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Teaching English in Taiwan can be a pleasant and unforgettable experience if one is fully prepared before s/he arrives there. This paper will elaborate on the ten most recommended websites that contain important information for those who wish to teach English in Taiwan. Besides, this paper will also discuss the merits of the chosen websites and then compare and contrast the similarities and differences among these websites in terms of the categories of (1) general information of Taiwan and its educational system; (2) Taiwan’s teaching and testing methods; (3) state of English teaching and learning; (4) living conditions, and then (5) job opportunities. Conclusion and suggestions will also be made in the last section of this paper.
General Information of Taiwan and Its Educational System
If one is browsing the job market of English teaching and interested in the overall environment of Taiwan, one should consult World Atlas. This website is recommended because of its user-friendly layout and its informative representations of Taiwan. For example, one can find information such as brief history of Taiwan and some facts like geographical information and the total population of Taiwan, local weather forecast, and some traveling advice. It is helpful for those who are not comfortable with unfamiliar surroundings so they can have a rough picture about how Taiwan looks like. Besides such overall information, one may be curious about the current educational system and related policies in Taiwan. The latest news and education policies are available at an official website of the Ministry of Education (Taiwan) so one can be confident that the information is credible and up-to-date. This website not only explains the educational system (preschools, elementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools, colleges and universities), but also gives information about studying Chinese in Taiwan and also provides useful tips for living in Taiwan. Therefore, it is a site that ought to be consulted in examining Taiwan’s overall educational system and it gives a general picture of the learning environment.
Taiwan’s English Teaching and Testing Methods
The teaching and testing method basically remain the same when compared with those of a decade ago. As stated in an editorial in Taipei Times , one realizes that communicative language teaching and learning sounds like a good blueprint for the future of Taiwan’s English teaching and evaluation method; however, it is merely too easy to "train" the students with the drills of grammatical rules and some other discrete linguistic components such as pronunciation. I also grew up and learnt English with the so-called "Grammar-translation Method" and "Audio-lingual Method." Reading and writing proficiencies were the emphasized areas among the four English skills and those are two important indicators of one’s English abilities in terms of the scores that the students receive from the entrance examinations (both High School Entrance Exam & College Entrance Exam). The Taipei Times is one of the biggest English newspaper companies and it is a good resource for foreigners to keep current with the local and the international events. One can simply take advantage of this website and browse the developing/breaking news or upcoming events in your pajamas at home.
State of English Teaching and Learning
After reviewing the prevalent English teaching and testing methods, the next step for a prospective English teacher is to examine the state of English teaching and learning. The website of Taiwan TESOL provides the prospective teachers with comprehensive information such as teachers’ qualifications; English teaching requirements in different levels of schools (elementary schools, high school, etc.); and online blogs (or the so-called e-journals) about people who have taught English in Taiwan. In particular, useful blogs are available because they were written by experienced teachers in Taiwan and one can save a lot of hassles if one follows their sincere suggestions. Most importantly, the layout of this website is very clear and there is more related or important information under each category. Nevertheless, one may want to keep oneself posted with the latest and most popular teaching methods after one has learnt the basics of the general teaching learning situations. Tesall.com will be the solution to this need. Take one of the local (Taiwan) forums Tealit.com as an example. Here one finds much useful and practical information such as teaching ideas and teaching materials. One should also take advantage of the convenience of the World Wide Web (WWW) and keep oneself up-to-date with the teaching methods or materials by logging onto other worldwide forums and listen to what those teachers have to say in different parts of the world.
