Job Discussion Forums

[jhsu009]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice on my chances of getting a job in Taiwan for this school year. These are my details:

age: 21 years old, recent college grad

degree: BS in Sociology Administrative Studies

nationality: US born and have a US passport, as well as Taiwan passport

ethnicity: taiwanese

Experience: none

I will finish my TEFL course on Aug 5 and am leaving for taiwan near the end of august

I am wondering what are my chances of getting a decent job and what the pay would be like. I would like to live in Taipei or i heard taichung is a nice place to stay too.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :]

[yamahuh]

This probably isn't what you want to hear but I'm going to throw it out there anyways. Taiwanese cram schools pay the 'big bucks' (take that for what it's worth) to Western looking, native English speaking teachers.

Your grammar knowledge and native fluency notwithstanding, the fact that you look Taiwanese (I'm assuming) may mean that you are relegated to the 'native speaker but looks Asian' sub-category. That doesn't mean you won't be able to find a job but it might mean you don't make as much as your fairer skinned colleagues.

Sorry to say, but when it comes to making money and selling a native speaker to a chequebook holding parent, the Taiwanese want a 'western face' and are as racist as they come...

Experience counts for essentially zero here, which is why a no-experience first year teacher can make as much as someone who has been here for 5 years. Mommy and Daddy are paying for someone who looks American to teach their princes and princesses. That means white skin and preferably, blonde haired, blue eyed and handsome / pretty.

It's all about bragging rights and appearances - the concept of 'face' permeates everything...

[jhsu009]

ahaha yeah i already knew that by reading a lot of other posts. but do you know how much i'd get pay though? (after calculating in the fact that im not white )

[creztor]

I know two ABCs that work at the "prestigious" Wall Street International school here and they make a whopping 450NT an hour and are holders of a CELTA certificate. Does this mean you won't make more than this? Of course not, anything is possible. It will be an uphill battle, though.

[yamahuh]

[JZer]

[ptm234]

I think you can find jobs with a decent wage. I'm living proof. There are schools that hire ABCs. I've had schools telling me "we're looking a for a foreign face". It may take some time but you'll find a job that pays a decent wage. Mind you as you don't have experience, you may have to stick it out at a lower wage as there are lots of teachers with experience looking for work. Once you finish your first year, then you can negotiate a higher wage.

It's best if you come to Taiwan and start applying. Email if you have any questions.

[yamahuh]

If you don't mind me asking - how much are you talking about when you say 'a decent wage'?

[jhsu009]

hmm.. im thinking 25,000 usd/year minimum?? but thats like bare minimum. i'd like to make more but i dont have experience :\

just an update:

i decided im just gonna go to taiwan and hopefully find a job. i have family there so at least rent wont be a problem. ill keep this updated on how long it will take for me to get a job

thanks for all the help people

[yamahuh]

Actually my question was intended for ptm234 who stated that he was making a 'decent wage' and is an ABC.

$25,000 US a year = over $2,000 US / month or right around $62,000 NT a month with slight fluctuations depending on exchange rates etc.

If you're really considering that as a bare minimum, you might be disappointed. That is pretty much the average of what a foreign ESL teacher should expect to make without work on the sides doing privates or extra teaching gigs. As has already been pointed out, your ethnicity might put you at an earnings disadvantage and prevent you from making even that 'bare minimum'.

That being said, I wish you well.

[adogadie]

It is really a tough market right now. Not only for Asian Americans, but also for European, Hispanic and African Americans; not to mention the mobs of South Africans here, and most teachers are settling into their job no matter how bad it is. I have never seen this EFL market so competitive with depressed wages. I only hope that the recruiters stay away, because they'll just hurt the regular teachers big time that have been here for a while. I am going to apply for a school down the street from me. My chances of get that job would be impossible if some Recruiter showed up with some young and inexperience teacher or even an experienced for that matter.

Anyway, you will be better off looking for job after you have landed. Make sure you have the right visa, that could save you from taking a trip to Hong Kong or wherever. Good Luck.

[bbc100]

Well, your chances are much higher than me

I'm 24, my ethnicity is Chinese (but not a Taiwan citizen), Nationality: US but I've graduated from a Chinese university.

I find it very difficult if not impossible for me of getting a job here in Taiwan.

[adogadie]

Well, I didn't get the job I wanted. The owner told me to come on Monday. I called her today, she said has already hired some one after their demo. Her excuse for not letting me know as soon as possible was that she left her cell phone in Taipei.

So, OP, you see how fast the jobs get filled around here? You need to come over here and do the foot work, but of course it would be more practical to drive around on a scooter.

And one more thing. If you are given a contract to sign, make sure you look over the details voraciously. Nevertheless, I Loubans rarely enforce them for your benefit, because if they don't like you, they will fire you. Then you will have to run to the local Labor board (assuming you're legally working) and other stuff to get back any money Louban owes you; and especially they have give you the tax forms also.