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English Teaching Jobs in
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Taiwan is packed with well-paid TEFL opportunities for talented English teachers – so how do you find great jobs?

With its strong economy and high education standards, Taiwan is a popular choice for English teaching jobs. A diverse place full of mountain views, gorgeous beaches, and skyscrapers lining the horizon, this small island country is a uniquely modern Asian outpost with a huge demand for qualified English teachers.

The country’s government recently launched a program to make Taiwan English-Mandarin bilingual by 2030, so the appetite for English teachers is only expected to grow. With plenty of well-paid jobs, and benefits like medical insurance and accommodation, now is the perfect time to find a job teaching English in Taiwan.

To help you get started, here's a quick guide to the ins and outs of Taiwan English teaching jobs in 2025.

Quick facts about Taiwan

Capital: Taipei City
Official Language: Chinese Mandarin
Population: 23.4 million (January 2025, National Statistics)
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT$)

Download our teaching English in Asia guide

English teaching jobs in Taiwan: an overview

Taiwan is ambitious about reaching international markets to help young people enjoy better job opportunities. To this end, Taiwan has ambitions of being bilingual by 2030. Currently, Mandarin is the most widely spoken of Taiwan’s four official languages (alongside Taiwanese, Hakka and Formosan), but English is also popular. It’s taught in public and private schools from an early age, typically in the third grade. Additionally, about 70% of parents send their children to cram schools to improve their English skills. While state schools can provide opportunities, Taiwan produces its own English teachers, so these teaching opportunities have become increasingly competitive. However, private language schools – or cram schools, as they’re usually known – always seek EFL teachers. International schools, universities, and private tutoring opportunities are also widely available for anyone seeking an ESL job teaching in Taiwan.

Requirements for English teaching jobs in Taiwan

What do you need to meet the requirements to teach English abroad in Taiwan? Let's take a look:

Qualifications and certifications

To teach English in Taiwan, you’ll need:

A bachelor’s degree (English and Education are preferred)
Completion of one or more TEFL courses is essential (120 hours is the industry standard. An advanced TEFL Business English certificate will certainly help during your job search)
Previous teaching experience is preferred (institutions like private schools and international schools will usually require at least a year of teaching experience)
An English proficiency certificate for non-native English speakers (IELTS or TOEFL)
A notarised and completed criminal background check

Visa requirements

To obtain a work visa and work permit to teach English in Taiwan, foreign teachers need to meet these teaching English requirements:

Hold an undergraduate degree (in any subject)
Native-level English proficiency
Hold a passport from an English-speaking country - such as the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand
Be able to pass a criminal background check

Securing the correct visa and work permit is essential to teach English in Taiwan legally. Most teachers will need either a work visa or a working holiday visa.

If you are between 18 and 35 years old, you might qualify for a working holiday visa. This visa allows citizens from certain countries to live and work in Taiwan for up to one year.

Tip: Some teachers will arrive in Taiwan on a temporary landing visa and search for teaching jobs upon arrival. However, to legally remain and teach, this visa must be converted to a work visa once an ESL job is offered. It’s better to secure employment and sponsorship for a visa before leaving your home country to avoid any stress or legal issues.

Background checks and health requirements

A police record and health certificate from your local authority will likely be requested for visa applications. This is standard practice when teaching abroad; having notarised copies of your certificates is essential. Contact your local police station and your local GP to begin obtaining these certificates.

Salary & benefits

What can you earn while teaching abroad in Taiwan? For an idea of an average salary, it’s usual for new teachers to earn around NT$72,436 (£1,725 / $2,220) per month. This range can vary depending on the institution, qualifications, and teacher experience. Hourly tutoring rates range from NT$700 to NT$1,000 (about £17 – £25 / $21 – $31) per hour.

Type of School	Monthly Salary (USD)	Typical Benefits
Public Schools	NT$65,000 – NT$75,000 (£1,590 – £1,835 / $1,980 – $2,285)	Paid holidays, insurance, performance bonuses, medical insurance and Mandarin classes.
Private Language Schools	NT$65,000 – NT$75,000 (£1,590 – £1,835 / $1,980 – $2,285)	Housing stipend, performance bonuses
International Schools	Up to NT$73,000 - NT$91,450 (£1,721 - £2,155 / $2,227 - $2,790)	Robust health insurance, accommodation, flights
Universities	Up to NT$104,210 - NT$121,550 (£2,457 - £2,865 / $3,127 - $3,708) *According to NTU’s Online Faculty Handbook	Research grants, fewer hours
Private Tutoring	NT$655 - $1,638 (£15 - £38 / $20 - $50 / hour)	Flexibility

Additional benefits

Depending on your employer, English jobs in Taiwan can have impressive benefits. These include reimbursement for economy-class flights to Taiwan, accommodation assistance, performance bonuses (one month’s pay after a year of high-performance teaching is quite common), health insurance, and accident cover.

