Introduction to English as a Foreign Language

I have written four peices covering varying aspects of the Private English Language Schools that are springing up all over Taiwan in response to a surge in government and cultural demand.

I have written these short and probably slightly biased articles from personal experience and what I have seen rather than what others have written or spoken about. Many English teachers past and present have given to me bad stories about their times in Taiwan but allot of these have been a result of their inability to accept cultural change and others a result of a language blocks between the teacher involved and the school head. But equally as many teachers have thoroughly enjoyed their time and some extending well beyond the initial two years they signed up for.

I myself currently live in Taiwan; I am married here and have one son recently born. I do though now work at sea as my brief foray into the world of teaching English did not suit me at all. I started teaching at a new school in Kaohsiung, one setup by five investors who saw quick returns and mass expansion within months. My interview was held in a MacDonald's over a couple of burgers and within minutes I had transferred from a crusty salt of the sea to a teacher. Within one day at the school I had become a manager.

For the first month I built up a curriculum from scratch, writing, researching and printing papers and books for all ages. I recruited staff and suddenly found myself leading all to success. For the next months I taught and managed . and grew to love the children and the teaching but hating the managing and the shareholders dreams.

Then I just gave up: partially a result of my hatred of having to bribe children to perform, partly due to having to cope with a school head who was totally unreasonable and who kept on shouting hysterically "NO CHINESE" at poor five year olds who spoke no English and partly because I never received a full salary in the year that I spent at the school. Looking back I myself may have operated differently, taken a more relaxed view on the military style educational system, but again I don't think I could ever accept the way that children are treated and moulded in Taiwanese society.

In my own view the educational standards and methods of teaching are well below those found in the western world. The attitudes towards foreign teachers by local teachers and heads of the schools often tends to border on slavery or at the most cheap labour with many foreigners being used to promote the school by being handsome or pretty rather than through any regard for their teaching skills. But throughout these articles I try to keep my strong views to a minimum as it is not my intention to discredit the system. I try to give an over-all picture for information sake and to say that the potential is there to improve and to advance forwards in a positive manner.

For those reading this article with the view to teaching in Taiwan then take my advice, sign up with an established Chain school and then life will be fun. For those reading this article who are already teachers comments are welcome and for those in the Taiwanese government or educational system who are now getting all upset hmmm, don't take it personal!