Teaching English in Taiwan: Living in Taiwan
If living in a vibrant city on a tropical island, experiencing another culture, and gaining teaching experience is a dream for you, Taiwan is your destination. This island, with its rugged mountains, unique landforms and stunning coastlines, is a unique draw to ESL teachers and tourists alike.
Taiwan: At a Glance
Taiwan: Living in Taiwan
Taiwan: Teaching ESL in Taiwan
Taiwan: Financial Snapshot
What to Know About Living in Taiwan
Transportation in Taiwan
Etiquette in Taiwan
Language in Taiwan
Eating in Taiwan
Climate in Taiwan
Holidays in Taiwan
Why Teach in Taiwan
Taiwan boasts a major ESL teaching market, and is a great choice for those who want to teach with friends or secure a contract quickly. Its bullet train allows you to easily enjoy most of Taiwan's major cities, and its beaches, truly unique for their pristine seclusion and lack of tourist traffic, rival the beauty of any in Thailand or Mexico.
What to Know About Teaching English in Taiwan
Housing
Most ESL teaching contracts in Taiwan do not include housing allowance or access to school-owned apartment. However the relatively low cost of living (which includes very affordable housing) and typical high salaried positions, along with assistance in locating and securing accommodation by schools, make Taiwan a very popular destination for ESL teachers.
Studio or one-bedroom apartments tend to be the most popular choices of accommodation for ESL teachers. Another popular choice is shared accommodation of two- or three-bedroom apartments among colleagues. Housing costs vary between cities and districts, with Taipei typically having the highest costs.
Studio apartments are usually furnished with a bed, armoire, AC, and desk & chair. Some apartments may also come with a microwave, hot plate, or toaster oven. Having a TV and fridge could cost extra. Cost for this type of apartment can range from approximately NT$4,000-8,000/month in Taipei and lower in other city centres. One-bedroom apartments, if furnished, typically come with a bed, armoire, desk & chair, fridge, AC, and washing machine. The cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Taipei can range from approximately NT$8,000-15,000/month. A furnished two- or three-bedroom apartment, which can be shared among teachers, would cost approximately NT$15,000 -35,000/month.
Services are generally a separate fee on top of rent and can include garbage collection, lighting for hallways, and security, costing approximately NT$1,000/month. Utilities usually include electricity, water and gas and cost approximately NT$1,000-1,500/month.
One can expect to pay a two-month deposit, plus one month’s rent (three-month’s rent total) in advance when signing an apartment agreement.
Airfare
Most ESL contracts in Taiwan do not include airfare; however, contracts vary between schools and the inclusion of airfare may depend upon the length of contract signed and the teacher’s qualifications.
Health Benefits
All legitimate businesses and schools in Taiwan have access to government health insurance and most schools would include this benefit in contracts. While only a percentage of the premiums may be covered by schools, the health care itself is excellent and still very affordable.
Having independent health care insurance from one’s home country may be prudent for the first few months in Taiwan until benefits with the school are finalized.
Retirement Age
In recent years Taiwan’s official retirement age has risen from 60 to 65 years of age. While schools typically hire candidates between the ages of 20-50, there are opportunities for ESL teachers up to age 65.
Communication Technology
Taiwan is one of the electronics manufacturing centres of the world and considered ‘cutting edge’ in many respects. ESL teachers will find access to Internet and phone services accessible and affordable. If they do not have Internet at their place of residence, their school is likely to have access available for staff.
Phones
Mobile phones are relatively inexpensive to purchase in Taiwan and require use of a SIM card. The SIM card can be reloaded by use of calling cards, which are available everywhere. The purchase of a SIM card usually requires one to two pieces of identification. International calling cards can be purchased at reasonable rates and are also readily accessible. Public telephones (coin or card operated) can be found throughout cities in Taiwan.
Internet
Obtaining an internet connection at one’s place of residence, while affordable, may require a passport and Taiwanese guarantor. As an alternative, Internet cafes are plentiful and surfing time affordable (between NT$15-30/hour).
