Job Discussion Forums

Shelynn · Joined: 20 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Hello,

Has anyone worked for Sesame Street English (An-An Liberal Arts/Science Program Short-Term Busiban, in Hu-Wei) or one of the Shane English School's outside Taipei centre?

When given the option, which school is more favorable to sign a contract with?

Which school is more reputable and trustworthy?

Has anyone lived in Hu-Wei? What's it like? Is there enough to do?

Sesame pays in cash with a receipt. Is this common? (Shane pays directly in to your bank account).

Is Taipei fairly safe (as long as you aren't naive)? What are the most common crimes? (mugging..., etc.)

Has anyone worked with Director of School, Sarah Chen, from An-An Liberal Arts/Science Program Short-Term Busiban? She seems very helpful. Has this been your experience?

How do you like living just outside Taipei? I read it's easy to walk to the mountains for a morning hike. Is this true?

Has anyone used the banking payroll system? It seems fairly safe since the school does not make you pay back hours if they run short, but you always get a monthly payment.

Is the bus/train/subway system signs only in Madarin Chinese? Is anything in English?

Shane English school offers to help find an apartment, and I would like to share with at least (1) other person to cut down on rental costs. Is it difficult to find a house-mate who is also a TESOL teacher?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

All my best,
Shelynn (U.S.)

steve_c · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Shelynn,

I'll comment only on the questions that I have some experience with.

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

I worked for a small sesame in the county (very laid-back, almost too laid back, no contract, no micro-management) and I left for a job at a "proper" school. I am now kicking myself everyday for being so stupid, and I am close to crawling back on my hands and knees and asking forgiveness from the Sesame.

But, I am not sure how the vary from branch to branch. Just because they share the same name doesn't mean they will operate like they are the same company.

Kirkpatrick · Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 205 Location: China

They are both Shyte!!!!

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

phdinfunk · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 69

I am working at a Shane franchise... it's not part of Shane main corporate chain. There are two very experienced teachers working here, who have tought in other countries as well. I'd say a good sign for any school is if the teachers are renewing contracts (compared to saaaaaaay, Uncle Sam School where plenty of them don't finish their first contract).

Also, the franchise schools vary a lot. Frankly I like the setup at my franchise school a LOT more than the main corporate schools. Stuff is more flexible, chances abound to get paid more (even a reasonable amount byt Taiwanese teacher standards, which main Shane office chain schools don't pay IMHO). Probably I will renew my contract for another year, as opposed to taking one of the several other jobs I've located already... depends mostly on what the management is willing to do in terms of pay, but believe me, if I didn't really LIKE my job, I'd just go somewhere else (hey, they hired an American, and that's the facts of life so far as I'm concerned).

I guess some of the franchise schools could possibly be worse than Shane Main as well.. and I don't think Shane Main is all bad. The pay caps would probably prompt me to look elsewhere and not consider renewing... might even be tempted to ditch my first contract..

--Jonathan