White collar workers in Taiwan include those who hold professional, administrative, and managerial jobs. Among them are Filipino teachers who are employed by various educational institutions.
Filipino teachers are known for their vast knowledge, excellent language skills, passion, and dedication to the job. Many Pinoy teachers are now practicing their profession in Taiwan, earning competitive salaries while immersing in the local culture. If you are thinking about becoming a teacher in this country, read on!
Guide to Applying for Work as a Teacher in Taiwan
In this article, we will discuss the different types of teaching jobs in Taiwan, along with the general qualifications, requirements, and procedures involved.
Teaching Jobs in Taiwan
In this country, Filipino educators can apply for the following positions:
English as a Second Language (ESL) Teachers
Since Filipinos are known to be proficient English speakers, they can apply to be an ESL Teacher in Taiwan. There are many private language centers in the country. There’s also a government program called Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP), which deploys English language teachers to public schools.
Subject Teachers
Educators who majored in Math, Science, and other fields can apply as Subject Teachers in public and private schools across Taiwan.
Lecturers or Instructors
Filipino teachers with masters or doctorate degrees in various fields may apply as Lecturers or Instructors in colleges or universities.
Salary and Benefits
The monthly salary of teachers in Taiwan depends on the specific position and of course, the applicant’s qualifications. For instance, ESL Teachers typically earn TWD 45,000 to TWD 65,000 per month. Meanwhile, Subject Teachers can expect to earn TWD 60,000 to TWD 90,000 a month.
As for the benefits, teachers can expect to have health insurance, paid leave, bonuses, and other incentives. Depending on the job contract, some teachers are also given free accommodation or housing assistance.
Qualifications
To qualify for a teaching job in Taiwan, Filipino applicants should have the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in Education or other fields;
- Valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) teaching license (for subject teaching jobs);
- TESOL/TEFL/CELTA certificate (for ESL jobs);
- At least 1-2 years of teaching experience;
- Excellent English communication skills; and
- Clean criminal record.
NOTE: The qualifications differ based on the specific teaching job (e.g. ESL teacher, subject teachers, university lecturer, etc.).
Requirements
When applying for a teaching position in Taiwan, applicants need to prepare some general requirements, such as:
- Resume or CV with updated photo;
- Passport with at least one year of validity;
- Copy of diploma and Transcript of Records (TOR);
- PRC license (if applicable);
- TESOL/TEFL/CELTA certificate (if applicable);
- Medical certificate from DOH-accredited clinic;
- NBI clearance;
- Letters of recommendation (if necessary); and
- Demo teaching or self-introduction video (if necessary).
Moreover, some schools and hiring agencies may require you to submit these additional identification documents:
- Valid ID issued by Philippine Government (e.g. UMID, Voter’s ID, National ID, etc.);
- Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); and
- PSA-issued Marriage Certificate (if married).
Procedure
Securing a teaching job in Taiwan involves several major steps, namely: finding a job, preparing documents, attending job interviews, contract signing, getting a work permit and visa.
1. Finding a Job
You can look for a teaching job in various platforms. First of all, you can go to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) official website, which features job listings for teaching jobs, among other career opportunities abroad. You could also visit the TFETP official website to apply as an ESL teacher in Taiwan.
Similarly, you can check out school websites and online platforms such as LinkedIn, Jobstreet, Tealit, Dave’s ESL Cafe, and other pages to search for teaching jobs.
Notably, the TFETP program and some schools conduct initial screening of teachers through their websites or online portal. Be sure to the follow the proper steps when submitting an online application, and wait for their reply for further instructions.
2. Prepare Necessary Documents
Based on the list featured earlier, prepare the documents required for your job application. Take note that the requirements may vary slightly for ESL teachers, subject teachers, and lecturers/instructors. You may need to submit some of these during the early stages of application (e.g. online portal), while the rest will be submitted once you get hired, or when you get a formal job offer.
3. Attend Job Interviews
Job interviews are an important part of the application process. At this stage, prospective employers will ask about your education, training, and job experience. Most likely, you’ll be asked to present a teaching demo, wherein you’ll have to conduct a brief lesson on your subject. Interviewers could ask about your teaching style, classroom management approaches, and so on. So be prepared!
Depending on the hiring agency or employer, the interview may be done in person or online. There could also be a series of interviews, first online and then later, a demo teaching in person in front of the employer or the employer’s representatives.
During these interviews, be sure to dress the part! Wear appropriate, formal attire (e.g. collared blouses and skirts/slacks for women, polo/suit and tie for men, etc.) and also, be on time!
4. Contract Signing
When you get hired, you will be asked to sign a job contract. Take time to read everything and make sure you understand all the terms before you sign it! Do not hesitate to ask questions about salaries, benefits, accommodations, and other matters.
5/ Get a Work Permit and Visa
After getting hired, the next step is applying for the work permit, which your employer will obtain on your behalf. Eventually, when you arrive in Taiwan, you and your employer shall apply for your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) or resident visa. Both the work permit and ARC are essential to working legally in Taiwan.
Tips and Reminders
Additionally, here are some practical tips to help improve your chances of getting a teaching job in Taiwan:
- Apply Through Proper Channels. Unless you are hired directly by the school, or through the government’s TFETP program, be sure to apply through recruitment agencies that are accredited or licensed by the DMW. This way, you can avoid getting scammed or becoming a victim of human trafficking!
- Prepare Documents Ahead of Time. Most schools follow a timeline for hiring teachers, announcing job openings in advance, especially since they are following the Taiwanese school calendar. So it would be wise to start preparing your documents as early as possible!
- Learn the Language and Culture. You don’t have to be fluent in Mandarin, but knowing basic words and phrases will certainly help you adjust better in this country. What’s more, take time to read about the local culture, traditions, festivals, do’s and don’ts, etc.
If you are interested in pursuing a teaching career in Taiwan, bookmark this article as you start looking for a job and preparing your documents! There’s a growing demand here for ESL teachers, subject teachers, and instructors, so now is the best time to apply!
Of course, when you get hired, see to it that your personal data is always protected. Check out this article to learn about how to protect your data as a foreign worker in Taiwan.