Teaching ESL in Taiwan

Teaching English in Taiwan is a great way to gain valuable experience and improve teaching skills, while enjoying a land of beauty, diversity, and mystery.

Living and Teaching in Taiwan
Taiwan: At a Glance
Taiwan: Living in Taiwan
Taiwan: Teaching ESL in Taiwan
Taiwan: Financial Snapshot

Peak ESL Hiring Season in Taiwan
How to Find Jobs Teaching English in Taiwan
Large Chain Schools in Taiwan
Tips for ESL Teachers in Taiwan
Teaching Requirements for ESL Teachers in Taiwan
Embassy and Consulate Information for Taiwan

Peak ESL Hiring Season in Taiwan

ESL teachers are in demand in Taiwan throughout the calendar year. Teaching positions are available through public and private schools, language schools, universities and colleges, and through private tutoring. The government’s education reforms are continuing to make opportunities available for foreign teachers.

Public and Private School System

Public and private schools in Taiwan are somewhat similar to North America's conventional primary and secondary school system, and run on a two-semester system. The first semester begins in September and lasts until mid- or late-January, followed by a four-week vacation which includes Chinese New Year. The second semester begins in March and goes through July, followed by a two-month summer vacation. Higher qualifications, including an education degree and teacher’s license, are needed for those who want to teach in the public school system. If interested in teaching in a conventional school, peak hiring time is in July/August.

Private Language Schools

Private language schools provide supplementary education for students who require additional tutoring. Classes are offered during after-school hours and at other convenient times. As private language schools do not follow the semester system of conventional schools, teachers are hired year-round.

Language centres tend to be divided into “chain” schools and “cram” (also called “bushiban”) schools. Chain schools are prolific in Taiwan and in many ways are a monopoly, having edged out many smaller cram schools. Cram schools tend to offer higher quality education and better working environments than their chain counterparts. However, most foreign teachers find positions in the chain schools and many report a good experience.

Universities and Colleges

Universities and colleges in Taiwan, similar to those in North America, are divided into academic and vocational schools. National (government-run) academic universities draw the best students and teachers, and receive substantial funding. While teachers with Master’s degrees are still to be found, the emerging trend to secure a teaching position in these types of schools is the requirement of a doctorate. Even though the demand for English teachers in academic school English departments is growing, most foreign teachers find positions in vocational universities (universities of technology). A third option for ESL teachers is the five-year junior college system. This system counts three years of high school, along with a two-year associate degree, to be equal to a lesser valued four-year degree. While these types of schools are slowly being phased out, opportunities still exist.

Classes typically begin in August or September and run through July, with a semester break which usually coincides with Chinese New Year. As teachers would need to be settled in Taiwan by end of July, hiring takes place in spring and early summer.

Private Tutoring

As a work visa is required to work legally in Taiwan, private tutoring is something that some ESL teachers do in addition to a formal teaching position. Technically, private tutoring is illegal and could result in deportation if discovered. In addition, some contracts clearly disallow tutoring on the side as it is considered to be competition, or at the very least, a distraction from school duties. Those who do risk private tutoring charge between NT$600 - 1,200.

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How to Find Jobs Teaching English in Taiwan

There are many resources available to ESL teachers searching for teaching positions abroad, including:

Graduates of Oxford Seminars receive our Graduate Placement Service with exclusive access to established schools and recruiters around the world.

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Chain Schools in Taiwan

HESS Established in 1983 by Mr. Joseph Chu and his wife Ms. Karen Hess, Hess Educational Organization has grown from 60 to over 60,000 students in various programs. It is said to be the largest private English education organization in Taiwan today.
Shane English School Taiwan Shane English School (SES) Taiwan was established in 1994 by Shane Lipscombe and is part of the Saxoncourt group of companies. It is one of the largest British-owned English teaching organizations in Taiwan and operates more than 30 schools in Taiwan, mostly in the Taipei area. It has an enrolment of more than 7,000 students.
Kid Castle Kid Castle was established in 1986 and has over 200 schools in China and Taiwan.
GRAM English Center GRAM, established in 1980, has over 200 locations, over 1000 employees, and boasts tens of thousands of students in Taiwan. It provides English language learning for students from age five into adulthood.

