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English Teaching Jobs in
Taiwan
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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 excellent economy and robust educational sector, Taiwan is an ever-popular destination for English teachers to find TEFL jobs. An island of incredible mountain views, gorgeous beaches and skyscrapers lining the horizon, Taiwan is a uniquely modern Asian outpost, with a voracious appetite for English proficiency.
Taiwan is an ideal place to teach English with a real onus on English ability, emphasised by a government initiative to become a nation of English-Mandarin bilingual speakers by 2030. Not only are jobs plentiful, but they’re also typically well-paid, well-funded, and come with a range of benefits - especially in more elite institutions.
The time to find English teaching jobs in Taiwan, then, is right now. What requirements do teachers need to meet, where can teaching jobs be found, and what do qualified teachers need to know about English teacher jobs in Taiwan?
Teaching English in Taiwan: an overview
To connect Taiwan to international markets, and give young people the chance to “enjoy better job and salary opportunities”, Taiwan has long held ambitions of being bilingual by 2030. A significant trading partner to the rest of the world, and a country that plays a major part in the global supply chain, it makes sense - English is the lingua franca of business, after all.
This means that while Chinese Mandarin is the most widely spoken of Taiwan’s four official languages (Taiwanese, Hakka and Formosan are the others), English is a popular choice. It’s taught in schools from an early age - typically the third grade - and about 70% of parents send their children to “cram schools” (more on them later) to improve their standards of English proficiency.
This is all to say that there are plenty of English teaching jobs. While state schools can provide opportunities, Taiwan is producing its own English teachers, and so these teaching opportunities have become increasingly competitive. However, private language schools - or “cram schools” - are always on the lookout for teaching talent. International schools, universities and private tutoring opportunities are also widely available.
Like most countries, the bulk of 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 who is thinking about moving there to teach English abroad.
Quick facts about Taiwan
- Capital: Taipei City
- Official Language: Chinese Mandarin
- Population: 23.4 million
- Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT$)
Key facts
Requirements
To meet the teach English abroad requirements for Taiwan, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification and ideally some teaching experience, though the latter isn’t essential.
Completion of one or more high-quality TEFL courses is essential, with 120 hours being the industry standard. Given Taiwan’s importance as an economic centre, and the number of people looking to boost their career prospects, having a certificate in Business English will most certainly help during your job search.
Teaching experience definitely helps, as is always the case when you teach English abroad, but it isn’t always essential to teach English in Taiwan. While institutions like private schools and international schools will usually require at least a year of teaching experience, it’s not always essential for entry-level positions, or private tutoring.
While native English speakers are sometimes explicitly preferred for teaching jobs in Taiwan, this isn’t always the case. If you can demonstrate English fluency, through IELTS, TOEFL or an equivalent qualification, then you should find opportunities for teaching English in Taiwan. You don't have to be a native English speaker!
Salary and benefits
What can teachers earn while teaching English in Taiwan? For an idea of an average salary, it’s usual for new teachers to earn around NT$60,000-NT$70,000 ($2,000-$2,30/£1,585-£1,825) per month. This range can vary depending on the institution, qualifications, and experience of the teacher. Hourly tutoring rates range from NT$600-NT$1,000 (about $20-$33/£16-£26) per hour.
Teaching English in Taiwan often has impressive benefits, depending on your employer. These can 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.
Additionally, teaching programmes often include extras like team-building exercises and away days, as well as Mandarin classes - convenient for adapting to life in Taiwan. With some of the best salaries going, and considerable benefits on offer, it's little wonder Taiwan is one of the more popular locations to teach English abroad!Living and working in Taiwan
Now we know a little more about what it’s like to teach English in Taiwan. There are some excellent salaries and benefits on offer to talented, qualified TEFL teachers. So, what about the cost of living? How much does it cost to live in a city like Taipei, where the bulk of teaching jobs are?
A typical one-bedroom apartment in central Taipei costs $624/£470 per month to rent, while a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre will usually cost $1,562/£1,175 per month. Rental costs reduce dramatically outside of the city centre - a one-bedroom apartment is usually about $475/£357 per month. Meanwhile, a three-bedroom apartment rental cost drops to approximately $1,045/£786 if you live outside of central Taipei.Basic utilities cost about $86/£64 per month all-in, with internet access costing about $24/£18. What about Taiwanese cuisine? Does it cost a lot to eat in Taiwan’s diners and restaurants? For a quick solo meal, expect to pay about $6/£4, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-priced restaurant is around $31/£24. That's great news for EFL teachers who can more than afford to dine out while teaching English in Taiwan.
Types of English teaching jobs in Taiwan
Public schools
English teaching positions in Taiwanese public schools are generally placed through teaching programmes. Usually, it’s the TFET programme that puts foreign English teachers into this kind of work. You’ll need a degree, a teaching licence and TEFL certification to be eligible for state school jobs in Taiwan.
While class sizes can be on the large side, teaching English in Taiwan at a public school can be lucrative. A salary of about NT$50,000 – NT$65,000 (£1,335 – £1,735 / $1,700 – $2,220) per month is common, and it’s also normal to receive benefits like performance bonuses, medical insurance and Mandarin classes.
Jobs boards
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. You need a bachelor’s 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 speakers for their early childhood classes, kids aged 2-15. You need a degree, ideally in early childhood/education.
Kang Ning English School has 7 branches seeking teachers with a passport from the USA, the UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa, who have a BA degree.
Kid Castle has language schools, after-school programmes and preschool programs, for classes of up to 20 students. Candidates need to have 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.
You need a BA degree, a criminal background check, and a TEFL to apply to Reach to Teach in Taiwan. Salaries start at NT$65,000 per month, with around 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.
Teaching programmes in Taiwan
An amazing way to teach English in Taiwan is through a teaching programme. The most popular teaching programme in Taiwan is the Government-run Foreign English Teachers Programme (TFETP). This programme brings in qualified teachers to teach in K-9 public schools across Taiwan, intending to expand the horizons of cultural exchange, improve English proficiency in Taiwan public schools, and broaden links between Taiwan and English-speaking nations.To apply for the TFET Programme, teachers must have TEFL certification, a university degree and a teaching licence from their home country.
Related articles for teaching English in Taiwan
Teach English in Taiwan
With good wages, a low cost of living, beautiful mountains and beaches to explore, it’s no wonder that Taiwan has become one of Asia’s top destinations to teach English abroad.
Teach English in Taipei
With huge demand for TEFL teachers, an amazing standard of living and a fascinating landscape, Taipei stands out as an Asian capital and a global city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are English teachers in demand in Taiwan?
Yes, English teachers are in huge demand to teach English in Taiwan. Public schools, international schools, private language schools and universities all require talented ESL teachers.
Q. How much do English teachers get paid in Taiwan?
The average starting salary to teach English in Taiwan is about NT$60,000-NT$70,000 ($2,000-$2,30/£1,585-£1,825) per month. This can vary depending on the institution, qualifications and experience as an English teacher.
Q. Which part of Taiwan is best to teach English?
All of Taiwan is replete with opportunities for any talented ESL teacher. While Taipei is the most obvious landing spot, there is significant demand for ESL teachers with high-quality TEFL certification across this island nation.
Q. Which country is in high demand for English teachers?
In terms of the sheer number of learners, China has the highest demand for English education and is well worth a look for any discerning ESL teacher. However, there’s high demand around the world!