Becoming an English Teacher in Taiwan [+ Requirements]

Taiwan is a lush island nation that is the heart of traditional Chinese in the modern world. Sweet potato shaped and sweet potato crazy, Taiwan boasts sandy white beaches in the south, black pebble beaches in the north, and 3,800m tall mountains in between. 

Taiwan is a paradise for foreigners, being voted among the top three best places to live by expats for more than 5 consecutive years. Perhaps that’s because, in addition to the endless supply of things to explore and savor, it's incredibly easy to find jobs in Taiwan for English speakers. Especially as an English teacher in Taiwan.

Teaching is one the most highly regarded professions in Taiwan, right up there with doctors. However, it’s relatively easy for foreigners to find English teaching jobs in Taiwan, with or without native fluency. Pay is also much higher for foreigners as an English teacher in Taiwan than you might think.

Among the many reasons to work in Taiwan, a key factor is that there are more benefits for jobs that teach English in Taiwan than any other profession. These include:

Lots of Vacation

English teachers in Taiwan get extended vacation, in addition to weekends and summer holidays. 

Acceptance onto NHI System

Taiwan’s incredibly low living cost is reflected through their cheap National Health Insurance system, which most English teachers in Taiwan are allowed to apply for once they’ve been working for 6 months. 

Flexibility

On top of being able to decide exactly what school to work for, English teaching jobs for foreigners in Taiwan also often let you decide your own hours and the teaching age group.

Unlike a conventional teaching job in the US or UK, there are many types of English teaching jobs in Taiwan to choose from. Here are the most popular types of TEFL jobs Taiwan has:

Teaching in public schools

Being an English teacher in Taiwan public schools is one of the best jobs in Taiwan for English speakers as non-native speakers are not able to apply. In addition to there being less competition, it’s also easy to apply to English teaching jobs in Taiwan public schools; just send your application through the Taiwan Foreign English Teaching Program (TFETP).

Teaching in private schools

Private schools are probably the strictest employer for teaching English in Taiwan. More qualifications are needed, but that’s because the pay is just so good with even better benefits (vacations) than public schools.

Teaching in international schools

Though competitive and pressurized, English teaching jobs in Taiwan international schools are extremely desirable. Some foreigners have even reported earning upwards of USD $3,000 a month from these ESL jobs Taiwan offers.

Teaching in universities

English teaching jobs in Taiwanese universities tend to be a more relaxed affair, often with a reduced and flexible timetable. However, foreigners can still expect the teaching English in Taiwan requirements to include an undergraduate degree and/or a TEFL certificate.

Teaching at cram schools (buxiban 補習班)

Cram schools, or buxiban 補習班, are after school private academies for students aged 3 to 18 years old. Although it’s intense for students, cram school hours are flexible for English teachers in Taiwan, and it’s easy to find a job as cram schools are everywhere.

Teaching at language centers

Unlike being an English teacher in Taiwan’s universities, teachers at language centers are expected to be native English speakers. Although requirements will vary, generally speaking these kinds of ESL jobs Taiwan has are more relaxed and personalized.

English teaching jobs in Taiwan are a great way to earn a monthly salary much higher than the national average. Though reports vary, being an English teacher in Taiwan can earn you an average salary between USD $1,500 to $3,500 a month for just 15 to 20 hours a week!  

Coupled with Taiwan’s low cost of living (see table below), it’s clear that being an English teacher in Taiwan is a seriously affordable profession.

Table adapted from International TEFL Academy

Besides being fluent in English, there are a few other teaching English in Taiwan requirements that you’ll run into, such as needing a:

TEFL/TESOL certificate

It’s a no-brainer that a common teaching English in Taiwan requirement is a TEFL or TESOL certificate. While many institutions don’t require this to become an English teacher in Taiwan, a TEFL certificate is often required for private school English teaching jobs in Taiwan. 

Bachelor degree

Though not impossible, it will be very hard to find jobs teaching English in Taiwan without a degree. So you should at least have a Bachelor’s degree to be an English teacher in Taiwan. It doesn’t even matter what you majored in. 

Clean background check

A clean background check is one of the most important teaching English in Taiwan requirements you can have, and is essential if you’re planning to work with children or teach English in Taiwan government programs.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I teach English in Taiwan without a degree?

No, you cannot legally work as an English teacher in Taiwan without a degree. This is because you need a degree to be eligible for the work permit required for teaching English in Taiwan. 

2. Can non-native speakers find English teaching jobs in Taiwan?

Yes, but finding English teaching jobs in Taiwan for non-native speakers is challenging. However, there are teaching jobs in Taiwan for Filipino teachers as part of a Taiwanese government program, so it’s not impossible.

Now that you’re armed with all the information on what it’s like to be an English teacher in Taiwan, it’s time to bag that job. But where should you start?

Go to relevant websites for information

There are plenty of online resources at your disposal for finding jobs teaching English in Taiwan. Many of them even feature job posts from companies/schools that are actively hiring foreign English teachers in Taiwan, as well as posts for online English teaching jobs in Taiwan.

Here are some of the best places to find top-notch English teaching jobs in Taiwan:

• Facebook: Teaching English in Taiwan
• Tealit.com
• ABC Online

Make an outstanding application

With so many expats, it’s essential to make your English teacher in Taiwan job application stand out on both the resume and cover letter. The best way to do that is by using CakeResume’s free CV maker. With your details made to fit seamlessly into sleek designs, your inbox will be flooded with job confirmations in no time. 

Sending a video introduction is another great way to personalize and spice up your application for English teaching jobs in Taiwan.

From the plethora of benefits to the lack of requirements, being an English teacher in Taiwan is rewarding. It’s also as easy as A-B-C, with a variety of resources posting constant updates on new English teaching jobs in Taiwan. So, whether it’s cram schools or international schools that float your boat, there are plenty of ways to teach English in Taiwan and earn big bucks in the process!

--- Originally written by Eva O’Mara ---