Comments on: The Lowdown on Teaching English in Taiwan

By: Nicola

Nicola — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:57:15 +0000

“There are a few big chains, like Kid Castle, that just do kindergarten.”

Kid Castle is a franchise with over 200 branches in Taiwan, more than half of those are language schools (buxibans) and the rest are kindergartens. I would say Happy Marian is a better example of a chain school that focuses on kindy.
To Stephanie, a teacher at my old school was hired and got an ARC with a two year diploma plus TEFL.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:20:26 +0000

Do you know if a BA is absolutely required? If I had my TEFL would I need a four year degree no matter what the subject is?

- Stephanie

By: admin

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:55:11 +0000

Anonymous, have a look at this piece: Teaching American English

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:09:49 +0000

Just because something “sounds COMPLETELY wrong” to you does not make it wrong. As an English teacher I find it very frustrating dealing with some fellow teacher’s (American and Canadian) attitudes towards British English. A lot of English teachers push American English as the only English worth knowing and correct students when they use British English as “wrong”. You should never assume that a student is going to go to America or use their English only in contact with America and Americans. Instead teachers should be teaching both in conjunction and making it clear that there is no right or wrong, just differences. Having said that I will never teach a student some American English such as “write me back” which should be “write back to me”, it’s just poor/lazy English.

By: iman

iman — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:46:58 +0000

it is very nice to have different areas of discussion. especially about the methods of teaching . although i live in a very poor place where the traditional methods of teaching still effects us .but the ability of travelling to Taiwan is still there.i hope from you to touch me on my email address to tell me about the current devolopment in english language teaching and english for a specific purpose .my Email address is Rose2008zz. thank you

By: futuresgirl

futuresgirl — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:44:53 +0000

Hello,

Thanks for the information. I am trying to get a job teaching in Japan but if that falls through I would like to work in Taiwan. I have a BA and an MA and I won’t put up with any racism from anyone. I kind of laugh when I hear that blacks are looked down on by some Asians. It kind of leaves me utterly confused. Anyway, thanks for the info. It seems like Japan will be a better place to check out.

By: Kerri

Kerri — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:23:02 +0000

Hi Mark,

I’m getting ready to fly over to Taiwan in early December. My friend was there for two years and absolutely loved it. I’ve travelled before, but the thought of traveling all the way to Asia with out a job is a bit scary!

- My friend said it was very easy to get a job with either a college diploma or university degree, is that actually true?
- Should I contact a recruitment place like Reach to Teach or just take a chance and fly over?
- Should I get one of those online certificates?

Any help would be great, because I’m having a case of the fear of the unknown!

Thanks

Kerri

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:10:00 +0000

Like Elizabeth, I’m 55. I wonder how employment is at technical universities when a person is in their 60’s. I can’t leave my U.S. job for a few years. I have an M.A. in Ling/ESL and experience years ago in China.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:46:56 +0000

I really would like to teach English in Taiwan, but wonder how much of a con my age is – I’m 55. Any thoughts? if yes, what’s a good way for me to proceed?

Thanks – and BTW – great blog!

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:11:58 +0000

I’ve worked for an ABC at one school and for a black guy at another. Each of them were earning quite a bit more than most white teachers make.

If you have the skills to back up your credentials, I’m sure you’d do fine here as a teacher.