 Teaching English in Taiwan, the Salary and Budget Guide This guide will help you answer the question, How much can I earn and save teaching English in Taiwan? You'll also find information on the local cost of living in order to figure out how much to budget for when making the move to Taiwan. The typical salary for English teachers in Taiwan English teachers in Taiwan can find positions at public schools, private cram schools and international schools. The salary is typically paid by the hour with working hours ranging anywhere from 4 to 8 hours a day. In the private schools sector, you can choose between private language schools and kindergartens. Private language academies usually pay US$20 per hour while kindergartens pay a similar rate of between US$18 and US$20. Public schools and so-called bushy bins or after-school study centers pay an hourly rate of between US$30 and US$40. These jobs are highly competitive and a TEFL certification, specialized TEFL certificates and teaching experience will be a huge plus. International schools pay the highest salaries of up to US$6,000 per month, but jobs are highly competitive. You will need to possess a degree in education, work experience and be a native English speaker. Other benefits to expect when teaching English in Taiwan Teachers working in Taiwan can expect to receive added benefits such as return airfare, paid accommodation, health insurance as well as a bonus on completion of the contract. This, however, varies from school to school and should be discussed when signing your contract. How to earn extra cash while teaching English in Taiwan A lot of teachers take on private students in their free time to top up their salary. You can usually find students through word of mouth or via online forums. The typical rate for an hour of private tutoring can range between US$20 and US$40. The cost of living in Taiwan Taiwan's cost of living is very low in comparison to many western countries. Combined with high salaries, this allows foreign teachers to live a very comfortable lifestyle during their stay in Taiwan. Eating out at local restaurants and markets is very cheap as is transportation around the country. Let's break down the cost of living in Taiwan for individual areas below. Cost of living in Taiwan Food Eating out at local restaurants and purchasing produce and ingredients at Taiwanese supermarkets not only gives you a great insight into the Taiwanese way of life but also leaves you with money in your pockets for fun and adventure. Milk, 1 liter. 85 New Taiwan Dollars Eggs, 12. 60 New Taiwan Dollars Apples, 1 kg. 130 New Taiwan Dollars Chicken breast, 1 kg. 210 New Taiwan Dollars Rice, 1 kg. 98 New Taiwan Dollars Bottle of water, 1.5 liters 35 New Taiwan Dollars Bottle of domestic beer, 0.5 liters 50 New Taiwan Dollars Cost of living in Taiwan Leisure activities Living in Taiwan is anything but boring. The island has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty and outdoor fun. At the same time, it's many bustling cities are nothing short of exciting urban wonderlands where you can enjoy yourself to no end. 3-course mid-range restaurant dinner, 700 New Taiwan Dollars Quick restaurant meal of rice or noodles 100 New Taiwan Dollars Large dumplings, a common street food 20 New Taiwan Dollars One-month fitness club membership, 1,400 New Taiwan Dollars Movie ticket, international release 300 New Taiwan Dollars Cost of living in Taiwan Transportation The public transportation system in Taiwan is incredibly advanced and the entire island is very well connected. The big cities feature extensive networks of buses and subway lines and high-speed trains connect them across the island. Taxi rides are also very inexpensive but often take longer than the subway because of traffic. Metro ride 20 New Taiwan Dollars Monthly pass, regular price, 1,280 New Taiwan Dollars Taxi rate per km 25 New Taiwan Dollars Start fare 75 New Taiwan Dollars City bus 20 New Taiwan Dollars Cost of living in Taiwan Travel in Taiwan and beyond As mentioned above, Taiwan has a lot of exciting attractions and tourist destinations to offer. Whether it's national parks, sandy beaches, remote monasteries or traditional hot springs, you will always find something to do in your free time and during holidays. On top of that, flights to neighboring destinations such as Hong Kong, Mainland China, South Korea or Japan are also very inexpensive. Being based in Taiwan allows you to explore all parts of Asia on a budget. One night in a mid-range hotel, 1,800 New Taiwan Dollars High speed train, Taipei to Kaohsiung, 2.5 hours $1,490 New Taiwan Dollars Slow train, Taipei to Hualien, 3 hours $340 New Taiwan Dollars To flight, Taipei to Hong Kong, 2 hours $3,000 New Taiwan Dollars Sample monthly teacher budget To give you an example of how an English teacher in Taiwan spends their salary, here is a sample monthly budget. Gross income, salary $60,000 New Taiwan Dollars Approximately $2,000 United States Dollars Rent Zero, paid for by the employer Utilities, electricity, gas, water $2,100 New Taiwan Dollars Phone and Internet $800 New Taiwan Dollars Food $5,000 New Taiwan Dollars Insurance $900 New Taiwan Dollars Remaining disposable income $51,200 NT Dollar Around $1,600 United States Dollars How much you can save when teaching English in Taiwan? As you can see from the sample budget above, the added benefits and high salaries in Taiwan make it possible to save a substantial amount of money from your monthly paycheck. Teachers in Taiwan can save up to $1,000 United States Dollars per month, depending on their lifestyle. Are you ready to teach English in Taiwan? Apply now for your TEFL TESOL certification course and start teaching in a matter of months. Speak with an ITTT advisor today to put together your personal plan for teaching English abroad. Send us an email or call us toll free at 1-800-490-0531 to speak with an ITTT advisor today.