Teaching in Taiwan

Hey everyone. I'm really glad I found this site. As the title says, I'm an American college-graduate that came to Taiwan to teach English to preschoolers. The preschool I am with has been offering this program for about 10 years now and I'm really happy I was accepted into it.

That being said, I'd like to also say that this is my first time in a teaching position like this. My major was not early childhood education, but was actually English Literature. I wanted to come because I like kids and I wanted to have the chance to come see Taiwan and experience another culture.

I've been teaching in the school for the past four months and have learned a ton about the kids. A lot of times, activities that I think will be really fun don't do too well because the kids don't understand me as well as they would understand a teacher speaking in their native language. Another problem is that there are around 40 kids in the school. That makes for really big classes (the 5-yr.-olds have 19 kids in their class) and I have some hard times keeping control. I have a Chinese teacher helping me at all times, but sometimes I feel like they are judging me because I barely know what I'm doing. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

There's another American English teacher here, but she and I don't get along very well, so that's another difficult aspect to this job. We can't comfortably sit down and discuss the kids or teaching methods.

All of this has really taken a toll on my self esteem and my motivation. I don't eat well (too much and not healthily) and I feel drained of energy. Sometimes rolling out of bed in the morning is a chore because sleep has become a form of escape. There's only 6 weeks of the program left and then I am going home, but that feels like ages away. I just need to get through this last part. Does anyone have some advice or encouragement?

Good Morning,

I wanted to welcome you to the forum. What you are doing is sooo coool. I agree with Jamie, some relaxation and enjoying of your surroundings would be good. Get photos. Do you like to do that? You are in such a different culture. Learn as you teach. We are all very proud of your accomplishments. Keep posting.

Hugs, Karen

Thank you so much everyone for your words of encouragement. I do keep a personal journal here, both written and in audio logs, where I do most of my angsting if I feel really down. I also keep a blog here: http://balloflove.blogspot.com/

I don't mean to do shameless self-promotion, but a few of you sounded like you might be interested in seeing it.

There's a lot to be done in the next 6 weeks. We are preparing for our Christmas program in December. It's going to be really weird celebrating Christmas without snow and in 60 degree weather! I come from Chicago, so at this time of year, it's freezing! But today it is 70 degrees, so it's throwing me off.

I will try the tea and picture suggestions. I'll just have to keep repeating mantras to myself like Chartreux suggested.

Thanks everyone!