A. Applications
When should I apply?
We accept applications all year round.
To allow for the visa process, it is best
to apply 1-2 month(s) ahead of when you
would like to go to Taiwan.
I am due to take a CELTA/TESOL
course. Should I apply afterwards?
You can apply and be interviewed before
you start your CELTA/TESOL. This is sometimes
better, as it is possible to head off
straight away after you have finished
the course. Any offer, however, would
be conditional on you successfully passing
the course.
When do you recruit teachers?
We recruit teachers all year round but
summer is out busiest period with a variety
of teaching positions in a variety of
locations available.
Who do you employ?
We employ native English speakers with
a full university degree (BA, BSc) and
preferably a TEFL certificate although
this is not a compulsory requirement.
Teachers without a TEFL qualification
and who have been offered a position through
us are required to take to the FELT course
(Foundation of English Language Teaching)
I am waiting to graduate. What
shall I do?
You can certainly apply, be interviewed
and offered a position while waiting to
graduate but all teachers must have an
original degree certificate in order to
get a work permit in Taiwan. Your departure
to Taiwan, therefore, will be dictated
by this.
Can we apply as a couple / family?
Yes, we are happy for couples and families
to apply. But the practical and financial
implications of this must be taken into
consideration.
Can I apply for a senior position
such as Senior Teacher or ADoS?
We welcome teachers who are keen to develop
their Teaching careers. However, it is
preferable that you work in a general
teaching role to start before being considered
for a more senior position.
Do I need to attend an interview?
Yes. The interview is an important part
of the selection process. It is also a
chance for you to discuss your application
with an experienced recruitment consultant
who has spent time teaching and working
abroad. They will also have first hand
experience of Taiwan. Telephone interviews
are also possible for teachers in countries
where face to face interviews are not
held.
What is the interview format?
Interviews are one to one and last approximately
one hour.
When will I know if I have been
successful?
After the interview SEST applies for references
from named professional or academic referees.
This process usually takes a week. SEST
endeavor to get back to the applicants
within 7 days after the interview.
When do I have to commit myself
to accepting a job offer?
An official job offer is made in writing.
All applicants are given a deadline (approx
7-10 days) in which to accept or decline
the offer.
B. Visas
How do I obtain a visa?
There are two parts to the visa process.
A tourist visa is obtained from the local
TRO (Taiwan Representative Office) and
the application for working visa takes
place in Taiwan.
What paperwork do I need to organise
my visa?
This varies from country to country however
it usually includes a visa application
form, a copy of the degree certificate,
passport, passport photo and visa fee.
- In Taiwan: an original degree certificate
and passport.
How long does it take?
The tourist visa takes 24hours. To obtain
a work permit and alien registration card,
in Taiwan, takes six weeks.
Do I need to have my original
degree certificate? Will a letter from
the university be sufficient?
For the visa process in Taiwan, an original
degree certificate with your name identically
matching that in your passport is very
important.
What if I don't have a degree
certificate at all?
Sadly, you cannot apply for a working
visa in Taiwan without one.
Who does the visa?
SEST will arrange the necessary paperwork
for the visa. Teachers must visit the
Taiwanese Representative office in person
to get the visa once all the documents
have been sent from Taiwan.
Who pays for the visa?
All costs incurred in the UK and in Taiwan
are covered by the teacher. The standard
visa processing fee (UK) is £25.00
but there is a rush handling service available
(same day) for an additional fee. Visa
costs in Taiwan are approx £75.00.
I want to go travelling prior
to my departure. Is this possible?
Yes, providing that the visa has been
organized prior to your departure and
that you arrive in Taiwan on the specified
date. It is useful if the school has a
contact e-mail address throughout the
time you are traveling.
Can you guarantee my departure
date?
Yes. There are fixed departure dates every
month.
Do I have to have a medical exam?
Yes, a medical exam is compulsory in order
to apply for a work permit. The medical
takes place soon after arrival and all
teachers are accompanied to the hospital
by member of the welfare team.
What does it involve?
It is quite a thorough medical testing
for HIV, polio, and tuberculosis etc.
It consists of a chest x-ray, a blood
sample, a urine sample and a blood pressure
check.
