Yes, I’m also looking for information about American Eagle, Fusing branch, Taipei. I"m in negotiations with Nora Hsu and a Maggie.
I just want general information on the school and over-all environment.
Sorry I couldn’t find the posting button for “new topic” and had to post a reply to get on the forum.
Private messaging welcome, too.
Thank you.
I wanted to write a quick post regarding American Eagle since I have about 2 months under my belt so can at least shed a dim ray of light on the subject… I’m at a VERY new branch in Toufen. Very small town in Miaoli County and, coming from more than a decade in Chicago and a few years in San Francisco, it is definitely quite a change. But that is for another thread.
The director at my school is relatively young (33 i think?), but very professional and well-educated. Fortunately for me her English is exceptionally fluent which I think probably alleviates some frustrations that could arise otherwise. I’m working on my mandarin, but it is a work in progress which i think will continue to be a work in progress for some time. Sure, there are some things that we’re just doing by trial and error, but we’re in it together and i really do feel like a colleague rather than an underling.
The corporate headquarters are in Hsinchu and I have been there a few times for trainings and will be there in 4 weeks for some more, and in my limited experience I found the entire operation to be quite efficient, modern and clean buildings, decent lesson plans, and the higher-ups i’ve met seem to be approachable and down-to-earth.
I’m not a doe-eyed naive guy here, either… yes, i’m new to the ESL scene, but at 37, i’ve had my share of jobs and i can definitely say that i feel STRONGLY, based on what i’ve read and heard first-hand, that I think i’m fairly fortunate in my position. Yes, I have heard that perhaps i make a LITTLE less money than what others make in similar positions, but as a newbie i don’t feel exceptionally entitled to the highest payscale immediately, and i also have a really great arrangement for my housing so i probably come out ahead anyway.
[quote=“bjorkchicago”]I wanted to write a quick post regarding American Eagle since I have about 2 months under my belt so can at least shed a dim ray of light on the subject… I’m at a VERY new branch in Toufen. Very small town in Miaoli County and, coming from more than a decade in Chicago and a few years in San Francisco, it is definitely quite a change. But that is for another thread.
The director at my school is relatively young (33 I think?), but very professional and well-educated. Fortunately for me her English is exceptionally fluent which I think probably alleviates some frustrations that could arise otherwise. I’m working on my Mandarin, but it is a work in progress which I think will continue to be a work in progress for some time. Sure, there are some things that we’re just doing by trial and error, but we’re in it together and i really do feel like a colleague rather than an underling.
The corporate headquarters are in Hsinchu and I have been there a few times for trainings and will be there in 4 weeks for some more, and in my limited experience I found the entire operation to be quite efficient, modern and clean buildings, decent lesson plans, and the higher-ups I’ve met seem to be approachable and down-to-earth.
I’m not a doe-eyed naive guy here, either… yes, I’m new to the ESL scene, but at 37, I’ve had my share of jobs and i can definitely say that i feel STRONGLY, based on what I’ve read and heard first-hand, that I think I’m fairly fortunate in my position. Yes, I have heard that perhaps i make a LITTLE less money than what others make in similar positions, but as a newbie I don’t feel exceptionally entitled to the highest payscale immediately, and i also have a really great arrangement for my housing so i probably come out ahead anyway.[/quote]
I assume that you are American.
I have never worked for American Eagle Institute but have been there for interviews.
It’s just a hunch, but, if you are not American and/or do not have a very standard American accent you are second choice only if hired.
In other words, if they hire you and you are not from the US you might be replaced as soon as the opportunity for that arises.
I also noticed that they are looking for new teachers quite frequently. Therefore, they must have fast turnovers.
I suggest, if you aren’t from the US, and have two schools lined up, don’t work for American Eagle. I might be wrong but maybe someone else can elaborate on this.
[quote=“Hamletintaiwan”]I assume that you are American.
I have never worked for American Eagle Institute but have been there for interviews.
It’s just a hunch, but, if you are not American and/or do not have a very standard American accent you are second choice only if hired.
In other words, if they hire you and you are not from the US you might be replaced as soon as the opportunity for that arises.