Living safely and comfortably should be the bottom-line of teaching in a foreign country and Taiwan is just such a foreign-teacher-friendly and safe environment for those who wish to start their English teaching experience. As you can see on the U.S. Department of State web page, issues like general descriptions of Taiwan, safety concerns, traffic conditions, and entry requirements are all listed on the web page. Besides, one may be wondering about how the typical Taiwanese cuisines look like and worried about whether you can accommodate yourself in a different country like Taiwan. Firstly, let us take a look at Wikipedia Taiwanese Cuisine and you will have a general idea about Taiwanese dining culture. Again, the most appealing advantage of Wikipedia is that you can click on the related terms and it will show you more information upon request. In addition, if one wants to know more about Taiwanese food, then go to Answers.com for more detailed information with some pictures. It gives the browsers some representative specialties of some major cities in Taiwan (e.g., Chiayi, Taichung, and Tainan) and it also tells the browsers about some typical dishes that one should try during their stay in Taiwan. Like the Wikipedia web page about Taiwanese cuisines, it also provides the browsers with additional links for further information.
Nevertheless, some people may get tired of eating Taiwanese food at all times and would like to try something different for a change. Restaurants.com may be a good alternative to search for something one may have a craving for since Taiwan is a very internationalized country and there is no problem to sample the world cuisines within this small island. You can search by the name of the city or the choice of your preferred cuisines. However, the best way is to be familiar with the city first and get around the city. You may find something that makes your eyes and mouth wide open.
After getting a sense of Taiwanese food, it is about time to consider the issue of accommodation during one’s stay in Taiwan. Although it is advisable to arrange everything before leaving for Taiwan, some people may be cautious and suspicious about the legality or reality of the housing contract they are going to sign. Probably it is not a bad idea to stay in a local hotel first and look around before you settle down in your town. Yahoo!® Travel provides people who are concerned with possible housing problems with an alternative choice to stay in a local place first, and then they can search for their ideal accommodations like they do in their own countries.
Next one may want to learn about the general living costs in Taiwan . The range of the exchange rate currently is approximately between 31 and 33 dollars to one US dollar. So, one may find that in fact it is inexpensive to live in Taiwan compared with some metropolitan cities such as San Francisco, New York, or Tokyo. Inflation is not a major concern for Taiwanese people so the information you see on this web page is still valid and useful. One can also retrieve other important information by clicking on different links on this website. As for the cost of accommodations , figure out the monthly rent by reading the analysis carefully. The rate of rent varies depending on the locations that you stay. Generally, it is always cheaper to live in the southern cities like Tainan, Kaohsiung, or Pingtung and in fact there are also a lot of jobs available there.
"All work and no play make Jack a dull boy." Besides fulfilling your job responsibilities, it is also important to unwind and have some fun from time to time. How about "hunting" for your entertainment by going to Taiwanfun.com? It is always nice to watch a movie or have a drink with friends in a bar when you are free from your work. The biggest advantage of this website is that it provides the browsers with bilingual information in a very organized layout and you can find your ideal entertainment around the island. With the state-of-the-art technologies and search engine on this website, you can simply look for something that catches your eyes and enjoy the fun time!
Unless you are coming to Taiwan for the purpose of traveling, you definitely need to find a place (e.g., public/private schools or Bushiban) to teach. However, finding a job can be a grueling and tedious process. Why not try TESOL.net and start exploring potential job vacancies. There are more than 15 links in this web page and you do not have to get frustrated by the thousands of listings when you type "job opportunities in Taiwan" in some search engines like Yahoo!® or Google®. Alternatively, one may want to start your teaching experience by logging on the website at eslteachersboard.com and teach English at some famous or prestigious chain schools like Hess or Joy English. At those schools, they usually have complete teacher training and administrative systems so you do not have to deal with a lot of hassles, such as working overtime, staff benefits, or worrying about supplementary teaching materials.
From the above-mentioned 15 websites, they all share some traits that make them the highly recommended websites for those prospective English teachers who wish to explore Taiwanese English teaching market. That is, the overall design of each website is clearly organized and one can find as much related information as possible without searching for needed information by sitting in front of the computer all day long. Besides, one can usually find those websites either official websites or prestigious websites when it comes to teaching English in Taiwan. Since there is no boundary for the spread of information on the Internet, malicious or phony information may mislead a person’s impression about Taiwan and put people off teaching English in Taiwan. Therefore, it is important to retrieve information from official websites or visit websites that give the browsers related credible links and trustful sources.
