Taiwan - TEFL in Taiwan
Speaking good English for many Asians is an excellent plus when it comes to apply for work or placement in prestigious national universities and Western schools. As a result, there is a multi-billion dollar ELT industry and a huge demand for English teachers throughout Asia.
Taiwan relies heavily on international trade to succeed as one of the world economic leaders, and with English being the international language of business, it is no wonder that teaching English in Taiwan has become a solid industry with many English teaching jobs available. These range from positions in high schools, to English cram schools (aka 'bushibans'), to kindergartens, to adult business schools, etc.
Although English is taught at school many Taiwanese students of all ages attend extra classes at private language schools or take courses in conversational English through their employer to improve their oral skills, making Taiwan a teacher's market. No matter whether you want to teach in the middle of Taipei or on the Taiwan's East coast, there are many job opportunities for everybody.
Students are of all ages and occupations: preschoolers, primary, secondary, college & university students, housewives, business people, professionals, etc., and even some senior citizens, all looking mainly to improve their conversational skills.
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Hiring Criteria
Hiring criteria vary and some schools will employ foreigners whether or not they are native English speakers or have any experience, others insist on Anglophones and relevant educational qualifications; the most commonly requested qualifications are a degree and a TEFL certificate such as the ICAL TEFL Certificate.
Since the downtown in the economy, finding work is becoming more competative and employers are demanding more; these days a TEFL certificate is almost a must in most places.
Schools hire both full time and part time teachers, preferably between 20 and 45 years of age. More mature teachers (45-60 years old) are considered if there is no supply of new blood, as it were. So if you are in the latter age group just be patient.
Native English speakers from Canada and the U.S. are highly sought after as there is a bias towards North American accents, which are usually preferred.
The typical full-time employee can expect to teach is 15 to 25 hours per week. Many teachers increase their income with private tutoring in their spare t ime. Established priv ate tutors can make C$45.00 (US$33.00) to C$100.00 (US$73.00) per hour.
Visa Issues
As a prospective teacher it is highly recommended that you apply for a Visitor Visa in your home country before leaving for Taiwan. This is a longer term visa allowing you to stay in the country for up to 6 months and can be easily extended by simply visiting the local police station in Taiwan to have your passport stamped.
Not having a Visitor Visa and relying on a Visa Free entry (valid for up to 2 weeks) or on a Landing Visa (valid 30 days) will result in you having to leave the country for a period of time and then re-enter to satisfy the requirements for visa application.
Remember:
- To have your work permit you need to have an accredited degree.
- Only a Visitor Visa can be converted into a work permit.
- A 30 day Landing Visa cannot be converted into a work permit.
- You can start teaching for the school only after receiving your work permit.
Tips
- When applying for a visa tell the Taiwanese Embassy you will vacation in Taiwan (as opposed to teaching) so you can get a 60 day Visitor Visa.
- Get your degree notarized at your Taiwan Embassy before leaving for Taiwan.
- Have a criminal record check ready.
- The best jobs are in Taipei, and (to a lesser extent) Taichung and Kaohsiung
Pay
Pay will vary depending on where you are living, with the bigger cities paying more. If you have a degree and a TEFL certificate then you can expect slightly more than teachers who do not.
An average pay rate is about 20 USD (14 EUR, 12 GBP) per hour or 2,000 USD (1,400 EUR, 1,200 GBP) per month before tax and health contributions.
Although it may not seem a lot, with a lower cost of living in Taiwan to most Western countries, it is enough to live on reasonably well if you are careful.
Lifestyle
Living in Taiwan can be great fun and tremendously rewarding. It's an incredible country to discover both as a tourist and a resident.
Prices are significantly lower than, for example, the US. An entry level salary is around 1,200 USD per month which is plenty enough to live on but this can go up to over 3,000 USD per month for well qualified and experienced teachers.
The schools tend to be quite good compared to other Asian countries although you may need to prepare a lot more of your own material for lessons rather than be given a book to rely upon.
Taipei is a very international, cosmopolitan city with a lively nightlife. Kaohsiung tends to be more laid back, cheaper and offers easy access to beaches.
External Links
Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Forum for foreigners in Taiwan
