Job Discussion Forums

StayingPower · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 252

Truth is, if you've been around a lot, tasted the good and the bad, YOU CAN SPOT THE LAME-DUCK-SCHOOLS, MANAGERS AND EMPLOYERS, WITHOUT A SECOND GUESS. But here's a lesson.

Korea.

Try your "newbie" comments on those coming from there, and you're apt to lose out any which way you toss the dice of diction here, the 'lame-duck-schools' in Taiwan included. Why?

YOU'VE HAD TO FIND OUT THE ROOTS OF THIS BUSINESS BY THE LESS GENERIC, GRASS ROOTS TYPES OF BUSINESSES AWAY FROM THE BIG CITIES. Here, in Taipei, you've got a mentality similar to those in Busan, SK, and of course, Seoul. Many, many a foreigner here go for the juglar-vein-of 'the big city' Tapei, thinking this'll make them understand the ins and outs. Some feign this as fact, the ins and outs being the rudimentary reasoning and truth behind this business.

Basically, some schools still retain this reasoning devoid of deception, which, I'm sorry to say, is what appears hasn't happened to the teaching clime in Taipei, and probably, a lot of Taiwan.

They've misconstrued the grass-roots mentality this business began from, meaning, they haven't tasted the lack of competitiveness or laxity of living and working in a place that isn't just a name or big chain, even if it is part of a chain. It's one that has rapprochement first, teaching as strictly their main concern, second.

Try me in any matter regarding how many schools I know of in Korea and those which have dwindled as a result of lacking this, and I can tell you how I can determine the outcome of such 'powerhouses' wielding their power like a 'club' here in Taipei, and the thug-like attitude of those they get to wield it.

Therein lies the key. You can spot them in an instant, here and anywhere, because they are powerless

myesl · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 11:34 pm Post subject:

Could you please post in English?

StayingPower · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 252

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

I don't understand it either.

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

Spawn of ChinaMovieMagic and Aristotle

sbettinson · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Taichung

Here is a lesson to learn.

So,you've arrived in Taiwan, find a job and get stuck in. However, you can't figure out why things are done differently here and why they do the things the way they do. Good afternoon and welcome to culture shock.

Things in Taiwan are different, and yes, to many they seem peculiar or perhaps wrong. But then, as a non-citizen of this country and one who is being paid well to teach the children here I don't see why all the complaining.

What it boils down to everyone is this. Personal relationships and how you get along with people. You need to learn very fast that getting annoyed with something and arguing over it is not going to get you too far. I found it strange at first that most people don't question a manager's decision and that to be seen doing so is a bad thing. This is all part of Asia's collectivist culture compared to our western individualist culture and this is where the clash comes in.

The simple truth of the matter is if you don't like it, then leave and find another job or go to another country.

For me, Taiwan works and I don't know any secret recipe for me as to why it does. Perhaps because I find it interesting to learn about why things are done that way and look at them objectively. I think that comes from my mother which I am very thankful for. Having a calm attitude and being seen as an approachable person will get you far and I find that I have been very successful in Taiwan doing that. However, learn when to say no because advantage can be taken by many. You just have to explain that you would love to help, but you can't on that occasion because of blah blah blah (insert reason here.)

Looking at the OP's post, I think the point he is making is that many schools have ridiculous managers and this often creates friction. Would I be right in thinking that being reprocheable you refer to things being harmonious in terms of relationships within the school? i.e. Guanxi and then teaching is second on the list. Perhaps you forgot to slip in money as a close second. Laughing

The second point made is still a reference to Hess from what I gather. These companies that are not just individual grassroot schools, but corporate entities swinging a mighty club to run things because of their size and power in the industry. So, what do you see as a future for the likes of Hess?