TEFL jobs in Taiwan
A complete guide for TEFL teachers on teaching English in Taiwan
Overview
Yes, and Ireland qualifies for Taiwan’s state programme outright. The Ministry of Education’s Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program pays degree holders NT$67,840 to NT$88,800 a month for up to 20 co-teaching hours a week, and Irish citizens aged 18 to 30 also have a separate working holiday route with a 400-place annual quota.
What Irish teachers should know first
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education restricts its Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP) to nationals of countries whose official or common language is English, which puts Ireland squarely inside the eligible group. The MOE lists three qualifying routes: a state-issued teaching licence, a degree in education or English plus 120 hours of methodology, or an approved TESOL, TEFL or CELTA certificate of at least 120 hours where no more than two thirds is delivered by distance learning. That last route is the one most Irish career-changers use.
The published MOE package for a bachelor’s-degree holder is NT$67,840 to NT$88,800 a month, rising to NT$75,680 to NT$98,780 with a master’s, with the exact point on the scale set by qualification and verified full-time teaching seniority. The programme adds national health insurance and labour insurance, a housing reimbursement of up to NT$5,000 a month for a single teacher, and reimbursed economy airfare capped at NT$40,000 each way. A separate foreign English teaching assistant track pays a monthly scholarship of NT$48,000. Duties are five days a week, eight hours a day, with co-teaching capped at 20 hours weekly. Figures are the Ministry of Education’s own published scale; MOE’s 2023 recruitment announcement gave a lower bachelor’s band of NT$65,230 to NT$85,380, so check the current scale at application.
The second Irish-specific route is the working holiday. The Bureau of Consular Affairs confirms a Taiwan–Ireland working holiday scheme in effect since 1 January 2013, with an annual quota of 400 places, open to Irish nationals resident in Ireland aged 18 to 30, once only, for 180 days extendable by a further 180. You need either a return ticket plus proof of €2,500, or proof of €4,000 without one, along with insurance and a certificate of good conduct. The visa fee is the equivalent of US$100 and applications go through the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland. Critically, under Article 4 of the Regulations on the Permission and Administration of the Employment of Foreign Workers the working holiday visa is treated as a work permit in its own right, so no separate permit is needed — though work must stay secondary to the holiday, and the visa cannot later be converted to another type.
Why do Irish teachers choose Taiwan?
Would you like to teach English in Taiwan? It’s no longer a secret that Taiwan has some of the best English teaching prospects in Asia. Of course, many people pick Taiwan because of its inexpensive cost of living and plentiful high-paying jobs. However, living in Taiwan also provides an excellent opportunity to study Chinese while immersed in Taiwan’s distinctive blend of urban advancement and traditional Chinese culture.
There are some impressive landmarks that you need to visit during your time as an English teacher in Taiwan, including the National Palace Museum, which houses one of the most significant collections of Chinese Imperial artefacts. The Yushan National Park is perfect if you like walking and is a stunning backdrop with the most impressive scenery. Also, the Rainbow Village is a must-see. A local man named Huang Yung-fu decided that his home village lacked colour and was looking old and boring, so he decided to paint it. All of it! He apparently hasn’t finished yet, and it really is a sight to behold, with bright colours at every turn. Finally, if you want to escape to the beach, check out the island archipelago Penghu; there are loads of glorious sandy paradise-like beaches for you to while away the hours and the local restaurants and street vendors sell the most delicious fresh-caught seafood delights. As you will discover, the work-life balance on offer to an English teacher in Taiwan is good, so you will have plenty of downtime to go exploring and see all the unique places this country is famous for.
What comes next if you want to teach in Taiwan?
Do you want to teach English in Taiwan? Then, we’ve got your back! Continue reading to find out more about the many sorts of teaching positions, average pay and benefits, and how to find a teaching career in Taiwan!
Comparing Taiwan against the bigger East Asian market? Our guide to teaching English in Japan covers the JET Programme pay scale, the visa categories and the Ireland to Japan working holiday route.
Where should you read next?
Our pillar on teaching English jobs abroad explains how the regional markets compare. For the rest of the region, see our guides to teaching English in South Korea and teaching English in Vietnam. Because the MOE accepts an approved 120-hour TEFL certificate as a qualifying route, start with our TEFL courses in Ireland.
No obligation and no sales pitch. Tell us what you want out of the year and we will tell you honestly whether Taiwan fits.
