Job Discussion Forums

bridgeface22 · Joined: 09 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

Helloo Everyone!

I am a 22yr old Canadian girl with a B.A in English and am planning on heading to Taiwan in mid-November to teach English. I am also a rookie at this whole teaching English overseas thing and would really appreciate some advice from more knowledeagle teachers in Taiwan, like yourselves Smile

I have recently been offered a job teaching with KNS in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and was wondering if any of you have worked with the company or have heard any reviews from others working with them.

I had originally planned on flying into Kaohsiung and finding a job myself, but I had heard one great review about this company from a friend and thought I would apply.

The contact seems decent:
The pay does not seem like the best out there, especially when you compare it with the offers in places like, South Korea.
-its a full-time, 12mnt contract working 30-32 hrs a week monday to friday from 2:00pm-9:10pm. I am told it's a set schedule and unless I am very eager, there are no overtime hours.
-I would be teaching classes alone, with 8-10kids from kindergarten to grade six.
-the salary is:
first two months: 570NT/hr
after two months: 585NT/hr
and at the end of my contract I receive a bonus extra 30NT for every hour I have worked.
They do not pay for accomodations or offer any housing allowance, but do help you in finding a place to live.

I realize that this is not the best paying job out there, but if they treat their employees well and if the quality of life is great (instead of HATING where I work) then I can live without an extra grand in the bank. Know what I mean?

So thats why I would really appreciate any feedback from any of you who know anything about this company or have experience teaching in Taiwan.

BJ · Joined: 03 Dec 2003 Posts: 173

That is a normal Taiwan type contract/pay. It is very rare, think 99.9 percent rare for accomodation/flights to be paid for.
If you are signing a contract from overseas working for a chain school they pretty much all have similar conditions and pay.
Higher paid jobs tend to be less hours or no work visa, out of the way places etc

dreadsword · Joined: 05 Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Winnipeg, Canada

Yo! Moving from Winnipeg in January. All of your numbers look in line with me, though it seems that teaching kindergarteners is illegal --- so watch your back. I'm not sure if its one of those "illegal but everyone does it" things or "illegal and you're going to get deported."

Or, for all I know, legislation has changed.

Anyway, happy trails! Be sure to post your experiences when you get there...

BigWally · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 4:24 am Post subject:

There is no Kindy at KNS. I've been working there for close to 14 months now. Do a search for KNS, I've made extensive postings about KNS, and the upside, and downside of working for them.

I'll forward/PM you a message that I made for another poster a few months ago.

pest2 · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 170

One thing about KNS is that they may not want to hire you if you are Asian-looking. Had a friend who was almost hired until they saw her photo and realized she is a Australian born Chinese.

BigWally · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 2:27 am Post subject:

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

BigWally · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:43 am Post subject:

PM sent. Enjoy.

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Read and appreciated.

Wink

emily478 · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 4

Hey hope Big Wally's pm helped you. It was the deciding factor for me and my boyfriend to come to KNS. I think the best part about Kaohsiung and KNS is the great people you will meet. Hope you put up a post and let us know what you decided and if you know which one you'll be working at.

Good Luck

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

A friend of mine was just hired by them and will be starting in November.
We haven't been offered positions by KNS yet but would definitely take it under consideration if we were.

demaratus · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 38

KNS is a decent place to work. I know lots of people who have and some who continue to work there. They are a pretty standard Buxiban, and like many chains I think that some locations will be better than others, ( I believe the location off Benguan road was a good one). Either way KNS isn't bad at all.