I also noticed that they are looking for new teachers quite frequently. Therefore, they must have fast turnovers.
I suggest, if you aren’t from the US, and have two schools lined up, don’t work for American Eagle. I might be wrong but maybe someone else can elaborate on this.[/quote]
I work at American Eagle, am not American, and I’ve just signed another contract. I don’t think my boss wants just American teachers, as she has hired non-Americans in the past. I have to teach American phonics (obviously) and I try to use American pronunciations, but I do have the occasional issue with my accent/pronunciation.
For people after info on Eagle: in my experience it’s a good place to work, with lesson plans done for you (which I like), and you’re left alone to get on with your job. I’m happy working at American Eagle, and I know most of my colleagues are happy there too. Of course, I’m speaking for my branch; others could be different.
I know two South African’s, one canadian and one Australian who are all working for American Eagle, are happy with it and getting resigned
A quarter way through my third year there… I’m totally burned out. They want too much. Word of warning… don’t do the full time position… at least at my branch…
Thanks for the warning. I was about to ask you to elaborate on that post but then I searched deeper and found one of your older ones. I don’t blame you for feeling burnt out. I frankly don’t think I would do to well there full time. I’m not good at grading copious amounts of work without making a mistake or two. I’ll look elsewhere.
12 posts were merged into an existing topic: American Eagle Taiwan
I’d first echo that my experience has been the same as canucktyuktuk’s-- I’m feeling quite burnt out from all the extra stuff (correcting the never-ending flow of intensive workbooks, decorating classroom walls, wordy parent communication and report cards, speech contest work, etc.) The curriculum is really intensive for the students so I pick and choose what I think is most helpful to them (being sure they’ll still be able to pass the big exams and that the written work still gets “done”) and I focus on what I think needs more consideration and practice. But this requires a lot of careful forethought so I put in a lot of unpaid time making my time with the kids as effective as possible.
On the plus side, the environment is great. Its clean and well lit. The staff and management at my branch are good people and pleasant to work with (for the most part). The students are enthusiastic, love to see me, and generally accustomed to meeting high expectations so they participate and do the work required with minimal resistance. There are exceptions and I’ve run into some serious (SERIOUS) learning disabilities and level misplacements that are being ignored in favor of the extra money coming in. I love my schedule. Most teachers do any combination of daily classes 1:30-4 (except Tuesdays), 4:30-6, and 6-7:30. I also love my students. Not all of them, obviously, but I really love many of them as if they were my own. Because I see them every single day, we’re very close. I get to see their constant growth and I can tell immediately when they’re struggling with something. This is the BEST part of the job-- working closely with the students is very rewarding and beneficial for teaching as you can address issues or review difficult material right away (albeit to the detriment of the intensive curriculum and workload).
On the negative side, I choose to take this job seriously and consequently put in a lot of unpaid extra work to make sure the students are caught up, exams are passed, management is happy and parents are happy. I’ve only been here for a semester and half and I’m already exhausted and tired of it! Another new teacher has only been here half a semester and she is feeling the same. I also pity the Chinese teaching assistants as they are totally overworked. At my branch, in particular, they are stretched so thin. Often responsible for monitoring and checking the work for 3 classes during a single time block. I can’t imagine that any of them can tolerate these exhaustive conditions for more than a couple years, especially not in the face of complaining foreign teachers who probably make twice the hourly rate and less than half the hours! But we ALL deserve better, really. We do a great job with/for the kids and make the parents very happy. I’d consider AEI to be in the upper eschelon of grade schools in Taiwan, or at least in our county and parents probably do pay a pretty penny for it but we don’t receive any raises. We do get bonuses.
I just want to take a moment to say that my branch, for certain, does not have a preference for American/Canadian accents. They’re definitely more interested in dependable teachers who work hard. We currently have 1 American, 2 Canadian, and 2 South African. It used to be 4 South Africans until two of them left to pursue other paths. Hamlet’s hunch is unfounded, as far as I can see.
