Korean Job Discussion Forums

coffeeman · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Location: Korea

Has anyone here taught in both countries? I am wondering how Taiwan compares with Korea?

I read that Taiwan has some serious problems with air pollution. But, otherwise, I've heard mostly good things about it. More variety foodwise I think. Pay is similar to Korea.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

walter235 · Joined: 07 Apr 2011 Location: korea

I lived there 2 years, would never go back. Too hot, crowded and polluted. Driving in Korea is not fun, but it's a nightmare in Taiwan.

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

I ran into a couple of University art buddies on Kho Sarn road in Bangkok. Apparantely lots of the Kho Sarn road crowd works in Taiwan.
It's highly disorganided. The standards are lower and the perks are lower.
You can basically walk out of any job at any time and come back. Very difficult getting a working visa lots of Illegal work.If you were to get the worst of Korea and worst of Japan mix it together you'll get Taiwan.

kardisa · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Location: Masan

coffeeman · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Location: Korea

Wow! Taiwan sounds less reliable than Korea. I mean that working conditions can change on a dime's notice and you just have to go with the flow. Is this right?

Abacus · Joined: 03 Jul 2009

I'm actually making the jump from Taiwan to Korea in the next month or two. And I haven't experienced much of the above while teaching here. But maybe I was just in good situations. Except for underemployment. There are some salaried positions but Taiwan TEFL is mostly hourly employment. And right now at least half of the jobs (probably more) are part-time (14-18 hrs/wk). So Korea ends up paying significantly more because you are on a 25-30 hr/wk contract. And the benefits are virtually non-existent in Taiwan as mentioned (decent national health insurance however).

But I have loved my time in Taiwan and at least 95% of my students. I would love to stay but I have to think about my financial security. And I'm kind of interested in exploring Korea.

If you do come to Taiwan be sure that you are here at the beginning of July because a lot of buxibans operate on a semester system and that's when jobs are available (starting in August).

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

I should add that Taiwan is where I would most want to be (lots of local friends from high school and uni), but the finances don't work particularly well. Here I can live well and save, there I could live okay and scrape a bit while constantly being concerned about losing classes.

ZIFA · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 9:05 am Post subject:

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

I left my 1st Grade Formosa Bunny Gang behind...Good Christ save 'em all best most gentle class I ever had maybe because they were most all farm kids...I don't know - none of them had any clue about Christmas ( I Had to work on Christmas) But, the small matsu sea goddess idolaters were best behaved students ever - and I have taught 1st graders in Korea during 'English Camps' too.

I was a badmass Public Sk00L teechuur in Formosa though cuz I have rad credits and licensees to English ILL like dat - but you may be unable to bag a legal Public Sk00L job like me if you ain't got all dem high flalootin documents too. I like Formosa food- but the roads are more crowded- even way out in the countryside you have a lot of cars. I might go back if I can land a public school job in Kenting (the beach place) but I do not even know if they have teacher spots there for ESL.

I was making around 2,100 US a month or so- I forgot- Korea is better pay I am thinking I hgad a brand new apartment in a college style dorm with most all students in it - rent was like 130 dollars a month and I pnly had to pay a lump six month sum - like mmm 800 dollars or so - like I had to pay for 6 months rent ahead.... anyhow I lucked out with the place as it was brand new built but I hear nasty stories of old apartments there that are tropical and come to live with you too. I can not speak for all the recruiters at this palce but the Dewy International guy helped me get the visa and place when I came and was helpful enough but like I said there is more than one recruiter with that company but they seemed pretty legit.

though I have never taught in a Uni job on the isle so maybe that level is the same - but right right it seems a lot of guys (not me I had a cool contract) are illegls there... I heard of one Dutch guy who got settled there was teaching English and left after 7 years with his visa being around 6 years expired.... I think he just got fined a 100 dollars or something -funny.... But looking at the job set up it lloks like you make around 2 million won a month in a regular TW job and maybe 200,000- 900,000 thousand won more in KOrea dependent on ur job here of course... but the capital of TW is cooler than Seoul (I think) but not safe to ride a bike in - but seoul is most all bad to ride in too

isitts · Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Location: Korea

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

So, the real question is how do university jobs compare to each other between Korea and Taiwan.

shifter2009 · Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Location: wisconsin

yeah, my friends there say similar stuff. The work situation isn't nearly as nice but they generally prefer the people and the culture.

young_clinton · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

You have to be licensed to teach English in Taiwan public schools. Sounds absurd for a job that is relatively low paying. If I have to get a license i might as well try to find a job in the USA. That is if I can still find a teaching job there.