What if I fail the medical exam?
Failure to pass the test may result in
visa rejection, forcing a teacher to retake
the test a few weeks later incurring additional
costs, and ultimately a quick return home!
If a teacher is unsure of whether they
will pass the test or not they should
contact their local doctor and SEST for
advise. Any form of medication may adversely
affect the medical and could therefore
involve extra costs as described above.
It is strongly recommended that teachers
refrain from taking any medication for
at least 3 weeks prior to arrival in Taiwan.
C. Flights
Who arranges the flight?
Teachers are responsible for arranging
their own flights but cost must be agreed
in advance with SERST. flights are on
hold until the visa is issued in the UK.
Who pays for the flight?
Teachers are responsible for the flight
payment upfront.
Is it a return flight?
All flights are one way. This gives teachers
greater flexibility at the end of the
contract. Maybe you want to stay for a
second year or go traveling around Taiwan
or visit some neighboring countries.
Does the company pay for my return
flight?
SEST will fully reimburse the cost of
a single ticket after 3 and 4 months into
the contract. If the teacher does not
complete the contract the monies advanced
must be repaid to the Company.
How much luggage can I take?
20 kg. The cost of excess luggage levied
by an airline can be extortionate - so
pack carefully! Posting stuff ahead (sea
or air) is a good option.
What happens when I arrive? Will
I be met at the airport?
You will be met by the welfare officer
or your franchise school owner. They will
be holding a card with your name on it
and take you to your hotel.
Should I take out insurance?
All teachers for Taiwan take out an 8-week
insurance policy from their home country,
which usually includes insurance whilst
traveling to the destination (e.g. fight
cancellation, luggage loss etc.).
How can I order a vegetarian meal?
Notify the airline in advance.
What's the best/cheapest way of
sending extra items to Taiwan?
See packing below.
D. Apartments and
Locations
What happens when I arrive?
Teachers are met at the airport by a welfare
officer or a franchise school owner. Taipei
teachers are taken to temporary accommodation
in Taipei. Out-region teachers (going
to other locations such as Taichung, Tainan,
Kaoshiung) may be taken straight to that
location to stay for the first weekend
before returning to Taipei. All teachers
stay in a Taipei hotel for the first week
whilst they do their initial training.
How do I find an apartment? Who
pays?
During the first week,
teachers are given assistance in finding
an apartment. Teachers are taken to view
different apartments and select the one
they want based on their requirements.
Teachers are responsible for their monthly
rent and a deposit is required. The school
can organise an interest free loan of
NT$20, 000 (£375.00) to help with this.
How long does it take to find
an apartment?
It depends on the
teacher's requirements but usually it
takes no longer than one week.
Can
I get help with start-up costs?
Teachers are advised to have a minimum
of £750.00 to take with them to assist
with set up costs and living until the
first full pay day. The school, however,
operates a loan system that helps teachers
with initial costs.
Will I be
living in the same block as other teachers?
Will I share my apartment?
Most
teachers share with other SES teachers.
All teachers have their own bedrooms but
share communal facilities. Sharing is
certainly the cheaper option and the most
sociable
Can I choose where I
live?
Being able to view different
apartments allows teachers to choose where
they live.
If I don't like my
apartment, can I ask for another one?
Are they safe?
Since teachers
chose their own apartments, there is never
much call to move after. If that is the
case, however, teachers will have to find
a second apartment themselves, although
welfare staff will provide some support.
Are apartments furnished or unfurnished?
This depends on the landlord but usually
the majority of apartments are unfurnished.
Unfurnished apartments are cheaper than
furnished but some teachers prefer to
pay a little extra and have basic furnishings
at the beginning. The welfare staff can
advise teachers where to get cheap furnishings.
Can I live alone?
Yes,
but the cost is more. Rent for a shared
apartment is around NT$6,000-9,000 and
rent for a one person apartment can be
expected to be NT$14,000
Are they
company apartments?
No. They
are privately owned apartments. SEST have
a list of landlords who are happy to rent
to SES teachers.
E. Contracts
How
long is the contract?
contracts
are a minimum of 12 months.
