I’ll be moving to Taiwan in early December and would like to know about finding jobs in Taichung. I’ve replied to a few of the ads on tealit, but it seems like it may be difficult to secure a job while I’m not yet in Taiwan.
I’m a 24 year old American with more than 3 years of teaching experience in Bangkok, mostly to professional adults in a business setting. I have a CELTA and an AA in Liberal Studies from a state university in the US. I have checked thoroughly and I know these qualifications are enough to work legally in Taiwan.
So, if I just turn up in Taichung and start applying for jobs, how long do you think it would be before I found one? Is it easy or difficult to find a job there? And what’s the best way to go about doing it?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
When I came here (almost four years ago) I was a fifty -three year old
Canadian with a B.A., no experience and no CELTA.
I spent exactly seven nights in a Taipei hostel and was being shown
the apartment offered with a job in Taichung county (“small” town northeast
of Taichung city) when I got a call from another school I had applied to, saying
that I was on their short list.
- With great delight I was able to say that I already had a job, thanks anyway!
I stay in that hostel the odd time I go back to Taipei, but there never seems
to be the same chemistry of people that I remember.
What worked for me was accepting the suggestion to post my “resume”,
and let people call me. Why I used quotation marks is because it was
essentially three lines long!
I work for a franchise based out of Taichung but I never see them advertise.
I’ve never asked the bos why now that I think of it, but I have to guess they
glean resumes.
Thanks for the information, that certainly sounds encouraging. Where did you post your resume?
This page has a list of language schools in Taichung:
http://www.geocities.com/allhou/schootaich.htm
As far as I know, you need at least a bachelor’s degree to get a teaching job in Taiwan.
Thanks tatter, I appreciate the link. Legally, an AA and a CELTA/TEFL are enough to teach English in Taiwan. I have checked this thoroughly.
I’m sorry but I can’t remember exactly. It would have had to of been
here, tealit or eslcafe. Or all three!
You can also post your resume at esl99.com. I’ve gotten a few responses from that site. As well as taiwanted.com. It shouldn’t take you long to find a job once you arrive. There are always schools looking for experienced teachers. August is, by far, the best time to apply, but I came in March 06 and didn’t have any problems. If you do run into any issues, you can always get onto the sub lists with a few schools. This will also give you the chance to experience different teaching environments Taiwan has to offer (kindergarten, cram, adult etc…) Good luck!