Teach English in Taiwan Interview with Carrie Kellenberger
Teach English in Taiwan, Kerry Kellenberger
How long did you teach in Taiwan and China?
I taught for three and a half years in northern China and three years in Taiwan.
How did you find your job?
I found my first teaching job in 2003 through a website called Dave’s ESL café. Within days of submitting my CV, I was offered teaching positions in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China. The hardest part was deciding which job to take. I decided to go to China because the package the school offered was really attractive. I was paid well. My housing was provided. I was given three weeks of vacation each year and I taught 18 hours a week.
My husband and I found our first jobs in Taiwan through a recruiting agency called Reach to Teach. We highly recommend using this service if you are thinking of finding a job in Korea, China, or Taiwan. In addition to coming highly recommended on Dave’s ESL café, Reach to Teach has a terrific reputation for helping teachers adjust to the transition of living abroad.
How easy is it to find teaching jobs?
There are thousands of schools around the world looking for teachers. It’s easy to find work. It’s not as easy to get in with a good school that will help you adjust to living abroad. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If you’re looking for a job in Taiwan, Tealit.com is a good place to start.
There’s no shortage to the number of interesting jobs in Asia. My teaching career started in China, but within months I was singing professionally, doing radio work, book editing, television programs, commercials and modeling.
Is it necessary to have teaching certificates or training to find employment?
No. That TESOL certificate I mentioned at the beginning of this interview has never been used. (John’s note: This was from another interview with Carrie on JetSetCitizen.com)
How did you get your work visa?
We have resident status in Taiwan, which means we don’t have to leave on visa runs when our visas expire. My ARC (Alien Residence Certificate) is a bit different from most because I work with a publishing company. It allows me to work in Taiwan for 2-3 years without having to go through the process of renewing my visa. If you are teaching here, you receive a one year visa, which is renewed at the end of your first year if you decide to stay on.
If you are visiting Taiwan and you don’t intend to work, you can come in on a landing visa (also known as a visitor’s visa). Unfortunately, these visas cannot be switched over to a working visa in Taiwan. You would have to do a visa run (usually Macau, Hong Kong, or Thailand) if you wanted to live and work in Taiwan.
The visa process sounds more complicated than it is. Please remember that this is only a guideline. You should check with your employer and the Taiwanese Economic Trade Office first. With a little time and patience, your visa process should go rather smoothly, and you can rely on your school for help.
If you know you are coming to Taiwan to work, you should apply for a visitor’s visa before you arrive.
1. Find the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in your home country and apply for a Visitor Visa. The process takes from 1-3 days.
2. Find a job. Your new school or company will apply for a work permit for you. You provide your degree, resume, passport photos, and any work-related certificates.
3. You need to do a health check at Renai hospital in Taipei when you arrive.
4. Once your school receives your employment approval letter and your work permit, you apply for your Residence Visa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
5. When you have been issued your Resident Visa, you need to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at the nearest city or county police headquarters.
The visa processing time could take from 1-2 months. Your Visitor Visa is valid for 1-2 months. As long as you can prove the working visa is being processed, you can extend your tourist visa at the local police headquarters until the process is complete.
Is it possible for teachers to arrive without a work visa and look for a job?
Definitely. Even if you come on a landing visa, you can always make a visa run and return on a visa that will allow you to switch your status to a working permit.
What is the Cost of Living in China and Taiwan?
RENT: We live in Taipei, which is the most expensive city to live in. We lived outside the city our first year here and we paid NT$9,000 ($272US) a month for a two-bedroom apartment. Our rent jumped to NT$19,000 ($575) a month when we moved into the city. We have a 2-bedroom apartment in a luxury apartment building on the 24th floor with gym facilities, swimming pool, and spa in the same building. We’re 10 minutes from the MRT (subway) and we’re in a great neighborhood with loads of restaurants, shops and a night market.
Studio apartments in downtown Taipei are expensive. (NT$15,000 and up) Outside of Taipei and its suburbs, the rent drops considerably. You can rent a nice little place for NT$4,000 – NT$7,000 a month.
Another important thing to remember is that most landlords will require first and last month’s deposit before they lease to you.
TRANSPORTATION: Taipei’s public transportation system is second to none. It’s cheap, fast and convenient. I spend about $1.25US a day to get to work and come back home by the MRT (subway). My ride downtown takes about 20 minutes. The bus system is also well-organized. Taiwan also has trains and a high speed rail system that can whisk you around the island.
UTILITIES: Most utilities will run between NT$500-NT$1000 a month. ($25-$50US). Summer months get hot, and if you’re running the air-conditioning all the time, your bills will jump. There’s no central heating here, so winter bills can be quite cheap in comparison.