What
happens if I leave before the end of the
contract? What are the penalties?
SEST is very serious about the minimum
contract period of one year and candidates
who foresee not being able to make this
commitment should not consider applying.
Leaving before the end of the first year
would be considered as a breach of contract
and would incur the following penalties:
airfares and training costs repaid (FELT
course if applicable). If less than required
3-month notice is given, any loses incurred
will also be reclaimed. Breach of contract
can also have an effect on the visa as
it is sponsored by the school. The school
is legally obliged to cancel this visa.
However, SEST realises that as expatriates,
circumstances occasionally arise which
may require you to return to your home
country. SEST will, obviously, take a
more compassionate view of such cases.
The most important factor is to keep the
school, as your employer, fully aware
of any personal circumstances that may
affect your work. Remember that they are
here to help.
Can I renew my contract?
SEST are very keen to renew the contract
of teachers who have reached the necessary
standards. Teachers will of course receive
performance reviews during the course
of their contract. It is very difficult
to get the most out of Taiwan (and teaching)
if you only stay a short period of time.
There are financial incentives to do so
as well.
If I renew do I have
to stay the whole year?
No, as
long as you give the required notice period
you can extend for any period of time.
The longer you stay the greater the bonuses!
Can I choose another school/area
if I renew?
Depending on the
positions available and the requirements
of the schools at the time, it may be
certainly be possible to state a preference
for school or location.
Can I
take holidays when I want?
SEST
teachers receive 16 days holidays that
are based on the national holidays of
Taiwan and come at set times during the
year. In addition, teachers receive an
allocation of 14 extra-unpaid holidays
that can take at any time. These are arranged
on a first come first served basis and
in agreement with the line manager.
Do
I get sick pay?
Teachers are
paid for the hours they teach and therefore
all sick days are unpaid.
Can
I transfer to other Shane schools in Taiwan?
It is not unusual for teachers to transfer
to another school (e.g. kindergarten)
or to another city at the end of their
first year contract. Schools and head
office will advise accordingly. At times,
it may also be possible to transfer schools
in the middle of the contract period pending
requirements. This can be negotiated with
the head office at the appropriate time.
Can I transfer to other Shane
schools in Asia?
After the satisfactory
completion of at least your first year
contract and a good reference you will
have the opportunity to apply for positions
with Shane English School, China and Japan.
Internal transfers are high on SEST's
agenda. They aim to provide a solid structure
for teacher development, teaching opportunities
and internal promotions, both within Shane
English Schools and Saxoncourt affiliated
companies around the globe, to all employees.
Academic line managers will discuss these
opportunities at appraisal meetings.
F. Money
Can
I save a lot? How much?
Teachers leave Taiwan with vareying amounts
of savings depending on their lifestyle
and how they choose to spend their money
during their time in Taiwan. However,
the average teacher (enjoying a good standard
of living and travelling around) can come
away with between £2-3,000 at the end
of a year.
How do costs
compare to the UK?
The cost of
living in Taiwan is dramatically lower
than the UK. It is comparable to that
of some other SE Asian countries. Eating
out, rent, travel, shopping are very cheap.
The one expensive thing, however, is alcohol
especially in western style bars and restaurants.
Do I need to set up a bank account
in Taiwan? How do I do this?
On arrival, a bank account will be set
up for you with an assigned bank. Monthly
salaries will be paid into this. Teachers,
however, can hold other bank accounts
with different banks for savings or transferring
funds.
How can I send money home?
This can be done very easily once you
have provided the relevant bank, in Taiwan,
with your home bank information. There
will be administration costs payable to
the banks on either side. Sending a cheque
to the UK is a cheaper option but takes
longer to clear.
Can I pay off
my student loans?
Repayment of
a student loan is possible based on monthly
earnings. Teachers, however, are eligible
for a loan deferrment and the schools
provide the necessary documents to a student
loans company. This does not apply to
a graduate loan.
Can I use my
visa/cirrus card in ATMs?
Yes.
There are ATM machines in all big cities
that display cirrus/maestro/signs.
How
much money should I bring? How should
I bring it?
