Hello, my name is Shang Shang and I’m from Taiwan! I’m working as a Japanese teacher both privately and also for a Japanese company. I began learning Japanese as a student in school and that sparked my interest in Japan. After I graduated university in Taiwan I came to Tokyo to study at a local university, and then started working at a Japanese trading company.

WORKING AS A JAPANESE TEACHER

  I came back to Taiwan in the summer of 2013 and began my career as a Japanese teacher. I was not only a teacher of knowledge from a textbook, but I was also teaching trends picked up from my experiences in Japan. I enjoy teaching Japanese. Students often ask me about Japanese, such as Chinese characters (kanji), which I always find it very interesting because although in Taiwan we also use kanji the meanings are sometime different.

  For example, the word “study” in Japanese means “impossible” in Chinese. Also, culture and customs heavily influence people’s way of thinking and talking. In Taiwan, people ask you “Have you eaten?”, but the Japanese would strike up a conversation by talking about the weather. Depending on culture, language also changes. And to me that is the most fascinating point about languages.

  It’s been 6 years since I started working as a Japanese teacher in Taiwan. During my free time I usually try to do some translation work. It is nearly a hobby for me and provides a refreshing break from my teaching routine. Translation work is almost always a new learning experience introducing me to new fields and I find that stimulating and exciting!

MY JOURNEY WITH WORKSHIFT SO FAR

  I registered on Workshift in the summer of 2017 because I wanted more opportunities to work with Japan. Soon after I registered I found a job of translating about a trip from Japanese into Chinese. I truly love traveling to Japan, so I instantly applied for that job. The client had a plan to come to Taiwan, so I met with him to discuss the job. This was my very first job through Workshift. I also got a job to do market research. Communication was smooth for both jobs using the internet message function on Workshift. All details of the job, the deadline, and comments on my work including areas that required amendments were communicated smoothly via the messaging function.

  Through Workshift, I’ve learned about jobs that I’ve never known about before. For instance, when I was selected for a job that required researching the alcoholic beverage market in Taiwan, it required knowledge about alcoholic drinks which was a bit challenging for me because I don’t drink alcohol.

  From a freelancers’ point of view, jobs received on Workshift are very reliable. I receive a notice from Workshift when a job that might fit my skills is posted. Also, when I have a question, they respond immediately. I can’t express how thankful I am to Workshift for giving me a new connection with Japan.

  So if you are thinking of taking the plunge and becoming a freelancer, I’d say “Why not?” You would be delighted to discover a whole new world.