South Korea vs Taiwan: Where to Teach English

Dreaming of teaching English in Asia but torn between South Korea’s cutting-edge cities and Taiwan’s laid-back island charm? You’re not alone. These two destinations sit high on the list for aspiring teachers who want more than just a paycheck—they want adventure, cultural immersion, and the chance to build a life abroad.

South Korea is a polished powerhouse: a place where neon-lit cities meet centuries-old palaces, where students are highly driven, and where teaching jobs often come with housing, airfare, and strong salaries. Life in Korea can be fast-paced, modern, and structured—perfect for those who crave stability and want to save money while still enjoying K-culture, mountains, and high-speed living.

Taiwan, on the other hand, is all about balance. From night markets to lush jungle hikes, life here unfolds at a gentler pace. The demand for English teachers is strong, but the atmosphere is more relaxed, the work culture less intense, and the visa options a bit more forgiving. Whether you picture yourself riding a scooter along the coast, sipping bubble tea after class, or exploring the island’s rich indigenous and Chinese heritage—Taiwan might just feel like home.

Both countries offer compelling reasons to stay long-term, but the lifestyle, classroom experience, and visa process can look very different once you’re on the ground. Let’s dig into the details and see which one aligns best with your goals.

Teaching Requirements and Eligibility

Whether you're a recent graduate or someone seeking a career shift, both South Korea and Taiwan welcome English teachers—but with slightly different rules.

To legally teach in South Korea, you’ll need:

• A bachelor’s degree in any subject
• Citizenship from one of seven native English-speaking countries (US, UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa)
• A clean criminal background check
• A health check
• While not mandatory, a 120+ hour TEFL certificate is often preferred and sometimes required by schools

Taiwan offers more flexibility:

• A bachelor’s degree is standard, but those with an associate degree + TEFL certificate can also qualify
• Native English speaker status is required for English teaching roles, but non-native speakers with alternative visas (marriage, permanent residence, etc.) may find opportunities
• A national-level background check and health clearance are required
• TEFL certification is strongly preferred and helps with job placement, especially in public schools or through the TFETP

Bottom line:

• South Korea is more rigid, especially with its native-speaker requirement and degree standards
• Taiwan offers alternate paths, particularly helpful for those without a bachelor’s or those already residing in the country

Job Types and School Options

The types of teaching jobs available in South Korea and Taiwan shape your daily routine, workload, and student interactions—so it’s worth understanding what to expect.

In South Korea, jobs fall primarily into two categories: public schools and private academies (hagwons). Public school placements are often done through structured government programs like EPIK, GEPIK, or SMOE. These roles typically follow a 9-to-5 schedule, with set holidays, co-teaching with a Korean teacher, and around 20–22 teaching hours per week. Hagwons, by contrast, are privately run after-school academies. They hire year-round, offer higher salaries than public schools, but may require evening and weekend work with more unpredictable hours and workloads.

Taiwan’s job market is dominated by buxibans, which are cram schools that operate in the afternoons and evenings. These are the go-to job type for most new teachers and range from small neighborhood centers to large chains. Public school jobs exist too, often accessed through the TFETP (Taiwan Foreign English Teacher Program), but positions are more limited and competitive. There are also a growing number of international and bilingual schools offering full-time roles with higher pay—but these usually require a teaching license or experience.

Student age groups vary in both countries, but Taiwan leans younger overall, with many roles focused on early childhood or primary-aged learners. In Korea, you’ll find a broader mix of kindy, elementary, middle school, and even adults, depending on the role.

Compare:

• Korea offers more structured public sector programs (EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE)
• Taiwan leans heavily on cram schools (buxibans) with flexible scheduling

Salaries and Earning Potential

Salaries are one of the biggest draws for teaching in Asia, and both Korea and Taiwan offer competitive options—but the structure and benefits vary.

In South Korea, public school teachers typically earn between $1,700–$2,200 USD/month, depending on experience and region. Hagwon teachers might earn $2,000–$2,500+, and university jobs—while harder to land—can reach $3,000–$4,000 with fewer hours. Most contracts include free housing, reimbursed airfare, national health insurance, and a severance bonus after each year. These perks significantly boost your take-home value and make Korea one of the best places to save money while teaching.

Taiwan’s base salaries range from $1,200–$2,000 USD/month in buxibans, with public school roles or international schools offering a bit more. While free housing is rare, some employers offer a stipend or housing allowance. Flights are sometimes reimbursed, though this is less consistent than in Korea. The real bonus in Taiwan? Flexibility. Teachers can often pick up extra hours, offer private tutoring, or transition into online work more easily than in Korea, where side gigs are technically restricted on an E-2 visa.

Compare:

• South Korea offers higher base salaries plus housing and flight benefits
• Taiwan pays slightly less but offers tutoring freedom and fewer hours in some jobs

Benefits and Perks

When weighing up teaching jobs abroad, it's not just about salary—the perks can make a huge difference in your quality of life and ability to save.

In South Korea, most full-time teaching contracts (especially through EPIK and hagwons) come with a generous benefits package. This typically includes free furnished housing, reimbursed airfare to and from your home country, 50% coverage of national health insurance, and a completion bonus equal to one month’s salary at the end of each contract year. Paid vacation ranges from 10 to 20 days, depending on your employer, and sick leave is usually included.

Taiwan, on the other hand, is more variable. Housing is rarely provided, though some schools offer a monthly housing allowance. Airfare reimbursement is hit-or-miss, depending on the school. Health insurance is included, and Taiwan’s public healthcare system is excellent—affordable, efficient, and highly accessible. Teachers in Taiwan generally have fewer vacation days than in Korea (often 7–14 days annually) and bonuses aren’t guaranteed, but the flexibility and freedom around scheduling can be a major perk for the right person.

Compare:

• Korea typically includes housing and flights in contracts
• Taiwan may not include housing but offers more relaxed conditions and independence

Cost of Living and Saving Potential

Your cost of living can shape the entire trajectory of your teaching journey—affecting how you spend your free time, what kind of lifestyle you can afford, and how much you’re able to save or travel.

In South Korea, living costs are moderate but not cheap. Big cities like Seoul and Busan come with higher rent and restaurant prices, but since most schools provide free housing, your biggest expense is off the table. Food is affordable, especially if you eat local (think bibimbap and kimbap instead of burgers and pasta), and public transport is cheap and efficient. With a stable salary and minimal rent, teachers in Korea often save $800–$1,200 per month, especially if they avoid major shopping splurges or nightlife excess.

Taiwan offers one of the best cost-to-lifestyle ratios in Asia. Rent is cheaper, especially outside Taipei, and meals can cost just $2–5 USD at local eateries. Even in Taipei, you can live well without overspending. However, since most teachers pay their own rent, your monthly expenses can vary. Still, it’s entirely possible to live comfortably and save a few hundred dollars each month—even more if you pick up tutoring or online teaching gigs.

Compare:

• Korea is more expensive overall but offers high saving potential thanks to free housing
• Taiwan has lower living costs but also slightly lower take-home pay

Work Culture and Day-to-Day Environment

Your day-to-day experience as a teacher isn’t just shaped by your students—it’s shaped by the culture of your school, how your colleagues interact, and the expectations placed on you as a foreign educator.

South Korea has a more formal and hierarchical work culture. Respect for authority is paramount, and clear lines exist between teachers and school leadership. In public schools, you'll likely work as a co-teacher under a Korean lead, with limited autonomy over the curriculum. Hagwons (private academies) might give you more independence in the classroom, but they also expect longer hours and stricter performance tracking. Punctuality, proper attire, and professionalism are all taken seriously, and it's not uncommon to attend occasional school dinners or staff events as part of your role.

Taiwan, in contrast, tends to have a more relaxed and informal school atmosphere. While expectations around professionalism still exist, the culture is often more collaborative and less rigid. Teachers—especially in buxibans—have more control over lesson delivery, and prep time is often built into your schedule. Communication with staff tends to be friendly and direct, and there’s generally more flexibility around scheduling or negotiating hours. You’re more likely to be seen as a team member than an outsider brought in to follow a script.

