Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program

Taiwan is a fantastic place to teach English as a foreign language. The food, the distinct and fascinating culture, incredible mountains, beaches, sprawling national parks and dramatic city skylines are just some of the features that make Taiwan such a captivating location for anyone dreaming of teaching English somewhere totally unique.

Taiwan's focus on English education is intense. Taiwan aims to be a bilingual English-Mandarin Chinese nation by 2030, which is fantastic news for English teachers. There have never been more opportunities to teach English in Taiwan than now. A particularly fantastic route to English teaching in the island nation is the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP), which offers teachers opportunities to work in and around the country on an excellent salary, with many great extra benefits to enjoy.

With two different types of teaching experiences available - as we’ll cover further on - the TFETP isn’t quite like other teaching programmes. No two experiences are the same, which makes it such a popular and exciting choice for TEFL teachers, both new and experienced.

So, what’s the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program all about? How do you apply, what kind of salary can you earn, and what do you need to be accepted?

What is the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP)?

The Taiwan Ministry of Education's Foreign English Teachers Program (TFETP) is the country's most popular and prevalent teaching program. It’s a program designed to attract qualified teachers to work in K-9 public schools across Taiwan, intending to:

“...develop innovative English curriculum and effective teaching methods through collaboration between foreign English teachers, foreign English teaching assistants, and Taiwanese teachers.”

In a country with already high standards of English, the TFETP aims to raise standards even higher. There are two types of TFETP experience, and both are integral to Taiwan’s aims of boosting English proficiency within the public school system. You’ll work either as a Foreign English Teacher or a Foreign English Teaching Assistant. The two roles are distinct, with the former being a more direct, traditional teaching role and the latter working under the guidance of a Taiwanese teacher. 

Expectations of TFETP applicants

Foreign English Teachers are expected to work 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. As a Foreign English Teacher, you’ll work alongside Taiwanese teachers for up to 20 weekly classes. You’ll also help provide students with a “positive English learning environment”. This involves coordinating and participating in different school activities and projects, including shows, exhibitions and special assemblies for students.

You’ll be expected to prepare lessons, write lesson plans, prepare materials, mark and grade work, and provide feedback on exams and evaluations. There will also be activities for teachers organised by the Taiwanese government, which teachers will be expected to participate in, like competitions and performances.

The responsibilities of a Foreign English Teaching Assistant are very similar, but instead of leading a class, you’ll be expected to aid a Taiwanese teacher in delivering high-quality lessons. Like a Foreign English Teacher, you’ll be expected to participate in extracurricular activities to boost cultural exchange.

Eligibility requirements for TFETP 

You’ve seen the salaries on offer and know what this government-sponsored Taiwanese teaching program is about. So, how do you get into a Taiwanese classroom on the Foreign English Teachers Program? What’s required to teach in Tapei City, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, Anping or elsewhere in Taiwan on TFETP? 

Let’s break it down by role to see if you have what it takes!

Foreign English Teacher

• You must hold citizenship from a country where English is the official or common language. The complete list of countries recognised as English-speaking by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is provided here.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• A teaching certificate or license issued by the state, or more than a year’s worth of experience teaching English in accredited foreign schools/more than a year’s worth of experience as a full-time English teaching assistant on FTETP, along with a degree and a TEFL certificate
• Clean criminal background check

Foreign English Teaching Assistant

• As for Foreign English Teacher applicants, you must hold citizenship from a country where English is the official or common language.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Clean criminal background check

Support and resources available for TFETP Teachers 

It’s helpful to have some resources if you’re considering taking the leap and doing TFETP or are already in Taiwan and looking for some guidance. Here are some links that can help English teachers and teaching assistants working in Taiwan, as well as links to some helpful services, guides to Taiwan more generally, and even some guidance on where to find more opportunities to explore the country's cuisine and culture.

Remember, your teaching experience goes beyond the classroom - it's all about exploring unique places, and Taiwan is full of them, like Taipei City, Kaohsiung City, Taitung and more!

• TFETP Professional Support
• The TEFL Org - Teach English in Taiwan
• TFETP on Facebook
• TFETP: How to Apply? (YouTube)
• Taiwan Expat Health Insurance Guide
• Taiwan Obsessed: Living in Taiwan 101
• Where Food Takes Us: Living in Taiwan
• UK Government: Living in Taiwan
• Links to Embassies and Missions in Taiwan