u/EmotionalMuffinEater

What qualifications or experience are needed to teach English in Taiwan, either in schools or at cram/tutoring schools?

- Is it different for overseas teachers compared with local Taiwanese?

- Does a Master's in English Literature help?

- Is a good TOEFI and IELTS required?

- I've heard many rather than offering full-time salaried positions. Is that generally true?

- What are the typical career paths and opportunities in this field?

Edit: Why the downvote?

I'm curious about people who study English Literature (I assume that's usually part of a BA).

Do you typically enjoy reading in your spare time?whether that's novels, classics, or even non-fiction, or does studying literature sometimes take the enjoyment out of reading?

Or is it more like some other degrees, where people aren't necessarily passionate about every subject they study (e.g. an engineering student might not love maths or physics but studies them because they enjoy engineering or the career prospects)?

I'm interested to hear how common each perspective is.

My in-laws are encouraging a close family member in their 30s, who has a mental health disorder, to move to our country to study for a master's degree. While no one has explicitly said it, it's pretty clear that we're expected to be their main support network.

We've been in a similar situation before, and it was incredibly difficult. I was working long hours at the time, and they struggled with basic day-to-day tasks like cooking, cleaning, and looking after themselves. I often ended up cleaning up after them and preparing meals because they weren't able to manage those things independently.

Our circumstances are very different now. We have a young child, my partner is recovering from a health issue, and we're already stretched thin just keeping up with work and family responsibilities.

What also concerns me is that they previously started postgraduate study but had to withdraw because it became too stressful. They've also found it difficult to maintain full-time work over the years for similar reasons. Despite that, their parents believe that moving overseas and attempting an even more demanding qualification will improve their future prospects.

Another worry is that they love socialising but often feel lonely. Since we'll be their only close family nearby, I'm concerned we'll become their default source of company and support outside of study as well.

Their parents keep saying they'll live independently, but based on our previous experience, I'm struggling to believe that will happen in practice. I feel like if things become overwhelming, the responsibility will naturally fall back on us.

My in-laws have acknowledged it will be "an inconvenience," but that feels like a huge understatement. I can't help but think we'll end up helping with meals, errands, appointments, or just being available whenever they're struggling. None of those things are unreasonable in isolation, but together they add up to a significant commitment.

I genuinely want them to succeed, and I don't blame them for living with a mental illness. My frustration is with the expectation that our household will absorb the practical consequences of a decision we didn't make, especially when we're already at our limit.

AITAH for feeling this is asking too much of us?

Just passing through Hamilton after a few years away, what happened to Life Pharmacy Chartwell and the Base?