Job Discussion Forums

[pacrimwanderer]

can anyone recommend any recruiter for the ESL industry in Taiwan?

[NY1203]

Footprints or Reach to Teach I've checked out footprints and it seems they have alot of information. I interviewed with Reach to Teach and they are very nice and supportive, we have been trying to figure out a start date so i havent actually gone out there yet but from someone who has a steep interest in this country and the resources i would say reach to teach is wonderful. Even during my interview about 4 months ago, they were so informative and still keep in touch with me. I just recently got a great job so i havent gone too far with them as far as sending them my information or picking a start date but as i mentioned before they still are keeping in touch and making the process less stressful good luck!

[mariannec]

My experience with Reach to Teach has been great so far; I would definitely recommend them. I do have a question for NY1203, though. My boyfriend and I were accepted by Reach to Teach back in May. We just graduated from US universities and our earliest start date was set for today actually, July 6, 2009. We, however, are on a waiting list and don't have a finalized start date.

I'm just curious, if you wouldn't mind sharing... when was your earliest start date and how long have you been waiting? Or, have you just not picked a start date yet? I know, as you said in your post, that you haven't been following through too regularly, but it'd be nice to hear from someone who has had a similar experience.

Thanks!
Marianne

[NY1203]

Hello,

I actually didnt pick a start date yet but i had originally planned for sometime between Sept-Dec. Right now I am unsure because of my job, i really want to go around february though. I would love to be out there teaching soon! I actually didnt even know they had a waiting list, i applied back in march and they wanted to get me going right away but i changed plans. Hope this helps! good luck!

[mariannec]

Interesting... I guess the market is pretty saturated right now; that's what we've been told. But thanks for sharing and good luck to you, too!

Marianne

[NY1203]

thanks! I'm sure it will pick up for August, thats generally the busiest time. I'm homping that I will be ok for next spring atleast, it kind of worries me to be honest, i really wanna go. Anyways good luck!

[SanChong]

There is no question that the market is more saturated than it was a few years ago. It is harder to just show up and find at job. Certainly not impossible, but there is absolutely a big difference when you compare it to the situation a few years ago.

Coming to Taiwan with a recruiter like Reach To Teach could be a good choice. Just make sure you do your research well and that you choose a reputable organization.

[Nyx]

[john35]

I get the feeling that I'm in the distinct minority here, but Reach To Teach left a bad taste in my mouth. I agreed to take a job at a school called Gram ( Job was arranged on short notice. ) and had difficulties from the get go. These problems arose from my inability to conform to the ridiculous teaching methodology used by Gram. ( I tried to adhere to it, but made errors when they observed me that I couldn't help but make. )

When they told me I was to be fired I was very displeased as I'd paid for my own ticket to Taiwan in addition to first month's rent and so on. I did nothing in my term of employment that warranted early dismissal; termination I was given notice of after fifteen days of work. I asked for assistance from my Reach to Teach recruiter and received an e-mail from him stating that I should plead my case with the Director. My recruiter didn't spend much, if any, time lobbying on my behalf and as a result I got a week's notice to leave a job after two weeks.

I got the impression from my boss at the school that Reach to Teach had very little clout with the school or company. Or perhaps they did and figured I was a malcontent and misfit whose spot could quickly be filled by another recruit. The point is this: Their relationship with an individual Gram franchise was more important to them than my difficulties adjusting to a school; struggles that led to an early termination of my contract.

The experience was scary and somewhat traumatizing. I was fortunate to find a job in Korea after a month spent hunting for work in Taiwan after being fired. I would just like to remind people that Reach to Teach and other recruiters are businesses in a competitive market. Gram wasn't a good fit for me, but I found it disturbing that neither the school or my recruiter could have recognized that my inability to readily conform to a new curriculum wasn't me being a jerk, stubborn , or consciously contrary.

Schools and recruiters will tell you that things take time in a foreign country and you need to be patient. When a school or recruiter shows little patience or empathy with you than a post is warranted.

[yamahuh]

My wife and I had good luck with an independent recruiter called Robert Phillips. He mostly deals with schools in the areas between Taizhung and Kaohsiung I think but he is well connected and can put out feelers for positions in other areas too.

Drop me a PM if you want his personal e-mail.

[jessankney]

My wife and I had good luck with an independent recruiter called Robert Phillips. He mostly deals with schools in the areas between Taizhung and Kaohsiung I think but he is well connected and can put out feelers for positions in other areas too.

Drop me a PM if you want his personal e-mail.

--My husband and I have been working with Reach-to-Teach over the past few months in order to find a position to begin in August. We are not having any luck at the moment and are looking for other avenues...would you be willing to pass along Robert's contact as we would be willing to chat with him and possibly find jobs that way?!?

[JZer]

[jessankney]

JZer

Why do you say that? What experience with R2T do you have? What advice can you give?

[yamahuh]

[yamahuh]