Job Discussion Forums

hoshi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Location: Minnesota, USA

Hi everyone. I've been reading your posts and have found the info very helpful so far. I was just wondering if any of you know about Reach to Teach? I've seen some ads from them and would like to know what the veterans think. Are recruiters worth it or should I just search on my own?

If you want to know my credentials before answering, here they are: B.S in Physics, TEFL certification, and 1 year teaching in a bi-lingual school in Mexico. Thanks!

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Do a search for 'Reach to Teach' and all will be revealed.

hoshi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Location: Minnesota, USA

I actually tried that already (yes, a newbie used the Search feature), but all I get is either a blank page or no results.

I'd appreciate some feedback here.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Search 'reach' and select Taiwan forum. I just got a whole bunch of hits, this very thread being the top one. Don't search teach, as theis word is written in nearly every thread.................ever.

Sorry, not trying to be annoying. I have no info myself on Reach to Teach, but there have been a whole heap of threads on them.

cspitzig · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 56

In defense of hoshi, searches on forums usually seem unreliable. I tried a couple of combinations of reach to teach before I thought of reach. It was the next day before I thought of it.

hoshi · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 17 Location: Minnesota, USA

Thanks, guys. I wouldn't have expected to find anything searching for 'Reach,' but I found a couple threads pretty much exactly answering my questions. I guess starting a thread can be good if only for lessons on using the search feature Laughing

In summary, it sounds like some recruiters are good and some are bad. If you're a first-timer in Taiwan they can be a big help, but there are other ways of finding decent work on your own. It sounds like most people think Reach to Teach is decent. Does that sound about right?

Here are the relevant threads I found in case anyone is interested:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=54137
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=54108

One other question: Why do so many people prefer scooters to motorcycles? Price? Smaller size? (And yes, I did a search for 'motorcycle' Smile

)

Forumosa Maoman · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Lotus Hill

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

I think scooters are far more available. They are certainly more prevalent on the streets. Most foreigners come to Taiwan with no experience of bikes or scooters, so dealing with a scooter, which has no gears and a start button just seems the logical choice.

Also, there is nowhere to put your groceries on a motorbike. On a scooter you have space on the floor between legs. It's about convenience.

Once you have ridden a scooter for a couple of weeks you'll know why.

hunter21 · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

I recently had an interview with a Reach to Teach recruiter and they seem legitimate. Of course I did research before applying to them, as good recruiters seem far and few between.

The interview lasted for about an hour and he asked me some practical teaching and cultural questions to gauge how I could cope and I got the chance to ask questions. If I continue through the process (if they accept me) then they send you information about going as well as giving you available schools and photos, contacts etc for them.

I'm still a little weary (my nature, I guess), but it all seems to be on the up and up. Needless to say I'm pretty excited. Let you know how it goes. But from what I've seen, read and experienced, if you're going to use a recruiter, R2T might be worth considering.

*rereads post and realises it sounds like an advertorial*

hokulea · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

hunter21,

I'll give you benefit of the doubt that you're not an employee.

How much time elapsed from when you sent your CV to when R2T contacted you?

One week? ?

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Hokulea,

I won�t give that benefit of doubt. Guess I�m just sceptical of agencies� tricks, legitimate or not. Instead of �carpe diem�as your biline how about �caveat emptor�?

That said, having absolutely zero experience with the company they appear to be one of the best recruiters to use if you insist on using one.

Just make sure you sign the contract with the school ONLY.

hokulea · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

Ki,

I sent an application to them and so far no acknowledgment from them to me at all. I am non-white so maybe this is a problem.

Anyway, I'm sending out resumes to other companies and other countries.

My first choice was Taiwan but would want to have a job offer before arriving. If more of my Taiwan applications don't respond then it will reaffirm the wisdom of 'job before landing'.

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Hokulea,

The white-bias is evident in Taiwan and you will encounter problems, recruiter or not. But it is not impossible. If you come here first and blow them away with an awsome demo it will be best.

cspitzig · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 56

I applied to them this week, and already have a phone interview set up for next week.

surrealia · Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 241 Location: Taiwan

I would also recommend not working with a recruiter. Most teachers I know who got their jobs through recruiters told me that it was not a good experience.

Try this site for some articles that will tell you how to get a job without going through a recruiter:

http://www.geocities.com/allhou/taiwan.htm