I have been working at a couple of American Eagle branches in Taipei for the last couple of years. My experience has been really good. I met a lady in Carrefour today who was furious when I told here that I worked at AE. She had lived in Canada for over a decade and possess dual citizenship, but she said that she was furious at this chain because it marginalizes Asian and local teachers. At the branch that I am employed now, none of the local staff teach English, but they do have a class that in which they help students with their homework from primary school. I could not help but wonder if many of the people that I work with feel the same way about the branch in which we are employed?
I am an English Teacher in Taiwan, not at AE, but I have met an expat who does, and let me tell you, if I had a choice to work at my school, or at AE, I would choose AE in a heartbeat. He has nothing but good things to say about the school, his boss etc. His pay is really high and he has nothing but good things to say about AE.
If I were going to look for work and teach in Taiwan long term, I would definitely try to work for them.
I’m not in English teaching circles so I legitimately thought you were working at a clothing retailer at first. I learned something today.
It took me a minute to figure out the connection between a clothing retailer and the thread…Being away from the States, and not really caring about name brands I didn’t know what you were talking about.
Then, I did my best Ace Ventura impression, Finkle and Einhorn, Finkle and Einhorn…Clothing retailer, AE, clothing retailer, AE…
Needless to say, I figured it out
Hi,
How are you? I have a job offer from American Eagle in Nanjing or Chendu and was wondering if the workload really is that awful? Is it bearable for one year or should I look elsewhere? I mean, do you need an iron will just to finish a year of teaching? Is the pay rate fair? Are the kids well-behaved? They’re not drop-out students are they? Do you make friends with the other staff or do the secretaries speak English well? Can they help you out?
Also, if you don’t mind me asking, which branch do you guys work for? Thank you very much in advance. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
[quote=“kelvintage”]Hi,
How are you? I have a job offer from American Eagle in Nanjing or Chendu and was wondering if the workload really is that awful? Is it bearable for one year or should I look elsewhere? I mean, do you need an iron will just to finish a year of teaching? Is the pay rate fair? Are the kids well-behaved? They’re not drop-out students are they? Do you make friends with the other staff or do the secretaries speak English well? Can they help you out?
Also, if you don’t mind me asking, which branch do you guys work for? Thank you very much in advance. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Hello Kelvin
From what I’ve read on the forum, and hearing stories from people, the workload depends on the branch you work in. I work fulltime at an AEI branch, and in all honesty my workload is not that demanding. My students are mostly well behaved, and a joy to teach. I’m friendly with the other foreign teachers, and Taiwanese staff, who do help out and speak English well (mostly). The pay is average for a fulltime cram school job in Taiwan.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! The contract they are offering me is for 35 hours a week but they do state I must participate in all extra-curriculars? Is that your whole day or two hours on a Saturday? Do you ever get two days off a week or is it impossible with most employers?
What was the accommodation like? Was your ‘home’ nice? Was it in a nice apartment building and how far of a commute was it from your workplace? I imagine that we have to pay for our own transit?
Does the school pay for your visa? How does that work?
Thank you in advance!
I think this school is alright but the unpaid work is a bit much (at a branch I won’t name):
Weekly reports in students’ communication books.
Weekly grading of tape recordings for every student.
Writing lesson plans for every lesson
Grading of tests (which happen every lesson)
Not too bad if you do a rushed job and cut a few corners (or you can bust your ass for no pay if you wish to).
I see American Eagle posting on every possible job thread quite frequently. Is there a reason for this? Obviously, the turnover rate must be quite high, but any insight would be appreciated.
Is anyone working for any of the branches in Taipei City currently who can chime in? @zeno mentioned tons of unpaid work 5 years ago, is that still the case? I’m sure some branches must be better than others, but I find it interesting at how many job openings there are.
I think that answers the question. 
Anytime a company is always hiring new workers, then that is for one of two reasons. Either business is booming or turnover is extremely high. Let this be a lesson for everyone because more often than not it is the latter of the two. The business model that many cram schools employ is one that puts primary emphasis on maximizing profits over everthing and everyone. If it means grinding you down to the bone so that they can save a couple of thousand $ then they will do it. Of course there are exceptions, but short term gain is the name of the game here.