Job Discussion Forums

strangelove · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 26 Location: Formosa

Hi,

I am looking to jump into the English teaching gig in Taipei. However, I am trying to decide if I should do some TEFL certification course (specifcally the Boland course in Suzhou) or just go with one of the big outfits that give you some training, hand holding, etc. I am not considering the kindergarden thing... looking more at older kids, adults.

Any thoughts? I was thinking that a course might give me some more flexibility in starting out in TPE. I was also thinking that the TEFL training might be somewhat more useful than the training at the big chain schools, but I am just guessing. Obviously there is $ out of pocket to do the course, but I am thinking I can make up for that by getting paid a little more initially than what the chain schools are offering.

Anyways, I would appreciate any comments one way or the other. Thanks in advance.

Toe Save · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 5:26 am Post subject:

You certainly won't need the course. I completely discount it when I am hiring. I wouldn't pay you more for having it, that's for sure. Nor would I choose a course taker over a person with a year at Hess or KoJen.

Others may vary.

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Extra certification gets you nowhere in Taiwan, and you will talk yourself out of a job if you try to use it to get more pay.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

It doesn't hurt to have the extra training but certainly isn't required by most schools. The training with chains isn't that great. It's more a case of in at the deep end. You learn to swim quite quickly. By the end of a year you'll be doing the butterfly.

It is not beneficial if you are going to teach little kids, as that is mostly game playing (physical education training might be better).

As you want to teach older kids and adults it wouldn't hurt. If you are flush with cash do it, if not.............don't. I still personally favour signing up with a chain for the first year, just to find your feet.

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

I'd say avoid the TEFL cert if what you are looking for is experience that can be used on the ground in Taiwan. You'll only use up money that won't be recovered in wages. These kinds of courses won't teach you how to teach in Taiwan. Strange though it may seem, Taiwan teaching has to be learned. By all means, select a school that provides training. I came here with about 5 years of tesl experience in my home country. I still had to learn how to teach here.

Also, since you mentioned pay, there are a number of factors to consider when calculating pay. How many hours to get through the employer? Is your sched consistently full--do they replace closed classes? Are there extra duties, eg marking, meetings and so on and is this time paid? 800 per hour isn't a lot when you get only 8 hours a week paid and have to spend several more doing unpaid marking. Often the guy with the security of a large company makes more over time--and works less doing it-- than the guy working for the small outfit, despite making maybe 50 nt or so less per hour.

My take on the market here is a newbie with a tefl cert isn't worth any more than newb without one. There are very few employers here who will pay significantly more than the average for FTs but those employers are seeking only the most experienced, long termers out there.

Sorry to be so long winded. In summary, no, don't bother with a tefl for Taiwan. It's not required, is not worth a heck of a lot here and won't function as a replacement in lieu of experience in the Taiwan market.

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

Fully agreed. A TEFL certification isn't required in Taiwan. I'm only aware of one school that requires it. I don't think any other schools even care about you having it.

atiff · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 66

The one big place where a TEFL certification will help you is with actually being able to work in Taiwan in the first place if your degree is not a full Bachelor's Degree. If you have something like an "associate degree" (a two or three year course from some universities or colleges) then you need a TEFL cert in addition to the degree to have your Work Permit application approved by the government. If your degree is fine, a TEFL cert is not necessary and likely not worth the additional investment.