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.
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
I am interested in Teaching English but i have have any teaching experience nor do i have a degree. I do love working with kids and pay is not an issue for me. i just want the opportunity, any advice? Thanks in advance.
Anthony
@Anthony, you need a degree to teach legally in Taiwan. There is no way of teaching here legally if you don’t have a degree.
This is an amazing website. Straightforward advice with none of the nonsense. Thank you very much for it.
I have a few questions, if you would be so kind:
1. It seems as though a scan of one’s degree certificate is required to apply for a cram school job. And that is not unreasonable at all. Unfortunately for me, I am thousands of miles away from where mine is stashed at the bottom of a random, unlabelled box in someone else’s garage (I’m a Brit currently in New Zealand). In short, I cannot provide such a scan. Do you think this is going to prove problematic?
2. Supposing I can apply for cram school jobs, how likely do you think I would be to find a post in Taichung? And would I want to? Is Taipei really head and shoulders above everywhere else in terms of work? And in terms of socialising/general enjoyment?
3. I know it is very hard to generalise but what is your experience of other foreigners working as English teachers in Taiwan? Are they usually agreeable people? Did anything in particular put you off flat shares?
Many thanks!
@An Inquisitive Person,
Thanks, and I hope that others find the site useful as well. Will do my best to answer your questions below.
1)
It will. You need your degree or a scan of it like you mentioned. If you don’t have one, you will be turned away.
2)
Taipei has the bulk of jobs, but Taichung isn’t so bad. For every 10 jobs in Taipei, you will probably find 3 or so in Taichung, which honestly isn’t terrible compared to other parts of Taiwan. Keep in mind that only Taipei and Kaohsiung have an MRT/subway, but only the subway in Taipei is developed well enough that you can use it to go almost anywhere. I would recommend people hit Taipei first, at least for a year, because then they’ll get a feel of how Taiwan works, what the cram schools expect, and then you go move to other cities.
3)
My space is my space and I don’t like anyone else in it.
Generally speaking everyone is easy to get along with, and I have never met anyone that drove me up the wall. I personally prefer to live alone because I am very anti-social
I hope that helped. You’ll be fine in Taichung, just don’t expect western comforts that you could expect to find in Taipei. Good luck!
Hi there
I have just completed my bachelors degree and am planning on coming over to taiwan towards the end of february. What are the chances of finding a teaching job round this time. Where do you suggest I try first?
Also I just wanted to ask with the degree certificate will we need to bring original copies or will a copy be sufficient?
Last question is it vital to have done a tefl course too. Any advise will help greatly
Thank you
Douglas
Hi there
I just wanted to ask in order to teach in Taiwan what visa should I arrive there on? And what other documents will we need to bring along?
Thanks
Chante
@Douglas,
In my experience, schools only copy and fax your degree to the MOE, but I would strongly recommend bringing the original. A TEFL is not required to teach English in Taiwan, but it doesn’t hurt to have one. Best time to find jobs is just before CNY, which is around January to February. However, it really depends on the city you end up in. Good luck!
@Chante,
I believe the law was changed recently so you could get a landing visa changed over for your work permit to teach English (UK and Irish citizens report they have had no problem doing this). However, I would definitely check with the local Taiwan “embassy” in your country first. Laws and regulations may vary depending on where you are coming from.
Thank you for your response.
There was one last question I forgot to ask. I was told that I would need an invitation letter from someone living in Taiwan. How would I be able to obtain such a letter and do you have any advise as what I should do?
Thank you
@Douglas,
Your employer will be able to give you one of these before you come to Taiwan.
Hi there
Is it crucial to have a tefl certificate ?? what are the chances of fing a teaching job without a tefl?
@Chante,
A Tefl certificate isn’t required. It won’t hurt to have one, but don’t stress if you don’t have one as most schools simply don’t care about them.
hi there
I just wanted to find out, im planning to travel to Taiwan. Im going there without a job as many recommend to do it this way. Once im there ill search for a teaching job. What do think of this idea as i am weary of signing a contract before hand. I heard that in order to enter taiwan i apparently need a letter of reference or invitation from someone living there how can i manage to get one of these letters. Do you have any advise for me?
Thanks Tim
@Tim,
You don’t need an invitation letter if you are coming as a tourist. You simply need to provide information on where/which hotel you will be staying at. Your travel agent will be able to provide you with the specifics. If you don’t want to sign an English teaching contract before you come, then be prepared to look fast and hard for English teaching positions as soon as you get off the plane. Good luck!
