Comparison
Teach English in Japan vs Taiwan
Teacher comparing two stable Asian markets where lifestyle differences matter more than pay.
Two clean, safe East Asian markets. Japan has more roles and more career progression. Taiwan has higher pay per hour at buxibans and lower cost of living. Taiwan's hiring is more relaxed and visa processing is faster.
Japan
JET, eikaiwa chains, and ALT positions. Pay is steady, vacation is short.
Salary
JET: 4.02M JPY before tax for the first appointment, rising to 4.32M by the fourth. Eikaiwa: 250k to 280k JPY per month. ALT dispatch: 230k to 270k JPY per month. Cost of living outside Tokyo is reasonable.
Visa
Instructor visa or Specialist in Humanities visa. Bachelor's required. Since 15 April 2026 Japan's immigration agency also expects CEFR B2 in the working language for language-based jobs on the Specialist status (see our B2 rule explainer). Native English speaker preference for most roles. JET requires application by November for the following August start.
Best for
Teachers committed to staying multiple years and learning Japanese. The pay does not stretch as far as Korea, but career stability and quality of life are high.
Taiwan
Buxiban (cram school) work plus growing public school programs.
Salary
Buxibans: 600 to 750 NTD per hour, with most teachers working 20 to 30 hours per week. Public schools (FET): 60k to 75k NTD per month. International schools: 80k to 130k NTD per month.
Visa
Work permit through the employer, then ARC (Alien Resident Certificate). For buxiban (cram school) language teaching, Taiwan's Workforce Development Agency published cram-school checklist lists age 20 or above and graduation from college or above, and teaching the official language of your passport country; if you have not obtained a bachelor's degree, you also need a language-teaching qualification certificate. The certificate is not a substitute for the college-level education requirement. Confirm the current permit route with WDA before accepting an offer; its checklist and linked statutory reference are not fully aligned. Public-school roles follow separate Ministry of Education rules. Employers usually also ask for a criminal record certificate and a health check, and many ask for a 120-hour TEFL.
Best for
Teachers who want urban Asia with cleaner air than mainland China, excellent food, and a culture that respects educators.
Open positions, side by side
Taiwan
Kickstart Your Journey in Taiwan – Spring 2027 Public School Recruitment Open Today!
Teach Taiwan · Various
Kindergarten and Primary School English Teacher in Taiwan
St. Andrew Kindergarten · Zhubei City, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Native Speaker Language Coach in Changhua, Taiwan
Rui-De LEADER Language Schools · Various
Teach English in Taiwan
Kitchkas' Reading House · Various
Teach English in Taiwan! (Tainan City)
Kitchhkas' Reading House · Tainan City, Taiwan
Teach English in Beautiful Yilan, Taiwan
HeadStart to Success Academy · Various
Common questions
Japan
JET vs eikaiwa vs ALT dispatch — which should I apply to?
JET if you can wait 9 months for a placement and want a public school role with full benefits. Eikaiwa if you want to start within 60 days and are okay with evening hours. ALT dispatch is the fallback when you are already in Japan and need work.
Japan
Can I save money teaching in Japan?
Less than in Korea or the Gulf. Most teachers cover living costs comfortably and save 30k to 80k JPY per month outside Tokyo.
Taiwan
Is Taiwan safer than Hong Kong or mainland China for foreigners?
Most teachers report Taiwan as one of the safest places they have lived. Crime against foreigners is rare and the legal system is straightforward.
Taiwan
Can I save money teaching in Taiwan?
Buxiban teachers commonly save 30k to 50k NTD per month. Public school teachers save less but have more vacation.