We recommend a minimun
of £800.00 to assist with initial set
up costs. Travellers cheques (US dollars
or sterling) is the best way to bring
the money although it is a good idea to
have approx NT$10,000 (£200.00) ready
in cash. For all teachers coming from
Scotland it is important to note that
Scottish pounds are not acceptable for
exchange in Taiwan.
G. Insurance, Tax,
Pensions
Will I have to pay UK
income tax on my earnings in Taiwan when
I return? What about NI contributions?
Teachers are advised to contact the Inland
Revenue for the latest tax and NI information.
If you are out of the country for 12 months
consecutively, you will normally be classified
as 'non-resident and non-domicile' and
therefore not liable to UK income tax,
although you will have to be careful with
remittances, which technically should
be liable to UK income tax. You can inform
the Inland Revenue either at the time
of departure or on return from Taiwan
of your situation. Information is available
from the Inland Revenue at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/cnr/
but they will only assess your situation
on a case-by-case situation. You can continue
to pay minimum NI contributions if you
wish, and this can be done directly with
the Inland Revenue. However, unless you
ask to do this, your NI contributions
will cease as soon as you stop employment
in the UK.
Can I join a pension
scheme?
There is no pension scheme
with SEST.
What does the Insurance
cover? Do I have to take it?
The insurance policy offered by the school
covers medical costs only. It is compulsory
that all teachers have insurance cover
whilst in Taiwan. Teachers can take the
insurance cover offered by SEST or take
out an equivalent scheme in the UK prior
to departure.
Does it cover repatriation?
Dentists?
The insurance policy
offered by the school does not cover repatriation.
All teachers are covered by the National
Insurance scheme once the work permit
is received and this covers regular visits
to the doctor and the dentist.
What
happens if I have an accident?
You will be accompanied to the hospital
by a member of the welfare team. They
will also complete all the necessary paperwork
for medical administration.
Can
I visit an English Speaking Doctor? How
do I find a doctor?
Some doctors
are English speaking but you will always
be accompanied by one of the welfare assistants.
Will I be able to obtain my regular
medication?
Any regular medication
must be discussed with the recruiter.
Does the insurance cover possessions?
No. If you require contents insurance,
please organise it for the UK as additional
cover
How does the tax system
work in Taiwan?
All teachers
who stay in the country for more than
183 in a calendar year are entitled to
a tax rebate. The actual amount of the
rebate depends upon which month teachers
arrive. Teachers arriving between the
start of December and the end of June
will pay 20% tax for the first 6 months
(183 days) and then this will drop down
to 10%. Teachers will be entitled to a
tax rebate on all tax paid. Teachers arriving
between the start of July and the end
of November will pay 20% until the end
of the following June and then this will
drop to 10%. Teachers will be entitled
to a tax rebate on all tax paid from January
(December's salary since salaries are
paid on the 10th of the following month)
and the end of the contract period. The
rebate can sometimes be as much as £1,000
by the end of the contract, thus many
teachers look on it a kind of compulsory
savings plan.
Who organises my
tax rebate?
Head Office staff
or the franchise owners will help teachers
with completing the necessary paperwork.
H. Training
How much training will I get?
On arrival, there is a five day intensive
training course for teaching English to
younger learners. Throughout the rest
of the year there are additional special
training courses, workshops and appraisals.
What does training cover?
The Saxoncourt Teaching English to Younger
Learners (TEYL) course covers all aspects
of teaching Younger Learners for two years
old to High School, and includes methodology,
drilling, classroom games, classroom management
and how to effectively use textbooks and
classroom resources. New teachers will
observe more experienced teachers and
they themselves will be observed as part
of this training. Follow-up training will
focus on teaching reading, writing and
phonics, as well as teaching pronunciation
to adults and 1-to-1 lessons. Other workshops
will focus on teaching for exams (TOEIC,
IELTS), Business English, special lessons
(such as Intensives) and any other areas
that teachers request help with.
When do we get training?
On arrival and also throughout the year.
Is training compulsory, even I
have a lot of experience?
Yes, as training involves looking at the
different learning needs of our students
and the textbooks we use, which even experienced
teachers still need to learn about.
Will I get special training for
business, exams etc?
