Job Discussion Forums

[C00LAS1CE]

Graduated college in June, had some things in mind that didn't work out, had ESL in mind as a back-up which I have decided I will go ahead and do now. From the research I've done it seems the overall consensus is that Korea is better for $ while Taiwan is a better place to live. Those are the only two countries I have given serious consideration to, if anyone else has another country to recommend please do and explain why. I have a friend in Taiwan (Changhua) so it would be another reason to consider going there aside from the other positive things I've heard but I am keeping an open mind. Some questions I had:

1) I know some people just take a flight into Taiwan without any job training or anything lined up and just look until they find something. Is it really that likely to find work? I would be worried I fly out there with all my belongings and not be able to find a job (or a place to stay for that matter).

2) Are there any other *reputable* big schools besides Hess that will give you training in the US and line up a job with decent hours before you get to Taiwan? Other schools I know of are Kojen and Joy...there's no contact info on the Kojen site so I'm assuming they want you to already live in Taiwan, looks like Joy is that way too since they have individual job postings instead of job training, flight info, etc.

3) Reading on the forums some people are saying the job market in Taiwan sucks and people aren't getting many hours. If this is true should I go for Korea, or will it be the same everywhere due to the recession?

4) How are the gyms in either country compared with those in the US? I've heard Asians generally aren't into weightlifting...am I going to be able to keep up my regimen? Also, is it easy/cheap to get a cell phone?

Any other insight or advice is appreciated.

[creztor]

My take on Taiwan... I could be wwwrong

1)
I'd line a job up first before I came. I'm sure you'll find work BUT to avoid any late nights I'd find a job before I made the move.

2)
Not sure about who can train you in the US, but the big ones are as you already mentioned, HESS, Joy, Kojen etc. Any school that runs franchises should be fine for someone just coming here. Less stress to worry about.

3)
I've never been to Korea, BUT if you check the Korean job board and compare it to what Taiwan has on offer, it is pretty easy to see that Korea has loads more jobs. I know there is a lot of why this is the case, but what's important is where the jobs are. To me it "seems" as though Korea would be easier to find work in.

4)
I'm not a weight guy but the gym here I go to (and should go to more often ;( ) is very nice, Fitness Factory. However, I've never even looked at the weights section. They changed the law regarding cell phones, because Taiwanese were exploiting it and registering phones under other peoples' names, but it still shouldn't be too much of a hassle. Just not as easy as it used to be.

As above, I just get the feeling that Korea is not only an easier place to find work but it pays more. I've never worked there and I need to do my homework, so I could be wrong. Korean jobs might mean more hours but they do seem to offer free housing and some other perks Taiwan doesn't. Taiwan jobs are usually evenings (mornings also if you don't mind breaking the law and working in a kindy). My 2 cents? Anywhere we go, we're not going to BANK teaching English by working for someone else. There is a difference in pay between Taiwan and Korea, but is it going to make you a millionaire? If you are looking to get the cream and honey, you need to focus on privates/areas where most teachers don't go. What do you want to get from teaching? Is it just one or two years? Are you looking for more? I just woke up after a passport run to Taipei before CNY, so I am very tired Damn midday naps!

[forest1979]

OP - Flying to Taiwan without a job lined up in the present economic climate is a great way for you to spend any savings you have.

Plenty of threads on there are from people already in Taiwan struggling to earn US$1000 a month and basically fighting tooth and nail for full-time jobs. For you to come into this climate unless you are armed with teaching experience in TEFL is a naive course of action.