The Teach Taiwan program (TFETP) places foreign English teachers in public schools with salary, housing, and flights included. Here’s the complete guide.
Taiwan ranks among Asia’s most underrated teaching abroad destinations — and the government is actively working to change that.
The Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program — known as TFETP — mirrors South Korea’s EPIK model, placing qualified foreign English teachers in public elementary and junior high schools across the island. The program offers a transparent salary scale, free housing or a housing allowance, and international flight reimbursement. Perhaps most notably, in 2024 alone, the Ministry of Education recruited 1,096 foreign English teachers — up dramatically from just 300 in 2021.
Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 initiative — a government-funded program investing $361 million USD to expand English education nationwide — drives unprecedented demand for qualified foreign teachers. The government aims to grow the number of English-proficient foreign teachers from 700 to 4,600 by 2030. That timeline creates a significant window of opportunity for licensed teachers considering Asia.
This guide covers everything — salary, requirements, the application process, and what living in Taiwan actually looks like.
For context on how Taiwan compares, see our full comparison of the best countries to teach abroad.
Taipei at sunset. This is where your mornings start before school — and where your weekends begin the moment the bell rings.
What Is the TFETP and How Does It Work?
The Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP) is administered by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education through the K-12 Education Administration (K12EA), placing foreign teachers in public elementary and junior high schools in a co-teaching model alongside local Taiwanese English teachers.
The program operates on two distinct tracks:
Foreign English Teacher (FET) — the full teaching role. FET teachers take on primary classroom responsibility for English instruction, lead lessons, and additionally contribute to curriculum planning and student assessment. This track requires a state-issued teaching license or equivalent qualification. Specifically, the workweek runs 40 hours, with 15–20 classroom hours.
Foreign English Teaching Assistant (FETA) — the supporting role. FETAs work alongside qualified local teachers, assisting with instruction, pronunciation modeling, and cultural input. As a result, this track carries fewer independent curriculum responsibilities and is therefore better suited to teachers new to Taiwan or those who prefer a more collaborative entry into the public school system.
Finally, placements occur throughout Taiwan — from central Taipei districts to rural townships in Hualien, coastal villages in Pingtung, and mountain communities across the island.
What Does the Teach Taiwan Program Pay?
TFETP salaries are set by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education on a transparent pay scale determined by your highest degree and years of teaching experience.
| Track | Monthly Salary (NTD) | Monthly Salary (USD approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| FETA (teaching assistant) | NT$45,000 | ~$1,400 |
| FET — bachelor’s + TEFL | NT$62,720–78,045 | ~$1,960–$2,440 |
| Placed higher on the pay scale | Placed higher on pay scale | $2,400+ |
Beyond the base salary, TFETP includes a package that changes the financial picture significantly:
- Housing: Free housing provided OR a NT$5,000–10,000 per month housing allowance (~$155–$315 USD)
- Flights: Arrival and departure international flights reimbursed
- Health insurance: Enrollment in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) — one of the best healthcare systems in Asia, with comprehensive coverage, minimal co-pays, and dental included
- Contract completion bonus: Equivalent to one month’s salary upon completing your contract
According to TFETP program documentation analysis, teachers with a bachelor’s degree and TEFL certification placed in the FET track typically save $1,000–$1,500 per month after expenses, comparable to the EPIK program in South Korea.
The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in central Taipei — a 10-minute MRT ride from most schools and a regular part of life when you teach in Taiwan.
Who Qualifies for the Teach Taiwan Program?
TFETP eligibility requires a native English-speaking background, a bachelor’s degree, and a teaching qualification — either a state-issued teaching license or equivalent certification.
Full eligibility requirements as listed by the TFETP official eligibility page.
- Citizenship: Must hold a passport from a country where English is the official or common language — the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or South Africa
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree or above from an accredited university
- Teaching qualification: Must meet one of the following — a state-issued teaching license or certificate, OR a TEFL/TESOL certificate for applicants without a teaching license (particularly relevant for the FETA track)
- Background check: A nationwide police check/clearance from your home country, issued within six months of your application date
- Age: No stated age limit
The key distinction between tracks: The FET track — the full teaching role with a higher salary — strongly favors applicants with a state-issued teaching license. In particular, US teachers with an active state teaching credential are well-positioned for FET placement. The FETA track, on the other hand, is more accessible to TEFL-certified teachers without a formal license.
For US teachers, this teaching in Taiwan program is one of the few government programs where your existing US teaching credential is a direct competitive advantage. See our guide to protecting your US teaching career while you’re abroad for how to approach the leave of absence conversation before applying.
How Does Taiwan Compare to Other Government Teaching Programs?
TFETP is most comparable to South Korea’s EPIK program and Japan’s JET Programme — all three are government-backed public school placements with structured packages.
| Program | Country | Monthly Salary | Housing | Flights | Teaching License Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFETP (FET) | Taiwan | $1,960–$2,440 | Yes (free or allowance) | Yes | Preferred for FET |
| EPIK | South Korea | $1,800–$2,700 | Yes (free) | Yes | No |
| JET Programme | Japan | ~$1,800–$2,000 (net) | Subsidized | No | No |
The practical distinctions:
EPIK is the largest program in terms of scale and has the most established support structure for first-time teachers. JET has the longest track record and highest brand recognition. TFETP is growing rapidly and offers a genuinely competitive package — particularly for licensed teachers who qualify for the FET track.