If you are required to teach special courses,
you will receive 1-1 or small group training
with your direct line manager when necessary.
How much academic support will
I get?
All teachers receive academic support
throughout the year. Some require more
than others but line managers are always
on hand to help and assist.
Will I have a chance of promotion?
Wherever possible SEST try to recruit
academic managers from within the schools.
Many teachers have progressed to senior
teacher and then to ADoS (Assistant Director
of studies) and even DoS (Director of
Studies). A Celta certificate is relevant
for ADoS and DoS positions. SEST have
been very successful in providing other
Shane operations around the world with
academic managers. The top positions in
China and Vietnam are currently filled
by ex-SEST teachers or managers and many
more teacher have moved to both China
and Japan as teachers and mangers since
then.
I. Teaching and
Schedules
When do I start teaching?
Teachers are scheduled to arrive on a
Wednesday. The TEYL course begins on the
following Monday and runs for a full week.
The first day of teaching is, therefore,
just over a week after arrival. In some
cases, teachers may be called on to start
their teaching a little earlier in conjunction
with training.
What days off will
I have?
Teachers teach 5 days
a week with 2 days off. Days of will,
usually, be non-consecutive, a Sunday
and one other day in the week.
Will
I have to work extra days?
Teachers
can be called to work a 6th day in order
to cover a sick or an absent teacher,
Cover and standby schedules are organised
on a rota basis. Teachers are paid for
the extra hours worked and for every sixth
day worked receive a day off in lieu.
How long is the working day?
TEFL is not a Monday-Friday, 9-5 job.
Teaching schedules vary teacher to teacher,
but an average day can start around lunch-time
with most of the teaching taking place
in the late afternoon, early evening when
students (adults and children) have finished
work and school. Teachers are scheduled
for a working shift of 8 hrs plus 1 hr
for lunch. Teachers are expected to be
in the school a minimum 30 minutes prior
to first class. Needless to say schedules
do sometimes change and the school manager
may schedule a class at any time during
the 9 hr working shift. In the summer
and winter months, there are special courses,
which are scheduled in the mornings.
Do
I work in the same school every day?
A DTE (Direct Teaching Establishments)
teacher can expect to teach in more than
one school throughout the week. A franchise
school and kindergarten teacher, however,
remain in the same school.
Do
I have to teach kids?
Yes definitely.
A good 70% of a teaching schedule in SEST
involves teaching younger learners from
3yrs old and above.
Do I get observed?
Yes. Initially you will be observed by
your line manager twice in your first
few weeks of teaching. After this you
will be observed as part of your continual
development programme on a regular basis.
After each observation with your line
manager you will have a feedback session
in which you will be given the opportunity
to discuss areas of your teaching which
are going well as well as setting aims
and objectives for improvement. As well
as these observations with your line manager,
you may also periodically be observed
by potential students, students' parents,
school staff and your peers.
Is
there enough time to prepare for lessons?
Lesson Planning is a skill that comes
with time and experience. Teachers are
recommended to be in school at least 30mins
before the first class but usually it
is advisable to arrive earlier in order
to plan sufficiently. There are opportunities
through the working day (breaks) to complete
the lesson plans. All schools have fully
stocked resource rooms and all SES texts
have teacher's books that act as a guide
and help a teacher prepare efficiently.
Do I have access to a photocopier
and supplementary materials?
All schools have a photocopier and a teacher's
room where there are good resources and
supplementary materials.
Are there
computers in the Schools?
There
is no access to computers for teachers
in the schools.
What teaching
materials should I take with me?
All of the materials that you will require
can be found in the schools and head office.
However, all teachers should possess a
good grammar reference book that will
prove an essential item and if you have
any favourite photocopiable materials,
please feel free to bring these with you.
Maps and brochures of your local area,
menus, leaflets (delivery pizza, take
away menus, etc.), newspaper inserts,
in store adverts, examples of yellow pages
and phone directories, flyers, tickets,
bus and train maps and timetables, hotel
registration forms, any application forms
(e.g. ask at a local shop), post office
information, museum information, local
television and radio listings, tourist
information, a recording of a radio station,
recipe pages, children's reading books
etc. may also be of use as teaching aids.