Hi there
I just wanted to ask is there any requirements to enter taiwan such as lung x-rays and yellow fever injections and so on? if u could please enlighten me a bit on this aspect id greatly appreciate it thanks again
@tim,
There are no checks when entering Taiwan. However, a complete physical is required if you wish to apply for a permit and work here.
Hi there
I’m planning a trip to taiwan and was wanting to ask for some advise. I want to travel around the island for a few months booking accomodation as I go! Iv already booked and paid for my first nite in taipei at the grand forward hotel.
I’m planning on touring for about 90 days. The only problem is if I apply for a tourism visa I have to show confirmed bookings for where ever ill be staying for the entire time there. This is going to be difficult as ill be in different parts of the island all the time.
The other option was to get a visitors visa but that would require a reference letter from someone I know there. How could I get one of these letters ? If u have any advise I would greatly appreciate it
Thanks dave
@David,
It seems the logical thing would be to just book the rooms in advance in the other cities.
Hi there
I just wanted your opinion on where to live. Which is a nice area to stay close to the beach and with pretty surrounding?? Where would you recommended staying. I’m from south africa and would to stay somewhere near to the beach and also somewhere where I could find a decent english teaching job
Thanks
@tim,
Taking into consideration the state of teaching English in Taiwan right now, I would strongly recommend anyone that moves here to consider first a place that has jobs before anything else. Taipei and north Taiwan is where most of the work is. I’d say Taipei or Taichung at the very least, nothing less. This doesn’t mean there isn’t work elsewhere, it just means you’ll have a lot less opportunity and hours. Good luck.
hi there
Do you perhaps know much about Joy English school in Jhu Nan. We are looking at a job there paying from 45000NT / month. They say a one bedroom apartment will be provided free of charge and if we dont like it they could help us find our own place to rent. What do you think of this opportunity? job is from 2pm -9pm mon to fri and 8 30 -12 30 saturdays obviously those are not full teaching hours but basic pay is based on 80hrs a month.
Thanks
@Doug,
It is hard to say because the hours aren’t clear. Is it only 80 hours a month with no office hours? If that is the case then that works out to be 562NT an hour (low but the current market is extremely saturated with teachers and fewer schools hiring), before tax.The one bedroom apartment will be too small for two people, so I strongly recommend you find your own. The job sounds OK, but you really need to know the specifics.
thanks for your response . I emailed them back and they said the hours from 2pm-9pm will not all be teaching hours there is time to prepare our lessons however we have to be present at the school for those hours and may noy leave. Is Jhu nan a nice area i hear it is near hsinchu which is a pretty coast line.
that pay price was based on 80hrs of teaching and they did state that overtime will be paid at 500nt. The reason i ask these questions is because we just do not want to rush into the job and maybe regret our decision in the future.
@doug,
Then the hours are actually 39 hours a week that you are at the school and you get paid 288NT an hour (less than 10 USD an hour). “Office hours” are a common trick, but unless you have left out some details I see this simply as a job that pays 45k NT a month and you need to be at work from 2pm – 9pm Monday to Friday and 8:30am to 12:30pm on Saturday. Even if you include their “free” apartment, rent for a single room is about 5k – 6k NT a month, you would have to be crazy to accept that job.
I have Bachelor degree and teaching experience but I do not have Teacher’s certificate. I am thinking to teaching English in Taiwan. Do I need certificate to teach English in Taiwan? If yes, what kind of certificate do I need? Where can I get it? How long will it take? Thanks!
@Michelle,
License here refers to a teacher’s license that Education degree holders usually get after they graduate and become a certified teacher. You don’t need the certificate to teach in cram schools in Taiwan, but you do if you want to work in public schools. Without one I suggest that you look at cram schools for work. I wouldn’t be too concerned because 90% of the English teaching jobs in Taiwan are from cram schools.
Hi:
Do I need the TESOL certificate? I heard that it is better if I have one. But if I want to teach in cram schools, do I need it? With or without TESOL, will it effect the job searching? Thanks for your answer.
@Michelle,
Please check the page HERE which answers your questions. A TESOL is not needed provided you have a BA.
Hi,
I hope you can help me with some info. I would like to teach English in Taipei but I am not sure if that would be possible.
1) I am UK graduate but not UK citizen, my passport is Austrian.
2) I have passion for teaching
To get an ARC is it important to have UK degree or passport or both? Do you know if there are any cram schools with German language, although I’d prefer teaching English.
Thank you,
Chris
@Christoph,
Please check the link about who can teach English in Taiwan. You won’t be able to work legally in a cram school because you are Austrian.
hi,i get my ACCA cert(part two) which is equal to a degree and teaching for 6years in my country.and now i am in the process taking my ESL.so,can i teach english in taiwan?