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Jobs Teaching English in the Summer in Taiwan

Summer teaching positions in Taiwan do exist; however, rarely are they lucrative or even paying positions. Volunteer positions are available and can be found with rudimentary searches on the internet. Private tutoring can be a good source of income during the summer months.

Additional ESL Resources to Help Teach English in Taiwan

There is an abundance of ESL resources for teachers to help teach English as a Second Language on the Internet.

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Tips for ESL Teachers in Taiwan

The ARC (Alien Resident Card) should be kept with you at all times.
As the Taiwanese value image and appearance, being well-groomed is important.
If patience is not one of your strong points, it would be a good attribute on which to focus your energies.
The Taiwanese are a gracious, non-confrontational people. Any conflict should be handled in a calm, private manner so as to “save face”.
Taiwan is considered to be a very safe country; however, it is still wise to limit the amount of money that you carry on your person.
Adopt an adventurous attitude and experience the cuisine, culture, and sites of Taiwan.
Use only bottled water from reputable companies for consumption. Boil filtered water if unsure.
As the Taiwanese are typically petite compared to most North Americans, clothing and shoes in larger sizes are not as readily available there as they would be in Canada.
Tipping a taxi or waiter is not common practice. Some larger restaurants do add a 10% gratuity. However, a small tip to a bellhop or hairstylist is quite common.
The voltage in Taiwan is 110V, making the purchase of a transformer unnecessary if relocating to Taiwan from North America.
Consider getting an international driver’s license in your home country.
Penalties for drug usage are severe. As such, be careful to keep your distance from them or from those using them.

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Teaching Requirements for ESL Teachers in Taiwan

The requirements and guidelines below are listed for ESL teacher applicants to Taiwan who are citizens of: United States, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.

Minimum Requirements to Apply for Teaching Positions in Taiwan:

BA (3 or 4 year) degree in any discipline – for teaching in a private school*
BA/Teacher’s license – for teaching in a public school
Native English speaker
Citizenship in an English speaking country (United States, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa)

*Sometimes a Two-Year College Diploma and TESOL certificate is sufficient.

Types of Applicable Visas:

Visa Exempt Entry: Extended to several countries (listed on Taiwanese embassy website). Valid for 30 days. Not extendable or convertible to other visas.
Visitor’s Visa: Designed for those who intend to stay in Taiwan for less than six months. Can be used as an initial visa (for ESL teachers working in private schools) while waiting for a Resident Visa to be processed.
Resident Visa: Designed for those who intend to stay in Taiwan for longer than six months. This visa is issued to teachers who have secured a teaching contract and whose schools have processed the work permit prior to their relocation to Taiwan. Some schools have their teachers enter Taiwan on a Visitor Visa, and then process the work permit and Resident Visa once there.
Spousal Visa: designed for those married to a Taiwanese citizen and living in Taiwan. This visa can be used to teach English, providing the necessary requirements are met.

Important Visa Information:

Citizens from Canada, the United States, Australia, UK, Ireland, and New Zealand can enter Taiwan on a Visa Exempt Entry; however, it is only valid for 30 days, which is not long enough to process a work permit.
Visas will only be granted if there is sufficient time remaining on the applicant’s passport. (This should be confirmed by a local Taiwanese embassy/consulate).
In addition to obtaining a visa, an entry permit is required. The option is given to purchase a single entry permit or a multiple entry permit. It is best to obtain a single entry permit initially and then obtain a multiple entry permit if/as necessary.
Leaving the country without a re-entry permit essentially cancels one’s visa.
Visas must be used within three months of receiving it.
One must apply for visa at a Taiwanese embassy or consulate in their own country unless they have permanent residence in the country from which they are applying.
One should apply for a visa in person if possible. If the embassy or consulate is too great a distance away, the application can be processed through the mail.
For New Zealand citizens : Applications for visas must be made at least 10 days prior to departure for Taiwan. If applying for a Resident Visa, three week’s advance notice must be given.
For South African citizens : Applications for visas must include hotel reservation with contact information and room rate, or letter of invitation from a person living in Taiwan holding their ARC (Alien Resident Card).

