Job Discussion Forums

zandmoloney · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

It's getting very hard to find out real details about life in Taiwan. There always seem to be two sides here, the very negative (teacha, Aristotle etc) or mostly positive (Clark, popfly etc).
It seems to me business in Asia is pretty much the same from country to country, there are snakes and honest business people, you just need to keep an eye out.
Is this a fair assesment or are things really bad in Taiwan? (Serious answers please as that is my preferred destination).

Also, what is my best option, working in a Buxiban or a public school in terms of remuneration/experience?

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

Your best option is working in a buxiban. The pay is better. However, the problems you incur are more numerous.

No, everything is not bad, its just totally different.

The of the reason people tend to beleive things are bad in Taiwan are cultural. It is more difficult to spot a bad business here. By the time you realize you're working for a snake or more likely an idiot you are already under contract and have leased an apartment. You have commited yourself.

You also have to know how to play the face game. This is their island and their rules. They are not going to change just because some foreigner says they don't like something. I find that many FT don't want to play their games. These are not forward thinking people and they don't deal well with problems. Once you understand the people culturally you handle the day to day events and even control some of them.

One of the other down sides currently is the number of teachers applying for jobs. There is a lot of competition.

Your experience in Taiwan means nothing to anybody or any school outside of Asia.

zandmoloney · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

Girl scout, I think I understand the 'face' situation after my time in China, culturally I think I should be ok.
You suggest there is a lot of competition, will I be able to get a decent job with experience (a year) and qualifications (CELTA and BA)?

teacha · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 186

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

There are very few real native English teachers here.

Most are just 'fakes' or 'frauds.'

Where else can an uneducated, pot head walk in off the street and be hired right off the bat without any experience or training?

Taiwan is the the land of plenty for odd ball, undeducated and even criminal native English speaking expats.

And the real shocker is that this government tolerates it!

Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429