Taiwan
5 Reasons to NOT Teach English in Taipei
Why Teach English in Taiwan?
Taiwan offers a genuinely distinctive teaching destination in East Asia: a cultural blend of Chinese, Japanese, Aboriginal and uniquely Taiwanese influences, world-class healthcare, an excellent public transit network, and a cost of living that is noticeably more affordable than Japan or South Korea. Working hours at most Buxibans are reasonable, and the work-life balance is widely cited by foreign teachers as a major reason they stay long-term.
The country has been one of Asia’s most dynamic economies for decades. ESL demand is steady year-round, and the strongest niche by far is young learners. Taiwanese parents enrol children in private after-school programs to give them an academic edge, which is why Buxibans — the local term for after-school cram schools — are the dominant employer of foreign teachers. Adults at the upper levels of business already have strong English skills, so the Business English market is smaller but well suited to private one-to-one tutoring.
English Teacher Salary & Cost of Living in Taiwan
Most foreign teachers in Taiwan earn between USD $1,800 and $3,000 per month, with full or subsidized accommodation included at many schools. The lower end is typical for entry-level Buxiban roles; experienced teachers, public-school positions and international schools pay considerably more.
| Job type | Monthly salary (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buxiban (after-school) | $1,800–$2,800 | Most common path — year-round hiring |
| Public school (TFETP / direct) | $2,000–$3,000 | Teaching license required |
| International school (K-12) | $3,000–$5,000+ | License + 2+ years experience |
| Private tutoring | $25–$50/hr | Supplementary income — popular with adults |
Real-world cost example. Local meals run roughly $2–3 USD. OnTESOL graduate Tim Sharp reports sharing a 20th-floor apartment with a swimming pool in a major-city CBD for around $800 CAD per month — about a quarter of what the same apartment would cost in Vancouver or Toronto.
Outside Taipei, the cost of living drops significantly. Second-tier cities like Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung allow teachers to save substantially more — a key reason many foreign teachers choose to teach outside the capital.
Types of English Teaching Jobs in Taiwan
Foreign English teachers in Taiwan generally work in one of four settings. Knowing the differences before you arrive helps you target the right contract.
Buxibans (after-school cram schools)
Most commonBuxibans are private after-school programs that the majority of Taiwanese children attend. Classes typically run from mid-afternoon into the evening (around 2pm–9pm), which means mornings are free — a lifestyle perk many teachers love.
Hiring happens year-round, and reputable Buxibans require an accredited 120-hour TEFL certification along with a Bachelor’s degree. Salaries start around $1,800/month for full-time hours and climb with experience. Most contracts are 12 months and many include free or subsidized housing.
Salary: $1,800–$2,800/month · Free or subsidized accommodation common
Public schools & TFETP
StableTaiwan’s public schools recruit foreign teachers directly and through the government-run Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP) — a public-school placement comparable to Japan’s JET or South Korea’s EPIK. Teaching hours align with the academic calendar (August and February intakes), and contracts include the paid holidays and bonus structures public-school employment is known for.
A teaching license or formal teacher training is generally required. TFETP also offers placements in regions that don’t typically attract foreign teachers, which can be ideal for those wanting a more authentic small-town experience.
Salary: $2,000–$3,000/month · Includes paid holidays + bonuses
International schools (K-12)
Highest payInternational schools in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Hsinchu serve diplomatic and expat families and follow North American or IB curricula. They pay the highest salaries in the country, but require a teaching license and at least two years of classroom experience in your home country.
This path suits experienced K-12 teachers looking to build an international career. The 250-hour TESOL Diploma can strengthen applications for ESL/EAL specialist roles within these schools.
Salary: $3,000–$5,000+/month · License + 2 yrs experience required
Kindergartens & preschools
CautionForeign teachers on a standard buxiban or school work permit are not authorized to teach inside a registered kindergarten or preschool (幼兒園). Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor is explicit that cram schools cannot subcontract or assign their foreign teachers to kindergartens. Teaching kindergarten-aged children at a properly registered buxiban, however, is a separate question and is not automatically illegal — the rule is about the worksite, not the students’ ages.
