subject: An English Teacher's Life Teaching In Taiwan [print this page] If you are considering a move to Taiwan to teach English, then it is probably logical that you want to know what it is really like teaching in Taiwan. Taiwan is probably very different from what you may have heard or read about. TV shows portray Taiwan as a leading producer of high technology products and similar products. There is some truth to this but the majority of Taiwan is vastly different from what many people think it is.
The biggest shock to most people coming to Taiwan to teach is that of just how many people there are. Streets in major cities are crowded. The population of Taiwan is only 26 million but Taiwan is a small island and the majority of the population lives in three major cities. These results in streets being crowded with people, parking your motorbike or car can be difficult. The above is truth for Taipei, the largest and most population city in Taiwan and this is where the majority of English teaching work can be found.
Working as an English teacher can be an interesting experience. The range and types of schools offering English classes is numerous. The commonly accepted norm is that all English teachers must turn up half an hour before work to prepare for that day's classes. One thing holds true for most schools, they are businesses and their number one goal is to make money. This may sound obvious, but education or a child's English ability typically comes second to making a profit. It isn't usually this clear and cut but you will see it time and time again when a child is stuck in a class that is way beyond their ability.
Teaching in Taiwan can be an amazing experience. The way of life, the food, the language and your work environment are most likely completely different to what you may be used to back home. Many come to Taiwan just to experience it, some come to make and save money and others come to further their teaching career. Whatever the reason you have for thinking or coming to Taiwan to teach, there truly is no other place like it.