However, distinctive features also make each above-mentioned website unique and special. For example, the two listed websites in the first section of this paper both tell the browsers information about Taiwan’s general living conditions but you can only find formal or regulative information in the first website. Instead, one has to visit the official website of the Ministry of Education and search for desired information. In section II, we visited Taipei Time and we know it is a company that issues English newspapers in Taiwan. Foreign teachers can take advantage of viewing different issues, including education, from different perspectives while the news on the Ministry of Education website is more formal and less critical. In section III, this website is more focused on the professional development of an EFL/ESL teacher so one can see many links to other professional, practical, and useful websites regarding the field of English teaching. In section IV, each listed website is very different from one another. The first website is the official website of the U.S. Department of State and it provides the browsers with important information before they go to Taiwan. For the rest of the websites in this section, basically one reads more facts about the general living conditions but in different categories (e.g., food, housing, and entertainment). As for the last section, it is special because it is served as a "wholesale" page of many job opportunities in Taiwan so those prospective teachers do not have to search for jobs at one site after another. The second website in section V also provides the potential teachers with a "safer" way to start their teaching experience without making too many risks since schools on this website are mostly recognized chain English schools in Taiwan.
Finding a suitable and enjoyable job is not an easy task, let alone finding a job in an unfamiliar foreign country. Fortunately, the demand for English teachers is pretty high and the overall teaching and living environment is considered comfortable and friendly for many foreign teachers who have taught or are still teaching English in Taiwan. Certainly it is a big change for a person to teach English in a different country but it may become an indelible part of his/her life if everything is planed carefully and thoroughly. The listed 15 websites in this paper serve as the most recommended websites if one does not have too much time going through all the details in the attached annotated bibliography. However, it is still highly suggested for those tempted teachers to visit each website so as to equip themselves with the most well-rounded and sufficient knowledge and information before they step onto the shores of Formosa. After all, it is always better to be well-prepared and know more than one really needs.
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Wikipedia – Geography of Taiwan
Welcome to Taiwan! Taiwan used to be called "Formosa (means beautiful!)" when the Portuguese
passed by this small island and amazed by its greenish and pretty scenery in the 17 century. This website can
be a good start for you to know the general geographical information if you are not sure how Taiwan looks like.
World Atlas
Don’t be amazed by the intricate and fancy layout of this website. You can find some useful information
such as geographical location of Taiwan, weather forecast, maps, facts about Taiwan, and so on. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Ministry of Education in Taiwan
This is the official website (English version) of the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. It provides the
web browsers with the overview and latest educational development of Taiwan. Information such as lists of schools,
current news regarding educational development, laws and regulations, living conditions, etc. are available for
people who need or want to know the status quo of educational system in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Educational Development and
Present Situation
If you are interested in understanding the past and current developments of Taiwan’s educational system,
this website provides rich descriptions and graphics that guide you through the history and current development
of Taiwan’s educational system.
Taiwan Yearbook
Detailed and vigorous information on the educational system in Taiwan is listed on this website. Graphics,
charts, statistical information were also provided under the auspices of the government. The Year Book of Taiwan is
published on an annual basis and it is recommended to visit the homepage of this website if you are interested in
the fast and current developments of Taiwan.
Education in Taiwan
This website contains general but organized information of the educational system in Taiwan. The descriptions
on each phase of Taiwan’s educational system are short but clear so it can be served as the introductory website for
those who are interested in knowing the general educational system in Taiwan. Contact information of college-level
schools is also available on the website.
Wikipedia – Taiwan Education System
Taiwan’s educational system was presented in this website by the efforts made from the contributions of many
people, thanks to the rapid and state-of-the-art development of internet technology. Elaborations on each level of
education were written under each category so they provide the readers with clear views about Taiwan’s educational system.
Dilemmas of Education Reform in Taiwan:
Internationalization or Localization?
A paper presented at the 2001 Annual Meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society,
Washington D. C. This paper addresses the balance of education reform between localization and internalization
that Taiwan’s government should consider. Suggestions were offered by the author at the end of this paper and
they can be helpful for those who wish to understand the history and the development of Taiwan’s education.