Benefits for English teaching positions in Taiwan include:

Paid vacations
Flight and travel reimbursement to Taiwan
Housing allowance / accommodation assistance
Bonuses for high performance
Health and accident coverage

Country	Avg. monthly salary	Degree required	Start of term	Teaching experience	Housing & flights included	Suitable for non-native English speakers	Age restrictions
Teach in Taiwan	£1,335 - £1,735 GBP ($1,700 - $2,220 USD)		September		Sometimes		Under 65

Read our Taiwan Country Guide for info about salaries, living costs & requirements

Taiwan Country Guide

Types of English teaching jobs in Taiwan

Taiwan offers many job opportunities for English teachers, but it’s crucial to know where to look, what you need to compete, and what kinds of salaries and benefits are available.

Public schools
Private Language schools
International schools
Universities & higher education
Private tutoring

Public schools

English teaching positions in Taiwanese public schools are generally placed through teaching programmes. Usually, the TFET programme puts foreign English teachers into this kind of work, from kindergarten level to senior high school. You’ll need a degree, a teaching license and TEFL certification to be eligible for state school jobs in Taiwan.

While class sizes can be large, teaching English in Taiwan at a public school can be lucrative. A monthly salary of about NT$65,000 – NT$75,000 (£1,590 – £1,835 / $1,980 – $2,285) is common, and you can expect to receive benefits like performance bonuses, insurance coverage, and Mandarin classes.

Private language schools

On average, teaching jobs in private language schools in Taiwan pay around NT$65,000 – NT$75,000 (£1,590 – £1,835 / $1,980 – $2,285) per month. Usually, teachers in private language schools should expect to work evenings and weekends, with schedules consisting of about 16-25 hours per week.

International schools

Given its economic performance, geography, and multicultural outlook, you can expect plenty of promising international schools in Taiwan, from Taipei, to coastal cities like Kaohsiung, Taichung and Hsinchu.

To teach English in a Taiwanese international school, you’ll need exceptional teaching certifications, including a master’s degree, a high-quality TEFL certificate, and considerable teaching experience. Typical benefits include health benefits, accommodation, flights, and other perks.

Universities & higher education

It’s possible for students in Taiwan to go to university without being fluent in Mandarin. In fact, there are many English-taught degree courses across the university system of Taipei alone.

As a result, there are a number of teaching opportunities for ESL teachers in Taiwan, since not everyone who takes an English-speaking course will be a native English speaker.

An advanced TEFL qualification in English for Academic Purposes would put you in a great position to service this student market.

Private tutoring

On that note, private tutoring – whether one-to-one or in small groups – is a popular option for those who teach English in Taiwan. In the business world, many corporate clients are looking for English educators to help build proficiency in their workforce so they can interact with English-speaking customers and find more B2B opportunities.

Tip: To set yourself apart from the crowd in Taiwan, it’s worth taking advanced TEFL courses. Teaching young learners, English for Academic Purposes, Business English and other additional courses will help you earn more and find better opportunities.

How to find jobs teaching English in Taiwan

So you're keen on teaching English in Taiwan but unsure where to find jobs? Here’s a list of great resources that'll help you find work teaching English in schools, universities and other settings.

Job search websites

Check out The TEFL Org Jobs Centre to find great openings to teach English in Taiwan, teach English online, or across the world!

Hess Education has over 200 branches in Taiwan. To work there, you need a degree, a TEFL certificate, a passport from an English-speaking country, and a criminal background check from your home country.

Jump Start has English Immersion cram schools looking for native English speakers for their early childhood classes, aged 2-15. You will need a degree, ideally in early childhood/education.

Kang Ning English School has 7 branches seeking teachers with a BA degree who have a passport from a native English-speaking country.

Kid Castle has language schools, after-school programmes, and preschool programmes for classes of up to 20 students. Candidates need a BA degree and a passport from the USA, the UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa.

KNS seeks talented individuals to teach English in Taiwan. You'll need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate and a criminal background check.

Reach to Teach has opportunities, with monthly salaries starting at NT$65,000. The work involves 20-25 hours of teaching per week.

Shane English School hires through Saxoncourt Recruitment for their franchise schools in Taiwan. You need to hold a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate.

Tealit is a great website for finding TEFL jobs in Taiwan, as well as searching for flat shares and roommates, teaching information and more.

Networking & online groups

Some popular Facebook groups include Teaching English in Taiwan, Taiwan English Teacher Job Board and Teachers in Taiwan
InterNations’ Taiwan expat community
Expat.com Taiwan discussion forum
Reddit: R/Taiwan, Taiwan on R/TEFL
Forumosa

The Foreign English Teachers Program

A fantastic way to teach English in Taiwan is through a teaching programme. Taiwan's most popular teaching programme is the Government-run Foreign English Teachers Programme (TFETP).

The TFETP brings in qualified teachers to teach in K-9 public schools across the country, intending to expand the horizons of cultural exchange, improve English proficiency in public schools, and strengthen ties between Taiwan and English-speaking nations.

To apply for Taiwan's TFETP programme, teachers must have TEFL certification, a university degree, and a teaching license from their home country.

