How to Get Started Teaching in Taiwan
Depending on who you talk to, many people enjoy teaching English in Taiwan and just as many hate it. This is because there are so many different schools to work at and each school has its’ own style of management. If you are new to teaching, below you’ll find some information that applies to all schools no matter where you work. Knowing this in advance will make teaching in Taiwan much less of a shock.
You need the right kind of visa before you come to Taiwan. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to leave the country and re-entering before you can start work.
What’s the best way to find a job? Are there any catches? Discover how you can find a job and what pitfalls to avoid.
Once you’ve found that job, what kind of questions can you expect to be asked? Knowing this in advance makes the interview process much easier and less of a shock.
Most school provide some kind of teacher training. Just how in depth and extensive it is varies from school to school.
There are a wide variety of schools you can work at in Taiwan. The majority of teachers work in cram school, but public schools and universities are also an option.
What can you expect to get paid? Teachers are paid hourly so the more you work the more you’ll make.
Contracts
Contracts in Taiwan aren’t as rock solid or reliable as you might be used to back home.
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Hi,
If I have no Degree whatsoever, does this rule out all teaching jobs in Taiwan, I am 38 now and doing a degree ( part-time ) is going to take many years. I am looking into the Trinity Cert/Tesol certificate, would this help? My other option is China.
@Justin,
You can’t legally work here without a BA or an AA+TEFL. You’ll find that while you do have more employment opportunities in China you also will be turned away by many places. You’d have to go inland and accept positions with much less pay and longer hours. Is it worth it? I strongly recommend you get a BA before taking the plunge into EFL, but that’s just my opinion and everyone has their own desires and wishes from life. Best of luck with whatever you decide on.
Hi there. I have taught English in Taiwan for about 5 years in the past. I have been living back in my home country SA for the last 3 years and have been recently married. I have been offered a job to start in July of this year. How do I apply to put my spouse (also South African) onto my ARC? I understand that this will not allow him to work in Taiwan, but for now i would like to just be able to put him on my ARC. I will be going to Taiwan on a visiting VISA and then applying for my ARC. ( i think is ridiculous that i cant have a medical check etc. and apply directly for my ARC here in South Africa!) I was advised by the liaison office that my husband should only come later after I receive my ARC. they were very vague with any other info.How do I apply for him to be put on my ARC? what documentation is needed? does he have to be in Taiwan when I apply for his spousal ARC? (does he have to apply himself?) or can he avoid applying for a visiting VISA and just come over once the spousal ARC has been issued? if he has to get a visiting VISA, then does he have to have the R20 000 bank savings in his account to apply for the VISA? seeing that I will already have housing and an income?
@Roslynn,
I hope that link and information above helps. Keep in mind that if he gets a spousal ARC through you, then this does not entitle him to work rights in Taiwan. He is not able to legally work here. Best of luck.
I found the information you need HERE in a PDF on the Taiwan immigration site. It appears that you will need photos, valid passport, some sort of copy of your ARC to prove you have residence, a notarized copy and translation of your marriage certificate (this needs to be done in SA), some kind of criminal background check and a health check. Lots of hoops to jump through
I have my MBA from Pace University in NY City, a CPA from NY State, I have worked for major Pharma companies and traveled to 56 countries over 18 years, including many times to Taiwan. I just finished my 100 hour TESOL certification with Oxford Seminars and am a native born US Citizen. I would like to teach in Taiwan but am really not sure of the ESL market. Would I be able to find a position fairly easily? Thanks Mike
@Mike,
You won’t have any problems finding work teaching English here. However, with an MBA and many years of experience working in the pharma field, I think you may find most of the work very belittling. Another thing you have left out is your age. Your MBA is not English or education related, so it means many universities will turn you away. Even if you are lucky enough to get a job in a university it will only be part-time, because they prefer to hire PhD holders. I am not sure what kind of hours or work you are looking for, but there’s definitely no problem getting work here. The problem is it may not be the kind of work you want or the hours may not be enough. Best of luck!
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