Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 project aims to boost its international presence with a Mandarin-English proficient workforce. However, the project is far from complete, and Taiwan still has a huge demand for English teachers. Combine this with an excellent wellbeing and safety index, and the Beautiful Island is up there with the best TEFL locations in the world.

Read on for The TEFL Org’s guide on teaching English in Taiwan, from the job types, salary expectations, locations, and more. 

Key Takeaways

• There's a high demand for English teachers in Taiwan, with plenty of teaching jobs at public and private language centres (also known as buxibans).
• Taiwan consistently ranks among the happiest and safest countries in Asia.
• English teachers can earn NT$50,000–NT$90,000 ($1,560–$2,810 / £1,175–£2,115) per month at public and private schools, or NT$80,000–NT$200,000 ($2,500–$6,240 / £1,890–£4,730) at international schools.
• Teachers generally need a bachelor's degree and TEFL certificate, but an associate's degree is also accepted at some private language schools or buxibans.
• Top teaching locations include Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
• You'll need to get a work visa before starting your new job; schools often help you with your application.

Requirements for Teaching English in Taiwan

To find a job teaching English in Taiwan, you'll generally need a university degree and a TEFL certificate to work on the correct visa. However, there's more to consider that will influence your application and experience.

Do you need a TEFL certificate to teach in Taiwan?

To teach English in Taiwan, most employers will require a minimum of 120 hours TEFL certification. As long as it comes from an accredited provider like The TEFL Org, it can be completed online or in-person.

Studying an advanced course like the Level 5 TEFL course or specialising in a niche like teaching young learners, exam preparation, or business English can help you develop greater skills and stand out in Taiwan’s TEFL job market.  

Do you need a degree to teach in Taiwan?

You need a degree to teach in Taiwan, especially at public or international schools. However, it's possible to teach at private language centres — also known as buxibans — with an associate's degree or a two-year degree. You can also teach English abroad without a degree in other Asian countries.

Can you teach in Taiwan without experience?

It's possible to teach English abroad without experience in Taiwan, especially if you're already TEFL qualified. Most entry-level teachers will find opportunities at private language centres, also known as buxibans.

However, most public, international schools, and universities prioritise English teachers with classroom experience.

Visa requirements for teaching in Taiwan

To teach English in Taiwan legally, you'll need a Resident Visa sponsored by your employer before entering the country. To get this visa, you'll need:

• A bachelor's degree or associate's degree.
• A national-level background check issued within the last six months.
• Native-level English fluency.
• A passport from an English-speaking country like the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand.
• Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within 15 days after entering the country on the working visa.

Some TEFL teachers enter Taiwan on a 90-day visa exemption and find teaching jobs in-person. However, once you've secured a teaching job, you must convert to a work visa. Working illegally risks fines or even deportation.

For the working holiday visa, you'll need to:

• Be aged 18–30.
• Be a citizen of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia or the UK.
• Have NT$100,000 ($3,150 / £2,360) in your bank account, or proof of return flight tickets.
• Have health insurance.

Important: Immigration rules can change; be sure to check the official Taiwan government website for updated rules. The information above is not intended as legal or visa advice.

Salary and Cost of Living

Teaching in Taiwan offers not only insight into East Asian culture but also a good salary paired with an affordable cost of living.

Whether you're a recent graduate at The TEFL Org or an experienced teacher, we've done the research so you can estimate your salary, expenses, and savings as a teacher in Taiwan.

How much can you earn teaching English in Taiwan?

Generally, teachers in Taiwan earn around NT$50,000–NT$90,000 ($1,555–$2,810 / £1,180–£2,130) per month, with around NT$72,500 ($2,355 / £1,770) being a common average for TEFL qualified teachers.

However, your teaching salary in Taiwan depends on many factors:

• Teaching qualifications & experience: Teachers with TEFL certification and experience can earn a higher salary than non-certified or entry-level teachers.
• Teaching job: Typically, public school jobs offer higher salaries than private language centres, whereas international schools offer the highest salaries from NT$80,000–NT$200,000 ($2,500–$6,240 / £1,890–£4,730) per month.
• Location: Teaching in the capital Taipei offers higher salaries but also higher living costs, whereas other cities like Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Taichung are more affordable.

