Teaching with Shane School of English in Zhanghua

[tomthorne]

Never heard of $460 an hour at Shane either.

Head Office wouldn't allow it. They are a pretty straight-up organisation and they make sure that their franchisees follow the rules. If anyone is being paid that then they just need to contact their ADOS and he'll sort out the problem.

[funkymonkey]

Never heard of $460 an hour at Shane either.

Head Office wouldn't allow it. They are a pretty straight-up organisation and they make sure that their franchisees follow the rules. If anyone is being paid that then they just need to contact their ADOS and he'll sort out the problem.

$560/hr is still crap. Most of their teachers are newbies, right?

[The LawBA]

Yeah, I certainly am...

[tomthorne]

$560/hr is still crap. Most of their teachers are newbies, right?

Everyone's got to start somewhere . I still think that they are a good starting school for newbs because they have a support system which, on the whole, works and they tend to offer block teaching hours. The teaching method is pretty straight-forward for people who don't know what they're doing - standard PPP stuff. Highly ineffective but easy to do and the punters like it . I don't think many newbs pick up much more than 600 an hour at the moment for a gig with block hours.

[Puppet]

quote="tomthorne"]

$560/hr is still crap. Most of their teachers are newbies, right?

Everyone's got to start somewhere . I still think that they are a good starting school for newbs because they have a support system which, on the whole, works and they tend to offer block teaching hours. The teaching method is pretty straight-forward for people who don't know what they're doing - standard PPP stuff. Highly ineffective but easy to do and the punters like it . I don't think many newbs pick up much more than 600 an hour at the moment for a gig with block hours.[/quote]

Was going to reply in PM, but figure here is just as good.

I actually usually recommend starting at a chain school. If you know nothing about teaching or the country, you're likely to at least get here, more likely to meet foreigners, and less likely to get a sudden "we don't need you" email from the company a week before you start. (Actually happened to a guy coming to work in a school in Zhanghua I used to work for). Once you get here and make contacts, find jobs that way.

Most people I knew didn't stay with Shane, largely because of their pay. That's not just Zhanghua....it's other places. I'd look into the work permit for every location. It's easy for a school to do that, but many don't.

When you get here, let me know. Will still grab a burger with you and let you know all the places to hang out.

Matt

[superking]

I'd say Shane is a pretty decent way to get into teaching in Taiwan, as others have suggested. I worked for NOVA in Japan, ugh, what a mess of an organization. Shane can depend franchise to franchise, but if you go to one that has been running at least a year or two you should have a great time. As others say, also a good way to meet a few foreigners upon arrival. I met one of my best mates through working at Shane.

[The LawBA]

That's good to know. Thank you for your that Matt, it's really helped. And yes, would still be up for a burger. Once I've been here a bit and am a bit less disorientated I'll likely PM you on here to discuss meeting. And thanks as well Superking, that's much appreciated advice. Thanks everyone!

[superking]

Hello everyone.

I've taken a position with Shane School of English in Taiwan, and will arrive in Taipei for training in three weeks. It's my first time in Taiwan, and will also be my first time teaching English, though I have a BA in English and a TEFL certificate. I'll be teaching at three schools in Zhanghua City, Yuanlin and Homei. I know this is a bit much to ask, but does anyone on the forums have experience with Shane in Zhanghua, or happen to be teaching with them currently? If so, what are your experiences with Shane and Zhanghua generally? I know that's probably very general, but any and all advice and feedback would be gratefully appreciated.

I've done a lot of research on Taiwan, but I'm still uncomfortably aware I don't know as much as I'd like. I really want to make a good impression in this, my first TEFL job, and would appreciate anything people have to say, as it would be a great help. Thank you.

You won't know if you will hit the ground and run until you hit the ground and have to run. The training week is pretty fun and you will learn how they structure lessons, and so on. It sounds like you need to make sure you are not at those three schools on the same day. It could be mad going from one to another. If they are all on separate days no worries. If they are on the same day get travel expenses out of them!

[brettygood]

Hey everyone,

I was just offered a position in Hsinchu with Shane & was wondering if anyone had worked at that branch & could share if it was a good one or not? Also, I know very little about the place - could somebody tell me if it's a very good place for an expat to live? I'm not looking for a place to party like the dickens at but I wouldn't mind there being somewhat of a nightlife as well as a decent community of English-speakers to hang out with.

Thanks!

[Puppet]

One place you might want to check out is just outside Hsinchu in Jhu Bei. It's called Titty Tea and all I can recommend at this point. The owner is really great and might be able to tell you a good list of places in Hsinchu. Try their Austrian beer while you're at it. Tell him Matt, the ventriloquist, sent you.