American Food
North American restaurants/cafés are becoming a common part of the landscape in Taiwan with many to choose from, including:
- T.G.I. Friday’s
- Tony Roma’s
- Outback Steakhouse
- Chili’s
- McDonald’s
- KFC
- Burger King
- Subway
- Dominoes
- Pizza Hut
- Starbucks (150 outlets in Taipei alone)
Costco’s introduction to Taiwan has been a great addition for Western shoppers. Nabisco and Frito-Lay, among other popular brands, have found their way into local grocery stores, as well as Western chocolate and ice cream. Coffee is becoming readily available and popular as the over 150 Starbucks locations in Taipei would indicate. While import foods are still quite expensive, many items can be found in major grocery chain stores. Taking a modest supply of one’s favorite foods is not uncommon among foreigners.
Transportation in Taiwan
Public Transportation
Taxi
As taxis tend to be quite expensive, ESL teachers typically choose other modes of transportation.
Tips When Traveling By Taxi:
- Flagging a taxi is best, as opposed to using those sitting and waiting for customers.
- Ask other foreign teachers which taxi companies are safe and reliable.
- Choose a taxi that is metered, and make sure meter is working.
- Choose a taxi driver that appears to be well-groomed with a well-kept car.
- Make note of, and use, the driver’s name.
- Follow your instincts; if you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the taxi and get another.
- Carry a map so that you can point to the location to where you wish to travel.
Train and Subway
The train system in Taiwan includes express trains that travel between cities, and other, slower trains which travel between towns. The trains are typically packed on weekends, but relatively empty during the week.
Taipei has a mass rapid transit system (MRT) which is quite popular but somewhat expensive. Tickets range from NT$20-65, depending upon the distance. A NT$150 pass allows unlimited usage of the train for one day. The system stops at major tourist attractions, a popular feature for ESL teachers who want to explore the city.
Bus
City buses are readily available in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital; there are fewer available in other cities throughout the island. Buses generally run on the half-hour and fares are approximately NT$15-25. In smaller city centres, routes are not as extensive or frequent as they are in Taipei, making other modes of transportation, such as a scooter, more appealing and feasible.
Other Modes of Transportation
Other modes of transportation that are available for ESL teachers include:
Scooter
The scooter tends to be the most popular mode of transportation for teachers in light of its cost, availability, and the ability to get around quickly in traffic. Many ESL teachers purchase scooters. An ARC (Alien Resident Card) and local scooter license are required upon purchase. Second-hand scooters are readily available and can be purchased for approximately NT$10,000-20,000, and a new scooter can be purchased for approximately NT$30,000-60,000. They can also be rented at a very reasonable price.
Tips When Using a Scooter:
- Wear a helmet!
- If purchasing your own scooter, take care to ensure that yours was not stolen and resold. As well, ensure that it is secured while it is parked or stored.
- If you’ve never driven a scooter before, practice in a safe area before using it on the main roads.
- Be cautious! Roads in Taiwan tend to be full of aggressive drivers, making this type of transportation potentially dangerous. Fortunately, as a result of high traffic volume, speeds tend to be lower and mishaps less serious.
Bicycle
The bicycle is a very common mode of transportation among Taiwanese and foreigners. Street or trail bikes can be purchased at a very reasonable price.
Tips When Riding a Bicycle:
- Wear a helmet!
- Wear a mask over your mouth and nose in light of the pollution.
- Take an extra shirt to school as hot temperatures will make for a sweaty ride.
- Ensure that your bicycle, if purchased in Taiwan, was not stolen and resold.
- Ensure that your bicycle is well-secured when parked or stored.
- Foreigners should write their name, phone number, and work address on their bicycle.
Motor Vehicles
Some ESL teachers choose to purchase a used car if they have plans to stay in Taiwan for two or more years. An ARC (Alien Resident Card) and driver’s license are necessary for the purchase of a vehicle.
Preparing to Teach English in Taiwan
The Taiwanese are a gracious, respectful, family-oriented and hard-working people. They value humility and patience, and are careful to guard the honour of family and others.
A slight nod of the head is the most common greeting among new acquaintances in Taiwan, with handshakes among men who have an established friendship. Introductions are usually made by a third party. Rarely would someone introduce themselves, unless alone with another person.
General Etiquette
The following are some helpful guidelines for etiquette. Taking the time to learn common etiquette is a compliment to the culture in which one is living.
