Teach English in Taiwan
TFETP is a genuine, active government programme with a 2026 target of nearly 1,000 placements — and it’s one of the least-marketed government schemes among major TEFL destinations.
TFETP: Taiwan's Foreign English Teacher Program
The Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP) is run by the K-12 Education Administration (K12EA) under Taiwan's Ministry of Education. For 2026, the programme is targeting around 980 foreign English teachers and full-time teaching assistants combined, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis rather than a single fixed deadline. Eligibility for the Foreign English Teacher tier requires a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university, and a passport from a country where English is official or commonly used per Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs list. Notably, the teaching-assistant tier reimburses TESOL/TEFL/CELTA certification costs — a signal that a certificate strengthens an application without necessarily being a strict pre-hire requirement for that tier specifically (worth confirming directly on the official apply page before you rely on it).
- Bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited university
- Passport from a country where English is official or MOFA-recognized
- A TESOL/TEFL/CELTA certificate strengthens an application (costs reimbursed for some teaching-assistant roles)
What you can expect to earn
Outside TFETP, buxibans (cram schools) dominate the private market, with international and bilingual schools paying more for qualified, experienced hires. TFETP roles are comparable to or better than typical buxiban pay once housing and flight benefits are counted in. Cost of living is moderate (Taipei higher than regional cities), and savings potential is generally considered good, especially outside the capital.
| Employer type | Local currency | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|
| TFETP (Bachelor's + TEFL) | NT$62,720–78,045/mo | £1,550–£1,925 |
| TFETP (teaching assistant) | NT$45,000/mo flat | £1,110 |
| Buxiban (cram school) | NT$40,000–70,000/mo | £990–£1,730 |
Where to find real openings
Which TEFL Global course fits?
Since TFETP's figures show a real, if modest, pay difference for certified candidates, our Level 3, 120-Hour TEFL/TESOL Course (£169.50) is a sound investment before you apply — and worth doing even for the teaching-assistant tier where certification costs may be reimbursed after the fact.
Researched July 2026 from official program pages and named recruiters where cited above. Government programs, visa rules and salary bands change — always confirm current details on the official site before applying.
FAQs about teaching in Taiwan
The Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program, run by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education via the K-12 Education Administration. It’s targeting around 980 foreign English teacher and teaching-assistant placements for 2026, reviewed on a rolling basis.
It isn’t stated as a strict requirement for every tier, but it strengthens an application, and the teaching-assistant tier specifically reimburses TESOL/TEFL/CELTA certification costs — confirm current specifics on the official apply page.
TFETP’s published range (NT$62,720–91,420/month depending on qualifications) is comparable to or better than typical buxiban pay (NT$40,000–70,000/month) once TFETP’s housing and flight benefits are factored in.