I came to Taipei about a month ago, and I have been trying to get a teaching position since I got here. I don’t have a TESOL, but I did teach ESL in Korea for a year. I have sent my resume to every school on tealit.com, and I dropped off my resume in person at a few other schools. I have done 3 teaching demos, but so far, I have had zero job offers.
Everything seems to be going well, until they ask what my phone number is. I say that I just arrived here and I don’t have a phone number yet, but that they can reach me by email. I thought email would be fine, but I guess it isn’t.
There were also 2 schools that emailed me saying that they were interested in interviewing me and asking for my phone number. I wrote back explaining that I don’t have a phone, but I would be happy to come in anytime. They didn’t respond.
I’m surprised how difficult finding a teaching position has been. It seems like there are a lot of jobs available, but maybe I’m just not what they are looking for. Is it possible that not have a phone is a deal breaker for most schools?
Just get a phone…you can’t work for agents or schools without one, it’s that simple.
[quote=“Calabama”]I came to Taipei about a month ago, and I have been trying to get a teaching position since I got here. I don’t have a TESOL, but I did teach ESL in Korea for a year. I have sent my resume to every school on tealit.com, and I dropped off my resume in person at a few other schools. I have done 3 teaching demos, but so far, I have had zero job offers.
Everything seems to be going well, until they ask what my phone number is. I say that I just arrived here and I don’t have a phone number yet, but that they can reach me by email. I thought email would be fine, but I guess it isn’t.
There were also 2 schools that emailed me saying that they were interested in interviewing me and asking for my phone number. I wrote back explaining that I don’t have a phone, but I would be happy to come in anytime. They didn’t respond.
I’m surprised how difficult finding a teaching position has been. It seems like there are a lot of jobs available, but maybe I’m just not what they are looking for. Is it possible that not have a phone is a deal breaker for most schools?[/quote]
There are a lot of jobs out in Taiwan but not many hours.
Many jobs you see state 20-30 hours, but in reality it is like 10 hours a week. This is not enough to survive on.
Be prepared to work at 2 schools or prepare yourself for doing some 1 on 1 tutoring.
And do not forget the laziness of the school having to help the 14 hour a week employee get a work permit. Pretty sure the OP did not arrive with ARC? One small problem at the hospital, scooter wreck or body problem and the savings start to dwindle due to medical bills. It’s cheap here but not free without the national insurance.
I just wasted a half hour writing here .when I hit "preview"it all magically disappeared!Anyway,I’ll try to write a little more.Why not just buy a cheap used phone?It may help.Although it didn’t do much for me.The arseholes(including the young westerner interviewers) won’t tell you,but if you look over 40ish you don’t stand a chance at getting hired.I hadn’t been in Taiwan for 10 years.It sure has changed.I really miss the good old days when it was actually FUN.(The late 1980s & early '90s).I’ve wasted 6 months trying to get hired,then the 6 month visa time came up so went travelling in china & Vietnam for the past 3 months and recently came back here,will waste some more time (at least getting some more dental crowns put on) then go back to California for Xmas.Then back to Thailand where i was for a year in 2005.At least there I can get some classes to teach.
I am. Several schools have accepted me sans phone.
I just shrug and go “I dont have a phone yet. Im waiting for the iPhone 4S.” That usually gets a laugh and a nod of approval. I get emails back. Three months and still no problem.
I would say there is something else going on here like age-ism or racism, but you say its close to the job offer and than gone cause of phone. Hmmm…