Job Discussion Forums

[MecMS]

Hi. I am in a pretty specific situation and would appreciate all feedback from the posters in this forum since many of you have experience and insight that I lack.

I have a CELTA and two years' experience at an IH school in Europe. I also have 18 months of EFL teaching experience in the U.S. and other U.S. teaching experience (I am certified to teach Spanish for grades K-12 in my home state).

I received an offer to teach in a public elementary school in Miaoli County. NT $60,890 + NT $5,000 for housing each month, tax-free. Maximum 25 hours per week, have to be at the school 7:30-16:30 M-F.

Does anyone have experience teaching in the Middle East AND Asia (Taiwan specifically)? I have student loans I would like to pay off or make a big dent in, so going to Saudi Arabia would give me more money than Taiwan, but Taiwan has its perks, too (friend's family and sister there, more social life, etc.). I love big cities, so I am concerned that anything other than Taipei will be too small for me with limited opportunities to have cultural offerings, shopping, etc. Am I wrong? Right? In between the two?!

Since this is late in the game and many schools are beginning fall semesters, I don't want to wait too long to make a decision, but I also don't want to settle for something unfavorable.

Does the salary seem appropriate given my qualifications and experience? Does anyone have advice on working in a public school vs. a different setup? Also, I usually like teaching teens the most, maybe young adults second best. That's one more factor in all of this. What is your reaction to what I've written? Is there something more appropriate for me in Taiwan that I should pursue?

Many thanks in advance for all help.

[markcmc]

The offer is quite good. Living in Miaoli is much cheaper than Taipei. 5,000NT would get you a room. For a little more you should be able to get an apartment - but not a new one. Whether you would like living in the countryside, which Miaoli county mostly is, I couldn't know. I lived there for one year. I liked it, but I took the bus to Taipei most weekends to go out. Miaoli to Taipei only takes 1.5-2 hours by bus, and the trip is cheap.