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Teach English in Taipei
With huge demand for TEFL teachers, an amazing standard of living and a fascinating landscape, Taipei stands out as an Asian capital and a global city.
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If you like your cities lively, crackling with energy and opportunity for teaching abroad, Taipei is for you. A truly global city, Taipei boasts ultra-modern architecture and a thriving economy, with skyscrapers dotting the horizon. Equally, there’s a real reverence for Taipei’s past, with temples including Hsing Tian Kong and Lungshan Temple of Manka providing must-see sights for any visitor.
From a TEFL teacher’s perspective, an English teacher in Taipei has seemingly unlimited options, and it's not limited to public and private schools. The demand for ESL teachers teaching English abroad is massive, with neighbouring China being a TEFL powerhouse, and Taipei (and Taiwan more widely) becoming a real player in the global economy over recent decades.
Taipei: An Overview
The capital of Taiwan, Taipei has a significant demand for English teachers. Though metropolitan areas - specifically those popular with tourists - boast a decent level of English proficiency, English isn’t widely spoken outside of central Taipei, and fluency is relatively rare.
For a country with the economic heft of Taiwan, that isn’t a situation that the country is particularly happy about. Therefore, more and more TEFL teachers are finding opportunities in Taipei, with high wages and a relatively low cost of living.
Though Taipei has its own distinct culture, English teachers from around the world won’t find it too hard to settle in. Taipei, as a global city, hosts thousands of residents from all sorts of countries.
Requirements for teaching English in Taipei
So, what are the teach English abroad requirements for Taipei? Generally speaking, you’ll need a university degree in any subject to be able to teach English in Taipei. If you want to teach English abroad without a degree in Asia, you’re better off looking at Cambodia and Nepal, two nations that don’t require a degree for most teaching jobs.
As is generally the case when teaching English abroad, TEFL certification is an absolute must. Completion of one or more TEFL courses, along with a bachelor’s degree, should see you find a teaching job in Taipei without too much bother. 120 hours is the industry standard, though you may also want to consider a course in Business English, given Taipei’s importance as an Asian economic centre.Sometimes, finding teaching jobs abroad without experience can be difficult, but not in Taipei. Though previous teaching experience is obviously preferable for ESL jobs, it’s certainly not always required for teaching English in Taiwan. Private institutions will likely require a year of experience and/or a teaching license from another country or region, but they are the exception rather than the norm.
Equally, native English speakers from countries like the USA, UK, Canada and Ireland will be preferred, but if you can demonstrate English fluency (IELTS and TOEFL are helpful for this), then you should find ESL jobs without too much trouble.
You’ll also need to pass a criminal background check for teaching jobs in Taipei, and Taiwan more broadly.
Salary and cost of living in Taipei
What kind of teaching English abroad salary can you command in Taipei? English teaching in the capital of Taiwan can be really lucrative, especially if you plan on putting some savings together while you teach. Add in a low cost of living, and it’s a great location if building finances is a primary motivation.
On average, TEFL teachers earn NT40,000-65,000 monthly, equivalent to $1,270-$1,970/£992-£1,540 per month. Any Taiwan salary is contrasted against a low cost of living, with Numbeo estimating that renting a typical one-bedroom apartment in central Taipei costs $660/£516 per month. Basic utilities cost about $100/£79 per month all-in, and a meal for two at a mid-priced restaurant is around $38/£30. ESL teachers, then, shouldn't have to worry too much about cost of living while teaching English in Taipei.
Usually, there are added benefits to working in schools in Taiwan. Bonuses like health insurance and a housing allowance are extremely helpful in keeping your costs low. This is relatively normal for English teaching jobs in Asia at large.
Download our teaching English in Asia guide
English teaching jobs in Taipei
There are plenty of fantastic job opportunities for teaching English in Taipei. If you want to work in government-run Taiwan public schools, there are ample spaces, with programmes available to those who’d rather not apply directly to schools. These schools typically offer excellent working conditions and great salaries. You’ll need a degree, a TEFL certificate and, likely, a teaching license to be accepted.
Private schools (Buxibans) are another option for English teaching in Taipei. These are very popular, and though they’re privately run institutions, the requirements tend to be more lenient. You will certainly need a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours.
Remarkably, Taipei is host to 28 universities, that need English tutors, English lecturers and English-speaking researchers. This is a job route with an abundance of opportunities for the academically minded, though you’ll need at least a master’s degree for the majority of teaching positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much do English teachers make in Taipei?
Typically, an English teacher in Taipei can expect to earn NT40,000-65,000 per month, equivalent to $1,270-$1,970/£992-£1,540,
Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?
Demand is ever-changing and hard to quantify, but countries like Vietnam, Thailand, China, and Taiwan all have a significant demand for English teachers.
Q. Is English taught in Taiwan?
Yes, English is taught in Taiwan, and from an early age. English is a required subject in Taiwanese schools. Therefore, there’s always a demand for qualified TEFL teachers to teach English in Taiwan.
Q. Can a non-native speaker teach English in Taiwan?
Schools will consider non-native English speakers provided they can prove fluency (IELTS and TOEFL will help) and meet the job requirements for a given role.