Walk-in applications & local hiring trends

The TEFL community has varied experiences with walk-in applications, with some teachers online suggesting it’s not the most fruitful approach. While some teachers have said it is possible to gain jobs this way, your best option is to follow what most new teachers seeking work in Taiwan do: apply through TFETP or job adverts posted online for private schools.

Tip: The peak hiring season for English teachers in Taiwan is between July and August, but private tutoring gigs hire year-round.

Direct applications to schools & language centres

The best way to find jobs in Taiwan, if not through TFETP, is to make direct online applications. Be sure to include a strong cover letter detailing the experience you’ve gained from your TEFL certificate, teaching history, or both.

Before applying, make sure you have the right TEFL certificate. You’ll need at least 120 hours of study on your side before applying for Taiwanese teaching jobs.

Best cities to teach English in Taiwan

Like most countries, most jobs are in the cities and big towns, so you’re best served looking at Taipei, Taichun, Anping, Kaohsiung and Tainan. The quality of life in Taiwan is considerable: Taiwan has been named the best place to live for expats, which is a ringing endorsement for anyone considering moving there to teach English abroad.

If teaching English in Taiwan appeals, but you aren't sure where to go first, here are some of our top suggestions.

Taipei

Taiwan's capital city, Taipei, is a modern and international hub rich in culture and opportunities for TEFL teachers. Most schools and language teaching institutions are located in Taipei, a colourful and lively metropolis with plenty to explore.

People call New York the city that never sleeps, but Taipei’s active night markets, bars and restaurants continue serving enthusiastic customers until the early hours. The Dadaocheng district, in particular, has amazing markets, with everything from street food to vintage record shops. If the city's noise gets too much, you can take a short hike to Elephant Mountain for stunning views of the Taipei skyline. With stunning sights like the famous Taipei 101, the underground metro and its unique art scene, every day in Taiwan’s capital is an adventure.

Taichung

Known for its lively arts scene and delicious food, Taichung is a city with a more relaxed vibe. Nowhere does Taichung define itself quite like Calligraphy Greenway, a gorgeous park connecting the National Museum of Natural Science to the National Museum of Fine Arts. Taichung also boasts a growing demand for English teachers, all within a friendly atmosphere. It’s also appreciative of highly qualified TEFL teachers, and there are plenty of opportunities to find work.

Kaohsiung

With its tropical climate and diverse cultural attractions, Kaohsiung offers TEFL teachers a slower-paced lifestyle. If you’re moving to Taiwan and craving walks and riverside views, Kaohsiung’s famous ‘Love River’ is hard to beat. The scenic harbour area is just as stunning as the riverside, while Lotus Pond has a range of temples that have inspired travellers for hundreds of years.

Hsinchu

Taiwan’s answer to Silicon Valley, Hsinchu, is a hub for technology and education, with lots of opportunities for English teachers (especially in the tech sector). There’s also a strong university presence in Hsinchu, meaning you can flex your credentials as a teacher of English for academic purposes.

Outside of work, Hsinchu’s attractions include the Yin Hsi gate (originally built from bamboo), the Image Museum (which preserves visual art and cinema) and the Green Grass Lake, perfect for long walks and bike rides after a long day’s teaching!

Key Takeaways

Taiwan is a popular, welcoming destination for TEFL teachers, with jobs available in a wide array of sectors. From public English education to corporate tutoring, Taiwan offers some of the best overall wages for those looking to teach English abroad.

English teaching demand in Taiwan is high, especially in Taipei.
The average starting salary for ESL jobs is around NT$72,436 (£1,725 / $2,220) per month, with common perks like flights, accommodation, performance bonuses and health coverage.
Job opportunities exist in public schools, international schools and corporate training.

TEFL certification is strongly recommended, even for native speakers, with advanced TEFL certificates helping you to compete in the marketplace.

English Teaching Jobs Available in Taiwan

Full Time

Taiwan

Teach English in Taiwan - Multiple Cities and Start Times

Posted: 6 days ago

The leader in English-language education in Taiwan. We have 200 schools throughout Taiwan, as well as decades of experience helping passionate people experience the joys of teaching.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The internet is full of good questions about teaching English in Taiwan, so here are our best answers!

Q. Are English teachers in demand in Taiwan?

Yes, qualified teachers in Taiwan are in demand to teach English. Talented teachers are required by public schools, international schools, private schools, and universities. Taiwan has ambitious plans for its English proficiency level going forward, emphasising international trade and tourism.

Q. How much do English teachers get paid in Taiwan?

The average salary for ESL teachers in Taiwan is around NT$72,436 (£1,725 / $2,220) monthly. Salaries can improve based on teaching experience, qualifications and time spent in Taiwan. Tutoring gigs are plentiful, especially in corporate environments.

Q. Which part of Taiwan is best to teach English?

While Taipei is the most obvious landing spot, there is significant demand for ESL teachers with high-quality TEFL certification across this island nation. Other cities have plenty to offer: Taichung offers a relaxed, artistic environment, while Kaohsiung is tranquil and brimming with history. Hsinchu, Taiwan's tech hub, presents abundant teaching opportunities in technology and its universities. Ultimately, Taiwan offers a range of TEFL jobs suitable for different lifestyles.