Teaching English in Taiwan
An online guide specifically designed for Canadians (generally applicable to Americans and speakers of
other languages) who wish to teach English in Taiwan. Information such as types of language schools, accommodations,
medical cares, can be found on this website. Anyone who whishes to teach English should visit this page before they
leave their countries.
Taipei Times - EFL Pedagogy in Taiwan
This is an editorial letter from a reader of Taipei Times, one of the prestigious English newspapers
in Taiwan, stating the current trend and practice of English teaching methods and pedagogy in Taiwan.
Taipei Times - English Teacher
Plan Falls Short
Another Taipei Times article addresses the hiring of foreign English to teach English in Taiwan. The goal
was to hire approximately 1000 teachers and it showed the ambition of high quality English education in Taiwan.
However, some difficulties were stated in the articles as well.
Taiwan Headlines
One of the Taiwanese nonprofit organizations, King Car Foundation, sought to create a whole-English
learning environment for children in elementary schools. Personnel were sent to Korea and learn the administrative
systems and school operation.
ROC Educational Reform
An article addresses the education reform in Taiwan. Many new programs were introduced to substitute the
entrance examinations for high schools and universities. Students have more routes in entering schools since then.
Effects of Implementations of Cooperative Learning on EFL College Students in Taiwan
A research paper presented at The Fourth Annual Wenshan International Conference. The paper dealt with
the effectiveness of cooperative English learning in two freshman reading classes. The results suggested that
cooperative learning is beneficial for students to gain better English proficiencies in Taiwan.
Washback of A Public Exam on English Teaching
A paper that discussed the impacts brought by public entrance examinations on English teaching methods
and curricula in Taiwan’s junior high schools. The author argues that the bad quality of the examinations affect
the ways how teachers prepare for English classes. Implications for better English education were given at the
end of this paper.
Wikipedia – Teaching English in Taiwan
An overview on English teaching market in Taiwan. Additional links were given for related information.
Taiwan TESOL
A personal website created by a certified (TESOL) English teacher in Taiwan. This website contains wide
selections of information, such as general English teaching conditions and living tips for teachers who wish to
prepare before and adjust after their arrivals.
Introduction to English as a Foreign Language
A personal account from a current English teacher in Taiwan. The author described his working experience
and his impression of the state of education system in Taiwan. Some advice was also given to those who want to
teach English in Taiwan.
Inside the English Language Schools in Taiwan
Another article about working experience in private schools and the structures of curricula, teaching methods, and future developments.
The Lowdown on Teaching English in Taiwan
A personal website that provides those who are interested in teaching English in Taiwan. Blogs were
written for sharing his (his name is Mark) English teaching experiences, types of schools, requirements, and
payment. Related links were also provided if the readers wish to browse related topics.
Practical English Achievement Test - Taiwan High School Vocabulary List
List of general vocabulary of senior high school English vocabulary. It can be served as a reference
for those who are interested in knowing the range of English vocabulary if they intend to teach English in
senior high school in Taiwan.
Current Trends of Vocabulary Teaching and Learning Strategies for EFL Settings
A research paper that investigates the current EFL vocabulary teaching and learning pedagogy. In particular,
this paper analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the vocabulary teaching and learning strategies. This may be
helpful for teachers who are teaching vocabulary in EFL settings like Taiwan.
From the Eyes of the "Wanted"--The Voices of the Native English Speakers in Taiwan
A research paper presented at The Fourth Annual Wenshan International Conference. This paper dealt with
the voices from the native speakers of English who have experiences teaching English in Taiwan. It is served as
the medium for native speakers of English to comment on Taiwan’s English education and for Taiwan’s government
to critically think about problems when recruiting English teachers from English-spoken countries. Tentative
suggestions were also provided by the author at the end.
Schools in Taiwan and China
Very specific information about the rate of payments for the teachers of English in Taiwan and China.
The name of this website is called “Bushiban,” which mean organizations that better enhance students’ academic
performances by giving them extra hours of lessons on different subjects (of course they charge you money!)
after student finish their official classes at schools. Other information such as taxes or teaching criteria
can also be found in this well-designed website.
Teaching English in Taiwan
So…Now that you know the definition of "Bushoban" but do you know how it looks like? You will
get the chance to have a glimpse of those "Bushibans" in this web page. Information like payment for
teachers, working expectations, and lists of job opportunities was all provided in this website. You will
certainly find it helpful by browsing on this site.
tesall.com - Forums
Keep yourself posted and discuss the most current teaching methods with local teachers and teachers
around the world. Even though you are teaching English in Taiwan, it is very important to better personal
professional development. Links include TESOL course catalogs, worldwide forums, and more information you want to know!
US Department of State – Consular Information Sheet
If you are suspicious about some of the information that you see online, then at least you can trust
information complied by U.S. Department of State. Important issues such as safety, economic stabilization, visa
application are listed on the website as the advisory comments from the US government. Thus, it is highly
recommended for the prospective teachers to read this web page carefully and thoroughly.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Interior
An official website of the Ministry of Interior. It provides the English translation of Taiwan’s
immigration laws to those who wish to understand the regulations of working or living in Taiwan. Foreigners
who wish to obtain permanent residency should pay close attention to Act 23.
American Institute in Taiwan
Feeling helpless sometimes and need some help from the official organization? This is the right page
for you to keep current with issues in the States and a place for you to find some resources and services
during your stay in Taiwan.
Teach in Asia
An online hand book that provides very detailed and organized information for people who wan to teach
English in Taiwan. Topics include salary and bonus information, arrangement for working permits and
accommodations, and more.
Wining and Dining in Taiwan
Brief and introductory information on wining and dining in Taiwan. Chinese tea was also mentioned in this website.
Wikipedia – Taiwanese Cuisine
With pictures of real objects and vivid description of each item of the food, be careful not to drool
too much while reading those web pages. Those cuisines are very traditional and simple Taiwanese food (we call
them "xiao3 chi1," meaning simple or light food) and you will be surprised that the prices are
very reasonable too.
Taiwanese Cuisine
More different and diverse Taiwanese cuisines with detailed description in this website. Unlike
the food introduced in Wikipedia, cuisines in this web page are dishes you can see on dinner table or more restaurants.
answers.com – Taiwanese Cuisine
Another website regarding more selections of delicious Taiwanese cuisines with pictures and
descriptions. It also includes some famous food, or specialties, of some places, such as turkey rice in
Jia-yi City or coffin bread from Tainan City. Enjoy the trip of imagination and the craving for Taiwanese
food before you get there!
Restaurants.com - Taiwan
Feel like having a piece of pizza? Or you are tired of eating Chinese or Taiwanese food al the time?
No problem! This website lists different restaurants that serve cuisines around the world. So what are you
hungry for today? Just click on the type of cuisine you want!
Living in Southern Taiwan
Living in the southern Taiwan maybe be a better option if you wish to save more money while teaching
English in Taiwan. The information of this online guide was compiled by America Institute in Taiwan, Kaohsiung
Branch (TIT/K). It provides comprehensive information that a foreigner (especially Americans) should know when
they settle down in southern Taiwan.
Living in Taiwan
General information on living conditions in Taiwan. You can view the housing, utilities, shopping, and
entertainment information listed on this website. Some online yellow page services are also available for your convenience.
Carrefour;
Rt-mart;
Costco;
Taisuco;
Fe-geant
Carrefour, Rt-mart, Costco, Taisuco, and Fe-geant are the five major chain grocery stores around the
island. If you are sick of dining out, feeling like enjoying some home cooking, or wanting to save some money.
Those are places for you to purchase the cooking materials and some other stuff. You will be surprised about
the diversities of the selling products and money people spend there too!
Yahoo!® Travel - Taiwan
If you are not comfortable with the "virtual" housing information you browse and want to
check out those accommodations after you arrive at Taiwan, staying in a hotel for a while could be a good
choice. Sign up the membership for free and opt the ideal hotel room (s) for you before you come to Taiwan!
