Teach in Taiwan

Who to Contact, Where to Stay

By Jim Soliski

An English teaching job in Taiwan? That's easy. Jenny Lai is an agent who places teachers and charges a 20 percent commission from your first month's pay, a sound investment. (Contact: Jenny Lai, 011-886-22-362-1695, fax 011-886-22-363-5424.) Taiwan's availability of work, especially through Jenny, is endless, especially if you want to teach kids.

Also, look in the classified section of the English-language daily, The China Post, www.chinapost.com.tw. Finding employment is no problem, but wading through the red tape of "official" employment can be an exercise in futility. If you don't want to leave the U.S. without a guarantee of a job, communicate by fax with Jenny before leaving.

Your visitor's visa must be extended every 60 days up to a maximum of 180 days. Studying Mandarin is the most common excuse for an extension. Accredited schools issue a study certificate to show at the Dept. of Immigration when you extend your visa. Classes run two hours per day, Monday to Friday, for two months.

Certain Kung Fu schools are also authorized to issue study certificates. There are also more creative ways to extend visas. One student of mine wrote an official letter declaring that he and I were involved in lengthy research and development. The application passed with no problems.

Work Permits. The government now allows accredited schools to issue work permits. The downside of a work permit is the taxes. Twenty percent is held back and 14 percent refunded when you permanently leave the country. The advantages of teaching at a school are no cancellations and steady pay.

The term "full time" at a school means about 20 hours per week. You can save the money from a full-time job and teach private students as much or as little as necessary for your expenses and spending money.

Taipei is very expensive. The image of cheap Taiwan goods translating into a cheap place to live is a common misconception; however, making a decent living and saving an ample amount to move on to your next destination (Japan, Korea, Vietnam) is not a problem.

Housing. The landlady at the Formosa Hostel, Lin Tai Tai (Mrs. Lin), is a fabulous woman who will go to any length to care for her guests. Reservations are not necessary, she will find you a bed. Weekly rates are about $10 a day. After some time you may make friends and decide to find an apartment together, or you may stay long term in the hostel. Contact: Formosa Hotel, Chung Shan N. Rd., Section 2, Lane 20, No. 16 3F1; (011) 886-22-562-2035.

JIM SOLISKI taught English in Taiwan and traveled throughout Asia for two years. He writes from Edmonton, Canada.