By Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Taipei was famous for having the worlds tallest building from 2004- January 2010, the Taipei 101 (it’s since been overtaken by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai). The lower floors are dedicated over to a giant shopping mall. However there is much more to Taipei than the 101. The National Palace museum is arguably one of the best Chinese museums in the world, showcasing over 700,000 historic relics and paintings. Most of the exhibits were brought over from mainland China when Chiang Kai-shek’s government were forced to flee the country in 1949. There are some great night markets, such as the Shilin night market. It’s cheap and tasty food stalls are a fantastic place to try authentic Chinese cuisine. For nature lovers Yangmingshan National Park on the outskirts of the city is a haven for butterflies and birds. There are plenty of opportunities for walking and hiking and you can even find hot springs in the park.

TEFL jobs in Taipei are more widespread than the rest of Taiwan. There are Universities, public and private schools, international schools, English language schools and kindergartens to choose from. Additionally there is a growing need for English translators and proofreaders in the city.

If you want more modern conveniences, greater job opportunities, better transport networks and a larger variety of cultural and nightlife activities then Taipei is the place for you above other areas in Taiwan. However the cost of living is higher and commutes are often longer than other locations in Taiwan. Also Taipei seems to get more rain than the southern and central areas of the country.

Search our job board here for TEFL jobs in Taipei.

You can find out more information about teaching English in Taiwan here.

All the best for now!

The Happy Cats Team.

By WikiLaurent (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

Taiwan is an island nation located off the south-east coast of China. It is very mountainous and has a sub-tropical climate. It is popular with Tefl teachers for its high salaries and relatively low cost of living. If you have a degree then you will be eligible to teach in the kindergartens and cram schools. Pay is usually by the hour, and it works out between US$15-20. Teachers usually work a 30 hour week, so you can expect to make about US$2000 over the course of a month. There is also university work for those with an MA, or work in international schools for those with a teaching degree.

A huge bonus about teaching English in Taiwan is that the cost of living is so low, especially compared to your salary. In the capital Taipei (pictured)  for example you can rent an apartment for $150 a month, and eat out for under $3! Teachers usually find they are able to save $1,000 a month a few months after they have settled in.

Taiwan packs a lot into its relatively small size (similar in area to Switzerland in Europe). As well as having some great hiking with numerous peaks over 3,000m there are also some very good beaches, particularly in the south. There are a lot of national parks and the natural environment is simply stunning. Not only that, but Taiwan has a rich cultural heritage and a great cuisine.

Taiwan also offers teachers the opportunity to learn Mandarin Chinese the worlds most spoken language. It is interesting to note that while China considers Taiwan merely as a province (rather like Hong Kong used to be) that needs to by brought back into the fold, most Taiwanese citizens view Taiwan as an independent country.

Nearly all schools require a minimum 1 year commitment from teachers who want to teach English in Taiwan. The curriculum is usually highly regimented too with little room for TEFL teachers to “freestyle” their classes. As with anywhere its important to do your research before signing any contracts.

Visit our job board here for positions teaching English in Taiwan.

Teachers, don’t forget to add your comments and advice, especially if you have experience teaching English in Taiwan.

All the best for now!

The Happy Cats team.