Teaching in Taiwan

Teaching Jobs in Taiwan for Foreigners

 

Taiwan is one of the most reliable places in Asia to teach. It does not always get the same attention as Japan or Korea, but many teachers who come here end up staying longer than planned.

The combination of comfortable salaries, manageable working hours, strong healthcare, and overall quality of life makes Taiwan a solid choice, especially if you want something stable without giving up flexibility.

Quick Facts

• Popular for buxibans, public schools, bilingual schools, and international schools
• Comfortable salaries compared to cost of living
• Strong healthcare and easy day to day living
• Good option for both newer and experienced teachers

Types of Teaching Jobs in Taiwan

Buxibans (Cram Schools):

Buxibans are the most common entry point for foreign teachers.

These are private after-school programs where students study English and other subjects. They hire year-round and are generally the easiest way to get started.

What to expect:

• Teaching children, usually ages 5 to 15
• Afternoon and evening schedules, often around 1 PM to 9 PM
• Structured curriculum in many schools
• Hourly or monthly pay

Popular chains include:

• HESS
• Kojen
• Joy English
• Shane English School
• American Eagle

Public Schools

Public school jobs offer a more traditional schedule and environment.

What to expect:

• Monday to Friday daytime hours
• Co-teaching with a local teacher
• Larger class sizes
• More structured environment

A teaching license is generally required for public school positions.

International Schools

International schools are the most competitive and often the highest-paying roles.

Examples include:

• Taipei American School
• Taipei European School
• Kaohsiung American School
• Morrison Academy

What to expect:

• Higher salaries
• Stronger benefits packages
• Professional teaching environment

A teaching license is often preferred, but not always required depending on the role and school.

Private and Bilingual Schools

These schools fall between public and international schools.

They often combine local and international teaching styles and have more flexible hiring requirements.

What to expect:

• Mixed curriculum
• Varying expectations depending on the school
• More structured than buxibans

Requirements to Teach in Taiwan

Taiwan is relatively accessible compared to many other countries in Asia.

For buxiban roles, some teachers with an associate’s degree and a TEFL certificate may be able to teach, depending on the school.

For most positions, the standard requirements are:

• A bachelor’s degree
• A passport from an English-speaking country for most English teaching roles
• A clean background check

Additional qualifications that help:

• TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA
• Teaching experience

For specific roles:

• Public schools usually require a teaching license
• International schools often prefer a teaching license, and classroom experience matters

Salary in Taiwan

Common benefits may include:

• Health insurance
• Work visa sponsorship
• Contract bonuses
• Occasional housing support

Working Hours in Taiwan:

Buxibans

• Afternoon to evening
• Some weekends
• Around 20 to 30 teaching hours per week

Public Schools

• Weekday daytime schedule
• More predictable routine

International Schools

• Full-time structured schedule similar to Western school systems

Living in Taiwan as a Teacher

Taiwan is known for being safe, easy to get around, and comfortable to live in.

• Reliable public transportation
• Strong healthcare
• Friendly environment for many foreigners
• Excellent food and convenient daily life

Cities like Taipei and New Taipei offer a mix of city life, convenience, and access to nature.

Final Thoughts

Teaching in Taiwan offers one of the best overall balances in Asia. It may not always offer the highest salaries, but the mix of comfort, stability, healthcare, and day to day quality of life makes it a strong long-term option.

The biggest factor is still the school you choose. Taking the time to compare schools and understand what you are applying for matters.

Explore Teaching Jobs in Taiwan

If you are ready to get started, explore teaching jobs in Taiwan and compare schools before applying.

Global School Scout helps teachers:

• Search jobs
• Compare schools
• Make better decisions before committing