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Testimonials

Coming to Taiwan was, for me, coming out on a limb. I didn't know anyone, and I didn't know how things worked in terms of finding a job, transportation, and housing. I only knew that I wanted to try something different after four mildly stultifying years at an American university.

Boston to Atlanta, and from there to Los Angeles. My final flight landed in Taipei, where after sleeping for a night in a small hostel, I caught a train to Taichung. I stayed in a hotel for two nights before I saw an advertisement for F.A.S.T. (Foreign Assistance Services in Taiwan) and called the listed number. After only a few minutes on the phone with the man who answered the phone, I could tell he was eager to help. He said his name was Darryl, and that he¡¦d come pick me up in a few minutes to talk about what I needed. In a few minutes!

At first I was wary of being taken advantage of; I felt I was in a somewhat vulnerable position, as I really had no idea what I was doing. I barely had any idea of where I was. But when Darryl showed up in front of my hotel in a car, and he started answering some of the questions I had, I stopped worrying. He was obviously interested in helping me find an apartment, a job, and transportation as soon as possible. I kept waiting for the catch, the what¡¦s-in-it-for-him, but he simply seemed more interested in making a new life work out for me.

After helping me find a place to live, introducing me to some people, and presenting me with opportunities to rent or buy a scooter and find a job, I discovered Darryl¡¦s grand, time-devouring project: A new website dedicated to helping foreigners thrive in Taiwan, www.englishintaiwan.com Darryl set me up with a new user's account and showed me how to advertise in the free classified section as an available teacher in Taichung. The whole process took minutes, was very user-friendly, and I received a response to my posted advertisement within days.

The website, at its heart, runs on the fuel of Darryl's generosity (and the dwindling contents of a battered wallet). His notion is that he knows firsthand how to live and succeed in Taiwan, and because he has the resources and connections to help others thrive here, he can offer his help and services through his website. Of course, the website needs outside support other than one man's philanthropic vision, but I believe strongly that any support received would be returned tenfold to the foreign community here in Taichung, and in other parts of Taiwan as well.

I wanted to share my small story in the hopes that other people might catch on to the idea of a central support system for foreigners in Taiwan, managed, updated, and contributed to by real people who really live here, not people who sit at computers in other countries collecting money for out-of-touch information. It's a question of quality. How can the best possible services be provided to foreigners if the providers don't actually reside here? We need a service that is in touch with the changing opportunities Taiwan has to offer its foreign population. Thank you, Darryl, for putting in the effort and trying to make this possibility a reality.

Jonathan Beard

Taichung Voice Magazine, March 2007

English In Taiwan

EnglishinTaiwan.com is not just another site but a way of life. The site is the brainchild of Darryl Mackie, who has helped turn a web page into a solid resource for foreigners and Taiwanese living on this tropical island.

The site was launched over 5 years ago to help the general public around the world thinking about coming to Taiwan. Some 5 years later Mackie is content with the many user-friendly modifications to the site, designed to keep visitors coming back and he’s done just that. The recently launched sister site englishintaiwan.com.tw has made accessibility to Chinese users in over 90% Chinese language. The content is somewhat different from the English web site.

The results have been more than positive, as www.EnglishInTaiwan.com has reached a new plateau for user satisfaction. It has proven to reach the target market and get top rankings when worldwide users search on the major search engines such like Google MSN and Yahoo.

The site helps make life for foreigners and Taiwanese easier and it does that and more. Users can browse through a multitude of topics ideal for those who have just arrived and for those whom have been on this tropical island for many years.

Whether you’re selling your scooter, searching for a new apartment, inquiring about visa runs, seeking adventure, looking for a language exchange partner or checking out a place to visit and eat in another city, EnglishInTaiwan.com is for you. Its fresh interface and easy accessibility make it a no-brainer for anyone with the slightest inconvenience.

If you are new to teaching English, check the ESL section.  The site boasts and impressive refresher course designed to give you simple ways to explain grammatical rules, as well as fresh lesson plans, games and whimsical jokes. The section also includes quizzes designed to gauge one’s ability to answer simple English questions.

A native of Calgary, Canada - Mackie has been in Taiwan for 6 years and knows the ins and outs of the island. He set up the site because of a genuine interest for helping foreigners living here. The staff, new local partners, key partners and contributors help to maintain both the content and user ability of this top-notch site.

Mackie is quick to give credit to his many key partners whom have helped give the site more options for users. The site includes several classified ads from schools in Taiwan looking to hire teachers. All the classifieds ads are free of charge to post and browse, after you set up your free account. Just after Chinese Year New, Mackie and one of the key partners GreenIslandAdventures.Com gave away a free trip for two to Green Island for one lucky member valued at 10 000nt. He vows to keep giving away prizes to frequent users of the site, as well as anyone with an EIT sticker on their helmet, scooter or car can qualify to enter the draws.

Taiwanese culture places an importance on convenience and EnglishInTaiwan.com does just that. Several new forums have been launched to help users communicate with each other. The business directory has proven to be a popular growing on-line yellow page style guide for people to quickly find small business locations and contact information such as bars and restaurants island-wide. Mackie is also easily accessible to help answer your questions at webmaster@englishintaiwan.com
There is no question that EnglishInTaiwan.com is for you. Sign up today for free today and reap all the benefits of this great site.