Job Discussion Forums

[pest2]

Hi, Im writing this post for a friend. She wants to know if there are any jobs for people who:

1) Are from a native English speaking country and use English as a native language and
2) Have Chinese parents and look Chinese and
3) Speak Mandarin fluenty and
4) Have several years' experience teaching English and a TESOL degree...

We've heard its difficult for Chinese-looking people in Taiwan to get jobs... is it true?

Do any places hire teachers who speak both languages?

[MomCat]

Can't speak for the rest of the island but I do know "Chinese looking" teachers, here in Hsinchu, that are working in schools as native speakers. I'd suggest your friend not tell any potential employer that she speaks Mandarin. The less Taiwanese she appears the better. This can be in dress, personality, height, hairstyle, anything.

Unfortunately, I've only seen this pulled off by males. The ones I know have the ability to walk into a classroom and everything about them screams, "I'm from the West!" And they teach adult classes. But that's what I teach so maybe I just haven't met anyone who's Chinese and teaches kids as a native speaker.

Cat

[pest2]

OK, I was asking partly because in Korea, where I live now, there are some positions specifically for people who are western -- ie native speakers -- and of Korea ethnicity and heritage and who speak Korean fluently. Some directors want these people because they speak both languages fluently and also have western culture influence, etc...

[MomCat]

This discussion might be helpful.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=47315

[StayingPower]

Pest2,

I've experienced ABC's and CBC's teaching at almost every job I've held here. I worked for HESS where they had ALOT of ABC's and CBC's. Some were good at Mandarin, others just wanted to learn.

So YES, there are definitely jobs here for your friend and in fact, I'd think she'd be welcomed. As to speaking Mandarin, I don't think they really mind although if she wants to get a job teaching TOEIC or something, they might.

[lou_la]

Although I wouldn't champion it's location, there's a school here in Taoyuan that specifically wants NSTs that can also speak Chinese. It's called EZ English (Clever eh?!), I think their website is www.ezenglish.com, or something like that. They pay 800NT an hour too, even for new teachers, which is mighty nice.

I'm sure there must be plenty of other schools like this around.

[SanChong]

There is no question that it's much harder to find a job here for ABC's/ CBC's. It's one of the dark sides of Taiwanese culture that is really difficult to understand. However, it is a fact of life here. Many schools (most, actually) won't hire native English speakers of Asian descent.

In this sense, Hess is clearly an exception and deserve a lot of credit.

[BigWally]

had a really nice ABC sub at my school today...he taught one of the older classes (11-13) with some girls in it who were just losing their minds about him and how cute he was....hahaha....maybe thats why they're picky about hiring, keeps the kids focused with us ugly whities in the room

[pest2]

Thanks for the help everyone!