The choice between them largely comes down to which country and culture you want to live in. Taiwan’s combination of safety, affordable living, world-class healthcare, and cultural warmth makes it a compelling case in its own right.
What Is It Like to Live in Taiwan as a Teacher?
Taiwan consistently ranks among Asia’s highest-quality-of-life destinations for foreign teachers — ranked #2 globally for expat satisfaction in 2024 by InterNations, the largest global network for people living abroad.
A few things that make Taiwan stand out:
Cost of living: According to Numbeo’s Taipei cost-of-living data, a comfortable one-bedroom apartment in central Taipei costs approximately $570–$800 USD per month. Outside Taipei, costs drop significantly. With housing often provided by TFETP, your take-home savings potential is substantial.
Food: Taiwan’s street food culture delivers some of the best eating in Asia — and at prices that make it genuinely sustainable. Night markets across the island serve extraordinary food for under $5 USD per meal. Taipei’s Shilin Night Market and Raohe Street Night Market earned their reputations honestly.
Safety: Taiwan consistently ranks among the global top 10 for safety. For teachers moving abroad alone, that ranking matters more than most guides admit.
Healthcare: Taiwan’s National Health Insurance system ranks #1 globally for quality. TFETP automatically enrolls participants, co-pays remain minimal, and coverage extends to dental and mental health.
Weekend travel: Taiwan packs extraordinary geography into a small island. Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, the Alishan mountain range, and dozens of hot spring resorts all sit within reach on a teacher’s weekend. Budget carriers connect Taiwan directly to Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and mainland China.
This is the backdrop of a regular Tuesday in Taiwan. The culture is extraordinary — and it’s right outside your classroom door.
How to Apply to the Teach Taiwan Program
TFETP applications for a given academic year open on January 1st and operate on a rolling basis until positions fill — meaning applying early significantly improves your placement options and odds.
Key application steps:
- Check eligibility — confirm your passport country, degree, and teaching qualification against the official TFETP eligibility requirements at the TFETP official portal
- Gather documents — official university transcripts, teaching license or TEFL certificate, police clearance issued within six months of application, passport copy
- Submit your application — through the TFETP online portal at tfetp.k12ea.gov.tw
- Interview process — shortlisted candidates are contacted for interviews
- Placement notification — placement region is determined by the Ministry based on school needs and applicant preferences
- Visa application — TFETP participants apply for a work-based Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) — your school and the Ministry guide you through this process
Document timeline note: Your police clearance must be issued within six months of your application date — factor this into your preparation timeline. If you’re applying in January, don’t get your background check done the previous summer.
For US teachers on a leave of absence, the LOA approval should be secured before you accept any placement. See our complete guide to taking a leave of absence from your US teaching position.
FAQs: Teach Taiwan Program
Q: What is the Teach Taiwan TFETP program?
A: Taiwan’s Ministry of Education runs the Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program (TFETP), placing qualified foreign English speakers in public elementary and junior high schools across the island. The program pays FET track teachers approximately $1,960–$2,440 per month and also includes free housing or a housing allowance, plus international flight reimbursement.
Q: Do I need a teaching license for the Teach Taiwan program?
A: For the FET (full teaching) track, a state-issued teaching license gives you a strong advantage and moves you higher on the pay scale. The FETA (teaching assistant) track, on the other hand, welcomes applicants who hold a TEFL or TESOL certificate without a formal license. In particular, US teachers with an active state credential are well-positioned for FET placement.
Q: How does TFETP compare to EPIK in South Korea?
A: Both programs offer government-backed public school placements with competitive packages that include free housing and flights. EPIK operates at a larger scale and has a longer track record with first-time teachers. TFETP, however, offers a comparable salary and continues to grow rapidly under Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 initiative. Ultimately, the choice comes down to which country you want to call home for a year.
Q: When should I apply to the Teach Taiwan program?
A: Applications open January 1st and run on a rolling basis until positions fill — so apply as early as possible. Early applicants consistently secure more placement options. Additionally, your police clearance must carry an issue date within six months of your application, so build that into your document timeline from the start.
Q: What is Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 initiative?
A: Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 initiative channels $361 million USD into expanding English education nationwide, with a clear goal of growing English-proficient foreign teachers from 700 to 4,600 by 2030. As a result, TFETP recruitment has surged dramatically — from 300 teachers placed in 2021 to 1,096 in 2024 — and the window of opportunity continues to grow.
Is the Teach Taiwan Program Right for You?
Taiwan is the right choice if you want Asia, a structured government program with a competitive package, and a country that consistently delivers on quality of life. For licensed US teachers specifically, the FET track places your existing credential directly, so you can work in a country that’s actively investing in exactly what you bring.
That said, it’s not the highest-paying program in Asia — South Korea’s EPIK edges it out on savings for first-time teachers, and the Middle East pays significantly more for licensed teachers. Nevertheless, Taiwan’s combination of culture, safety, food, healthcare, and weekend travel is hard to match.
The Ultimate Teach Abroad Toolkit covers Taiwan alongside 24 other destinations — salary data, visa details, and program comparisons in one place.
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