ESL Jobs Forum

[LiesleRoos]

Hi there. I'm from South Africa and I've been applying for teaching positions in both Taiwan and Thailand.
I would really like to get some feedback from anyone who's been at one of these places and can give me their personal opinions on them.
I've done some research but still can't seem to decide between the two.
Can anyone help me out?

[dsgrant12]

I have been to both countries. I have not taught English in either though. I have been to Thailand for the past six summers, not including this one. It is a truly remarkable place. Go to Thailand because...
1. It has better food. Thai food is amazing and cheap. It is impossible to get sick of (in my opinion obviously).
2. It is larger and has a much more diverse physical geography.
3. It is a Buddhist country.
4. It is called the Land of Smiles. Most of the people are friendly and welcoming to foreigners.
5. It is much "wilder" than Taiwan. It appears much less industrialized.
6. There is a sense of freedom there. For example, traffic police are not mobile. You do not have to check in your rearview mirror for a police car. Instead, there are traffic stops.
I have only spent less than a week in Taiwan and have nothing truly negative to say about the place. It is like comparing apples and oranges. They are just different. From my experience in Thailand though I can say that it is a truly beautiful, unique place. Hope this helps

[ganou07]

LRoos, it pretty much depends on what you value as being important and what exactly you are looking for in a host nation.

I suggest you go to the top of the ESL Jobs Forum page, click on "Membership List" and ask it to be sorted according to location. Then you can leave personal messages for people working in either Thailand or Taiwan.

Good luck!

[ganou07]

Forgot to mention Liesl, I'm also from SA and I know there are many compatriots working in Taiwan, but so are there in South Korea, where I am.

So check it out for yourself. 8)

[markc]

I've worked in Taiwan for a long time & only visited Thailand. I think Taiwan is better, unless you have a special interest in Thailand. The pay is better and the country is quite easy to live in. If you're interested in languages, then Chinese will probably be more useful than Thai.