Important: Under the ROC Income Tax Act, teachers who stay less than 183 days are a non-resident and pay 18% tax, or 5% as a tax-resident if they stay in the country 183 days or more in a year. Be sure to check out the latest official government rules to make an informed decision.

How much does it cost to live in Taiwan?

The cost of living in Taiwan is relatively low compared to Western countries, so teachers can save money while living comfortably. But how much you'll spend depends on a number of factors, like where you live, your lifestyle, job benefits, and so on.

Typically, teachers spend around NT$25,000–NT$42,000 ($785–$1,330 / £590–£1,000) per month depending on their lifestyle. Living in major cities like Taipei may cost more, though.

Here's how you can lower living costs as a teacher in Taiwan:

• Live outside the city centre: Living outside the city centre can potentially save you NT$8,000 ($255 / £190) per month, or NT$96,000 ($3,100 / £2,300) per year.
• Buy local ingredients: Buying local ingredients and products is cheaper than buying imported foreign products.
• Use public transport: Public transport in Taiwan is effective, and a monthly transportation pass can cost as little as NT$1,200 ($28 / £20).
• Enjoy free activities: Taiwan is full of green spaces, national parks, temples and other cultural sites that can fill your spare time for free.
• Use public healthcare: Teachers will have an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC), which means they can receive affordable healthcare through the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme.

English Teaching Jobs in Taiwan

English teaching jobs in Taiwan can be found in public schools, private language centres, universities, and international schools.

Job boards like Hess Education, Jumpstart, KNS, Reach to Teach, Saxoncourt Recruitment, Tealit, and Facebook groups are some of the most popular ways to find teaching jobs in Taiwan. Many teachers also find freelance teaching jobs in Taiwan outside of their work schedule to supplement their income.

Public schools

Teaching at a public school requires a typical schedule from 8am–4:30pm, teaching around 20 hours per week and using your spare time to prepare lessons, grade homework, or relax. You'll follow a government curriculum, and the academic year takes place from September to June.

The large classroom sizes can be fun to teach, but it may reduce personalisation when catering to various language levels within the same classroom. Public schools in Taiwan require a bachelor's or four-year degree and a 120 hour TEFL certificate.

What to expect teaching at a public school in Taiwan:

• Weekday schedule; weekends off
• 15–25 hours of teaching per week
• Monthly salary from NT$60,000–NT$90,000 ($1,880–$2,820 / £1,415–£2,120)
• Larger classrooms of around 25+ students (which can be fun, but less personalised)
• Benefits like performance bonuses, medical insurance and Mandarin classes

Private language centres

Private language centres, also known as buxibans (or "cram school"), are popular routes for new TEFL teachers, hiring year-round and listing low entry requirements.

What to expect teaching in buxibans in Taiwan:

• Evening and weekend teaching schedules
• 15–25 hours of teaching per week with material often provided
• A variety of classroom sizes depending on the buxiban — ranging from smaller classrooms of 5–15 students to 40+ students
• Monthly salary from NT$50,000–NT$70,000 per month ($1,570–$2,190 / £1,180–£1,650)

International schools

Teachers with advanced TEFL qualifications or teaching licences, a degree in English, education, or teaching experience can work in international schools. Taiwanese students and foreign students attend these private schools, learning English at a higher standard from an international curriculum. While this offers the highest salary potential for TEFL teachers, it comes with more responsibility when it comes to lesson preparation, assignments, and grade expectations.

What to expect teaching in international schools in Taiwan:

• Monday to Friday schedule
• Teaching an American or British curriculum
• Students with higher levels of English
• Monthly salary from NT$80,000–NT$200,000 ($2,505–$6,270 / £1,885–£4,715)
• Benefits including health insurance, flight reimbursement, housing or allowance

Private tutoring

Many teachers privately tutor to supplement their income, earning around NT$600–NT$1,000 ($18–$31 / £14–£24) per hour depending on experience. If you've specialised in Business English or IELTS preparation, for example, you can expect to earn towards the higher end of the scale.

