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[Gstyles]

I used to teach in Taiwan. I'm considering Thailand as my next teaching location, is there any advice or information you can offer?

[tedkarma]

Perhaps loads of info and advice, but could use a more specific question.

I've taught both places. Lived in Taipei - loved it - had a great time saved US$800-1200 per month.

Worked in Bangkok and Phuket - made about as much as I saved in Taiwan. Very difficult to save much if anything in Thailand (my opinion).

I like Chinese culture and really enjoyed that aspect of Taiwan, but I think most people (including me) prefer the more kick back and gentle nature of the Thai people.

The weather in Thailand is a little less extreme. Though I kind of enjoyed the typhoons and earthquakes of Taiwan - it was kind of like a roller coaster ride.

[Gstyles]

Thanks,


I remember Taiwan was pretty casual, the lesson plans weren't rigid and there was lots of room for me teach as I wanted, also are there any dress codes for teaching in Thailand?


Cheers,

[Sheep-Goats]

Thai people are friendlier and the foreigners there are higher quality. Also, the Thais don't have that Chinese predilection to cheat foreigners to the degree the Chinese (or Taiwanese) do. Salary is about half.

Also, a great majority of the work in Taiwan is with little kids. In Thailand you can avoid that without too much effort.

Dress codes in Thailand are as strict as any country in the world for a teacher -- long sleeved shirt and tie, even if you're teaching primary school. University staff are expected to wear white shirts only, but foreigners can sometimes get away with not doing so (at the cost of rubbing all the Thai around them the wrong way).

Teaching in Thailand is better work, as well. You're given more freedom as to your classes than you get in Taiwan and business concerns enter the classroom less frequently because the Thais aren't as greedy as the Taiwanese (and have more cultural reverence for teachers).

Bars and other lifestyle things are much more affordable than in Taiwan.

Basically, Thailand is better in all respects, apart from savings. Most teachers can't save anything in Thailand (I saved about 300 to 400 USD a month, but had a better job than most and am young enough to still be happy with a studio apartment and other less-than-par amenities) while even the lowliest screwups here in Taiwan ususally manage to sock away 500USD a month.

Thailand is worlds hotter than Taiwan, except for during August.

Less Canadians in Thailand and more Brits, if you care about that kind of stuff.

[sigmoid]

[tedkarma]

Everyone's experiences may be different.

I taught only adults in Taiwan (taught at a junior college).

No one told me how or what to teach - total freedom.

I never experienced being cheated by the Chinese people.

My fellow educators in Taiwan were of no higher or lower quality than those in Thailand. Perhaps higher - I ran into no one there with false credentials.

I found the Taiwanese people to be extemely friendly and helpful. No more or less so than Thailand. They are not as happy or smiley (sp?) as Thai people - very true - as they are quite focused on business and making money (I have no problem with that). But I had people come up to me and offer me their business card and say if I ever needed any help - to call them - that they had gone to school in my home country and been helped and wanted to return the favor. Unusual, but happened twice. Hard to beat it.

Taiwan is more expensive - but then you're making much more money.

[Miyazaki]

Strong points of each country as I see them:

Income: Taiwan
Dress Code: Taiwan
Food: Thailand
Pubs: Thailand
Freedom to Teach what/how I want: Taiwan
Girls: Thailand
Access to Nice Beaches: Thailand
Acess to N.E. Asia: Taiwan
Friendly Locals: Don't know - both can be very odd, rude or friendly
Visa Flexibility: Taiwan
Illegal Work: Thailand
Culture: Taiwan Chinese Culture
Best City: Bangkok

I have personally met people who have told me they hate Taiwan and those who are currently in Taiwan who say they didn't like living in Thailand - Ted is right. No one seems to have the 'same' experience.

At any rate, I chose to work in a higher-earning country and sometimes take vacations in Thailand - that's what works for me.