Job Discussion Forums

[reactionary]

I'm looking to teach for a year in Taiwan but I'm mostly running into Hess, which looks and sounds like a newbie mill. I have a year of experience teaching elementary and middle school and a year and a half teaching university aged students.

What kind of hours/pay should I demand? Will it be possible to teach adults or is it mostly the kids industry like here in Korea?

Thanks!

[LKJ]

Hi,

Knowing how contracts in Korea can often be negotiated, I would say that there is much less negotiation when it comes to Taiwan. It tends to be much more of a 'take it or leave it' situation in Taiwan.

The reality is: employers tend to expect more of their employees in Taiwan, and they pay less. Here is your first 'take it or leave it' decision.

I could elaborate on why many teachers still choose Taiwan over Korea, but you didn't ask so I wont bore you.

Hess are a fair school, but they have their weaknesses. Personally, I would not recommend them for a number of reasons, but that is not because they a 'bad employer', but more because their educational system/methodology seems weak and their teachers rarely seem to stay happy, or fulfill their contracts (according to other posters here). This is bad for Hess, the teachers and the students, but they remain the market leader through strong advertising and parental belief (or ignorance as the case may be). Simply put, there are more rewarding and better jobs out there for us teachers.

Teaching kids is the staple in Taiwan, like most Asian countries. Teaching adults is a possibility, but generally the positions pay less (mainly due to the fact there are many teachers that are tired of teaching kids and need a way out).

I hope this helps.

LKJ

[reactionary]

I know I won't make as much money in Taiwan. I'm prepared for that (especially as I'm also looking in Japan.) So "take it or leave it" basically means I'm probably not going to find higher pay for having more experience?

I'm avoiding Hess a bit because it sounds a lot like my first school in Korea, YES Youngdo. The complaints sound really similar, but I guess I could stomach another year of that if I had to.