Job Discussion Forums

[rupert shellgame]

1) I am going to buy a one way ticket to Hong Kong that will have an approximately 55 day stayover in Taiwan; I am doing this only in hopes of getting a 60 day visitor visa and avoiding a visa run. My question is, does anyone think this will work? My plan is to cancel the HK ticket.

2) I am going over there to find a job, of course. I have a B.A., almost an M.A., experience teaching Russian language to Americans; I'm responsible, clean, articulate (ha ha), and 30 yrs old. My plan is to arrive, go to a hostel, obtain first a cell phone, then dual-language business cards, and then hit the streets with about 50 copies of my resume. A friend who used to teach in Taiwan said being there in person puts you in a nice position to negotiate a better salary; I was hoping to negotiate about NT$80,000/month, with the usual holiday/vacation/sick time, plus accomodation for a ticket home, and a completion bonus. Dare I say a housing allowance too? I have negotiated with the best of them, and I would think if someone is there and ready to sign a contract, and start immediately, and if there is huge demand, they'd be wise and pay out. What do you all think?

3) It sounds like it gets kind of lonely in Taiwan, and I was hoping to split a flat with some other westerners, but have my own room, my own life, all that. Is there any way to hook that up?

4) I think a lot of people, myself included, romanticize the whole TEFL thing and tend to forget that it's WORK, and not always easy. I have taught before, and I often felt like I went through the mental equivalent of a 6 mile jog at the end of the day. Did anyone get there and say "I CAN'T DO THIS!"? I love teaching, I love kids of all ages, I love adults, and I love crossing the language barrier. But is it ever just intolerable?

5) I have read the extensive posts about drugs, particularly marijuna, in Taiwan, and I can say I have no plans to exercise my right to smoke over there like I do here; it just doesn't seem worth it. But, if I go there in a couple weeks and get the medical exam right away, and it shows in my urine test, am I going to be crucified?

6) I have an irrational fascination with living in Taipei, but I don't want to rule out the smaller towns. I really was considering Hualien, because it looks very beautiful and calm, and I love mountains and ocean (although Lonely Planet says there's not much to do there). I don't speak a word of Mandarin, but I learn languages very quickly. So I am wondering if anyone has any advise for me on that? I'm looking to make a lot of money, work quite a bit, but I would like to meet some Taiwanese people, and really see how they live. Basically I would like to find a balance between big Taipei, that seems like it caters to foreigners, and a village where someone like me will be lost and lonely.

I know some of these repititions--please forgive me. I searched as much as I could! This is a great site and godsend for people on their way over. I can't imagine doing this fifteen years ago without forums to go to.

Also, please forgive me if you see these posted on Forumosa as well.

Rupert.

[Toe Save]

[Dr_Zoidberg]

[rupert shellgame]

Thanks you both for your replies. This is straight-forward, no b.s. advise that I needed.

Dr. Z, you say that the holiday situation isn't good, they don't provide housing, and the completion bonuses or airfare don't exist either; on Dave's international jobboard, they advertise a lot of these--is it all just a lure? or do any of them really come through with this?

I figured that I was setting my goals too high, so I appreciate the straight advise. If they truly need teachers, if the demand is that high, why are they such hard arses about putting out the extra money for a teacher who is there in the flesh?

In light of what you both have said, I'm thinking a good bit of income will have to be from privates. It will have to I think. It looks like I'd only be able to save about $1000/mo. after giving up the 20%, plus apt money.

One more question: is it possible to freelance, and be basically self-employed on a self-sponsored arc?

Last question, for real: what are these people like? I have spent quite a bit of time in Russia; I went there cold, and learned hard and fast. It is a tough, tough place to be (just look at the Russia forums on here) if you don't know what you're getting into. But they are very generous and open people, and amazingling, not too uptight. What are the Taiwanese like?

[dangerousapple]

I don't think there is that much of a demand, actually.

In general there is a seasonal demand for teachers, and we're getting into that time of the year when people start thinking about going home, which opens up a few more possibilities. However, there are a lot of us here now, so there is little to no incentive for schools to offer anything other than a standard salary package plus contract completion bonus (~55-60K per month + ~15K bonus). Airfare reimbursment and paid accomodation is not the norm here, and never has been. As others have said, it doesn't hurt to ask for extras, but don't be too aggressive in your negotiating, or you'll be turned down flat.

As far as being an expert goes, it's difficult for many school owners to tell the difference between a great teacher and a dud. Schools are suspicious, because everyone says they are an expert! If you can sell them on your skills, it will be easier for them to sweeten the deal a little.

[Toe Save]

[Dr_Zoidberg]

[Dr_Zoidberg]

[rupert shellgame]

Thank you all again for you advise. This is painting an interesting picture.

To be completely honest, I am considering setting a crazy goal of saving between $1500-$2000 a month; I live cheap, require little, and can work my ass off, and when I've committed to a goal, I'm pretty unstoppable; as long as it's human possible.

Is it?

I have a friend who is attempting to pass on to me a wealthy client who pays $50/hr. for tutoring his kids. We'll see how that goes. I honestly don't care if it's illegal.

Are we 100% sure that a self-supported arc is not possible? Can't one open their own business in Taiwan?

[dangerousapple]

No self-sponsorship. A foreigner CAN open a business, but there are a lot of hoops to jump through, and most people don't want to go through the trouble. It's easy if you are married to a Taiwanese and can use her/his name!

[Miyazaki]

Don't screw around with backwater Taiwan.

Head to Korea or, if you have the start up cash, get TEFL'ing in Tokyo - that's where the real money and jobs are.

Yes, you can make $80,000 - $100,000 per-month working buxibans. I've done it and many have in their first several months in Taipei.

You have to be a go getter and a drum up the classes - but the work is always there.

[BigWally]