nice post there Sheep.

Great idea about the pros and cons list too. Especially posting it so we could weigh in on the factors.

Question: Does Chinese History and Philosophy so far outstrip Japan's as to make such a distinction?

Just curious. Definitly not knowledgable enough to argue.

A question to the OP: Do you plan on having a g/f?

[Jon99]

Thanks for all the info guys, I appreciate it

[Ki]

If you haven't taught before then it is probably preferrable that your school does dictate what you teach. Sure this would get boring quite quickly but it may be preferrable to trying to teach without any idea of what you have to do. That being said it is very frustrating when you are told that you have to teach obviously incorrect English. I tell my boss what he wants to hear and my students what they should hear.

[Pop Fly]

[Aristotle]

If you are looking to make a large sum of money in a short period of time go to Japan and teach business English as a private tutor.
If you dress the part and pad your credentials you, can do quite well.
Find a couple of room mates and stay out of the red light districts.
I doubt there is any place in the world where you can make as much money in as short of period of time.
You will not get rich teaching in Taiwan, those days are over for all but a few of the lucky ones.
Job security has overtaken visa issues as the primary concern among foreign teachers on Taiwan.
Please read this.
http://www.geocities.com/taiwanteacher2002/Success.html
Good luck.
A.