To preface my comments, I’ve taught English privately in Taiwan to families looking to hire a private tutor. Using only the merit of having had all of my education abroad in an English-speaking country, I didn’t have any teaching license or a certificate in ESL.
An acquaintance of mine is looking to come to Taiwan to teach English. She’s been teaching English in Korea for a year, but also doesn’t have a license, but does have experience. What kind of work, if any, can such a person expect to find in the Taipei, and how much can she expect to earn?
supposedly a degree and a passport from an english-speaking country are needed, but in my experience the minimum requirement is that you are breathing.
She doesn’t need a teaching license or certificate from her own country, and she doesn’t need any EFL training. She needs a passport from the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, and she needs a university degree in any subject. The Taiwanese gov’t expects that the university degree should be a 4-year degree, but if it does not specifically state on the degree that it is a 3-year degree, it seems to be no problem.
A 2-year degree, though, means the person should also have a TEFL certificate of some kind.
This is to get a legal teaching job. There are plenty of non-legal teaching jobs, where the requirements are basically up to the boss. Being white is a big plus for these jobs; actually being able to speak English is less necessary.
from what I’ve observed, being somewhat “tall” is an added plus.
of course “tall” is a relative thing.
being blonde, natural or chemically induced, is another plus.
and being “loud” is seen as having confidence (maybe it just induces confusion in the locals)…another plus.
just some things for consideration. as you’ve been comfortably working under the radar, you should be able to offer numerous helpful tips to your acquaintance on separating the locals from their money…
What are usual salaries for an “official” job? A few years ago I made about $500/hr, and taught in private homes to younger kids. I wasn’t really aware of the market back then, but then again I was working mainly for friends of the family, so I wasn’t out to rip them off.
Most white native speakers start out at 550-600NT/hr.
Your friend will very likely make less money if she moves to Taiwan from Korea. The per hour rate is similar but she’ll likely work 16-20 hrs/wk instead of 25-30. And it’s pretty much guaranteed that she won’t get a free apt, a 1 month severance bonus (completion bonus) or paid vacation/holidays.
[quote=“bababa”]She doesn’t need a teaching license or certificate from her own country, and she doesn’t need any EFL training. She needs a passport from the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, and she needs a university degree in any subject. The Taiwanese gov’t expects that the university degree should be a 4-year degree, but if it does not specifically state on the degree that it is a 3-year degree, it seems to be no problem.
A 2-year degree, though, means the person should also have a TEFL certificate of some kind.
This is to get a legal teaching job. There are plenty of non-legal teaching jobs, where the requirements are basically up to the boss. Being white is a big plus for these jobs; actually being able to speak English is less necessary.[/quote]
I have a question re: “TEFL certificate of some kind.”
In Taiwan, are online certificates acceptable? My mother-in-law and her husband are moving here. She has a two year degree, and it would be cool for her to be able to get a job here legally. Those in-class certs (while I know they are better) are just so damned expensive!
[quote=“Abacus”]Most white native speakers start out at 550-600NT/hr.
Your friend will very likely make less money if she moves to Taiwan from Korea. The per hour rate is similar but she’ll likely work 16-20 hrs/wk instead of 25-30. And it’s pretty much guaranteed that she won’t get a free apt, a 1 month severance bonus (completion bonus) or paid vacation/holidays.[/quote]
She might get severance and paid vacations.
[quote=“RustyShackleford”]To preface my comments, I’ve taught English privately in Taiwan to families looking to hire a private tutor. Using only the merit of having had all of my education abroad in an English-speaking country, I didn’t have any teaching license or a certificate in ESL.
An acquaintance of mine is looking to come to Taiwan to teach English. She’s been teaching English in Korea for a year, but also doesn’t have a license, but does have experience. What kind of work, if any, can such a person expect to find in the Taipei, and how much can she expect to earn?[/quote]
The ability to not show up drunk for work more than three days a week is another requirement. However this one is not often enforced.
