Frequently Asked Questions
What type of institution are you?
We
are a private English
Language School
I don't speak any Chinese. How will I
survive in Taiwan
First, like most foreign countries, people in Taiwan
What
is the cost of living in Taiwan
The cost of living in Taiwan United States Canada
Here are some cost examples:
Breakfast - NT$80
Dinner - NT$140 - NT$230
Water Bill - NT$ 400 - 500 / 2 months
Gas Bill - NT$ 400 - 500 /2 months
Electricity Bill - NT$ 1000 - 3000 / 2 months [Use
of A/C in summer drives up the bill.]
I don't have any teaching experience. Is this a
problem?
Actually, we prefer candidates without teaching
experience. That is because we do things differently! We provide full training
and workshops, as well as continued support and assistance. Our normal training
period is 2 weeks.
I've
heard there are legality issues concerning working in Taiwan
The laws concerning English foreign teachers in Taiwan
Do I need a visa to travel to Taiwan
Visa requirements are different for different countries.
Please make sure about the visa requirements for your country (for the passport
you posses). For example, currently, American, Australian, Canadian and British
citizens do not need a visa to travel to Taiwan. (You must however have an
outbound flight ticket dated for about 88 days after arrival.) They can stay up
to 90 days, during which we will apply for a work permit. South African
citizens need to apply for a vacation visa to travel to Taiwan, and for that,
they'll need a Letter of Invitation from our school.
If asked
upon arrival about your purpose of travel, you can explain that you are coming to
holiday and experience amazing Taiwan. You might also need to provide an address where you'll be staying, which
we will provide to you.
Can
I pay off student loans on my salary?
Yes, you will be able to do so. In fact, some of our teachers are currently
doing just this. The cost of living in Taiwan
Will I be provided with housing?
Yes, you will. We will provide you with a furnished flat that you have to share
with one or two other teachers from our school. Each flat has air-conditioning,
a television, a gas stove, a refrigerator,
a washing machine and beds with mattresses. The
accommodation is within 5 minute walking distance from our school. Teachers who share the accommodation are
responsible for the utility bills, wifi and the
monthly security fee. You also need to
bring or buy your own pillow(s) and linen.
How do I get from the airport to my apartment?
We will come pick you up from the airport and help
you get settled in your new apartment.
What
is the area around the
school like?
Our school is located in Xizhi, on the east side of
Taipei. Xizhi is in the valley of the Keelung river. Our school is very close
to the Xike train station, from which you can get to Taipei Main Station in
about 17 minutes.
You can rent a U-Bike and cycle along the river.
Actually, you can cycle along the bike paths all the way to the National Palace
Museum or to Danshui.
There are also hiking paths and a few waterfalls in
the mountains behind our school. Before you buy your own scooter to travel
around, you can use public transportation to get up the mountain.
There is a shopping mall, supermarkets, post
office, police station, many restaurants, convenience stores, private and
public gyms, a swimming pool and running track in the neighborhood, and the
public transportation is clean, safe, reliable and cheap.
Will I have health
insurance?
Yes, you will. Our school will arrange it for you. The health insurance covers
Western and Chinese style doctors, visits to dentists, eye exams, hospital and
clinic visits, prescription medicine, etc. We can only apply for your health insurance coverage once you have your ARC (work permit), so it is
best to get some traveler’s insurance for your first six weeks in Taiwan
How
much vacation/holiday time will I have?
You will have all Taiwanese National (Public) holidays off (and paid). There are around
15 National days off per year.
After a full year of service, you will get 15 working days vacation, of which 5 days will be paid leave. The other 10 days will be unpaid leave.
After
6 months of employment, you can discuss
taking days off with your manager.
The general rule of no-work-no-pay will apply.
How will I be paid?
The currency in Taiwan
How many hours are English teachers required to work each week?
Normal work hours are from 8:30 to 15:30, Mondays
to Fridays. Each teacher will also get a Buxiban class to
teach. You will be paid extra for this.
Will
I be entitled to receive a bonus for completing my contract?
If you complete your year
of employment, but are not offered continued employment at our school, you'll
not receive a bonus. However, if you are a good teacher, the school will offer
you continued employment. If you accept our continued employment offer of
another full year, the following bonuses will be paid:
Continue to work a 2nd year - Continuation Bonus NT$ 20,000
Continue to work a 3rd year - Continuation Bonus NT$ 40,000
Continue to work a 4th year - Continuation Bonus NT$ 60,000
Continue to work a 5th year - Continuation Bonus NT$ 80,000
Continue to work a 6th year and then on - Continuation Bonus NT$ 100,000
How
does the tax work?
Your tax rate will be at a 20% rate until you have been in Taiwan
You
will however get a portion of this
money back. Our school’s accountant will complete tax
return forms for you during the beginning of May every year and you’ll receive
a tax return during the beginning of August.
However, if you work for less than 183 days (for
example if you start working in July), you will not be eligible for a tax
rebate.
What should I bring with me to Taiwan
1) Your original degree.
2) A valid passport, with
long validity.
3) A visa
is required for citizens of certain countries (Do check!)
4) A clear
Police Clearance Certificate (An FBI report for US citizens).
5) A letter of invitation from our
school.
6) Your
original TEFL or TESOL certificate (If you posses one.)
7) Your return air ticket (You
will not be allowed to board a flight to Taiwan without it.)
8) Money
to use until you receive your first salary payment.
A medical examination (for
your work permit) must be done in Taiwan. We will also instruct you on the
photos you need for all applications.
How will I be able to obtain my working visa?
When you arrive in Taiwan
In
a few sentences, what distinguishes your school from the other choices that
students and teachers may have?