How do you differ in terms of
methodology compared to other schools
in Taiwan? Compared to other countries?
Unlike our major competitors we employ
a variety of texts, each chosen to meet
the specific needs of the level or age
group of students being taught. Furthermore
we don't have a "Shane method".
Instead we have a number of well-qualified
and experienced academic managers who
advise and support teachers in trying
to meet the needs of their students. Teachers
are best placed to understand those needs
and, having a fixed schedule, are able
to meet their students each week. With
agreed pacing parameters, they are able
to determine the optimum method for teaching
their students. TEFL in Taiwan is a very
different market to other countries, especially
Europe and South America. There is more
focus on 'communication' and lessons are
much shorter. A lot of TEFL ideas do not
work so well in Taiwan - such as a lot
of discussion and debates.
Which
exam courses will I teach?
SEST
run IELTS courses in certain schools.
Unless you have previous teaching experience
you will not usually be required to teach
exam courses immediately and all teachers
who teach IELTS receive full guidance
and support.
How much business
teaching is there?
There may
be opportunities to teach some Business
English students but all teachers must
have a full understanding that the majority
of classes are young learners.
Can
I teach privately?
Teaching privately
is not allowed for full-time teachers
and any other employment must first be
approved by your line manager. If teachers
want extra hours, over-time etc then teachers
are asked to discuss it with their academic
manager.
J. Dress
What
constitutes acceptable work dress?
Working in Taiwan requires teachers to
be sensitive to what the Taiwanese consider
'Professional Appearance' and this differs
somewhat from our western ideas. As a
professional company we are responsible
for ensuring that the expectations of
our students are met and therefore that
high standards of dress and appearance
are adhered to by all teachers whilst
on company premises or on company business.
For men, a shirt, tie, business suit,
formal trousers and formal shoes are appropriate
and for women a blouse, business suit,
formal skirt/dress, formal trousers and
formal shoes are acceptable. Sports-shoes,
jeans, denim shirts, T-shirts, mid-riff
tops, vest tops and clothing that reveal
underwear are not acceptable.
Do
I have to shave off my beard?
Not necessarily but all beards must be
trimmed, neat and tidy
Do I have
to wear a tie for all lessons?
With the exception of Kindergarten teachers,
all other male teachers must wear a tie
In the summer, all the schools are air-conditioned.
Can I wear jewellery?
Unobtrusive jewellery such as rings and
necklaces are totally acceptable provided
they do not have sharp edges that may
injure children unintentionally. This
is especially important for kindergarten
teachers who are in contact with the very
young children all day long. Please also
be aware that teachers have been injured
in the past by young children 'pulling'
on earrings, and therefore studs are highly
recommended over rings. Small earrings
or studs are fine but any other studs
or rings are unacceptable and should be
removed whilst on company premises or
on company business. These include (but
may not be limited to); nose studs, eyebrow
studs, tongue studs etc
Is it
true that the Taiwanese do not like tattoos?
In most parts of Asia tattoos are not
seen as a fashion statement but more as
a sign of illegal gang membership! Although
this concept is now changing slightly
it is still unacceptable for teachers
to have tattoos visible and all tattoos
should be covered. This is not only relevant
for the classroom but should also be considered
for other leisure time places like the
gym.
K. Social / Pastoral
Do
I get mandarin lessons?
There
are a few language schools in Taipei that
offer beginner Mandarin classes to teachers.
If they are not available it is very easy
to meet local Taiwanese students who are
very keen to have language exchanges.
In all "ex-pat" listing magazines, there
will also be adverts for private language
teachers and schools. It is recommended
that teachers invest in a dictionary or
phrase book and make some efforts to tackle
mandarin prior to their departure.
Are
there social events for teachers?
There are events organised by head office
and the individual franchise school throughout
the year e.g. The Christmas party, fishing
trips. There are many excuses for a party
in the Chinese calendar such as Chinese
New year, Festival, of Lights, Ghost Festival.
In all of the school locations, there
is plenty to do and it is never hard to
entertain yourself especially with good
network of teachers from Shane and other
Language schools in the area. SEST encourages
teachers to be pro-active in organising
good social events themselves, lending
them the necessary support to do so. 2003
saw the beginning of Shane FC who have
toured Taiwan playing in various competitive
tournaments, winning and losing!