Permitted
- Working at the buxiban named on your work permit
- Teaching kindergarten-aged children at a registered buxiban
- Public-school placements via TFETP (with teaching license)
Not Permitted
- Teaching inside a registered kindergarten or preschool
- Being dispatched from a buxiban into a kindergarten location
- A “buxiban” operating as full-day childcare or preschool
Penalties are real. Working outside the scope of your permit can result in fines, permit annulment, deportation, and a three-year ban on re-entering Taiwan. Employers face fines from NT$150,000 to NT$750,000. Before signing, confirm: who is the legal employer named on your permit, what address is your worksite, and is that address registered as a buxiban or a kindergarten?
Private one-to-one tutoring
Side incomeOnce you have a work permit through a primary employer, private tutoring is a popular way to supplement your income. Adult learners — particularly business professionals looking for conversational practice — pay $25–$50 per hour for one-to-one lessons.
Word of mouth, expat groups and student referrals are how most teachers build a tutoring roster. Business English certification can help command higher rates with corporate clients.
How to Find a Teaching Job in Taiwan
The most consistent advice from experienced teachers in Taiwan is also the most counter-intuitive: arrive in Taiwan first, then start interviewing. Many of the better Buxibans only hire candidates they can interview in person, and arriving on a visitor visa lets you tour facilities, meet other foreign teachers and assess whether a school’s promises match reality before you commit to a 12-month contract.
Hiring through a recruiter or online job board isn’t a bad option — it just shifts more of the risk onto you. If you accept a contract sight-unseen, ask for video walk-throughs of the school and accommodation, request to speak with current foreign teachers there, and verify that promised hours, housing and pay are written into the contract before you fly.
Practical tip from OnTESOL graduates
Plan to arrive 2–4 weeks before you need a paycheck. Stay in a hostel or short-term rental in a city you’re targeting, schedule in-person interviews, and use sites like Tealit for housing and job listings. Once you’ve signed a contract, your school typically helps with your work-permit application and the conversion of your visitor visa into an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC).
Best Cities to Teach English in Taiwan
Taiwan is geographically small, but each region has a distinct character. Where you teach has a real impact on cost of living, weather, and the kind of community you’ll join. Here are the cities most worth knowing.
Taipei
Capital · Most jobs · Most competition
The capital and Taiwan’s most cosmopolitan city. World-class MRT, the largest expat communities, and the highest English level in the country — but also the most competitive job market and the highest cost of living. Best for first-time teachers who want familiar conveniences nearby.
Kaohsiung
Southern hub · Harbour city
Taiwan’s southern port city, known for its waterfront and the country’s second-best public transit system. A solid middle-ground: lower cost of living than Taipei, warmer winters, and a sizeable foreign-teacher community.
Tainan
Food capital · Best weather
Taiwan’s oldest city and unofficial food capital. The weather is widely considered the best in the country — warm year-round without Taipei’s damp humidity. Lower salaries are offset by an even lower cost of living, so savings can be excellent.
Taichung
Central · Save more
Taiwan’s third-largest city, on the central west coast. Significantly cheaper than Taipei with steady Buxiban demand. A popular choice for teachers focused on saving money while still living in a major urban centre with good amenities.
Hualien
East coast · Nature
A small east-coast town surrounded by mountains and ocean — the “Studio Ghibli” corner of Taiwan. A slow pace, clean air and easy access to Taroko Gorge. Fewer ESL jobs but a uniquely peaceful lifestyle for teachers who don’t need a big city.
Nantou & Yilan
Outdoor lifestyle
Nantou is Taiwan’s only landlocked county and home to Sun Moon Lake, hiking trails and tea plantations. Yilan, on the northeast coast, is the country’s surfing capital with hot springs nearby. Both reward teachers who prioritize the outdoors over urban life.
Other cities worth a look: Taoyuan (closest to Taiwan’s largest international airport — ideal for frequent travelers), Hsinchu (quieter, family-friendly, near the country’s tech hub), and Miaoli (rural, hot springs, slow pace, perfect for nature lovers).