INTERNET AND PHONE: Some landlords will include an internet connection, but if not, you can expect to pay around NT$500 a month. There are all kinds of cell phone packages. You can purchase telephone cards by the minute or get a monthly plan.
FOOD: Food is incredibly cheap and you can eat here 24/7. You can get a healthy meal for as little as $1US. The international food scene here is terrific. You can get any kind of food you want. A lot of people here (locals and foreigners) choose to eat out most of the time because it’s cheap, fast, and convenient. Drinking can get expensive. Expect to pay NT$150 for beer. ($4.50US) If you like clubbing, you can expect to pay up to $20US dollars for entrance, but this usually includes a drink ticket or two.
SHOPPING: This is a national pastime in Taiwan. There’s something here for everyone. Night markets are always a great place to start if you are looking for cheap clothing, shoes and household accessories. You can also find some great deals on electronics here.
How much money can the average teacher expect to save?
Your salary is more than enough to live on. You’ll be able to live in comfort, and you’ll still be able to send home money each month. On average, I’ve been saving about $800 a month since we arrived in Taiwan in 2006. The salaries in China are much different. Your rent and utilities are often free and you generally get more vacation time because your salary is lower. I didn’t save as much, but I had more free time.
What is the typical number of teaching hours per week?
That depends on you. You need to work a minimum of 14 hours to get an ARC. Anything above and beyond that is up to you. Some people like to teach enough hours to keep their ARC open and supplement the rest of their income with private classes. Other people like working a 25-35 hour a week salaried position.
How many weeks of holidays per year can teachers expect?
It varies with each job. While working in China, I had 6 weeks off in between contracts. I also got holidays and vacation days. I’ve managed to put in 2-3 months of traveling each year since I arrived in Asia in 2003.
Did your employers provide you with medical Insurance? Was it expensive?
In China, my medical insurance was covered by the school I worked for.
In Taiwan, residents (those with an ARC) have access to National Health Care. The medical care here is excellent. You can see a doctor or specialist at any time with very little waiting time. It’s also extremely cheap at $5US a visit. Your visit includes the cost of prescriptions drugs as well.
Do you recommend Taiwan and China for other English teachers?
Life in Taipei is really easy. The city is quite compact and the MRT makes it easy to get around. There are individuals of all nationalities here. The food is great and we never have to search for interesting things to do. There’s always something going on here. The city never sleeps.
Taiwan is incredibly beautiful. I often feel that travelers overlook Taiwan when they come to Asia. People are really missing out when they leave Taiwan off their travel itinerary. In addition to being home to some of the most breathtaking scenery I’ve ever laid eyes on, Taiwan also has a rich cultural heritage. Its ancient roots have been preserved in its aboriginal nations, and in its thousands of temples and shrines. In contrast, Taiwan is also ultra-modern. For such a small island, we never have to wait long for the latest in technology or the newest fashion trends. The people here are very hip and up-to-date.
The only thing I don’t like about Taiwan is the heat and pollution. Both can be a problem for me, especially during the summer.
If I could say one thing to the people of Taiwan, I’d tell them to slow down a little. The Taiwanese work ethic is go-go-go. I’d like to tell my friends to stop and enjoy life a bit more. It isn’t all about work and getting ahead. However, I also realize that Taiwan wouldn’t be where it is today if its citizens didn’t follow this work ethic. There is an immense amount of pride and patriotism here.
What advice would you offer for others thinking of teaching English Abroad?
Make sure you do your research before you leave. Just as you would plan a trip, you should also be putting time into learning everything you can about the countries you might like to live and work in and the jobs you apply for. Think about what kind of teaching position you want. What age group do you want to teach? How many hours do you want to work? Will your school be foreign-owned and operated or will your boss be a local? Will you be happier in an urban or a rural location? Do you want to live in a city that has a huge expat community or would you prefer to be somewhere where you can forge your own path? It’s all up to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more questions you ask and the better prepared you are, the better your chances are of finding a job that you really like and of living a life that you want.
Links
My Several Worlds (Carrie’s blog)
TaiwanPhotographers (Carrie’s photography blog)
Interview with Carrie on JetSetCitizen.com
Teach English in Taiwan (General Information)
English Teaching Jobs in Taiwan
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I wonder if anyone might be able to give as in depth a description as possible about the differenence in teaching in the mainland versus Taiwan: how are the work and home cultures different? I know in the mainland employers don’t want politics discussed in class, having late night guests or going out later at night can be impossible (if living at school), and foreigners can be honored guests or targets for anti-foreigner heckling (or rare violence). Does this hold true in Taiwan? How culturally conservative is Taiwan comparitavely? Any other key differences?