Job Discussion Forums

[mTm]

I'm 28 years old, English (UK) first language, with a degree in mechanical engineering.

My long-term plan is to learn Mandarin in order to broaden my set of skills and improve my employability. My current field of work (arts, specifically theatre) has recently had massive funding cuts, which is why I figured now is as good a time as any to put work on hold, leave the country and study Mandarin.

I can't afford to go to university so have decided to study by immersing myself in a culture where it is the native language, take lessons and practice on a daily basis. I'll fund to myself by teaching English - I have no teaching experience or qualifications but have successfully taught (well, mentored) in my current position.

My questions are:

>> Is this enough to get a job in Taiwan? I've seen "you only need to be white and have a degree" as one school of though, I've also seen "you need a TEFL/TESOL to get hired".

>> Am I daft to be thinking of coming to Taiwan? I visited Taipei in January and loved the place! One's instinctive though (what with my goal being to learn Mandarin) may be to go to China. However, I'm not sure if I'll be able to cope so much with the lack of an ability to queue in shops, hoards of people and overall culture shock of going to China first-off (maybe spending my first year abroad in Taiwan would be a better starting point?). Am I better off going to China (where I've heard it's easier to get a job) and if so, where would you recommend?

>> Will I have an undesirable accent by learning in Taiwan? I see myself working in Europe once I'm bilingual. A Taipei local told me the Taiwan accent is close to the American one when compared to the English one; the syllables are rolled over - does anyone agree/disagree?
[tangent=] Incidentally, this particular gentleman was sat next to me on the plane, saw me reading a guide book and proceeded to write out an itinerary for my trip, recommend places to eat/drink at during my stay and then drive me to my hotel in town. Such a beautiful and hospitable welcome-to-our-country gesture which I'm told is not uncommon. [/tangent]

Thanks in advance.

[mTm]

ps. I don't meant to say that the American accent is undesirable. I'm just wondering if my Mandarin accent was not authentic Chinese, would that hamper my employment prospects?

[yamahuh]

[JZer]