While you begin to arrange you travel to Taiwan in search of a teaching job, this article may be used as a preparatory guideline for those who are not already in Taiwan. In it are tips and advice bearing things you might find very useful once you know them.

Traveling to Taiwan in search of a teaching job requires that you plan before your travel so as to make sure you are relevant in Taiwan where your skills are going to be used. An advice is that asides from having a little experience teaching English in your country of residence, you should also be in possession of teaching license. Any internationally recognized certification would do for this purpose. Though a teaching license is not entirely mandatory, it may make the task of looking for a teaching job upon your entry a much easier one. To begin with, let’s take a look at the tips you need in order to make your entry a peaceful and stress-free one.

Visit a local embassy and make enquiries

As you think of making an income being an EFL teacher in Taiwan, one of the very first steps you should take during preparation is to make a visit to the Chinese embassy or Taipei Economic and Cultural Office closest to you. Depending on the part of the world you are in, any or both of the two may be available to you. Visiting an embassy or the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office will give you the opportunity to ask questions as regards immigration laws, visa requirements, general work conditions, and any other questions that are necessary.

With the provision of the internet and telecommunication facilities, you might not need to make a physical appearance to an embassy. Sending an email or phoning the consular affairs bureau at (613) 944-6788 should do the trick. You can also visit the website of the Taiwanese ministry of education at www.edu.tw/english/index.htm and make any inquiries you may have there.

Know the travel/legal documents required.

You do not want to get stopped and deported upon arrival, know what you should and should not be with. For many aspiring English teachers, a visitor’s visa is usually used to gain entry into Taiwan. A visitor’s visa may come in two forms. A one-month visitor’s visa and a 60-day visitor visa. Depending on what you want and/or specific arrangements, you might want to go for the 60-day visa as it is extendable in Taiwan. This means you do not have to return to your country of origin to renew it. Also, know that your 60-day visa can be renewed only twice (60 + 60 + 60 totals 6months or 180 days) after which you will have to return to your country of
residence/origin. If you plan on staying for more than 6months, it is advised you apply for a residence visa before you travel. Application for a residence visa is subject to some requirements so you should make contact with an embassy for more information on how you and what you need to obtain the document.

Basically, you need only a visitor’s visa to gain entrance into Taiwan. But if you are a citizen of some countries especially but not limited to the United States and Canada, you are allowed to gain entry and stay in Taiwan without a visitor’s visa for a total of 14 days, after which you are required and may be allowed to get one at an international airport in Taiwan.

For you to work legally in Taiwan, you will need a workers permit and this can only be arranged for you by your employer. If going for this option, you should try entering contractual agreements with a prospective employer before your arrival as it most times takes weeks or even months to get a work permit and once you do get it, you can ONLY use it to work for the employer who processed it for you. Using your work permit to work for an employer asides the one as stated on your work permit is illegal and makes you punishable by law.

Use the internet to make friends online and ask questions.

The internet is a very useful tool to any one who knows how to use it. There are some websites offering forum services, articles and/or question and answer services to intending teachers and you could make use of these materials. Read and learn what you can. Also, try to make meet and make friends with a foreign efl teacher in Taiwan. You can then ask them any questions you wish.

Know the cost of living and other expenses/ Have a reasonable budget

It is common knowledge that in desperation, some prospective teachers of English as a foreign language make little or no plans and have in-sufficient monetary budgets which may lead to their getting stranded in Taiwan. For your entry and initial days, weeks or months without a job and especially when you intend traveling before looking for a teaching job, it is quite necessary to plan ahead of time by having knowledge on the cost of living, expected income and expenses, and use these information gathered to make a good budget for yourself. As the saying goes, “failure to plan is planning to fail”. You should ensure you plan well ahead of time to be successful.

From the information gathered, most teachers collect between NT$500 – NT$1000 an hour. The difference arises at the level in which you may be teaching. Universities and high schools pay highest, elementary schools and buxibans pay from NT$500- NT$ 700 while private companies generally pay slightly lower than educational establishments.

Housing costs around NT$5,000 to NT$10,000 a month for a shared apartment and depending on the package you sign up for, your monthly rentals is most times independent from gas, heating and electricity charges.