Can
I socialise with students?
Yes!
Students love the opportunity to socialise
with teachers.
Is there any pastoral
support?
The academic manager
in your school or area provides vital
support and is your first port of call
if you need any help, assistance or just
want someone to talk to confidentially.
Welfare support also comes from the designated
welfare staff, and of course, your peers.
Is Taiwan a safe country?
Compared to many Western countries Taiwan
is indeed very safe and crime is much
lower. However, as with any country, care
must be exercised and carrying too much
money can be a hazard.
Are there
any dangers or annoyances?
The
Taiwanese are very friendly people and
are curious to find out about you. City
dwellers are used to seeing foreigners
on their streets but venturing into the
country will instigate a lot of staring
that some people initially find uncomfortable.
Taiwan is also victim to the forces of
nature and earthquakes and typhoons are
a frequent occurrence. There are government
issued guidelines available and the school
will also advise accordingly on this.
Is there Internet access in schools?
There is no Internet access in the schools
but plenty of Internet cafes all around.
Is it difficult for Vegetarians
in Taiwan?
It can be awkward
but there are lots of excellent vegetarian
dishes on offer. It can help if you eat
in a Buddhist restaurant. These are easily
identified by the Buddhist symbol, a reverse
sauvastika. Supermarkets offer a great
selection of western and Asian vegetables.
Can I drink the water?
It is not advisable and bottled water
is readily available in all supermarkets
and 24 hour convenience stores.
Can
I get an English Newspaper/English books?
Taiwan has three English language newspapers:
The Taipei Times, China Post and the Taiwan
News; all can be bought in books shops
and convenience stores. Sinorama magzine
is a monthly magazine featuring social
and political commentary on a variety
of topics. There are several good book
shops in Taiwan, especially in the big
cities.
How can I phone home cheaply?
The cheapest way is by using a discount
phone card sold by the various telephone
companies. These are sold in convenience
stores and despite the fact that the dialling
instructions are often in Chinese, they
are very easy to use.
L. Travel
How
long will I have to spend travelling each
day?
Travelling time to and from
school depends on where a teacher decides
to live. Some teachers choose to commute
to work while others like to be in easy
walking or cycling distance of work. The
school endeavours to organise a convenient
a schedule as possible and an hour is
the maximum travelling time required.
Is it easy to find your way around?
Upon arrival, all teachers are provided
with guides and maps for the area that
they are living in. Relevant maps are
also published in guidebooks and available
at big bookshops in the major Taiwanese
cities. Some street and bus/train stations
signs are in roman lettering which helps
for initial orientation. At first getting
lost can be expected and can be fun. It
gets easier.
Do I get reimbursed
for travel?
Teachers pay their
own travel expenses to and from work.
Can I go travelling before I start
my contract?
Yes, providing that
the visa has been organised prior to departure
and that teachers arrive in Taiwan on
the specified date. It is useful if the
school has a contact e-mail address throughout
the time
Will I have an opportunity
to visit other places in Taiwan?
All teachers are entitled to 27 days of
annual leave, including national and school
holidays. Further holidays may be accrued
under certain circumstances. This allows
plenty of opportunity to visit the whole
of Taiwan and neighbouring South East
Asian countries.
Where can I go
on day trips?
Taiwan is a very
compact country and distances are not
large, therefore, there are plenty of
great day trips to be had. Neighbouring
cities, mountains, or coastal areas offer
plenty to do. Taiwan is also served by
an excellent transport network which is
both cheap and efficient.
Is it
expensive to travel to other countries
in Asia?
There are many bargain
offers on flights to Hong Kong, Thailand
Indonesia and China and the cost of living
in these places is low. An SEST teacher
can enjoy a comfortable weeks holiday
on their salaries. Travelling costs to
these countries, however, will vary with
the time of year and availability. Travelling
through the rest of Asia is a popular
choice after the completion of a contract
in Taiwan.
M. Packing
Should
I take my mobile phone?