@tracy,
Please check the link about Who Can Teach in Taiwan because it has all the info you need. Thanks!
I have a private teaching job waiting for me in Taipei, Taiwan. I am getting ready to take my TESOL certification. What courses do i need to take?
@Norman,
I honestly have no idea what you are referring to. The TESOL course will provide you with everything you need. Feel free to provide more information if you can, as your question is unclear to me. Good luck!
Hi,
I was wondering (you may have already covered this) if it required that an English teacher know the language that they speak in Taiwan? Will simply knowing only English be ok?
@Mike,
The majority of cram schools don’t require you to be able to speak Chinese. Classes are run as “all English”, meaning that they prefer children to be exposed only to English.
hello again, i was wondering the difference between new taipei and taipei in regards to how transportation works. Does New taipei have metro stations that will take you into taipei?
@Mike,
The MRT in Taipei extends into New Taipei City, aka the old Taipei county. I don’t know which stations are in New Taipei City, but it does have MRT stops. Your best bet would be to check the official website. Good luck.
This resource has been wonderfully helpful to me, thank you for providing this. You said on the “who can teach” page that people with 2 year diplomas + TEFL can teach as well as people with a Bachelor’s… I fall into the former category. I’m wondering if one is usually preferred over the other? And it’s a Theatre Arts (acting) diploma, I’m wondering if that will make a difference. Thanks!
Kylen,
Employers prefer a BA holder than someone with an AA + TEFL, because many employers are not aware that they can hire an AA + TEFL holder. It doesn’t make a difference what your Bachelor’s or AA is in, but I will warn you that some employers will turn you away if you don’t have a Bachelor’s. Good luck.
Hi mate, My name is Luca, I`m from Italy, 30 years old. I am living in China for 8 years around but I`m considering to move to Taiwan. I own two bachelors (one in natural science another one in business mandarin), I studied 1 year in UK for english full-immersion course. I have been teaching both Italian and English in middle-high schools and training centers. I have been searching for more info about teaching in TW but I couldnt find much. What would you recommend?
Thanks in advance
Luca
@Luca,
Unfortunately, you can’t legally teach in a cram school in Taiwan. Check this site but you need a passport from an English speaking country in order to work here. If that is the case, I would strongly recommend you stay in China. You won’t be able to find any work here legally teaching English if you hold an Italian passport. Good luck.
Hi! You state that the contracts in TW aren’t as rock solid as here. I am currently home in the U.S. and am looking to secure a job before i go. I was wondering, is it common for teachers to break their contracts? In other words, how binding is it?
My biggest worry is that I will accept a job and if i end up hating it, I don’t want to be stuck. I am a very upbeat individual I just like to take every precaution and do my research since I am already nervous enough going over there. Thank you!
@Jill,
That’s right. A contract in Taiwan isn’t worth the paper it is written on. This is probably a little harsh, but people need to be aware that Taiwan and many other countries operate completely differently than what many are used to back home. Do teacher’s leave early? Definitely! Do schools try to stop them from leaving? No, but they will “fine” you and use other tricks which are illegal, but it doesn’t stop them from doing it. However, most schools provide you with a probationary period, so you can leave anytime you want, usually within the span of a month, before actually staying for the remainder of your contract. Good luck!
Thanks for the wealth of information. Both US natives (wife lived in Tainan and Japan as a child, I traveled Asia and Middle East as a US Military officer) We are considering teaching English in Asia, looking at a 5 year plan, i.e. relo to Asia in 2017. No, we’re not asking you to predict the future. Wife has taught public school (K-2) for 25 years with degree in elementary education. Mine is B.S. in Economics and Bus Admin. My concern is the age issue. Will this be untowardly difficult for us to do in our 50s? While I never say never, a realistic outlook is preferable. Your thoughts would be most appreciated.
CarlJ,
Where is your wife from? Sounds like she is a public school teacher, but if she is Taiwanese then it won’t matter, because she’ll be treated like a Taiwanese. If your wife is not Taiwanese, then she should be OK finding work in a public school. However, if I understand correctly you are not a certified teacher, so it means cram school work would be your only option. You say you’ll be 50 something by that time, then you are correct in guessing it won’t be easy finding work, at least not in a cram school. Licensed teachers don’t face this issue, well at least not as much as those working in cram schools. My honest suggestion? Try China. You’ll be able to teach in a university and they won’t care what your degree is in. Best of luck and I hope that helps.