Parents
pick our school, because we care about their kids. We keep them safe and
deliver high quality, balanced education. The children learn in a fun, professional environment. They
learn at a fast pace while having fun. Our teachers have a sense of
responsibility and are really proud of what they do. This means a lot to the
parents, too.
The
kids love our teachers, because they really care about them and they make
learning fun. Our teachers are edu-tainers!
Most
teachers continue working at our school, because we give them all the support
they need, they enjoy the working environment and because they feel part of a
team which appreciates hard work.
We
offer high level, balanced education,
all in English. The fact that we have 4 interlinked departments makes us
extremely successful. Not only do we teach the kids English, we also help them
with their Chinese homework in our Chinese daycare department. We want our kids to be successful in the future
and be great global citizens.
Why should I teach at Global Kids
English School
1) Because we have 4 departments in
our school, you can work all the hours you want to on the same premises. No
traveling required!
2) Unique scale system for salaries
and bonuses.
3) Western management representation.
4) In-house, hands-on training. We
give you all the support you possibly need. We
prefer new teachers!
5) Free accommodation.
6) We will handle all
administrative, tax and legal affairs for you.
7) After working for us, you would
have gained valuable experience and be a well balanced and competent teacher.
I have seen offers for teaching in Taiwan
Look
carefully at the fine print, the work environment, the history of the school, how many working hours the
school is actually able to offer you (if it's hourly pay) and
how long the school has been in business. Often,
schools which offer higher salaries have high teacher turnover rates. Remember that our free
accommodation will save you around NT$8,000 per month! And don’t forget that we
offer free meals at school.
Why teach in Taiwan and not in
another country?
1)
Living in Taiwan Taiwan
2)
The cost of living a good lifestyle is low,
so you’ll be able to easily save.
3)
Life is great in Taiwan
4)
Taiwanese people
are extremely welcoming, friendly and helpful.
How much money do I
need when I go to Taiwan for the first time?
The cost of living in Taiwan is low.
You can also have lunch and dinner at school. Your
apartment is also furnished. You will need about NT$30,000 (US$1,000)
to get you through the first month.
Are
debit and credit cards
accepted at most places?
Yes, they are readily accepted in
Taiwan. Make sure your bankcard is activated for international use. However, when it comes to smaller purchases such
as breakfast, night markets and small shops, cash is king.
As
far as opening a Taiwan bank account, how would I transfer money from my
current bank account to my Taiwan bank account, or should I keep them both
open?
You can only open a Taiwanese bank
account once you have a work permit and ARC. That will take 6-8 weeks. You’ll
be paid cash by the school in the meantime.
You can draw from ATMs in Taiwan from
your US bank account and/or bring cash USD
to change into TWD. Debit and credit cards are also good options.
Should
I get an International
Drivers License before I arrive?
I don’t think it’s needed. Taiwan's public transportation is convenient,
reliable, cheap, clean and safe.
However,
if you're planning to drive or buy a scooter or car, then yes, it will be good
to have.
The
citizens of some countries can convert their driver's licenses for a Taiwanese
driver's license.
How
do I get a Taiwan phone plan/SIM card?
We can help you once you arrive in Taiwan. Sometimes, mobile phone service providers offer limited free packages to
visitors. You
can ask at the airport, if they are still open when you arrive. Free wifi is also available at MRT stations, some
public areas and on some buses and trains.
What
do teachers wear to school?
We wear comfortable clothes, nothing
formal. But keep in mind, we are teachers for young learners. Remember that
you’ll need indoor shoes to wear at work. Any new pair of shoes or sandals that
you feel comfortable in.
Regarding the
meals at school, are they
gluten free?
The
kitchen prepares food for all the children and teachers at school. Unfortunately, they can’t
cater for individuals with food
allergies.
What
is the approximate amount of students I would have?
Classes
have between 18 and 22 students.
Would
I teach with another foreign teacher or with another Taiwanese
teacher?
You will
be helped and assisted by one or two qualified Taiwanese co-teachers.
Does
the school offer teaching supplies and what are they?
Yes, the
school will provide you with all needed teaching supplies and material,
including a full curriculum.
When
does the school year go until?
We are a
private education institution, thus we don't close for summer or winter
vacations. Our academic year runs from 1 August till 31 July the following
year. Our normal teacher intake takes place June/July each year. However, we do
sometimes take in new teachers during the academic year.
Are
there vacation days throughout the school year? If so, when are
they?
We are a private school, thus we don't close for
summer or winter vacations.
However, you will have all Taiwanese National (Public) holidays off (and
paid).
There are around 11 National Holidays per year.
1 Jan - New
Year's Day
End January/beginning February - Chinese New Year
(3 to 5 work days off)
28 Feb - 228 Peace Memorial Day
4 April -
Children's Day
5 April - Tomb Sweeping Day
1 May - Labor Day
Middle/End of June - Dragon Boat Festival
After
6 months of employment, you can discuss
taking days off with your manager.
The general rule of no-work-no-pay will apply. Your work ethic and attitude will be taken into consideration here.
After a full year of service, you will get 15 working days vacation, of which 5 days will be paid leave. The other 10 days will be unpaid leave.
Do
you only hire teachers for June/July
start dates or will you be hiring at a later time as well?
Our normal teacher intake is June/July each year. However,
sometimes we do need a new teacher during the academic year. This happens for
instance when a teacher has family problem at home or some other kind of
emergency.
I am not a native English speaker. Can I apply for an English teaching
position at your school?
We only appoint native English speakers at our
school. Our school has very high standards, and pronunciation and correct
grammar are extremely important to us.
