Job Discussion Forums

[anthonyp83]

Hey all,
I'll be heading to Taiwan or South Korea this summer to begin teaching English. I am quite new to this, so I have a couple questions I hope you can help with. My first choice is Taiwan, because I've heard better things, and it seems like a better jump point to other parts of Asia. Furthermore, I'm an avid surfer, and I understand there is some surfing along the East Coast. My research has led me to believe that the best place to teach and surf would be Yilan. So I was wondering if anyone can tell me what life is like living/working in Yilan city/county, and to be more specific if anyone knows how the Hess branch is in Yilan?
Is there a good amount of foreigners in Yilan? I'm not too worried about a pulsing night life, but I would like some people around I could relate to, maybe have some good conversations with.
Also, in regards to Hess, is it possible to take the minimal contract and find a second job? Or is it wiser to take the bigger contract for stability?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Darotker]

[anthonyp83]

I've done lots of research, and I'll admit, there is lots of negative feedback about Hess. However, there is also lots of feedback saying if you have absolutely NO teaching experience then Hess is a good option. I would like to work for another school, but I don't even know how to get started, I'm not even sure how to plan a lesson!

[Ferfichkin]

Hey Anthony,

I just thought I'd give my two cents about HESS; you can take it or leave it. I worked at HESS for a year in Taipei, and I can honestly say that I have very little overly negative things to say about them. They're not perfect, but, in my opinion, they're not what people make them out to be on these message boards either. I received some training, not amazing, but better than nothing for a new teacher. I received structured lesson plans; some of which were a bit shoddy, but again, in my opinion, better than nothing for a new teacher fresh off the plane. Everyday I came to work, taught my lesson, and then went home. I didn't have anyone breathing down my neck telling me what do to, and I never felt a 'Big Brother' kind of atmosphere at all. I worked at 3 different branches every week, and I subbed at many kindergartens, and I don't know, but they were all fine for me.

I think a lot of the negative stuff you hear about HESS comes from all the cry babies who work there. And since HESS hires more people than anyone else; it has a higher number of crybabies. I worked with so many people like that. They whined about everything. Most of them were young and had very little work experience. Or is was their first time away from home and daddy's credit card, and they freaked out that HESS actually expected them to be responsible and do a decent job. They would come to work 5 minutes before class completely unprepared, teach a lazy, garbage lesson, and then afterwards would bitch about HESS and accuse them of being a bunch of unreasonable slavedrivers. I'm telling you, I met a lot of people like that, and I'm sure they have computers with access to the internet and websites like this one. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, take some of what you hear about HESS on Dave's with a grain of salt because, it seems to me, a decent portion of it may being coming from people who would have complained even if they had been given a corner office and their own secretary.

Now, by posting this I'm not trying to say that HESS is the greatest cram school in Taiwan, it's not. And I'm also not saying that you couldn't find something better, because, I agree with Darokter on this one point, you probably could. All I'm trying to say is that, in my opinion, HESS is not what it is often made out to be on these boards, and, for a new teacher with no experience, is a decent option.

Anyhow, you can take it or leave it. Good luck.

fich

[BJ]

Well said Ferfichkin, If you look at my posts on Hess they are similar to yours, but only second hand reporting as I never worked for them. My GF did for 1 year, Was never paid late, always had over 20 hours a week, and got on very well with nearly all of her co-teachers. Also worked at several branches as and when they had extra hours.

This meant I came into contact with several people who worked for them for several years, All had the same impression, some bad points, but in general the things that mattered, pay, getting on with other coworkers was fine. The bitch was always the same, preparation time, and working the HESS teaching system.

There are better schools out there, but there are also some worse ones, as a starter school for someone never been a way from home, unsure of teaching etc, it is a good way to go. If your sure of yourself, self motivated, have some money to bring with you and have a knowledge of teaching then HESS is not for you.

[anthonyp83]

Thanks for the responses, they are much appreciated. I think I've got a good understanding of Hess now though, so what I'm really looking for is some feedback on the Yilan area of Taiwan... How small is the city? How close are you to the ocean from there (the good beach breaks I've read about)? Is it more or less like what I've read about Hualien? i.e. very small very few foreigners...?
Thanks...

[Ki]

Yilan is not on the beach like the job ads claim but some 20 km away if i can remember correctly. There's maybe a dozen foreigners that live there, one third working for the one school that is De-wey always recruit for.

There are maybe two nightclubs in town, depending on how you classify 'nightclub' and seemingly little to do. Still, it is close enough to Taipei for weekend nightlife and good scenery further south if you have your own transport.

Have never lived there though almost did once.

[matchstick_man]

I used to live in Loudong in Ilan County. There were more than 14 foreigners three years ago so I'd assume there's even more now. There are more foreigners in bigger places obviously.

I used to know a couple of guys who worked in the Hess Branch in Loudong but unfortunately I'm no longer in touch with them. Both of them were mad keen surfers. I was also knew an English guy who surfed every morning.

If you're into outdoors activity and fresh air it's a nice place to live although it can get boring but so can anywhere.

[CamiKay]

Hey there Anthony,
How did everything turn out for you? Are you in Yilan now?