Job Discussion Forums

[bitwizer]

hello all,

I have read some seriously good information on this site, some of it actually making me consider Thailand as an option. I am currently headed to Taiwan to teach in the next month or so and have heard many things about how to teach without a BA. From what it sounds, joining a language school is the best option to obtain a work visa.

Has anyone done this successfully and still had the time to teach and save money? I am a traveller and a survivor but I have never been to Asia and much past simple greetings my knowledge of their language will no doubt be a concern. Joining a course and sticking it out will likely be helpful. Is it worth the trip though? Am I jumping in to a nightmare or a good adventure. My take on it is, there are many teachers working illegally and I always think "if they can do it I can do it". I am trying to pay off a student loan so I may get my BA and I have had many friends go and save a lot of money.

Any information as to the first 5 things I should do when I get off the plane would be helpful. Meeting the people, adjusting to the culture and all of that I am good at. I welcome new culture and would love to stay in Taiwan for a year or two if possible.

thanks

[Okami]

Do not come to Taiwan for culture. This has broken to many hearts in the past. I've seen a lot of disappointed people over this. How much can you respect/idolize a culture that teaches elementary students "Borrow a knife to kill someone" or "Loot a burning house." These are actual Chinese idioms and are taught to elementary students as part of the 36 strategies.

From my understanding and talks with teachers with Thailand experience. It goes, "great place to party, but I wouldn't want to work there."

Taiwan on the other hand is a good place to make money but with little opportunity to spend it on anything worthwhile. It takes about 6 months to get situated in taiwan and start saving money. Some people do it quicker and some people get totally burned by the experience.

You start making your real money after a year here. After a 2 years you learn how to make good money and still have a good life. Joining a language school is the normal way of keeping your visa extended and teaching illegally. Some language schools don't care if you attend, just pay the cash, this is not an option with universities however. You must attend at least 80% of your classes at a university. They also have tests, quizzes and homework.

The best advice in this order

1. Get the longest visa possible, US citizens can get a 1, 3, or 5 year multiple entry visa

2. Have interviews set up before you step foot in the country. Expect for every 10 interviews to see 1 job that is good. Good schools tend to keep their teachers for a long time and most teachers won't leave a good school unless it is for a change in life(i.e. marriage, non-teaching job, starting their own company, or returning to their home country/going to another country)

3. Network- talk to anybody and everybody and keep their phone numbers and names. This is how you get most good jobs in Taiwan.

4. Prepare for the worst. I recommend a 3-6 month emergency fund. That is an amount of money capable of supporting you for 3-6 months. About $3000-6000USD. You have to pay for a lot of start up costs, that you may not have been expecting.

5. Have a plan, you can modify it, but you still need a plan.


If you're a US citizen PM me and I'll let you know how to get rid of those pesky student loans(subsidized only) while your in Taiwan legally. I've been doing it for over 2 years now. My trick is to look the part. The one that never gets asked any questions.

CYA
Okami

[Aristotle]

Do come to Taiwan for the culture. Taiwan is full of culture, specifically Chinese culture. You should however prepare yourself for an eye opening experience. This is not the clean cut, beautiful world of the discovery chanel. It is unedited and unpolished. Taiwan is one of the best places for anyone to learn the in's and down and outs of the Chinese people and their culture.
For the most part, it is not pretty. It is a third world society with first world money.
Come and live the experience.

[WorkingVaca]

I can't understand why people still put Taiwan into the "Third World" category. After teaching ESL in Thailand last year, I give Taiwan high marks in terms of wages, living standards and progress in general. But even Thailand was a paradise compared to its neighbors, and I'm sure Cambodia is the Garden of Eden compared to other Third World countries. Relativity.

Take advice with a grain of salt. What somebody hates about Taiwan, you may find interesting and/or even enjoyable. Personally I don't find Taipei to be the most exciting place to visit (let alone live), but I'm here to learn Mandarin and save some decent money teaching ESL. I also consider it a launch-point for a long-term visit to China in the future. And the quality of life is quite decent (by my own standards).

bitwizer, it's very possible to take Chinese classes for your visa, and still have time to work and save money. Most of the schools that pay under-the-table do so because they can't provide you enough hours, so you will very likely be running around between 2-3 part time jobs for cash. Also, depending on the Chinese school you attend, be prepared to make frequent visits to foreign affairs to extend your visa, and show that you have enough income sitting in a bank account to support yourself.

I believe Tamkang and Shida get their students ARCs (alien resident card), but then you won't be able to take a legal job even if you wanted. CLI and TLI simply help you get a longer visa that you can extend periodically (every month I think) at the FA office, for a fee each time. I'd recommend that route, in case you do get a B.A. and decide to get a legal job.

[scot47]

Seems some people react negatively when Taiwan (or wherever) is not like their stereotype. They saw a film aboyt the place and now......

The "real" Taiwan smells funny and the people don't understand my language and the food is not like it was back home.

Don't expect the world to be like Kansas or Southend. That is what it makes it exciting ! And dangerous !

[beenthere96-2005]

[Dr_Zoidberg]

[creztor]

Can we please let a 7 year old thread just die?

[MrMrLuckyKhan]

[Jared]

[beenthere96-2005]