Elementary Schools

Work Teaching English in Taiwan
1

Stevieboy wrote[quote]Hey Amos, I’m curious as to how much an elementary teacher makes…Do you teach 30+ class sizes?..Paid vacations?..Lots of lesson planning?..Pros? Cons?[/quote]

There are basically two jobs available for an Elementary Foreign Teacher here in Taiwan. The first is the ‘Conversation teacher’ and the second being a ‘Homeroom teacher’. Note though that some Elementary Schools may be different. I’m speaking solely on my 4 years of Teaching experience at this one school.

A conversation teacher’s job basically entails teaching of English only. I teach Grade 1 and 2. There are 3 different Grade 1 classes (let’s say red, blue and green class) who each get 3 periods of English from me a week. The Grade 2 classes are the same. An average morning would involve teaching your 1st 40minute period of English to a grade 1 class followed by a ten minute recess. 8-50 to 12-00 each day giving you 4 periods a day. Pay isn’t that great. I get 720 an hour, but my tight arse boss doesn’t pay me for recess. Some schools may pay more. I am the highest paid part time teacher at our school. I believe the others are on 650. Classes are big. Between 35 to 45 students. Benefits of this job is that basically you are a guest teacher each time you go in, and at lunch time you can walk out of there with no pressure whatsoever. You are not responsible for disciplining, although some of the homeroom teachers may want you to, but generally that teacher will deal with this. You do not need to attend any extra activities etc. Lesson plans haven’t been needed since I began, but I’m not sure how much longer that will last.

A home room teacher’s job is a bit better. Salary is $70 000 plus $2 000 if you have a TEFL certificate for this bilingual program. This job involves you sharing your own class with a Chinese teacher. These classes are capped to 35 students. You will teach English, Phonics, Reading, Maths, Art, Science, Social Studies and P.E, and your co teacher will teach the Chinese subjects. You teach 18 periods a week (for Grade 1, grade 2 is a couple more though). When you are not teaching you are expected to hang around the classroom. You are relatively free to go to the billingual office to read the newspaper though. The benefit of this over being a conversation teacher is that you are a salary teacher. You get NHI and 1 paid month vacation. Elementary school is also tax free. What I don’t like about this though is that there always seems to be government officials visiting or overseas visitors, and you seem to get lumped with ‘extra’ work or performances to do. Hours are 8am to 4:30. There is more responsibility here as parents are paying a lot of money to get a bilingual education. Hey this is Taiwan and the Principal will listen to the paying parents. You are also required to submit lesson plans a week prior classes, and eveluations within a week after classes. You and your homeroom teacher are in charge of disciplining your class.

Advice, well, unless you have a desire to teach at an ES, choose a kindy. Absolutely no doubt about that. You cannot sit down to teach in an ES, in a Kindergarten you can. Kindergartens will generally pay you more than Elementary Schools. Classes at Kindergartens are so much more stress free than Elementary Schools. Classes at Kindergartens are smaller, meaning you can talk and involve all your students. At an Elementary School, it is much easier for students to ‘hide’ or even get through a day without speaking a word of English. If you really care about your teaching and your students’ progress, then, in an Elementary School, generally it will only be the most outgoing of students that will improve. There are simply too many kids in the class who all have different needs and motivations to communicate. In a kindy, there is no corner to crawl into for the child. With 15 kids, it is impossible to get through a day without speaking. It is my opinion that if you want to make a difference, then Taiwan style Elementary Teaching isn’t the way to do it.

Again these are only my observations from my experience. Of course if you think that an Elementary school is right for you, then go for it. In fact I’m glad I have worked at one because it’s given me classroom managment skills that can be taken into smaller environments and much more.

Cheers Amos.

