posted: 17.04.2020 | 17.04.2020
Taiwan is one of the most popular travel destinations for English teachers: it has a high standard of living yet is affordable, home to friendly locals, a world-class food scene and plenty of places to explore on your days off (the trains -bullet take it quickly). bring island).
To top it off, Taiwan aims to be bilingual by 2030. This means that there is a growing demand for English teachers across the country (especially in rural areas). It has stricter standards for teachers than some of its neighbors, but it's still relatively easy to get a high-paying job there.
To teach English in Taiwan, applicants must be native English speakers from an English-speaking country (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand) and hold a bachelor's degree (but sometimes a master's degree is required). ).
Most schools also require applicants to have at least a 120-hour TEFL certificate and be a licensed teacher in their home country. (If you're not a licensed teacher, you can still find work, but it doesn't pay as well.) You should also have a clean criminal record.
Here is a breakdown of the different education options in Taiwan and what you can expect from each:
Buxiban ("tutoring schools")
Buxiban are after-school programs that rigorously prepare students for university. They are essentially exam prep schools.
You don't need a university degree to teach at a Buxiban. However, expect a large number of students (up to 200 in a class at some schools). Most teachers work 15-20 hours a week, but with so many students it can be tiring.
You only get paid if you actually teach a class, so anything like grading papers or preparing lessons (and these schools require a significant amount of prep) is almost always unpaid. The schedules are also very different, as classes can take place at any time of the day.
Teachers in Buxiban can expect to earn around NT$600 (US$20) an hour.
However, if you want to get your foot in the door and don't have a lot of teaching experience, these schools are a good place to start. But before taking a job at a buxiban, do some research on the company that runs it to make sure it's reputable and treats its teachers well. Many are really horrible places.
And while there are plenty of jobs, don't expect great working conditions or benefits. It's an easy, flexible, well-paying job for someone with little experience. But it won't be glamorous.
Public schools
Public school jobs are generally available at the high school level. Classes are large and teachers must work about 15 hours a week, but they still need to be in school from 8:30am to 5pm on weekdays. Some schools can compensate you for work outside the classroom (preparation and assessment), but most cannot. Be sure to check before signing the contract!
However, public school teachers receive many perks: housing allowance, free round-trip airfare, paid vacation, subsidy to cover utility bills, and health and dental insurance.
You'll earn between NT$62,000 and NT$90,000 (US$2,075 to US$3,015) per month, depending on where you teach and the terms of your year-end bonuses. (These schools offer bonuses for teachers to stay for the entire duration of their tenure.)
If you want a professional placement, check out the Taiwan government's Foreign English Teacher (FET) program.
private schools
Private schools offer comparable (or lower) salaries compared to public schools, but have much smaller class sizes. There is usually more competition for their apprenticeships as they offer better benefits such as paid vacations and housing assistance (in addition to the benefits you also see in public schools). If you teach at a private school, you can expect to work between 16 and 25 hours a week.
Private schools pay NT$50,000 to NT$60,000 (US$1,675 to US$2,000) per month. Salaries are generally a little lower than in public schools, but the perks and working conditions are worth it.
International Schools
The most desirable jobs are at international schools. These schools usually teach a British or American school curriculum. They require experience and learning. They are similar to classes at a school in your home country, so you are expected to fulfill your contract and responsibilities.
International schools will cover flights home and reimburse the cost of necessary vaccinations for your visa and your visa fee. Plus, you get money for school supplies and you don't charge taxes on your income (which is a big plus, as the rate is 18%). for teachers in the first 183 days - then it drops to 6-10%).
Teachers at international schools earn nearly NT$200,000 (US$6,700) a month.
colleges and universities
Teaching positions at colleges and universities are competitive and some of the hardest to find. To teach at colleges, you need (at least) a master's degree. Expect different working hours on weekdays and weekends, depending on your course load.
The starting salary is low - around NT$52,000 (US$1,745) per month - but you'll likely be paid overtime for extra work (which can add up to an additional NT$10,000 (US$330) per month). In addition, the salaries of professors with a doctorate will be higher than those of professors with a master's degree.
work resources
In addition to the previously mentioned FET program, there are several online resources you can use to find English teaching jobs in Taiwan, but the best resource is Reach to Teach Recruiting. They are a placement company that gives you the best advice. They also have the best job offers. I taught English with the founders in 2010 and the company they started is the best in the business.
Applying for a visa
The Taiwan visa process is relatively straightforward. Once employed, you must pass a health check and report the results to your employer. After that, your school will help you convert your original visa into a Visitor Visa on Arrival and then help you apply for a work permit. Then you need a certificate of foreign nationality (ARC), which is validated by your employer.
After receiving your ARC, you will receive your health and dental insurance and you will be able to open a bank account. Expect the entire process to take five to six weeks and cost NT$8,000-10,000 (US$270-335).
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Teaching English in Taiwan is a great experience. Teachers are in great demand, the visa process is simple and you don't need to have a job before you arrive. And with salaries that cover the cost of living in the country, it's a great place to start and earn money as a teacher while living abroad.
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Book your trip to Taiwan: logistical tips and tricks
book your flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines all over the world so you always know there's no stone left unturned!
Book your accommodation
You can book your hostel on Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and the best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they always return the cheapest prices for B&Bs and budget hotels. My favorite places are:
- Formula 101
- Meander Taipei
Don't forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft and cancellations. It's total protection in case something goes wrong. I never travel without it as I've had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value for money are:
- Security Wing (for everyone under 70)
- Insure my trip (for people over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation insurance)
Looking for the best companies to help you save money?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use while traveling. I list all the ones I use to save money when I'm on the go. They will also save you money when you travel.