Study Abroad International - Everyday Living in Taiwan
Besides information on the northern and southern Taiwan, why don’t we take a look at the central
part of Taiwan – Taichung? The author designed this website for those who wish to live in Taichung and you
will find it helpful in term of everyday life there. Come and check it out!
Living Costs in Taiwan
This page is just one part of the whole website but it gives you the general idea about how thing
costs in Taiwan. Other links like "Teaching English in Taiwan" or "Traveling in Taiwan"
will definitely be helpful for those who wish to have different tastes of diverse cultures and active working experiences.
Apartment and Scooter Information
An interesting analysis about living cost in one of the biggest cities in Southern part of Taiwan
(Kaohsiung). The average of cost was calculated based on five teachers who taught English there in Kaohsiung.
Though the data was conducted 5 years ago, the rental rate is about the same or a little more nowadays. You
can also check the exchange rate at the upper right corner of this website.
Life in Taiwan
This website tells you not only the general overview on Taiwan, but it also gives you the suggested
living costs for everyday life. Information like tipping culture, transportation, health care can be found
in this website.
Youth Travel in Taiwan
If you need to buy some clothes, come to this website and read the advice before you shop. In fact
Taiwan is a pretty modernized and developed country so you will see many department stores (such as
Shin-Kong Mitsukoshi,
So-go,
Far-Eastern) like
Macy’s in the States.
Taiwan Clubs, Bars and Nightlife
Feeling weary of working for the whole and want to unwind yourself by going out sometime on the
weekend? Check out this website and give yourself a break by watching a good movie or hanging out with
friends in the local bar. Are you ready for some fun now?
Taiwan Fun
It’s time for some FUN ! Don’t want to get strained in Taipei and feel like going somewhere else
and having some fun too? Check out this cool website and keep yourself posted with the latest information
of entertainment around the whole island!
Transitions Abroad - Teaching English in Taiwan - A Lucrative Endeavor in a Culturally Rich Environment
It is an article written by an English teacher and internet strategist named Newley Purnell. He
described the general working conditions and some requirements that a prospective English teacher should
pay attention to before s/he goes to teach in Taiwan.
ESL Café
A classified list of English teaching jobs available in Taiwan from the prestigious website — Dave’s ESLcafe.
TEFL.com
A worldly recognized organization that provides English teaching opportunities for job hunters
who wish to teach in Taiwan. Simply select the country “Taiwan” and find your ideal available jobs online!
CampusAcces.com - Directory
of Internship Programs (Including Volunteer Work)
It is a web page that addresses general information about visiting/working visas in Taiwan.
Teaching English and Living in Taiwan
It is one of the biggest websites of English teaching in Taiwan. Besides job listings, you may
also find other useful tips like opening a bank account, pen pal/language exchange service, traveling
advertisements, and some other general information about living in Taiwan.
ESL Island - Teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) in Taiwan
More job opportunities for you now! Come and check out this website for job offers and some other
comprehensive but important information as well. Interestingly, it tells the browsers the schedules of
public/private schools in Taiwan so teachers can take the advantage of knowing the time of their prospective
students if they wish to teach extra hours.
TESOL Max – Top Site Lists
Another website that provides comprehensive services and, most importantly, job listings! Locations,
job requirements, pay rate, and student information are available while viewing the prospective job chance.
ESL Teachers Board
Some people say it is better to start your English teaching jobs in some famous chain language
schools in Taiwan. Now you can contact those schools by simply clicking on the link and get to know your
job requirements and duties by talking to the personnel directly. And you can have the access to free ESL
materials on this website as well.
Linguistic Funland – Employment in Taiwan
Feeling tired of spending too much time searching for different job-hunting websites? Come to this
web listings and search for job openings at one time! Of course you can find some related topics concerning
teaching English in Taiwan when you explore different sites.
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Information shown on this website is the result of a collaborative effort by Dr. Rod E. Case and the EDS491/691 Special Topics in Teaching English
as a Second Language Class, Wintermester, 2007. |
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