2

This sounds like a terrible review, but so far I have actually only heard positive reviews about Elementary schools in the whole Elementary vs. cram school debate. Is there anybody else here that teaches at an Elementary and actually enjoys it?
What is the best option? Public or private school? I have to make up my mind about some schools and it is so hard to choose when you know so little about them.
Help please!!! If you were offered a job by a private ES and another by a public one, which would you choose, and why?
Thank you so much for any input!!! :notworthy:

3

I taught at a private school for about a year or so. The HARDEST work by far I’ve ever done. However, at the end of my first full year, it was pretty rewarding to be able to look back and see the amount of growth.

The pay issue was a thorny one as usual. My co-workers were *@#$#. Other foriegn teachers in other parts of the school were great. I only had one issue with one Chinese teacher, who refused to reign in some snot nose kids who were very disrespectful toward me. (Funny thing is she lived in the US for over 10 years).

The only good thing I can say about working in private school, is salary, NHI and set hours. But you can burn out quick if you don’t manage it right.

4

I taught bushiban/anchinban for 2 years and elementary (homeroom teacher) for 3. I prefered the elementary position although it was a lot more work for similar (a bit better) work. Especially as a homeroom teacher, as you get to develop a strong bond with your class and see them grow so much.

I’m now teaching the final year of kindergarten and it’s the best! Small class size (9 at the moment!), good relationship with students, parents and staff, incredible level of English from my students, etc. Definitely the way to go for me…

5

Six years on and not much changed it seems. I have a number of friends that work at the exact same Elementary School that I mentioned in the OP. They echo the same frustrations mentioned earlier on in this thread. Curious though as I was asked this today by a workmate; are Elementary School teachers still exempt from paying taxes?

6

[quote]are Elementary School teachers still exempt from paying taxes?[/quote]Not any more and one of my friends at Kangchiao is not very happy about that.

7

The tax thing is going to work as a major disincentive to getting foreign, qualified teachers here. It’s going to be a disincentive for people working here not to do something else where they can make more money in Taiwan, and it’s going to be a disincentive for getting teachers to come to Taiwan and keep them here compared to other countries. I’m a junior high school teacher currently, but aside from having other reasons why I don’t want to work in this place next year, tax is one of them. This is not to say that older teachers can’t be great teachers or that there aren’t older teachers who are very energetic. However, it’s hard enough to get young teachers here as it is without making it even more attactive not to come to Taiwan. Try getting anyone with a family or who is considering having one any time soon.

8

Why should teachers not pay tax like everyone else??

9

[quote]Why should teachers not pay tax like everyone else??[/quote]I don’t think anyone is arguing that they should still be tax exempt. It’s just for people with a teaching degree the rewards may not be as high as they previously were.

You could very well have a teacher starting in Sept. for say $70,000, pay $14,000 a month for 4 months and never get that money back. Then have the school decide it needs to pull $14,000 for the first 6 months of the next year and not see that money till you leave or file a return. 20% is a pretty significant bite on what is already a low salary. For certified foreign teachers who probably have some school debt, it would be a great disincentive to teach in Taiwan.

Like all things in Taiwan, your situation may be very different from everyone else’s.

10

[quote=“Okami”][quote]Why should teachers not pay tax like everyone else??[/quote]I don’t think anyone is arguing that they should still be tax exempt. It’s just for people with a teaching degree the rewards may not be as high as they previously were.

You could very well have a teacher starting in Sept. for say $70,000, pay $14,000 a month for 4 months and never get that money back. Then have the school decide it needs to pull $14,000 for the first 6 months of the next year and not see that money till you leave or file a return. 20% is a pretty significant bite on what is already a low salary. For certified foreign teachers who probably have some school debt, it would be a great disincentive to teach in Taiwan.

Like all things in Taiwan, your situation may be very different from everyone else’s.[/quote]

Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. I’m not saying anyone should or shouldn’t pay tax. I’m just saying that it might not be worth it for some people, myself included. From what I’ve seen, at least through some recruitment agencies, many of the other incentives are being cut back, or have been cut back, also. If Taiwan genuinely wants to attract foreign (qualified) teachers, then it needs to make it worth their while. 70,000 odd NT doesn’t make it worth most people’s while unless they’re so desperate they can’t get a job elsewhere, but then Taiwan wouldn’t be getting quality teachers in such cases.