- While the nod is the most common greeting among the Taiwanese, the handshake is also common and expected among foreigners. Handshakes are not typically firm.
- Greet the eldest person in the group first as a sign of respect.
- Taiwanese will generally lower their eyes as a sign of respect when being introduced.
- Address others by using their title and surname. Using one’s first name is usually done when there is a greater level of familiarity. It is best to wait until invited to use the first name before doing so.
- Avoid touching anyone on the head as it is disrespectful.
- Gift-giving is common in Taiwan and has some well-established guidelines. Consulting a Taiwanese friend before giving a gift would be wise. Remember to give and receive gifts with both hands and wait until you are in private before opening a gift.
- Teachers should wear business attire in the classroom unless otherwise instructed.
- Remove shoes when entering someone’s home. Slippers are sometimes provided, but it is best to take a pair of socks along with you when visiting.
- Tipping is expected for those offering services such as porters or hairstylists, but not expected for taxis or waiters. Larger restaurants will add a gratuity of 10% to the bill.
- Patience is sometimes required when ascertaining the meaning of someone’s message, as brevity in communication is uncommon.
- As modesty is highly valued in Taiwan, playing down a compliment paid to you is considered proper etiquette.
- “Saving face” is an important part of Taiwanese culture and as such, showing respect, paying compliments, and avoiding harsh confrontation and blame is very important.
Dining Etiquette
Dining etiquette in Taiwan has some similarities to other Asian cultures as well as its own unique aspects. Unless there is a well-established relationship, dining together as a group would generally take place at a restaurant, instead of in one’s home. The host of the meal makes order selections, initiates toasts, initiates serving food, initiates eating, and pays the bill. When in doubt about proper etiquette to follow, it is always helpful to follow the lead of other guests. As chopsticks are the utensil of choice, getting used to using them before dining out would be good. Following are some dining hints:
- Arrive on time and dress in business attire.
- If dining at someone’s home, remove shoes before entering.
- Greet the host and most elderly before greeting others.
- Wait for the host to assign seating and to begin eating.
- As much as possible, eat everything put on your plate.
- Avoid putting bones in your bowl or on your plate; rather, put them on a specific plate provided or on the table.
- It is best not to ask for additional condiments beyond what is already on the table.
- Avoid eating the last piece of food on a plate.
- To avoid being given more food or drink, leave a small amount in your glass or on your plate.
- When finished eating, place your chopsticks on the chopstick holder as opposed to putting them across the plate.
- A belch is not uncommon during a public meal as it is simply an indication that one is enjoying it.
- The serving of tea is an indication that the meal is coming to an end.
- Offering to contribute to the meal is polite but should not be insisted upon, as the host generally pays for the meal.
- Using a toothpick at the table is acceptable; however, cupping your free hand over your mouth is important during its use.
- If it is within your means, reciprocating with a meal of comparable value is considered polite.
Language in Taiwan
There is some controversy as to the origins of the Taiwanese language. What is not debated, however, is the fact that there are a number of other languages which have influenced both the formal and colloquial aspects of this language, including Min-nan, the Sino-Tibetan family of languages, and Chinese.
Taiwanese is a tonal language with 7 primary tones. As in all tonal languages, slight variations in tone or sound can have a completely different meaning than that which is intended. As such, it is a challenging language to acquire.
The following is a list of common phrases written phonetically. Many public libraries have audio tutorials in various languages and if available would be helpful in practicing the pronunciation of common phrases.
Even when mistakes are made, and many will be, the attempt to learn and communicate the language is very much appreciated by the local people and often received as a compliment.
- Hello
Li ho - Good-bye
Tzai chien - How are you?
Jia bah bo? - What is your name?
Li-ay myah shee sa? - My name is
Wah-ay mya shee - Yes
Sī - Please
Pbai toh - Thank you
To-siā - Do you speak English?
Lí kám kóng Eng-bûn? - How much?
Goā choē? - Where's the toilet?
Ben so dee-da
A pocket phrasebook would be an invaluable purchase. Even if pronouncing a particular word feels unrealistic, pointing to the word in a phrasebook (providing that it includes the Taiwanese characters) may prove very helpful.