Standard Process for Obtaining Legal Documentation to Work Legally in Taiwan:

The applicant secures a contract with a legitimate school.
The school applies for a work permit on behalf of the applicant.
The applicant applies for a Resident Visa/Entry Permit at the Taiwanese embassy/consulate.
If the work permit is not processed by the school prior to relocation to Taiwan, the applicant applies for a Tourist Visa at local Taiwanese embassy/consulate. Once in Taiwan, the school applies for the work permit on behalf of the teacher. The teacher must leave the country (“visa run” to nearby country) to obtain the new Resident visa.
Once a work permit is obtained, the application for a Resident Visa/ARC (Alien Resident Card) is made.

Standard Required Documents for Visas:

(Important to check with Taiwanese embassy/consulate as variations in requirements sometimes occur)

A valid passport with at least six months remaining after travel dates (This should be confirmed with local embassy/consulate).
Completed visa application
Passport photos – as recent as six months (Specifications should be confirmed with local embassy/consulate)
Original university degree
University transcripts
Employment contract with letter of invitation
A health certificate (includes an HIV test and chest X-Ray, etc.)
For Visitor’s Visa: Bank account balance statement showing sufficient funds (approx. $2,000 US) to stay in Taiwan for the period stated on application
For Visitor’s Visa: Photocopy of one’s airline ticket or travel itinerary issued by travel agent

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Embassy and Consulate Information for Taiwan

Canadian Embassy and Consular Services in Taiwan

The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT)
13th Floor, 365 Fu Hsing North Road
Taipei 105, Taiwan
City: Taipei
Tel: +886 (2) 2544-3000
Fax: +886 (2) 2544-3592
Toll Free Number: 0800-226-232 (0800-CANADA)
Email: tapei@international.gc.ca
Website: http://www.canada.org.tw/taiwan/index.aspx?lang=eng

American Embassy and Consular Services in Taiwan
* As the United States does not formally recognize the Republic of Taiwan in China, diplomatic ties are maintained through other means including, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)
2 nd Floor, Consular Section
#7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi road, Section 3
Taipei, 106
City: Taipei
Phone: +(02)2162-2000, ext. 2306
Fax: +(02)2162-2239
Website: http://www.ait.org.tw/en/home.html
Email: amcit-ait-t@state.gov
Hours of Operation: 08:30-11:30 & 13:30-15:30 Monday through Friday

Australian Embassy and Consular Services in Taiwan
* In the absence of formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the ACIO (Australian Commerce and Industry Office) represents Australian interests in Taiwan.

Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei
The President International Tower
27th-28th Floors #9-11
Song Gao Rd
Taipei, 11073
City: Taipei
Phone: +886-2-8725-4149
Fax: +886-2-8789-9599
Website: http://www.australia.org.tw/tpeichinese/home.html

British Embassy and Consular Services in Taiwan

British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei
26th Floor
President International Tower
Number 9-11 Song Gao Road
Xin Yi District
Taipei, 11073
City: Taipei
Phone: (886) 2 8758-2088
Fax: (886) 2 8758-2050
Website:http://ukintaiwan.fco.gov.uk
Hours of Operation: 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00 Monday through Friday

Irish Embassy and Consular Services in Taiwan
* Irish citizens living in Taiwan should contact the Embassy in Beijing, China.

Irish Embassy in Beijing
3 Ritan Dong Lu
Beijing 100600
People's Republic of China
City: Beijing
Phone: (+86 10) 6532 2691 or 6532 2914
Fax: (+86 10) 6532 6857
Email: beijing@dfa.ie
Website: http://www.embassyofireland.cn/
Hours of Operation: 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:00 Monday through Friday

New Zealand's Embassy and Consular Services in Taiwan
* In the absence of diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce operates the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei

New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei
Suite 2501, 25th Floor
International Trade Building
333 Keelung Road, Section 1
Taipei, 110
Phone: +886 2 2757 6725
Fax: +886 2 2757 6973
Email: nzcio.tpe@msa.hinet.net
Hours of Operation: 09:00-17:00 Monday through Friday

Embassy and Consulate Information Outside Taiwan

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Canada

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Ottawa
45 O'Connor St., Suite 1960
Ottawa , ON K1P 1A4
City: Ottawa
Phone: 1 ( 613) 231-5080
Fax: 1 ( 613) 231-7933

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Washington, DC
4201 Wisconsin Avenue
Washington , DC 20016
City: Washington, DC
Phone: 1(202) 895-1800
Fax: (202) 895-1922
Website: http://www.taiwanembassy.org/US/mp.asp?mp=12

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