Types of teaching jobs
Buxiban
Almost all new English teachers in Taiwan begin their careers at buxibans or private cram schools. Students ranging in age from 4 to 15 years old attend these schools after school hours solely to learn English. The lecture hours will often range from 2 pm to 10 pm. Hess, Shane, Reach to Teach, and Kojen is the largest of these buxibans, but there are others, so there are plenty of opportunities just waiting for you if you want to teach English in Taiwan.. In addition, hundreds of other tiny schools exist around the country, so researching and comparing schools is critical to separating the excellent from the bad.
Public schools
You have the option of working in the Taiwanese public school system if you are a certified English teacher in your native country and have a few years of experience. The majority of available English teaching positions in Taiwan are for high school students rather than primary or middle school students. In public schools, rather than private after-school programmes, you will have more leeway in deciding your own teaching curriculum. In addition, many public schools offer a bonus at the end of your six to twelve-month contract.
University
It is more difficult to find a job teaching English in Taiwanese universities than at other educational institutions. To teach at this level, you will typically require at least a master’s degree or a PhD; although this is not unique to the area, the same would apply in the UK. However, the advantage is that you often work fewer hours for more money.
Living costs
Working as an English teacher in Taiwan will impress you with how much you may earn and save, thanks to good earnings and a low cost of living. Your wages will vary depending on various criteria, such as the type of school you wish to work at, your previous teaching experience, and whether or not you have a TEFL certification. Even brand new TEFL teachers will discover they can live comfortably in Taiwan’s inexpensive shores.
Because of the low cost of living in Taiwan, the pay for an English teacher in Taiwan will go a long way, allowing you to save money each month. But, of course, the amount you save is determined by your spending habits. You’ll be able to live a pretty comfortable lifestyle if you enjoy eating out and travelling frequently. However, you are unlikely to save a significant sum of money.
Cost of living figures has been taken from the world’s most significant cost of living comparison website, Numbeo.
Key facts
Language: Chinese Mandarin & Taiwanese
Population: 23.1 Million
Currency: New Taiwan Dollars (NT€)
Capital: Taipei City
TEFL job demand: High
Our TEFL rating: 4Popular locations for TEFL jobs
Taipei, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, and Anping.
Average salary for EFL teachers
Salary will depend on the location and type of school but as a guide, the basic monthly salary for a full-time ESL teacher is likely to be in the region of NT€50,000–NT€65,000 (£1,335–£1,735/€1,700–€2,220) per month. In addition, freelance rates for one-to-one lessons are around NT€700 to NT€1,000 per hour (£19–£27/€24–€34).
TEFL qualification requirements
A TEFL qualification isn’t a visa requirement to teach English in Taiwan. However, many schools will look for a 120-hour TEFL certificate as a minimum.
Prerequisite university degree
A bachelor’s degree (in any subject) is required.
Term times
September to July, with peak hiring times in January, February, and August.
Teaching programmes
Opportunities for teaching English in Taiwan include teaching at a private school (known as ‘cram schools’ or buxiban), teaching jobs at public schools and positions at universities, summer camps and freelance/private tutoring work.
Age restrictions
The age restriction for teachers is 65, but teachers between the ages of 20-35 are preferred.
Previous teaching experience
Previous teaching is not required for most jobs unless at an elite school or a more advanced position.
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Get clear answers about TEFL courses, certification, teaching jobs, and everything in between.
In order to teach English in Taiwan, most schools will require you to hold a Bachelor’s degree and have a clean criminal record. Preference will generally be given to native English speakers. A TEFL certification will also be required.
Almost all English teaching jobs in Taiwan will require a Bachelor’s degree. However, if you are not a degree holder, you may be able to find a volunteer program through which you can teach.
Salaries vary depending on the type of school you teach in (i.e. public or private), but on average, English teachers in Taiwan earn between €2,000-€2,400 per month. In addition, many schools also offer benefits such as severance pay, housing, and flight allowances.
While it’s possible to get by in Taiwan only by speaking English, it’s generally a good idea to brush up on some basic Mandarin phrases. This is because English will be more widely spoken in Taipei than in other parts of the country. The government has alluded to plans to make Taiwan a Mandarin-English bilingual nation by 2030, but at this point, English is not nearly as commonly spoken as Mandarin.