11

I think we can all agree that the market is changing in Taiwan, and it’s changing for the worst. There will be fewer qualified teachers in Taiwan, and as a result, the quality of education will decrease. Eventually, someone will wake up to this fact, if they haven’t already done so, and do something about it. We will just have to sit back and suffer for a while.

As trends go, the market here is becoming more restrictive. There will be more requirements and fewer incentives. The market will shift to a more select group of individuals with higher degrees; for example, 5 years ago there were fewer positions that required a PhD, and now these higher positions can be seen advertised on the popular job websites. More selective and higher qualified positions seem to be the trend.

To sum it up: There will be fewer positions and those positions will have higher requirements, so I think we should all be prepared.

12

Sorry, but that’s ridiculous. Who’s going to get a PhD and then go somewhere to get treated unprofessionally and for only $2000 (USD)/month? They can advertise for PhDs all they like, but they’re not going to get any.

Seriously, if they want people with higher degrees they’re going to have to pay accordingly.

13

I think that S.K ment that more and more companies are looking for PhD graduates to fill senior management positions.

Universities in Taiwan hire foreigners with a master degree for “conversation classes”. A PhD is only required for full professors.

14

Sure, but since when do people in the ESL field get headhunted for other industries, PhD or not?

Secondly, what senior management positions are there within the ESL field? There are a handful with the big chains. Most people work in ESL jobs where if they are lucky they will be over three or four other people, and probably only get a few thousand NT per week extra, not making it worth the extra bullshit.

Thirdly (and admittedly, I have no real idea about academia in this country, other than that it’s pretty crap), wouldn’t becoming a professor in a Taiwanese university (if it’s even possible) be a complete waste of time? I mean, becoming the janitor’s assistant at the University of Ouagadougou or starting your own university in your backyard toolshed and scribbling your own diplomas on the back of a take away menu from the local pizzeria would probably give you more chance of landing a job in academia anywhere civilised than becoming a professor at any Taiwanese university.

Actually, that’s a great business model for a buxiban here! Buy six family sized pizzas and the sixth one comes with an ESL proficiency certificate hand written on the back by the chef’s brother in broken English. Or you could get betel nut girls to sell ESL certificates at roadside stalls!

15

[quote=“GuyInTaiwan”]
Thirdly (and admittedly, I have no real idea about academia in this country, other than that it’s pretty crap), wouldn’t becoming a professor in a Taiwanese university (if it’s even possible) be a complete waste of time? I mean, becoming the janitor’s assistant at the University of Ouagadougou or starting your own university in your backyard toolshed and scribbling your own diplomas on the back of a take away menu from the local pizzeria would probably give you more chance of landing a job in academia anywhere civilised than becoming a professor at any Taiwanese university.[/quote]

It is possible, Guy. I am one. I teach six hours a week, and no classes for the next two summer months. So it’s not altogether a waste of time. The salary is reasonable, although much less than HK or the UK.

If I want to get ahead (apply to universities in “civilized” countries, for example) I can do what I’m paid to do and publish scholarly work. Future employment prospects abroad have virtually nothing to do with where you are currently teaching, and absolutely everything to do with what you have published, and in what journals.

(Are you suggesting that Burkina Faso is more civilized, less civilized or about the same as Taiwan? Actually there’s quite a good patisserie in Ouagadougou, with clean toilets and a hot air hand dryer, as well as a real Carrefour, with no live fish or free thimbles of yangleduo)

16

That strikes me as a very odd thing then that the teaching part is kind of secondary to the publishing, if not largely unimportant or irrelevant. It seems like the incentives would be all in the direction of putting all of your time into publishing instead of teaching (or preparing for teaching).

I would probably suggest that Burkina Faso is more civilised than Taiwan. I’d put Taiwan about par with Benin or Togo, though even then it might be a bit touch and go.