Teaching at Schools

Teaching at Language Schools

by Hall Houston

One good place to look for high-paying teaching jobs is on Hengyang Street, near the train station in central Taipei. This area is behind the prominent Asiaworld Department Store.This area is crowded with dozens of learning centers (also known as "bushibans"). Some schools have classes for GRE and TOEFL. These schools pay between NT $400 and $1000 (US $12 - $30), although jobs are highly competitive, and not that many hire foreigners.

If you wish to apply for work at the schools in this area, some preparation is recommended. Have several copies of your resume ready. When you visit the school to inquire about positions, dress professionally and present yourself as a serious teacher. Brush up on your grammar as some schools will want you to complete a test of grammar and writing skills. If you have an interview, be talkative and ready to answer any questions about your teaching methods. Give the school confidence in your ability as a teacher. If you fail to find work on your first visit, don't give up. Persistence is a key to getting a job at a top school.

Another type of school is the chain school, a group of schools set up all over the city (and sometimes outside the city) under one name. These schools offer lower pay than the previously mentioned schools (NT$300-$400 or US$9-$12) but they can supply you with more hours and a work visa. These schools' standards about teaching vary greatly. Some require you to prepare an hour in advance. Others are only concerned that you show up on time and have no expectations regarding preparation. These schools are easy to find and often advertise in the China Post and China News (Taiwan's English newspapers). Most are eager to hire. For a long list of schools in the major cities, consult the list of schools.

Warning: Some language schools are fly-by-night businesses and if they are losing money they will not think twice about closing down on a Sunday, leaving both teachers and students to suffer. If you work at a school that starts to make excuses about not paying teachers on time, THAT is the proper time to get suspicious and look for a new job. Be careful! When you arrive in Taipei ask other English teachers which schools are reputable and which are not. Do this before signing any contracts.

Other tips for working at a chain school:

1.Keep good records of all hours worked and the rate of pay. Check over all your earnings and make sure the figures are correct.

2.If you work at a chain school with branches all over the city, try only to accept classes that are close to your residence. You can save yourself a lot of time by arranging a schedule that does not require you to go to three or four schools in one day.

3.Don't accept too many hours right away because other better paying jobs may appear. Teaching more than twenty hours a week can be exhausting especially if you are still adjusting to a new environment.

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