Job Discussion Forums

babar6789 · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 69 Location: Japan

Hi,
Just got my CELTA, thinking of Taiwan as my first TEFL destination. Here are some questions.

Does anyone recommend it as a destination for a first time teacher?

Don't fancy living in Tapei, any other places worth a shot?

What kind of quality of life can i expect?

Cheers

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:06 am Post subject: Re: Is Taiwan for noobs?

blateson · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144

Bar I think that's a great question. I came here Aug 20, and to be honest I haven't found Taiwan good for newbs, even for a guy having 3+ years of tefl experience in other countries before this one. However I do think your plan to check into one of the medium or smaller cities will be a much better bet as a) I sense they really "need" teachers there and b) it likely won't be so saturated.

But ultimately I would advise you or anyone to trust your gut intuition the most and go in that direction.

babar6789 · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 69 Location: Japan

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 1:04 pm Post subject:

babar6789 · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 69 Location: Japan

Thanks for the advice.

Any idea on how i can get a job teaching adult learners in Taiwan? I was going to go through a recruitment agency called Saxoncourt but it looks like they recruit for primary schools (in Taiwan) and thats not really my cup of tea.

Thanks again, any advice is much appreciated.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:02 pm Post subject:

There are a couple of problems teaching adults exclusively.

First, adults work, so they're only available in the evening. That makes it difficult to turn it into a full-time job.

Second, you're not going to find many adult students in a small town. That means you need to be in the big city.

If you want adult learners try David's English Centre

babar6789 · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 69 Location: Japan

Well i'm sure a mix of teenagers and adults in a medium sized city would be sweet.

You got a website for David's English Centre? I can't find it on google.

Cheers.

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

Are you sure you want to teach teenagers? The education system here sucks the life out of youngsters, and by the time they hit junior high school most of them have turned into sullen little robots. It can be frustrating!

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:27 pm Post subject:

BigWally · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:02 am Post subject:

babar6789 · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 69 Location: Japan

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:17 pm Post subject:

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

Welcome to what it's all about - being thrown into the croc pit with no experience of kids. Most teaching jobs in Taiwan for noobs will be in private institutes or government schools teaching kids. I think many of us started out in such a way. It's part of the learning curve as a teacher.

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

Taipei is a concrete jungle, not an attractive place, but it has more amenities for foreigners, some good restaurants, easier to function without knowing Mandarin, maybe a better social scene, but more competition With other foreigners for work. It also has the most work available, but may be less stable than a small town where you will more likely be appreciated and needed.

If possible, some of the areas on the outskirts/suburbs near Taipei are good places, much nicer in scenery and cleaner air, and only a short trip into the jungle for fun and western stuff.