List of Agencies and what you should know about them

[WolvesMon]

Teaching experience? Qualified?
These are the questions that these agencies should be asking.
Never mind accent, age or race.

Soon children will not be allowed to attend school after 6 p.m. English classes are being increased in the state schools by law. Although not by quality, the tests remain as does the rote learning. But soon it will be good bye cram schools and good riddance!

Why need an agency? Apply direct.

[SeoulMan]

Has anyone worked with esljobtaiwan?

They don't really have many jobs available. Just a couple out in the sticks when I contacted them. I've been in contact with esljobtaiwan mainly through email and skype. I think there's only 1 person working there and I found him to be quite rude and not very helpful. He likes to throw in a lot ASAP's in his sentences such as you must do this ASAP or may you come in ASAP, but that's not really much to complain about. What I didn't really like about this recruiter is that he'll ask you a lot of questions in his emails but he won't answer some of your questions if he thinks it doesn't sound good for the school, such as how far from the city is the school? Also chatted to him on skype and he logged off as soon as I asked about the overtime hours and if you have to do them or not.

[XinBiDe]

Teaching experience? Qualified?
These are the questions that these agencies should be asking.
Never mind accent, age or race.

Soon children will not be allowed to attend school after 6 p.m. English classes are being increased in the state schools by law. Although not by quality, the tests remain as does the rote learning. But soon it will be good bye cram schools and good riddance!

Why need an agency? Apply direct.

I find issues in nearly everything you've said here. First of all, accent IS important because the children will mimic what they hear, maybe not perfectly, but it's better than making a copy of a copy, per se. Age is important sometimes too because children will prefer younger teachers, and younger teachers are more likely to be energetic and "empty vessel" types. Many schools have their own curriculum that they want to teach. Race shouldn't be a question, though.
I also am highly skeptical about some people claiming that cram schools will be forced to end at 6 pm. You know why? Legislators don't have the balls for that, that is one of the biggest draws to bring foreigners to Taiwan, and it's helping students learn English, albeit not perfectly. It's necessary for those ridiculous tests they take, and you know what else? The economy is at the mercy of cram schools. What will those buildings and those jobs become when cram schools disappear?

NOTE: If this becomes a separate discussion, I hope a moderator will branch it off into a different topic.

[thedakotakid]

Asian Consultants International will only accept applications from teachers 32 and under...wow, first time I have seen that qualification!

[luckybutlost]

I've dealt with a few different agents during my time here, and only once taken a job through them. When it comes down to it, agents are there to push jobs that schools aren't able to fill by themselves. Such jobs are almost always more trouble than they are worth. Also, there are the agents who deal in the "unlicensed" teaching market. From what I understand, they run some rather sophisticated rackets using unqualified teachers, none of which work in the teachers favor.

[XinBiDe]

Asian Consultants International will only accept applications from teachers 32 and under...wow, first time I have seen that qualification!

The CIA has the exact same qualification.

[steelersman]

Asian Consultants International will only accept applications from teachers 32 and under...wow, first time I have seen that qualification!

Really, even outside of Taipei?

[aquagirl]

I would not recommend using any agents at all, if possible. If you are not an experienced teacher looking to come to Taiwan to teach for the first time and you're open to teaching the preschoolers or at an after school cram school (which are pretty much your only options without a teaching license), you can most likely apply directly with the schools via their website. Almost all the big chain schools have official websites and there's a link to their application.

If you're a licensed teacher, do a Google search and try to find a list of public and private schools (elementary, junior high or high school), in addition to the international schools such as TAS, TES or any other ones located throughout the island, visit their websites and apply directly with the HR department or English department. Most of the local schools actually have an English version of their website.

Based on my husband's own experience, he has never had any luck with any agents as they are usually not very forthcoming with any information. They're evasive on purpose and they will usually "lie" or not be truthful about things for fear of not getting their commission. Remember, you're a piece of paper to them, if you don't get the job, they'll just find someone else. You are better off, representing yourself. My husband needed to leave his current school (a large chain who treated foreign teachers like disposable napkins), doesn't have a teaching license but does have a spousal ARC (which really worked in his favor) and contacted a local school looking for English teachers directly and got the job on his own. He also contacted many other schools that didn't respond but every school is different, some schools want very experienced teachers or will only hire teachers with teaching license.

Bottom line, if you have a teaching license and teaching experience, you really shouldn't be paying some agent to look for work for you. You can find out where these schools are, who they are and apply directly. We have found that Westerners are used to using a recruiter when it comes to job hunting but the quality level here just pales in comparison to what most people are used to in the West. Most agents here are super incompetent and many can't even communicate sufficiently in English so how can you really trust them to represent you adequately?

[aquagirl]

I've dealt with a few different agents during my time here, and only once taken a job through them. When it comes down to it, agents are there to push jobs that schools aren't able to fill by themselves. Such jobs are almost always more trouble than they are worth. Also, there are the agents who deal in the "unlicensed" teaching market. From what I understand, they run some rather sophisticated rackets using unqualified teachers, none of which work in the teachers favor.

absolutely agree!!!

[headhonchoII]

Teaching experience? Qualified?
These are the questions that these agencies should be asking.
Never mind accent, age or race.

Soon children will not be allowed to attend school after 6 p.m. English classes are being increased in the state schools by law. Although not by quality, the tests remain as does the rote learning. But soon it will be good bye cram schools and good riddance!

Why need an agency? Apply direct.

I find issues in nearly everything you've said here. First of all, accent IS important because the children will mimic what they hear, maybe not perfectly, but it's better than making a copy of a copy, per se. Age is important sometimes too because children will prefer younger teachers, and younger teachers are more likely to be energetic and "empty vessel" types. Many schools have their own curriculum that they want to teach. Race shouldn't be a question, though.
I also am highly skeptical about some people claiming that cram schools will be forced to end at 6 pm. You know why? Legislators don't have the balls for that, that is one of the biggest draws to bring foreigners to Taiwan, and it's helping students learn English, albeit not perfectly. It's necessary for those ridiculous tests they take, and you know what else? The economy is at the mercy of cram schools. What will those buildings and those jobs become when cram schools disappear?

NOTE: If this becomes a separate discussion, I hope a moderator will branch it off into a different topic.

I also am highly skeptical about some people claiming that cram schools will be forced to end at 6 pm. You know why? Legislators don't have the balls for that, that is one of the biggest draws to bring foreigners to Taiwan, and it's helping students learn English, albeit not perfectly.

What's foreigners got to do with anybody's agenda here..or learning English properly?