Job Discussion Forums

booklady26 · Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Texas

What can a teacher expect when teaching students in Taiwan? Are there significant behavior issues or are the students mostly hard working and compliant? Asian students in the U.S. tend to be among the most dedicated and talented kids in a classroom; is that true in Taiwan itself?

dangerousapple · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 292

I encourage your daughter to get online and ask some questions herself. I don't think I'm the only one who finds it a little weird that you are doing this on her behalf.

If your daughter is relying on you to tell her if this is a good place to work, then I strongly suggest that she doesn't come over. Taiwan can be a dream or it can be a nightmare, but it is especially hard on people who have trouble doing things on their own.

Not trying to be mean here, but your posts make it look like she needs someone to hold her hand.

booklady26 · Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Texas

Nah. She's super competent and independent. I'm not holding her hand at all. Sorry if you think a mom and daughter who communicate well and work together to get things done during a busy time in her life is "weird". Not that it matters, but I'm totally supportive of her decision to do this and taught overseas myself for 4 years but under different circumstances. We both like getting information from a variety of sources, and she truly doesn't have the time to do it all herself.

Anyway, she's a great teacher and doesn't have any problem maintaining good discipline. We were just curious.

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 4:33 am Post subject:

I have to agree with dangerousapple. You'll notice not many are lining up to answer your enquiries.

Taiwan is good to some, but sh*ts all over others. And Western women seem to have a more difficult time of it here than Western men, generally speaking.

Your daughter should really be researching Taiwan for herself.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

booklady26 · Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Posts: 6 Location: Texas

It's too bad no one wants to actually answer my questions since that could be useful for future visitors to this site. Apparently it is more important to everyone that I am humbled instead of informed, so I would suggest that the moderator simply remove this thread.

If anyone wants to give me any useful information about teaching in Taiwan, please PM me.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Shimokitazawa · Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Posts: 458 Location: Saigon, Vietnam

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Dr_Zoidberg · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 3:30 pm Post subject:

booklady26, as yamahuh noted, we are not trying to humble you. Some of us have a considerable number of years under our belts here in Taiwan, so when we say your daughter should be doing this herself, maybe your daughter should be...y'know....doing this herself.

I've seen many an expat chewed up and spat out by Taiwan over the years, so moving here - even for just one year - is not a decision to be made lightly. If she were to end up in Taipei that would not be much of a problem, but she may end up elsewhere. It's important for her to know exactly where she could end up and all that goes with it.

I offer this one piece of advice for you to pass on: Come to Taiwan with no expectations, and learn to roll with the punches. And remember, everyone's experience is different.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

There's more than one country that will pay your apartment costs for you. Some even pay return flights and utilities on top of that. Plus, instead of earning a 'small living stipend' (as opposed to a small dead one I assume) why not make a reasonable wage for a year?
What is so special about Brazil?
Rolling Eyes

Shimokitazawa · Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Posts: 458 Location: Saigon, Vietnam

Mom,

Why don't you get your daughter to post her questions? I guarantee you that she would get a lot of useful feedback from people here. A lot of these posters have significant experience teaching in Taiwan - and other countries in the region, like Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China. I admit that while many teachers here do not always share the same opinions, they have been here long enough to provide some useful and pertinent information to her.

I think what happened in your posts is that you've ruffled some feathers by coming on here, on behalf of your daughter, to obtain information on working in Taiwan when she could have - should have - done it herself. Most have all taken their knocks and had their ups and downs here with this "career" and chosen lifestyle. As a result, they would have more respect for her (and you) if she did her own due diligence. It would be well worth her time and effort if she plans on living and teaching in Taiwan.

Trebek · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 401 Location: China

I'm agreeing with the rest Momma.

Let your kid live her life and take her falls if she needs to. If she is a Certified teacher in Texas, why doesn't she work there for a couple years in order to get her routine straight?