One Day Teaching in Taiwan, Part one

Promo film about teacher's lives in Taiwan. My company made this about me and a girl from Canada.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Teaching
• English
• in
• Taiwan
• TEFL
• Hess
• Educational
• Organisation
• Living
• EFL

[MrTheMercury]

This Gareth guy has been in Hess alot longer than six months. He's the marketing department's bitch.

[moosediggler]

I'm nobodies bitch, thanks very much ('cept maybe my wife's). I had only been there for six month's when this video was made and now I've moved to the UK. I don't regret a second of the time I spent in Taiwan, nor working for Hess (although of course there were times of frustration or clashes of personality). Still highly recommended

[jobson2000]

If that is a typical class size (over 20 kids) run for the hills! And guess they couldn't find a teacher who had worked there longer than 6 months to have anything good to say. Work conditions for teachers are best improved by unions; however, in Taiwan, unions only came into being with the election of the democratic government in 2000! Hopefully, unions will come to priavte language schools soon. Unions for foreign English teachers already do exist in Japan and South Korea.

[moosediggler]

Neither class is more than 20 students, that's the limit. The director chose us newbie's because people who had never done TEFL before could identify with us more easily than career ESL teachers. Unions in South Korea and Japan make Seoul and Tokyo two of the three most expensive cities in the world to live in. Conditions here are actually really good, although I agree; unions in the private language schools would probably improve them further.

[hokila678]

Welcome to republic of taiwan and enjoyed your life in Taiwan.

[kfki]

HESS is a racist run organization!!!

[moosediggler]

There are technical and legal loopholes around the issues, which are more in-depth than simply, it's illeagal for foreigners to teach kindergartem. For example working as an assistant, to the main teacher...who is in the classroom while the foreigner teaches. As far as I know Hess never had anyone deported in the four years I worked for them. I take it you don't teach kindergarten, bismarc? Do you know any kindergarten teaches? I knew a lots, from a lot of companies.

[bismarck3005]

Well, once you son is here and the news starts filtering home there may be a lot more you'll find hard to believe.

But, by all means, don't take my word for it. Let him come teach kindergarten. Then you can post here after he's been deported (if they catch him) and has been fined NT$150 000 - slightly more than three months salary at Hess.

Contact your nearest Taiwanese trade office if you don't believe me.

[goldielocks513]

My son is considering working for Hess in Taiwan, so I find it hard to believe they are hiring for an illegal position.

[bismarck3005]

However, it's not all doom and gloom, but you should be aware of the law (in any country) as ignorance of the law cannot be used as a defense.

But most people have a very enjoyable time in Taiwan, and bad things don't usually happen. Best be prepared and know what to expect. These videos are helpful with that to some degree, and kudos for posting them.

Wish I'd had these resources some ten years ago...

[bismarck3005]

And another recent legal amendment: Teachers (including foreigners) are held liable if a child is hurt during a class. You are individually resposible and can be sued for damages by parents. I know of one guy personally who had a kid fall during a game and he was sued (not the school) and had to pay damages (including his own substantial legal fees). As a result he also has a criminal record in Taiwan and as such can no longer work here.

[bismarck3005]

And if you come over, remember one thing. It is against the law for foreigners to teach kindergarten, although it happens all over the place and everyone knows about it. However, sometimes the Foreign Affairs Police make raids, and if you're caught you'll get fined and deported.