The Education Industry in Taiwan: A Foreign Teacher’s Journey and Insights
Exploring the experiences, challenges, and opportunities of teaching English in Taiwan's shifting education landscape.
For many people looking to work abroad, Taiwan offers a mix of vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, and unique professional opportunities. We have interviewed Adrian Moore, an Australian English teacher, who shares what it’s like to live and teach in Taiwan, why he came, what he’s learned, and how he’s adjusted to life on this fascinating island.
“If you don’t feel like an idiot, you’re not doing it properly.” - Adrian
Why Taiwan?
Adrian's journey began with a deep love for language and culture and a desire to fully immerse himself in learning Chinese. Taiwan stood out as the ideal destination, offering not just the opportunity to study the language but also its unique blend of mountains, sea, politics, and culture. A visit before the pandemic left a lasting impression, solidifying his desire to return.
"I wanted to learn Chinese in a place where I could fully immerse myself in it. Taiwan seemed perfect not only for the language but also for its beautiful mix of mountain and sea, politics, and culture."
However, when COVID-19 struck, relocating became far more complicated. The only way to remain in Taiwan during the pandemic was through an employment contract, and teaching English emerged as the most accessible option.
“The only way to stay on the island during the pandemic was with an employment contract, so teaching English was the easiest choice.”
Unexpected Cultural Differences
Living in Taiwan brought some unexpected cultural insights for Adrian. He quickly noticed how Taiwanese culture contrasts sharply with the individualism of the West. People in Taiwan often prefer to avoid standing out, a mindset that is quite the opposite of Western norms. This cultural difference has significantly influenced how Adrian interacts with both his students and colleagues, fostering a newfound appreciation for the Taiwanese way of approaching life and relationships.
"Taiwanese culture is really different from the individualism of the West.”
Teaching Taiwanese students has been both rewarding and challenging for Adrian. In Western education, creativity and independent thinking are often encouraged, but he noticed that many Taiwanese students struggle with open-ended thinking and creative expression. This challenge has made his teaching role even more meaningful, as he works to inspire his students to take small creative risks and find new ways to express themselves, fostering their confidence and curiosity along the way.
“In Western education, students are often pushed to be creative and think independently but here, kids can struggle with open-ended thinking and creativity.”
Navigating the Language Barrier
Adjusting to day-to-day life in Taiwan hasn’t been without its challenges for Adrian. Outside of Taipei, the limited availability of English services makes routine tasks like banking or dealing with government offices more difficult. Navigating government websites, accessing healthcare, or simply finding the right assistance can be particularly challenging without fluent Mandarin. Despite these obstacles, Adrian has found that patience and a willingness to learn are essential in overcoming these hurdles and adapting to life in Taiwan.
“Browsing government websites, getting health care, or even finding the right help can be a real challenge without fluent Mandarin.”
For anyone considering a move to teach in Taiwan, Adrian offers practical advice. While the government has made it easier for foreigners to come to the island, he emphasizes that experiences can vary widely depending on the school. He encourages newcomers not to get discouraged if their first job isn’t the right fit, reminding them to stay persistent and keep searching until they find the right opportunity.
Education Industry in Taiwan
The amount of students in Taiwan has dropped from 4,859,558 in 2013 to just over 4,042,175 in 2023, historical data from the past 10 years signals a steady decrease of students being present at schools which is also backed with the declining birth rate that’s prevalent across the country.
Taiwan has seen a sharp decline in birth rates in recent years, with the number of births falling to a record low of approximately 135,570 in 2023. This downward trend has persisted steadily over the past five years.
In response to the decrease of students, schools are forced to be closed down to be merged with other schools in less populated areas to maintain efficiency. This concerns teachers where there could be a scenario of teacher surplus.
Over the past decade, the number of teachers in Taiwan has experienced significant fluctuations, reflecting shifts within the education sector. From 2014 to 2017, the number of teachers dropped sharply, falling from approximately 303,113 to 293,554. This decline correlates with the decrease in the student population, driven by Taiwan’s persistently low birth rates and declining school enrollments, which reduced the immediate demand for teachers.
However, starting in 2017, the trend began to reverse, and the number of teachers steadily increased. By 2023, the count had returned to over 303,963, marking a remarkable recovery. This growth can be attributed to Taiwan’s educational reforms and efforts to enhance teaching quality, such as reducing class sizes and placing a greater focus on specialized subjects like STEM and English. Additionally, Taiwan's emphasis on English proficiency has led to a growing demand for foreign teachers to help prepare students for global competitiveness.
The rebound in teacher numbers highlights a strategic move to maintain high-quality education despite a shrinking student population. While urban areas benefit from better resources and staffing, rural schools still face challenges in retaining educators.
The distribution of schools across Taiwan reveals significant regional disparities with some urban centers such as New Taipei and Taipei hosting up to 2,500 schools combined, while more rural regions particularly in eastern and central Taiwan host around 200-300 schools. This disparity highlights the challenges faced by less populated regions where lower student numbers result in fewer educational facilities.
This map represents the urban-rural divide indicating that urban areas are well-served with schools and educational resources, rural communities may struggle with accessibility and equitable distribution of education opportunities. Addressing these imbalances will require targeted policies, investment in infrastructure, and strategies to support education in under-resourced regions, ensuring that all students, regardless of location, have access to quality education.
Future of English Teaching Industry In Taiwan
Looking ahead, Adrian sees English teaching as an industry that is here to stay. Its accessibility has kept the industry stable, and Adrian believes Taiwan’s focus on English proficiency will not fade anytime soon. This is further supported by the government’s efforts to improve English-speaking skills across the country to enhance global competitiveness.
Despite declining birth rates and fewer students entering schools, government reforms in the education system have sustained the demand for teachers, indicating a positive and healthy trend. Taiwan's government has prioritized English as part of its long-term education strategy, with initiatives like the Bilingual 2030 Policy, aimed at transforming the country into a bilingual nation. This ensures that English teaching will remain relevant and in demand for years to come.
“Teaching English is big in Taiwan. Even though the retention rate for teachers isn’t high, demand remains strong because it’s fairly easy to get started if you have a degree.” - Adrian
The English teaching industry is also likely to evolve as schools integrate advanced learning methods and digital tools to enhance language education. This sector will continue to serve as an important entry point for foreigners looking to work in Taiwan, offering not only professional opportunities but also the chance to experience cultural exchange and personal growth.
For Adrian, teaching English in Taiwan has been much more than just a job. It has been a journey of cultural discovery, personal growth, and professional challenge.