Eating in Taiwan
Taiwanese Cuisine
The consensus among foreigners is that Taiwan is “food heaven”. Visiting local food markets gives one a sense of the huge variety of fruits, vegetables, and other types of food available. Taiwanese cuisine centres on rice, seafood, and vegetables, and is generally flavored with pork fat. Spices often include ginger, anise, soy sauce, and salt and pepper. Dried fish, fermented beans, and some chili peppers (lightly flavoured) are often used. Dairy products are quite uncommon in the Taiwan diet; however, with Western influence, they are becoming more popular.
Popular food choices for foreigners include:
- Shui Jiao (boiled dumplings with pork and/or vegetables )
- Zheng Jiao (steamed dumplings with pork and/or vegetables)
- Mochi (sweet snack dipped in peanut powder & filled with a variety of pastes)
- Steamed Buns (variety of savory meats inside)
- Chow Mein (pan-fried noodles with vegetables and/or meat)
- Ji Si Tang Mian (soup noodles with chicken)
- Xian Yu Tang (fish soup)
- Shaved Ice (with a variety of toppings to choose from)
A helpful practice is to keep a notebook with food preferences after sampling various dishes at functions or good choices ordered at restaurants, as it is really easy to forget the Taiwanese names of items.
Climate in Taiwan
Taiwan enjoys a sub-tropical climate with moderate temperatures in the north, and a tropical climate in the south. The country’s average annual temperature is approximately 23° Celsius rising to 35° Celsius in the summer. The most dominant fluctuations in weather occur during the spring and winter seasons, with weather during summer and autumn maintaining stable temperatures.
There are four seasons in Taiwan, which some contend could be abbreviated to two: a hot season and a cool season.
Summer - Generally June to September with the temperature averaging 28° Celsius. The tropical breezes from the Pacific keep the island from becoming too hot. Monsoon rains typically begin in June and last through October.
Fall – Generally from mid-September to October. Temperatures begin to drop, but remain very pleasant. The latter part of the monsoon rains occur during the fall season.
Winter – Typically lasts from November to February. Temperatures average 15-18° Celsius. A sweater or light jacket is sufficient outerwear for most during the winter season.
Spring - Usually runs from March to June, with temperatures beginning to climb to meet the hot months of summer.
Natural Disasters
Taiwan is not unfamiliar with earthquakes and the threat of high intensity monsoons. Being situated on the western edge of the Pacific Rim earthquake belt, an extremely active tectonic region, and in a subtropical area with high average temperatures and high precipitation, makes it vulnerable to these types of natural disasters.
Examples of extreme natural disasters include the Chi-Chi earthquake of 1999, which killed more than 2,400 and injured more than 11,000 people. The earthquake completely destroyed over 8,500 buildings and seriously damaged another 6,200. Typhoon Morakot of August, 2009, was the deadliest storm to hit the island in recorded history.
In response to these and other natural disasters, the government of Taiwan and partner NGOs (Non Government Organizations) are involved in ongoing efforts to create disaster readiness and relief plans.
Holidays in Taiwan
Several holidays in Taiwan are still based on the lunar calendar, and as such occur on different dates each year. The government reserves the right to change event dates in order to ensure greatest productivity in the workplace. Schools typically abide by these changes and so have learned to become somewhat flexible with scheduling.
Below is a list of the primary holidays celebrated in Taiwan:
Founding Day of the Republic of China - January 1
Official birthday of Asia’s first democratic republic
Chinese New Year - January or February (1st day of first lunar month)
Three to five-day celebration throughout Asia
Memorial Day - February 28
A day to celebrate ongoing peace
Tomb Sweeping Day - April 5
Opportunity for respects to be formally paid at ancestors’ graves
Labor Day - May 1
Celebrating the advancement of workers’ rights and interests
Dragon Boat Festival - June
A festival for warding off evil and disease, celebrated with dragon boat races
Armed Forces Day - September 3
Remembrance of valor and sacrifice of all branches of the military
Mid-Autumn Festival - September (15th day of the eighth lunar month)
A time for family reunions and looking forward to a bountiful harvest for the following year
Double Tenth National Day - October 10
Celebration of the nation’s birthday
Constitution Day - December 25
Anniversary of the official enactment of constitutional law (not always a holiday)
