Teaching English in Taiwan The following information is provided by the government publication Teaching English in Taiwan. Teaching English in Taiwan Teach English Abroad Online TEFL course. - £195/$295 Types of English Language Schools

Most English instructors teach in private English "cram" schools (in Mandarin, buxibans - pronounced boo-she-ban). These provide courses at every level from elementary school to university. Aside from buxibans, ESL teachers are employed by private schools and private companies, and do in-home tutoring.

Located throughout Taiwan, buxibans vary greatly in size. Smaller schools have a more personal approach but may be less stable than the larger ones, and do not always offer their teachers a work permit.

Equally varied are the hiring criteria of buxibans. Some will employ foreigners whether or not they are native English speakers. Others insist on Anglophones with preferred (usually North American) accents. The typical full-time employee can expect to teach 15 to 25 hours per week. The work is physically demanding, especially classes for young children, and teachers must spend additional hours of preparation.

Elementary and Kindergarten Buxibans

Most schools offering classes at the elementary or kindergarten level do not require Anglophones to have previous teaching experience or ESL certification. The qualities that managers usually look for are commitment, determination and enthusiasm. Full-time employees generally work 15 to 25 hours a week; they are paid on an hourly basis, with the rate ranging from NT$500 to NT$700 an hour.

English classes emphasize conversation, and class size is limited to 15. Students can be as young as two years old, so in fact "teaching English" in kindergarten sometimes is basic childcare. Singing ability will come in handy at this level since songs are an ideal way to teach language to children. Some schools may provide the help of a Taiwanese teacher to maintain discipline. Most schools, however, insist that classes be conducted entirely in English.

Some schools prescribe the course of study and teaching approach; others do not even have books available. Check what educational materials are provided by an educational facility where you are considering working. It helps to bring ESL books and materials (i.e. whiteboard markers, cooperative activities, tapes and songbooks). Structured programs will be enriched and much more enjoyable when supplemented with creative teaching activities.

High School and University Buxibans

Teaching positions are less widely available in high schools and universities than in schools catering to young children. A way to open the door might be to introduce yourself directly to principals, deans and professors in English departments. Classes contain up to 25 students, and are usually held in late afternoon or early evening. The number of hours worked is similar to what is expected at elementary-level buxibans, although the salary is slightly higher. Whether materials and books are provided depends on the individual institution. Unlike the mainly oral teaching at the kindergarten and elementary school level, high school and university classes offer a mix of conversation, reading, listening and writing activities in a more formal structure.

There are also several huge buxibans where students prepare for university entrance exams or the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam. Most overseas institutions require non-Anglophone applicants to take the TOEFL as a measure of English ability. A teaching position in this type of organization is harder to find but very well paid (NT$800 to NT$900 an hour). These buxibans usually require their teachers to have at least a bachelor's degree, preferably in education, plus some teaching experience. Classes may contain more than 100 students and usually concentrate on grammar. Teachers may be required to give brief explanations in Mandarin. For classes in these institutions, significant time must be spent on preparation.

University English Night Classes

The university year consists of two semesters starting in September and late January. Universities now require ESL teachers to have a degree (if possible, a master's) in education, and preferably some teaching experience. The classes they offer are for students, as well as businesspeople who are contemplating overseas assignments or trying to improve their English skills. Expectations of ESL teachers at this level are high; the students are keen to learn and have usually paid for the classes with their own money.

Private Companies

Some companies sponsor English classes for their staff, either during or after work hours. Most companies do not have specific hiring criteria, although they may ask for a résumé to submit to their budgeting department. The pay depends on the size of the company and is usually in the range of NT$500 to NT$1,000 an hour. Some companies expect their staff to achieve a certain level of English proficiency and may ask applicants for teaching positions to write an exam. Other companies stress conversational skills and require little preparation. Despite this, any conversational class requires solid preparation if it is to be stimulating and effective.

Private Junior, Middle and Elementary Schools

In early 2000, an amendment to the Employment Service Law allowed private junior, middle and elementary schools to hire foreign teachers. The amendment paves the way for qualified foreign teachers with appropriate qualifications to teach in these institutions. For more information on hiring possibilities or procedures, contact the Taipei American School, the Taipei European School, or the Morrison Academy in either Taipei or Taichung.

In-Home Tutoring

Some ESL teachers work at institutions other than the one that sponsored them, or teach privately. Be forewarned: According to Taiwanese law, teaching at an institution other than the one that sponsored you is illegal, as is all private teaching.

Other Options

Language teaching is unquestionably the most popular way for English-speaking foreigners to work in Taiwan. It is difficult to find steady employment in other areas, and temporary employment will not enable you to secure a work permit. There are, however, companies that hire English speakers for non-teaching positions. Some publishers, for instance, employ writers or editors for their English-language magazines, newsletters or catalogues. Before accepting an editing job, ask exactly what it entails: is it mainly checking for grammar and spelling mistakes, or rewriting something that is barely intelligible?

The salary offered will tend to be lower than for teaching. You will want to ensure that the pay is commensurate with the work you are doing.

Other job possibilities are recording tapes for a language company, or working in the media sector as a reporter or a copy editor for a local English-language newspaper/magazine. For such positions previous work experience in journalism and a knowledge of Mandarin are assets, but local English newspapers often hire copy editors who are not required to be proficient in Mandarin.

Very few companies are willing to hire foreigners on a full-time basis and sponsor them for a work permit. Generally, foreigners are given a contract for a specific project, which may last half a day to a full weekend. This practice is illegal. Canadians considering such employment should be fully aware of the consequences of working illegally on a visitor visa without a valid work permit (see "Visa Matters").

Foreigners have also been known to enrol in a Mandarin training school, which provides them with official standing as a student. They then teach unofficially. It is illegal for foreign students who enter Taiwan as students of Mandarin to teach while attending classes. Should the Taiwanese authorities discover that a Canadian is working illegally, the consequences may include a fine, detention, deportation and inclusion of the person's name on a blacklist that prevents future entry into Taiwan.

Please choose from the following sections:

Teach English Abroad Online TEFL course. - £195/$295

Introduction
Types of English Language Schools
Visa Matters
Contracts
Housing
Income Tax
Medical Insurance
The Status of Canadians in Taiwan
Cultural Differences
Female Teachers in Taiwan
Adapting to Taiwanese Society
How the Canadian Trade Office In Taipei Can Help
Teach English: A Training Course For Teachers

Canuck Abroad takes no responsibility for the information or accuracy contained in this section and suggest you go to http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/taiwan-en.asp for the latest information.

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