If your UK mobile can take any
sim card, then it is possible to take
it with you. However some phones (usually
those provided cheaply or for free by
companies like Orange) are 'locked' and
can only use that companies SIM cards.
It may be possible to get these 'unlocked'
before departure. SIM cards can be bought
easily at any convenience store. Welfare
can help teachers organise this.
Can I take a laptop computer?
Yes, although an adapter will
be required.
How can I get a mobile/laptop?
There are numerous shops selling
computers and mobile phones and prices
are very competitive. Advice on where
to go is available from head office or
franchise school owners.
What are the essential items to
pack?
The average airline luggage allowance
is 20 kg, and this dictates what to pack
and what not to. The essentials will include,
smart clothes for work, seasonal clothes
depending on the time of year you come
to Taiwan. Summers are very hot and humid
and loose cotton clothes and shorts are
best for leisure time. Winter is not too
cold but some warm clothing is necessary.
Tall men and women may have difficulty
finding clothes/shoes to fit so these
may well be the most essential items.
Anti-perspirant for the aforementioned
summers is also a useful addition to any
toiletry packs well as personal medication.
Other essentials include a favourite EFL
or grammar book, air ticket receipts,
any important documentation and a copy
of your contract. Mementos from home for
helping introduce you to students will
also be useful.
What items shouldn't I bother
taking?
Too much of anything. Most things
can be bought quite cheaply in Taiwan
and everything is available.
Will my UK electrical equipment
work in Taiwan?
Taiwan uses the same standards
for electric power as the USA and Canada
- 110 V. Plugs are 2 flat pins. Bringing
appliances from Europe, you will need
an adaptor or transformer. However, 220
V is available in many buildings.
Should I take a heavy winter coat?
Taiwan's winter climate is not
like the UK (especially in the southern
areas) and therefore heavy winter wear
is not altogether necessary. However,
it is important to have some warm clothing
as during the "cold snaps" there is no
central heating in most buildings especially
apartment buildings.
Is it possible to obtain condoms
and oral contraceptives?
Whichever form of contraception
you prefer, it is best to bring it with
you. For women, if you are taking the
contraceptive pill, stock up, as it is
very difficult to get. Some condom brands
are generally not popular with foreigners
living in Taiwan.
What's the best way of sending
stuff to Taiwan?
The cheapest way is to divide
your stuff into smaller parcels and send
via the 'small packets and printed papers'
(maximum 2 kg) rate with Royal
Mail. Surface Mail takes up to 8 weeks
and costs much less than air mail. It
may be worth checking other couriers such
as DHL,
FedEx,
etc - although their prices are likely
to be higher.
N. Career Opportunities
What
career progression opportunities do I
have?
At SEST we are committed to providing
development opportunities for all our
staff and teachers. The Teacher Development
Scheme (TDS) is part of our ongoing training
for teachers and provides teachers with
the skills necessary to becoming an academic
manager. We also have a scheme (CTS, Career
Teacher Scheme) that offers financial
support for teachers wishing to gain further
qualifications, upgrading a FELT certificate
to a CELTA. Wherever possible we try to
recruit our academic managers from within
our own schools in Taiwan. Many teachers
have progressed to Senior Teacher and
then on to ADoS (Assistant Director of
Studies) and even DOS (Director of Studies).
SEST has been very successful in providing
other Shane operations around the world
with academic managers. The top positions
in China and Vietnam were initially filled
by ex SEST teachers or managers and many
more teachers have moved to both China
and Japan as teachers or mangers since
then.
Can I transfer to other Shane
schools?
Teachers have the opportunity
to transfer to other Shane schools in
Asia, such as Japan, China and Vietnam
and they could expect to receive a higher
salary than new SES teachers. For example,
if a teacher has taught 2 years in Taiwan,
they would earn the salary of a third
year teacher if they transferred to China.
A Transfer is agreed by both teacher and
SEST.
Will I find work in other countries/companies?
You will gain a lot of valuable
experience with adults and younger learners,
experience that other schools worldwide
are seeking. Saxoncourt can also help
place you in other countries we deal with
- such as Latin America, Europe and the
Middle East. Teaching outside of Asia,
however, will require a TEFL certificate.
|