Recruiters

Instead of applying for jobs independently, recruiters can search for suitable teaching jobs in Taiwan on your behalf. Here are some of the most well-known recruiters for teaching in Taiwan:

• Teach Taiwan is a recruitment agency that partners with government programmes across the country. Benefits include personalised support, housing allowance, and personalised placements depending on your experience.
• Reach to Teach Recruiting's motto — Matching great teachers with great schools — emphasises its effort to offer teachers the right teaching experience in Taiwan, with reviewers emphasising their sincerity and approach throughout the process.
• ESL Dewey pairs foreign teachers with public schools, private language centres, and summer camps across the country.
• Phoenix Group Asia connects teachers with jobs in Taiwan and also offers workshops, monthly training, and housing assistance.

Teaching Programmes in Taiwan

While some teachers want to independently search for the best possible job they can find, others prefer the support and simplicity of joining a teaching programme. One of the most popular teaching programmes you can join is the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program.

What is the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program?

The Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP) is a government-sponsored programme that aims to increase English education and cultural exchange by hiring English teachers. As a TFETP teacher, you'll work in a public school either as a Foreign English Teacher or a Foreign English Teaching Assistant.

Here are the key differences between the positions:

• Foreign English Teaching Assistant: You'll take a more supportive role by helping Taiwanese teachers prepare and deliver high-quality lessons, while also participating in school activities to boost cultural exchange. The monthly salary for this role is around NT$51,500 per month ($1,595 / £1,200).
• Foreign English Teacher: You'll work alongside Taiwanese teachers as the lead classroom instructor, delivering lessons and taking part in school events. It's ideal for teachers seeking a hands-on, immersive experience in Taiwan's education system. Salaries range from NT$69,800–NT$107,000 per month ($2,180–$3,350 / £1,640–£2,520) depending on qualifications.

Both positions include benefits such as national health insurance, housing allowances, flight reimbursement up to NT$40,000 ($1,270 / £940) per trip.

Eligibility Requirements for the TFETP

To be accepted onto the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Programme (TFETP) as a teacher or teaching assistant, you'll need the following requirements:

• A bachelor's degree
• Hold a passport from a native English speaking country
• A TEFL certificate (preferred)
• Teaching licence or proof of teaching experience (for the Foreign English Teacher position)
• A teaching demonstration video
• A statement of purpose and 2 recommendation letters

Teaching English in Major Cities

Taiwan is home to many cities that offer distinct lifestyle and career expectations for English teachers.

Teach English in Taipei

From Longshan temple to the night market in Ximending, Taipei is a top destination for teaching in Taiwan. If you're ever seeking something other than the bustle of the capital, Taipei is only a day trip away from the colourful Zhengbin Fishing Harbor, Yangmingshan National Park, or the tea plantations of Pinglin.

But beyond what tourists want, Taipei offers plenty of teaching opportunities. As the financial centre and a major trading port, the demand for English soars in Taipei. Taipei is where you'll find the highest teaching salaries, and many teachers live in New Taipei City where rent is cheaper and they have MRT access to the centre.

Teach English in Taichung

While salaries may be lower than in Taipei, Taichung's more affordable cost of living helps balance this out. Taichung's slower pace and milder year-round climate is another drawing factor. It's centrally located and offers teachers in Taichung greater access to popular attractions when they're not teaching, whether that's inland or towards Hualien or Kaohsiung.

Teach English in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung is Taiwan's largest port city, located in the southern part of the island. While it doesn't have as big a TEFL job market as Taipei, it still offers plenty of career opportunities for foreign teachers.

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Ready to Teach English Abroad? Don't Forget Your TEFL Certificate

Teaching English abroad and living in Taiwan offers an unmatched personal and professional journey, but it all starts with the right TEFL course.

Beyond employability, 120 hours of TEFL training provides you with the knowledge and skills to lead a classroom with confidence in Taiwan. You'll learn how to teach grammar, manage large classrooms, plan lessons, and more whether you study online or in-person.

Read more about TEFL courses:

• Why do employers want teachers with a TEFL Org qualification?
• Online vs Virtual TEFL courses: What's the difference?