Job Discussion Forums

Lover · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 86

Jump Start just offered me a position teaching at their kindergarten in Taipei. Does anyone know about them. I am currently living and teaching in Japan, but feel the time has come for a change!
Anyone who has lived in both country please let me know what you think. And anyone who has worked for or is currently working for Jump Start please, please let me know about the working conditions, the management, and job discription.
Thanks aheading of time!

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

I voted for move to Taiwan but don't work for Jump Start for a number of reasons. I worked for Jump Start. The recruitor, I don't want to state her name, but will her initial of her given name so you will know what I state is the truth. Everything L had told me was a lie! I ended up changing jobs! I only started enjoying Taiwan after changing jobs!

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

I have to agree with Stud and so voted to move to Taiwan but not work for Jump Start!

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:24 am Post subject:

Lover, you do realize working in a kindergarten is illegal, don't you?

flapjack · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:10 pm Post subject:

It's illegal to work for Kindy, so if you enjoy jumping out of windows and running down the street to get away from inspectors , have at it. If you get caught you will be deported.
That said, I f you want to come to Taiwan, you will be teaching first graders on up to adults, starting in the afternoons around 3PM and going as late as 9 PM. You might enjoy the change for a while but most people get burned out on TW in 2 years or less. Enjoy the positive things, ignore the negative things , then move on to the next port of call.

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

For those interested in possibly teaching kindy, there are some VERY extensive discussions which took place on the board earlier this year. Just do a search and you will come up with a lot of info.

Teaching kindy is something which a lot of people enjoy and can be fine if you make sure you are at a good school.

Anyway, read the pas threads if you are interested!

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

[quote="Dr_Zoidberg"]Lover, you do realize working in a kindergarten is illegal, don't you?[/quote]

Lover, Dr. Zoidberg is right, 100% right! One of the many lies L told me to get me to go to Taiwan.

flapjack · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006 4:57 am Post subject:

Hi,
I just wanted to say something about my experience with Jumpstart.
I came here with a suitcase and no money. They gave me a job and found an apartment for me, only 5 minutes walk from the school, and would have given me a cash advance but I wouldn't take it.
I had my own class for one year and no complaints from the parents. The kids were great, and their educational program was one of the better ones I have worked with in TP. Perhaps I was just lucky.
Still, that was 5 years ago, I wouldn't dare to work for a Kindy nowadays, no matter what you read about it.

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

It's always interesting to hear different people's takes on the same school.

Like everything else in life, I think it has a lot to do with expectations.

People who come to Taiwan expecting conditions similar to home will generally be disappointed.

People who come to Taiwan expecting to have a unique cultural experience and deal with challenges along the way will often have a great time.

Obviously, not everyone can be broken into those two categories. However, I don't think it's that far from the truth.

Lover · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 86

Dr_Zoidberg wrote:

Lover, you do realize working in a kindergarten is illegal, don't you?

First I would like to thank everyone for their sincere and honest advice. I agree, with the post about the different takes of the same school. Lots depends on the person and of course her/his expectations.

This post is very interesting to me. No! I didn't know working at kindergarten is against the law! What I don't understand is how can Jump Start get me a working visa to work illegal! Question

flapjack when you worked for Jump Start was teaching at a kindergarten illegal? If not when did teaching at a kindergarten become Illegal? And why? Thanks again everyone!

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

Lover do a search for 'kindergarten Taiwan illegal' and all your questions will be answered.

It is illegal in the Taiwanese sense, not the European / North American sense. Lots of people do it, few get caught, a fraction of those caught get deported (allegedly - although after five or six years reading this board I don't ever remember reading a first hand account of a deportation).

Jump Start, like nearly every other school, will get you a work permit for the elementary school which is probably in the same building as the kindergarten.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 3:29 pm Post subject:

Lover, check out this thread

Lover · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 86

Thanks again for all this helpful advice! I never imagined a company would provide a visa for doing illegal work. Crazy! I will check out those sites.

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

Yeah, but as that thread goes into great detail to point out, the word "illegal" doesn't quite mean the same thing as it does in Western Countries...

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:27 am Post subject: