Teaching Private Lessons in Taiwan

Be warned, it is technically illegal to teach privates and it is definitely frowned upon by your employer. Footprints discourages teachers from teaching privates.

As a foreigner in Taiwan, you generally get a fair bit of attention, whether wanted or not. As such, opportunities will present themselves to you constantly to teach extra classes or work in different capacities. Often these opportunities present themselves to you after you've been there and established yourself for a couple months.

If you do ever decide to work outside your school, know that in doing so, you are potentially running the risk of being deported.

In some cases parents or students from the school you teach at will approach you to teach them privately. This is a BAD IDEA. If you are working for a buxiban or private language school this is a terrible thing to do you your employer as you are in essence stealing students from them. If you are a public or private school teacher, this represents incredible conflict of interest issues, especially in consideration of the importance places on grades. If you tutor a student to an A in your class and you accepted money for these lessons along the way, can you imagine the implications? Do not ever privately tutor students from your school for money.

Also, it is STRONGLY advised that you do not work for the competition. This is also frowned upon for good reason - I suspect no detailed explanation is required.

Privates may be considered the English teachers’ gravy train and is a great way to boost your income, meet all sorts of interesting locals, and get exposed to the culture. You may charge your privates whatever fee you can negotiate for and hourly rates vary between NT$500 to NT$1,500.