Should You Teach English in Thailand or Taiwan?

Once you’ve decided that you want to teach English abroad, the next step is finding a country where you would enjoy working. In Asia, teachers generally choose between 3 different areas. East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The Middle East offers skilled teachers really good salaries, but it isn’t really the place to go for teachers just starting out. If you really want to work there you should gain some experience teaching in other countries and once you have a few years behind you, you will be able to secure one of those high-paying jobs. When it comes to moving to a new country, it can be quite intimidating, especially if you have never been to Asia before.

In Southeast Asia the most popular country when it comes to tourism is Thailand. Because of this, the country has many traveling and living there and has catered things to that. This makes Thailand an easy country to move to as a foreigner. In East Asia, Japan and China are amazing countries to live in, but they can be very intimidating if you don’t know the language. Taiwan, however, is a county that has an interesting combination of Chinese and Japanese cultures but is very open to foreigners. In fact, Taipei is constantly rated as one of the best cities in the world for expatriates. So first-time teachers are often thinking about teaching in Taiwan or Thailand. Both are amazing places, but there are a few differences that might make you prefer one over the other.

Why you might want to teach English in Taiwan

Taiwan is a developed country, with world-class infrastructure, public transport, and schooling systems. But surprisingly the cost of living is relatively low. Slightly higher than in Southeast Asia, but not by much. Because of that, it’s very affordable to have access to high-quality services. For those of you that want to experience living in East Asia and also live comfortably, Taiwan is the best option for you. Japan is probably much more popular, but also much more expensive. Teaching jobs in Japan just don’t pay well enough compared to the cost of living. You will also work extremely long hours compared to Taiwan.

Since Taiwan has been heavily influenced by Japan, you can experience living in a very similar as well as live affordably. Taiwan also has amazing weather. The island has a tropical climate and you can enjoy warm weather throughout the year. Most people decide to teach in Taipei as it’s the biggest city in Taiwan and you can find many jobs here as well as enjoy the big city life. But it’s also possible to find teaching jobs in pretty much any city in Taiwan. Some people prefer working in Tainan, Tainan, or Taichung, while others want to work in more rural areas and experience the great nature that Taiwan has to offer. Although the country is extremely high tech there are some things that make Taiwan feel like a country in Southeast Asia. The most notable would be the amount motorbikes on the road. Now it’s not going to be as hectic as Vietnam, but it definitely deserves a mention. But if you decide to commute to work via motorbike isn’t for you, you can use the world-class public transport systems at a very affordable cost. 

Why you might want to teach English in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most loved countries in Asia by foreign English teachers. You can enjoy pretty much any lifestyle you want here. From the big city life in Bangkok and the island life in Phuket to the farm life in the North. Thailand is a developing country but if you live here, especially in Bangkok you will have access to anything you can have in a developed country. Thailand has a large income gap. Some people are very wealthy, and others are poor. You can see this in any city with modern, luxury condominiums and Michelin-star restaurants situated right next to low-income housing and street food stalls. 

As a foreign English teacher in Thailand, you will earn a salary that is higher than what local people earn so you will be living a really comfortable lifestyle. If you want to live in a big city, you will want to find a teaching job in Bangkok. These are some of the highest-paying jobs in Thailand. There are many schools in Bangkok and also on the outskirts of the city. Teaching in a place like Nonthaburi or Rangsit could also be a smart move as it’s very cheap to live there and easy to get to Bangkok over the weekends. 

When people think of Thailand, they typically think of islands, beaches, and coconuts. If you want to live there and experience that kind of lifestyle, teaching English in Phuket is going to be your best bet. It might be an island, but it’s also a big city with lots of schools to work for. Phuket is a huge tourist hotspot so there are always going to be lots of people coming in so you can expect the city to be vibrant throughout the year. For teachers who love the beach, Chonburi is also a popular spot to work as an English teacher, especially in places like Pattaya and Sri Racha. 

But some people love northern Thailand. Places like Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai offer a more relaxed lifestyle than Bangkok and Phuket with cooler weather. Teaching jobs in Chiang Mai are also easy to find as it’s a big city with lots of public, private, and international schools.

Taiwan and Thailand are actually very similar countries when it comes to culture and people. As an English teacher, you will be able to work in both of these countries. If you have a chance spend a year in Thailand, and another year in Taiwan. Then once you have experienced both of these places for yourself you will know which one is for you. You can’t go wrong either way and at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference.