In Taiwan, education is a serious pursuitâand it doesnât stop when the school bell rings. After regular school hours, many students head straight to cram schools, known locally as buxibans (èŁçżç). These private institutions are where kids brush up on English, sharpen their math skills, or prep for important exams.
For foreign teachers, buxibans are often the first step into the Taiwanese education system. They offer steady jobs, visa sponsorship, and the chance to live in vibrant cities like Taipei, Taichung, or Kaohsiung. If you're looking to teach, explore Taiwan, and connect with students outside the traditional school structure, the buxiban route might just be your perfect starting point.
A buxiban (èŁçżç) literally translates to âsupplementary learning classâ and is commonly referred to in English as a cram school. These are privately run academies where Taiwanese students go after regular school hours for additional tutoring and academic support.
While buxibans cover a range of subjectsâfrom math and science to music and exam prepâEnglish is by far the most popular focus, especially for foreign teachers. Students might attend buxiban multiple times a week, often late into the evening, to get ahead or keep up with their schoolwork.
Unlike public schools, which follow a standardized national curriculum, buxibans are more commercial and competitive. Parents pay tuition expecting results, and students juggle both systems, balancing long days of formal education with extra hours of study in the evening. Itâs a reflection of Taiwanâs high-achievement academic cultureâand for many foreign teachers, the heart of the countryâs ESL job market.
Buxibans arenât part of the government education systemâtheyâre private businesses, and that difference shapes everything from their goals to their classroom culture. Where public schools are bound by a national curriculum and a structured school year, buxibans operate with one key priority: results that satisfy paying parents.
This customer-service mindset means classes often focus on test performance, oral fluency, or confidence in speakingâdepending on the schoolâs branding and clientele. Parents expect to see progress, and that expectation puts both students and teachers in a high-performance environment.
Compared to public schools, buxibans usually have:
As a teacher, youâll be expected to keep lessons engaging and results-driven, often balancing structure with creativity. Itâs a more commercial settingâbut also one that offers hands-on experience and regular student interaction.
As a foreign teacher at a buxiban, your main responsibility is teaching English-focused classes, typically aimed at boosting students' speaking, listening, reading, and pronunciation skills. Depending on the school, you might also cover phonics for younger learners or grammar and test prep for older students working toward TOEFL or GEPT exams.
Most buxibans provide a curriculum and teaching materials, but teachers are expected to adapt lessons to suit student levels and keep things lively. Classes tend to be shortâaround 40 to 60 minutesâbut youâll usually see the same students several times a week, which helps build rapport and track progress.
Your duties might also include:
While the environment is more business-like than a public school, it offers a great chance to sharpen your classroom skills and build meaningful relationships with students.
Buxiban teaching schedules are built around the traditional school dayâsince students attend these classes after their regular public school ends. Most teachers start work in the early to mid-afternoon (around 2:00 or 3:00 PM) and continue through the evening, often finishing by 9:00 or 10:00 PM.
Many schools operate Monday through Saturday, and while you may get one or two weekdays off, Saturday classes are common, especially for more advanced or exam-prep sessions.
Expect to teach multiple 40â60 minute classes, either in back-to-back blocks or spaced with short prep breaks. Some schools use split shiftsâwith morning kindergarten classes and evening sessions for older studentsâthough this is less common for foreign teachers unless you're working at a kindergarten-focused buxiban.
The upside? Mornings are free, so whether you want to sleep in, explore Taiwan, or run errands, you'll have the flexibility. The downside is working when most people are offâespecially evenings and weekendsâwhich can take some adjusting.
Most buxiban teachers work with elementary-aged students, typically between 6 and 12 years old. These young learners come straight from a full day at public school, so classes often blend fun, interactive activities with structured learning to keep them engaged.
Some buxibans specialize in middle or high school students, especially those focused on test preparationâlike GEPT or TOEFL Junior. These learners are usually more academically focused but may be under more pressure, which can affect classroom energy and stress levels.
A smaller number of schools cater to adult learners, offering business English, conversational practice, or travel-oriented language lessons. These jobs are more common in urban areas like Taipei and Taichung but are less available overall.
Each age group comes with its own rhythm:
Your experience will vary depending on the schoolâs focus and the student demographic they serveâbut most first-time foreign teachers in Taiwan start off with elementary or middle school students.
Not all buxibans are the sameâthereâs a wide range of school types, each offering a different teaching experience. Understanding these variations can help you find a job that fits your goals and personality.
Large chains like Hess, Shane English School, and Joy English are common entry points for new teachers. These schools offer:
They tend to be more corporate, which means clear expectationsâbut also less freedom to adapt your lessons. Youâll likely be part of a large team with regular meetings and evaluations.
These are often smaller, family-run schools that operate in neighborhoods across Taiwan. They may be more flexible and personal, with closer relationships between staff and management. However, they can vary widely in professionalism, pay reliability, and teaching support.
Some perks of smaller schools:
Downsides:
There are also niche buxibans that cater to specific age groups or needs:
Each type offers a different pace and teaching styleâso it's worth exploring multiple options before committing.
Working at a buxiban in Taiwan generally comes with a solid salary and decent perksâespecially considering the low cost of living. On average, foreign teachers earn between NT$50,000â70,000 per month (roughly USD $1,600â$2,200), depending on experience, location, and the school itself.
As always, read the contract carefully and speak with current or past teachers if you can. A little extra research can go a long way toward avoiding unpleasant surprises.
Like any teaching job abroad, working at a buxiban in Taiwan has its ups and downs. Itâs one of the most common paths for new teachersâand for good reasonâbut it also comes with a few challenges youâll want to weigh before diving in.
If you're adaptable, energetic, and realistic about what to expect, buxiban jobs can be an excellent way to teach, live, and thrive in Taiwan.
Not all buxibans are created equal, and your experience can vary dramatically depending on where you land. Taking the time to vet potential schools will help ensure a smoother, more enjoyable teaching journey in Taiwan.
Hereâs what to look for when choosing the right buxiban:
Start by looking up reviews from current or former teachers. Forums, Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and sites like Glassdoor can give you honest insight into how the school treats its staff. A few negative comments are normalâbut if you see a pattern of late payments, long hours, or high turnover, consider it a red flag.
Are you better with young kids or older students? Some buxibans focus exclusively on kindergarten or early elementary, while others cater to older children, teens, or even adults. Also ask how many students are in each classâsmall groups mean more interaction, but also more pressure to keep everyone engaged.
Some schools give you a rigid curriculum and expect you to follow it closely, while others offer more flexibility and encourage you to bring your own ideas. Think about your teaching styleâdo you prefer structure or creativity?
Make sure the school is upfront about salary, hours, vacation days, and job duties. A good buxiban should clearly outline everything in a written contract and help you with visa paperwork, health insurance, and housing (or at least a housing allowance).
Taking the time to evaluate these factors can help you land a job where youâll feel supported, respected, and excited to go to work each day.
Working at a buxiban can be a great way to start your teaching journey in Taiwan, but itâs not for everyone. The key is figuring out whether the pace, style, and environment match your personality and goals.
If you're flexible, outgoing, and enjoy working with younger learners, you'll likely thrive in a buxiban. These schools are especially good for people who prefer city life, want to meet other expats quickly, or are looking for a fast way into Taiwanâs job market without the long application cycles that come with public school roles.
Buxiban jobs also appeal to those who donât mind working evenings, value free mornings, and are comfortable in a setting that blends teaching with customer service. Youâll have frequent contact with students and sometimes even their parentsâmaking relationship-building a big part of the job.
However, if you're looking for long summer breaks, more predictable routines, or traditional classroom hierarchy, then buxibans might feel a bit intense or disorganized. Public school or university teaching roles may be a better fit for those priorities.
Ultimately, a buxiban job is a fast, accessible, and social way to live and work in Taiwanâespecially for teachers who are adaptable and eager to dive into a new culture head-on.
Buxibans are at the heart of Taiwanâs after-school education culture, and for many foreign teachers, they serve as a reliable first step into life and work on the island. These private institutions offer structure, steady pay, and opportunities to teach eager learners in a fast-paced, urban setting.
While they may come with a few trade-offsâlike evening hours or varied school qualityâbuxibans also bring flexibility, social connections, and an inside look at how education and family life intertwine in Taiwan. With a bit of research and the right mindset, teaching at a buxiban can be the beginning of an unforgettable chapter abroad.
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