Yeah, Hong Kong isn't really going to be any good. They might have more Mandarin than they used from migrant labour, tourism and students, but your average man on the street is going to be speaking Cantonese. Getting around in Guangzhou can be hard enough.

I had come round to the idea of Beijing or Shanghai and was going to ask about appropriate schools in those two cities, but who knows now with covid...

Just to clear a couple of things up:

Firstly, I'm not looking to move next year, but the year after. So my aim is September 2021.

Secondly, I'm not Chinese, or of Chinese descent.

Anyway, it seems to be that I should try my luck with TAS, TES and KAS, but really only as a long shot. Then deciding if I try working up from a lower tier school in Taiwan, or putting in a few years on the mainland and trying to switch across.

Yes, I'm starting to think that if my long-term goal is Taipei, the most effective route there might be through mainland China, despite my reservations about returning there. What would be some appropriate schools in PRC for my position?

Those two, obviously, would be great. But they seem like a big reach for me.

How familiar are you with the other schools on the island? I've made a list of schools - perhaps I could run it by you?

No, unfortunately, despite it being one the official languages, and promoted due to the rise of the PRC, even younger generations of ethnic Chinese people generally have pretty crappy Mandarin.

I know, I'm not doing myself any favours, but Taiwan just ticks all my boxes.

Possible to take a job at a lower tier school and work my way up inside the country?

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

Any information on how competitive Taiwan is in general? Doesn't seem to get mentioned as much as other neighbours in the region.

Well, that's interesting to know. I'm aware of the limitations I'm placing on myself. However, I thought my relative lack of post-qualification would count against me.

Hello,

Looking to the future, I'm considering looking for a teaching job in Taiwan starting from 2021 (to allow me to complete two year post-qualification experience). I'd like to know how competitive I'd be when it comes to looking for jobs.

Here is my background:
2010 PhD Chemistry (UK)
2012-2015 Teaching at Chinese tier 3(4?) school. Mainly a mish-mash of different courses including Chemistry and Calculus on a US university pathway programme, and a lot of AP Calculus.
2018-2019 Teaching qualification (UK/PGDipEd Science/Chemistry)
2019-present Science/Chemistry teaching in UK state school KS3/GCSE/A-Level

I can account for all the gaps, I just haven't included them for brevity and because they are less relevant.

I'm only really interested in Taiwan as I want to live in a mandarin speaking country that isn't PRC. My mandarin is advanced. Single/no kids.

Any help/advice very welcome. Thanks.