Compare:

• Korean work culture is hierarchical and formal, with clear expectations
• Taiwan’s work culture is more relaxed, with room for flexibility and negotiation

Lifestyle and Daily Life

Outside of the classroom, your quality of life depends on everything from how easy it is to get around to whether the local food scene excites you. This is where personal preferences come into play.

South Korea offers a fast-paced, modern lifestyle. Its cities are ultra-connected with sleek infrastructure, spotless public transportation, and convenience stores on every corner. You'll find themed cafés, high-tech gyms, and vibrant nightlife—especially in Seoul or Busan. K-pop, cosmetics, and fashion are woven into everyday life, and there’s a real buzz to urban living. Nature lovers can still escape to the mountains or beaches on weekends, but day-to-day life tends to be fast and structured.

Taiwan, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed and spontaneous vibe. The street food scene is legendary, bubble tea is practically a national treasure, and locals often spend their free time hiking, biking, or relaxing at hot springs. Cities like Taipei and Taichung are well-developed but more mellow than their Korean counterparts. You’ll find a welcoming expat community, affordable leisure activities, and an overall sense of balance between city convenience and outdoor beauty.

Compare:

• Korea has sleek infrastructure, K-culture, and urban excitement
• Taiwan boasts street food, mountain escapes, and a chilled-out lifestyle

Language and Cultural Adaptation

Language learning and cultural adjustment can shape your daily experience far beyond the classroom. Whether you're ordering lunch, building local friendships, or navigating public services, the ease—or challenge—of communication matters.

South Korea uses the Hangul writing system, which is phonetic, logical, and relatively quick to learn. Many teachers can read Korean signs within a few weeks, even if they don’t fully understand what’s written. That said, outside major hubs like Seoul or Busan, English isn’t widely spoken, and day-to-day communication can be challenging without at least basic Korean. Social customs also lean formal—age, status, and group harmony all influence interactions—so understanding Korean etiquette becomes part of the learning curve.

Taiwan primarily uses Mandarin Chinese, with the traditional character set, though pinyin (Romanized phonetics) helps with pronunciation and signage. While Mandarin is a tonal language and can be tricky to speak, Taiwan tends to be more forgiving and foreigner-friendly in everyday communication. Many locals, especially younger ones, have some English ability, and the overall social atmosphere is more casual and welcoming, making cultural immersion less intimidating.

Compare:

• Korean is logical but takes time to master; English use is more limited outside Seoul
• Mandarin (in Taiwan) is harder to speak, but the writing system (pinyin + simplified use) is more approachable for daily life

Long-Term Options and Residency

Thinking beyond your first year abroad? Whether you want to settle in Asia long-term or keep your options open, it’s important to consider how easy each country makes it to stay, grow, and evolve.

In South Korea, long-term teaching is absolutely possible—many teachers stay for years. The E-2 visa can be renewed annually with relative ease as long as you maintain employment. However, changing jobs mid-contract is tricky and requires a letter of release. Transitioning into university or international school roles often requires experience or higher qualifications. Permanent residency (F-2 visa) is possible but usually takes several years, and the process involves points based on income, education, and Korean language proficiency.

Taiwan is more flexible when it comes to long-term stays. Teachers can switch jobs or schools with minimal red tape, and many eventually transition to freelance or online teaching using a different visa type. The Gold Card visa is a unique option for qualified professionals and offers a path to permanent residency. Taiwan also allows long-term stays through entrepreneur visas, marriage visas, or APRC (permanent residency) after five years of continuous legal residence.

Compare:

• Korea has structured visa renewals and clear long-term paths (but bureaucratic)
• Taiwan offers more flexibility for freelancers and better options for those building a base long-term

Which Country Is Right for You?

You might thrive in South Korea if:

• You want a structured job with strong benefits
• You value modern cities, fast internet, and reliable transport
• You're interested in Korean pop culture, food, and lifestyle

You might thrive in Taiwan if:

• You prefer a more relaxed, independent teaching experience
• You want to live somewhere affordable, warm, and friendly
• You're open to learning Mandarin and immersing in a multicultural island vibe

👉 Learn more:

• Teach English in South Korea
• Teach English in Taiwan