Job Discussion Forums

[Ramalama]

Hi guys, I was hoping I could get some advice from others who are a little more experienced in this field.

I just graduated from university, and really want to teach english in Taiwan for a year or two before I submit myself to the grueling world of law school. But I'm apprehensive about going abroad because job security seems very unstable. Or at least that's how I percieve it. I'm ethnically Asian, born and raised in Canada. From what I've read and have been told, I won't be seen as a 'Westerner', and as a result, I'm not considered as an ideal candidate for teaching positions in Asia. Others on this forum have commented that it's not impossible for Asian-born-Canadians to find teachings jobs, but it will take a lot more time finding a receptive employer. Does anyone know where my best chances of finding employment are? I've asked some people, and all they've told me is, "Just look. You'll find something sooner or later". Not the kind of advice I was looking for. Surely, someone must have first hand knowledge of a school or region, etc, that doesn't care about the teacher's ethnicity. I'm aware of the fact that I can't avoid this kind of discrimination, but a little heads up would be nice.

Moreover, what's the deal with agencies like HESS, Berlitz and AskNow? I applied to a few through my university and never got a response from any of them, even though they state quite clearly that they contact everyone who submits an application (maybe they threw my application out after realizing I'm Asian?). I was under the impression that they recruit you for a job through the hiring school, and essentially take care of you in terms of the apartment, insurance, etc. I was excited because it sounds like job security, right? But when I called the head office of one of the agencies to inquire further, I was told that I'm not exactly guaranteed a job per se and because many of the schools have certain expectations (physical appearance of English teachers...), I may face some obstacles in finding a job.

Confusion ensues... what's this all about? Can someone who's been recruited through these agencies comment further on how the process actually works?

Thanks.

[flapjack]

Sad but true, it will be tough for you to get a job here. I have met and worked with 2 very qualified ethnic asian teachers here over the past 5 years. One guy was Taiwnese and was born here but spent many years in america. They let him teach 3 and 4 year olds, because he knew their language and could explain things to them. Higher than that he did not rise. The other asian guy I knew was born in India. He finally gave up and started a restaurant here.

Of course its just my personal experience. Perhaps there are others who have done much better.

I think people have some kind of psychological barrier to asian faces teaching English in asia. Most companies don't want the hassle of proving your abilities.

I hope this doesn't discourage you. And I hope you can find some morre encouraging stories out there. Teaching English in a foreign country can be a wonderful experience. Perhaps you should ask the same question in the Thailand forum, that was my favorite place to teach.

Take care

[markholmes]

I worked for www.kojenenglish.com(mayne.tw on the end). They had loads of CBCs and ABCs

[flapjack]

Glad to hear that Mark,
I haven't worked with that company.
Take care

[Toe Save]

I can see this as a justifiable fear. There are plenty of businesses that just want the standard image of an American. They are out there. So avoid them. Every place I've worked in the past 5 years has had people of all ethniticities working there. We just lost a lovely lady to missionary work who was SABC. In the last job, my most successful hire was a young Californian Chinese kid. Wall Street promoted a TBT (Taiwan born Taiwanese) to the rank of Foreign Teacher. Twice.

KoJen has an abundance of alternately-raced workers thriving within their system. I think being in the visible majority is a leg-up in the job searching arena. You won't have to look hard to see the discrimination and thereby, know it's time to cut and move on to the next English store. Who wants to work for someone so mercenary as to believe that skin tone is more important than accent tone? Frig those folks.

I remember visiting a school I had been considering working at
here in Muzha. I was living in Hsin Chu at the time. I travelled up here with a young gal from Ontario, Canada. 3rd generation Canadian, just like me. Exactly the same amount of English preaching experience. 1 week.

We visited the school. I was offered enough hours to make 130,000/month. They told her they'd pay her 35,000 for the same schedule.

I never replied to their offer.

Now, as I said, teacherskinning does exist. I'd like to offer this nugget up for debate. Does it exist mostly in the ESL Stores that cater to kids? I don't see it as being that much of a problem in the adult stores. So, can we assume it is ignorant parents that are tipping the market so?

I also think that there are some chicken little types running around some of these boards claiming the sky is falling on black people. Or fat people. Or old people. Or gay people. Or cat people. Or Peruvian people......

My point is that there is employment out there for the right personality. If you are an agreeable person with a desire to share your knowledge-base, punctual and presentable....then there's work aplenty, regardless of race, creed, color or sexual orientation. But some folks prefer to blame the culture rather than their obese, disagreeable selves.

Food for thought.......

[trukesehammer]

Hmmm, discrimination against Asian --and other non-Anglo English teachers-- in Taiwan.

As for me, I'm an American Indian / Micronesian mix and I've never had any trouble. Then again, I've been running the PhD hamster wheel, so what the heck do I know?

--Which brings me to a related question which I ought to put in a different thread. Something about PhDs being able to walk on water here in Asia. Stay tuned...

[Ramalama]

Thanks for the words of advice guys.

How many of you went to Taiwan seeking a teaching job? Or rather, how many of you just went to Taiwan, got off the plane and hit the pavement looking for a teaching job? While that sounds like it could be fun, it neither fits my kind of lifestyle or personality. And quite frankly, I'd probably be shitting bricks if I were to ever attempt something like that. What I would really like is to secure a teaching job with a company before I ever arrive in that country. For instance, I'm hoping Hess takes me on because they have a pretty nice 'package' - paid airfare, apartment, severance, training, no teaching experience necessary, etc.

But what happens when I get there, and for whatever reason, the hiring school doesn't want me anymore? I would hate to be stranded, especially in a foreign country, with no place to go. Who exactly do I sign the teaching contract with? The agency (HESS, etc?) or the hiring school? And what recourse can I take if I am screwed over?

Thanks again.

[flapjack]

I am assuming you sent your photo along with other documents to HESS.
Whatever school you apply for send your photo. If they don't accept you on the base of your ethnic background, you don't want to work for them anyway.

I have never worked for HESS so I couldn't say about them specifically. I have read their contract and think it's fairly iron clad. But you should get advice from people who have worked from them.

As for me, I didn't just step off the airplane and look for a job but had a contract with, "Jumpstart", they were very good to me and I had my own class for one year with very few problems.

As far as all your other questions I can't say if the "Sticky" on "Know Your Rights in TW" covers it, but it would behoove you to read it.

Good luck with your search,